Basically, as I've discussed in the RX8 discussion forum, I am up and down about whether or not to sell the 8. But I got a nice cash offer from someone local so I think I am going to take it when I get my hood fixed from when a f*cking tree limb fell on it!

Anyway, I just went to the dealership to drive the regular Mazda 3. I figure I can get $15K for my RX8 and spring $18K for a dependable, good MPG Mazda with a full warranty. Not the most exciting thing in the world, but oh well. Anyway, the guy asks me if I want to drive the MS3 while I'm there. I say sure. So sure enough I was blown away by the torque compared to the RX8 I drove to the dealership and little pussball Mazda 3 sedan I test drove prior. It really puts you back in your seat. I can remember driving and '05 STI from Carmax and this thing felt almost just as fast. The interior is nice. Not quite as sophisticated as the 8's, but better than most cars. As much as the handling has been hated on in local threads, it really wasnt bad at all. I'm sure pushed to the limits it isn't even be comparable to the RX8 in the handling department. But I don't really have the budget for tracking to be one of my hobbies so its something I can live with. The MS3 has plenty of handling capability to have fun on public roads! The MPG is better. There is more storage space. Looks, well, uh, err.. haha who are we kidding. The RX8 is a 10 and I'd consider the MS3 maybe a 6.5 or 7... I only rate it that high because it is one of the better looking hatches I have seen. But I'm not buying a car for the ladies. Hell I'm engaged and about to be married. Plus the fiance actually really likes how the MS3 looks. If it was a downright ugly car IMO then I wouldn't buy it. But with the right color and a tasteful tint I think it looks fairly nice.

I'm definately considering this car to be my purchase. As far as which one is more fun to drive.... that's a relative statement. Like I said, I won't be tracking the car, so I definately think the MS3 will be every bit as fun to drive as the RX8 in daily driving. The warranty will be nice to have again. The 7 MPG better fuel economy will be nice. The 280 ft\lbs of torque is hella fun! The RX8 will be missed. But maybe after being out of college a few more years I will have the funds to actually take a car to the track. If so, I might once again be in the market for a well maintained RX8.

(I tried to give a fair comparison of these two cars. I never put down the RX8 or said the Speed 3 was a better car, so I hope I don't get any unnecessary flaming)

 

My brother has speed3 and there is no doubt about it, it is a lot of fun to drive. I do prefer the 8 but would consider a MS3.

 

Yep. I guess if I were at a different stage in life I would take the $8K difference that I will be spending on the Speed 3 and slap a turbo on the 8 instead. But seeing as I am just getting out of college starting at an entry level business position, this isn't the practical thing to do right now. In my case...

New stock MS3 and warranty > Turbo RX8 with 61K miles and no warranty

 

I went to go buy a regular 3 last November for a daily driver and to autox in H-stock. I made the mistake of test driving the Speed3 and an Rx-8. After driving those two cars the regular 3 was no longer an option. The speed3 was alot of fun to drive and the power was great, you should have alot of fun with that car.

 

The sh*t of this whole thing is, the 8 would be sold and I would be out driving the Speed 3 right now if I was parked 6 feet further to the right last Tuesday. F*ckin limb!!

 

If you're getting a hatchback, the MS3 is the way to go. I've been in one before and they're incredible.

 

the madaspeed 3's with little modifications are dynoing at 280 lbs of torque at the wheels..

 

Another thing to consider: The Civic Si.

Seriously. I test drove it the other day, and I was totally blown away by just how frickin' good the driving experience was. Endless grip? Check. Agile handling? Check. Power? Check only when VTEC JUST KICKED IN YO. Good noise when bone stock? TOTALLY check. Good MPG? Check. Awesome shifter? CHECK.

Go test drive one today!

 

Word. I imagine this is reachable with strictly Mazdaspeed stuff. 280 lbs of torque and a full warranty for $25,000? Thank you very much...

 

i just can't part with my 8, but the ms3 is a sweet car for the money. i'd get it in a heartbeat if i was parting with some other car...

 

Good call on the MS3, really good car IMO. I'm fortunate enough to get to drive one whenever my GF is feeling generous..

 

The MS3 is a great car. The 8 could use some of the MS3's torque. It is a performance steal.

 

Rember you can save money. Payoff your RX8.

It's good for kids up to 12 at least.

No need to sell just because you are getting married.

So who where's the pants in the family? Her or you?

Just want to make sure... I think you want to sell it anyways considering the other thread, but don't sell the RX8 because you are getting married.

 

The RX8 is paid off. I would love to get $15K out of the car while I still can. $9K more over a few years for more torque, more room, a warranty, better MPG, isn't the worst investment ever.

