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R3 vs GT

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Old Sep 27, 2009 | 07:22 PM
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R3 vs GT

So I'm looking on the Mazda website, and I keep double checking to make sure it hasn't changed. The R3 is only $30 more than the GT? Last year, wasn't the R3 like $4000 more than the GT? Why wouldn't pretty much everyone opt for the R3 then?

From mazdausa.com:

Sport: $27,245
GT: $32,710
R3: $32,740

The red R3 looks pretty sharp. Is it true the R3 doesn't have heated seats though? It gets COLD here in the winter, I think that would be an R3 deal breaker for me. But I imagine most people would go for the R3?
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Old Sep 28, 2009 | 11:59 AM
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It's slower, it stops slower, has a happy face with ugly extended eyes and very little upgrades like no Access Port.
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Old Sep 28, 2009 | 12:27 PM
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The R3 has Recaro cloth seats, so no heat. Their purpose is to hold you firmly in place in 'race' conditions and not necessarily to be comfortable in all climes.

All models of course have the same motor, so between the GT and R3 it's basically do you want a little bit of creature comfort GT (with heated leather seats, etc.) or a little bit of track car R3 (with 19" wheels and a bit stiffer suspension).

Mazda finally resigned that there shouldn't be such a cost delta in making this choice.

Originally Posted by l008com
So I'm looking on the Mazda website, and I keep double checking to make sure it hasn't changed. The R3 is only $30 more than the GT? Last year, wasn't the R3 like $4000 more than the GT? Why wouldn't pretty much everyone opt for the R3 then?

From mazdausa.com:

Sport: $27,245
GT: $32,710
R3: $32,740

The red R3 looks pretty sharp. Is it true the R3 doesn't have heated seats though? It gets COLD here in the winter, I think that would be an R3 deal breaker for me. But I imagine most people would go for the R3?
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Old Sep 28, 2009 | 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Razz1
It's slower, it stops slower, has a happy face with ugly extended eyes and very little upgrades like no Access Port.
Why do you say it's slower?
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Old Sep 28, 2009 | 04:40 PM
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I was on teh fence. I'd have to pay for aftermarket heated seats for the R3, or pay for the spoiler on teh GT. But then i remembered my snow tires are 18"s so GT it is. If anything. Too bad though, the red R3 looks really sharp.
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Old Sep 28, 2009 | 06:22 PM
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If you auto-x or do HPDEs, get the R3. Otherwise, I'd get the GT.
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Old Sep 28, 2009 | 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by kster
If you auto-x or do HPDEs
huh?
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Old Sep 28, 2009 | 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Huey52
The R3 has Recaro cloth seats, so no heat. Their purpose is to hold you firmly in place in 'race' conditions and not necessarily to be comfortable in all climes.

All models of course have the same motor, so between the GT and R3 it's basically do you want a little bit of creature comfort GT (with heated leather seats, etc.) or a little bit of track car R3 (with 19" wheels and a bit stiffer suspension).

Mazda finally resigned that there shouldn't be such a cost delta in making this choice.
Tires and wheels at 19" are much more expensive than tires and wheels at 18" =\
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Old Sep 28, 2009 | 11:21 PM
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Originally Posted by l008com
huh?
auto-x = autocross
HPDEs = high performance driving events (or track days)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autocross
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Pe...vers_Education

Sounds like the GT might be a better fit for you.
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Old Sep 29, 2009 | 03:12 AM
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Is the high wing rear spoiler no longer available on the GT? I don't see it on the car builder anymore! Will an average dealer be able to get one anyway, since they're installed at the dealership anyway? Any similarly priced aftermarket spoilers? Similar price and similar look, nothing silly looking?
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Old Sep 29, 2009 | 06:11 AM
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And leather interior, etc. GT, is more expensive than cloth, so .....

Originally Posted by JinDesu
Tires and wheels at 19" are much more expensive than tires and wheels at 18" =\
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Old Sep 29, 2009 | 06:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Huey52
And leather interior, etc. GT, is more expensive than cloth, so .....
Yeah, but you don't normally need to replace those. I've gone through 2 tires already, due to weird circumstances.
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Old Sep 29, 2009 | 06:51 AM
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^ That's an aftermarket concern, not purchase price related, but I do get what you're saying.

The bottom line is that the R3 and GT pricing is now where it should be, about equal, effectively eliminating cost differential when making the decision between "Track Ready" and Grand Touring.
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Old Sep 29, 2009 | 10:46 AM
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Originally Posted by l008com
Why do you say it's slower?
Both Road & Track and Motor Trend tested it . 1/4 sec. slower in the quarter.

You can not remove the Mazda logo on the 2009.

Ha ha..................
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Old Sep 30, 2009 | 02:08 AM
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Originally Posted by l008com
Is the high wing rear spoiler no longer available on the GT? I don't see it on the car builder anymore! Will an average dealer be able to get one anyway, since they're installed at the dealership anyway? Any similarly priced aftermarket spoilers? Similar price and similar look, nothing silly looking?
^^^ anyone know the answer to this? I hate the look of this car without the spoiler. It looks . . . unfinished. If I buy an 8 tomorrow, it will be an 09 diamond silver whatever color. Not an easy color for your average shop to match. So it kind of has to come from mazda. I hope they are still available!
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Old Sep 30, 2009 | 02:21 AM
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You should probably consult the dealer...
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Old Sep 30, 2009 | 02:45 AM
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OK I dug a little deeper on Mazda's website. Also no dealers are open at 3am

RX-8 Accessories

Why in gods name would the spoiler only be for automatics????? What the hell is that about? What possible explanation would they have for that?
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 04:26 PM
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Originally Posted by l008com
OK I dug a little deeper on Mazda's website. Also no dealers are open at 3am

RX-8 Accessories

Why in gods name would the spoiler only be for automatics????? What the hell is that about? What possible explanation would they have for that?
Because the stock non-R3 Manual cars have a lip spoiler that might cause an issue.
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 03:37 AM
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/\ Lol so. Remove that **** and put the spoiler on.
Maybe the Auto's are faster? lol.
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 03:49 AM
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But the R3 has teh sexy rims!
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 03:54 AM
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Originally Posted by shazy
Maybe the Auto's are faster? lol.

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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 03:56 AM
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Sexy 19 inch rims and recaro seats=Win
Specially when its only $30 more than the GT
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 03:57 AM
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Originally Posted by l008com
OK I dug a little deeper on Mazda's website. Also no dealers are open at 3am

RX-8 Accessories

Why in gods name would the spoiler only be for automatics????? What the hell is that about? What possible explanation would they have for that?
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 03:57 AM
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My ex had/has an R3, and that bitch was SEEEEEEEEEXXXXXYYYYYYYY, and that aint just talking about her body!!!!!!
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 04:03 AM
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The Red R3's look sick, no doubt. But I decided to pursue a GT for two reasons: skinny people like me need heated seats! Also, I already have a set of 18" snow tires. I was actually about to get an 09 GT for a really good deal on the last day of september. But then, apparently a "miscommunication" and that deal was un-done even though I wanted to go for it. Just maybe, next month the lease deals will be back on the 09's and my dealer will still have that nice silver 2009 GT in stock . . . maybe.
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