R3 vs GT
09-27-2009, 07:22 PM
#1
Victory Red with Sand
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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?
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?
09-28-2009, 12:27 PM
#3
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.
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.
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?
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?
09-28-2009, 04:39 PM
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Victory Red with Sand
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09-28-2009, 04:40 PM
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Victory Red with Sand
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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.
09-28-2009, 08:24 PM
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went back to srsly broke
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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.
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.
09-28-2009, 11:21 PM
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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.
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.
09-29-2009, 03:12 AM
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Victory Red with Sand
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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?
09-29-2009, 06:51 AM
#13
^ 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.
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.
09-29-2009, 10:46 AM
#14
09-30-2009, 02:08 AM
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Victory Red with Sand
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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?
09-30-2009, 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?
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?
10-08-2009, 04:26 PM
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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?
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?
10-09-2009, 03:57 AM
#23
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?
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?
10-09-2009, 04:03 AM
#25
Victory Red with Sand
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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.