The fact that I'm getting married has nothing to do with me selling the 8. I was convinced to keep it until I got the cash offer and I drove the MS3.

 

anyone who thinks the 8 is a better track car than the MS3 has not seen the two race together . Sadly with minor mods the MS3 is a faster track car than the 8

 

I really hate you guys. The RX-8 is a "supercar" that is down on power.

"$9K more over a few years for more torque, more room, a warranty, better MPG, isn't the worst investment ever."

$3-4k for a turbo kit to make the RX-8 kick some *** is a way better investment in the pursuit of happiness.

 

There is a difference between faster and better

but i get what ur saying

 

Lord knows I've thought about it but I'm not sure its the best way to go. After everything else I will need to add along with the turbo, not to mention the installation.... it will easily be well over $3K-$4K. Even then the MS3 and RX8 will be similar power-wise. (Assuming I go with the Greddy Kit) Not to mention I will be warranty-less so anything that breaks I will pay for out of pocket.

Plus I don't know enough about F.I. and tuning to be putting on any aftermarket turbos.

 

This is just my input because my asst. manager bought a speed3 the same time my manager and I got our rx8's.

The speed3 is hands down going to woop some *** in a straight line, but when you get the speeds up, it is a turn and pray that I don't lose traction. In my opinion the interior is shitty to say the least. It is so dull with it's silver bar behind a dull round sound ****. You should know that in 1st you will be pushing 5psi Boost, 2nd you will push 9psi Boost, and 3rd - 6th you will get around 15psi Boost.
I am not taking away from the brute force strength of the car, but I just don't see it as a show boaster that you wooped someone up in a grocery getter.

Ultimately it is your car, and these are just my opinions. I just know that at the end or our shift, we both get in our cars. He can go faster than me, but I look better rolling along than he does. The style, class, pride, and all around feel is COMPLETELY different.

I wish you the best in whatever you decide

 

Well as far as the interior I will have to disagree with you there. Calling the interior "shitty" is a little much. But it's easy to think that way after being spoiled by the RX8's way above average interior. As far as handling at high speeds. ... Like I said before, I don't have the money to be taking cars to the track. I don't routinely push my car to its handling limits on public roads. (call me crazy) Like I said before, by putting a turbo in the 8, I have to buy everything else to go with it, plus pay for installation. This will get me to $7-9K easy. Not to mention if something breaks, I don't have have knowledge or funds to fix it. Dropping an aftermarket turbo is just not practical right now. If I had the means to do it, I'd still sell my 8 and just buy an '03 Vette Z06 for $25K.

Trust me, if I ever get into tracking cars I will strongly consider picking up another 8. The fact that I can take sharp turns at 100 mph instead of 90 mph does me no good on a public road.

 

In my experience, I'd take the 8 right back. The Speed is a blast, but I can't find a comfortable proper seating position that doesn't feel like I'm sitting on the roof, and you WILL absolutely miss the driving feel of the 8. What you gain in brute force, you definitely lose in handling, comfort, and looks. It's a grin-inducing test drive (which is why I bought one), but as I approach a year of ownership, it has really started to pale compared to the 8. For the two and a half years I had my 8, I always looked forward to driving it, but this car is already getting a "meh" reaction a bit too often for my tastes.

 

Definately something to think about here. Good to actually hear from someone who has experience with both cars.

The looks I am prepared to lose. It is a hit I am willing to take. You really think the handling is that bad though?? When I hit a couple curvy entrance ramps in the test it felt great. And in the comparisons to the new WRX, the MS3 outhandled it easily.

 

The handling is fine unless you're really pushing it, but you're losing that great driving feel that the 8 has. You never really feel connected to the car, just sort of...on the car. It doesn't inspire the confidence that the 8 does. The seats, while good, annoy me on trips >1 hour. It's not as smooth, it's rather rough around the edges, but it's probably about the only way they could get a 4 cyl to run with that much power.

It just feels a bit empty - it's fast with little else going for it. IMO, the 8, while slower than its competition, was still quick, handled like a dream, made you feel connected, and was pretty nice inside and out. The MS3 is pretty darn fast for what it is, and it handles alright...and not much else.

Anyway, it's a lot of little things that add up to a lot for me. Maybe the Speed is right up your alley - there are a ton of people on the forums who are nothing but happy with their purchases. I'll be the first to admit that I can be picky, but I'd say drive it again and see if you think it's going to maintain the same charm that the 8 has. I think you're going to miss it.

 

from what I've read, it doesn't handle poorly. It's just no RX-8, which is arguably the best handling car in the world for the weight.

 

I'll be test driving again this weekend....