Might get a Mazdaspeed3...
 

End of model year, change of body style, surplus, and economy are presenting me with some good prices on a few different Mazdaspeed3 options.
I know a few folks here have them. Any issues, annoying features of lack of features? Has it lived up to your expectations?

I'm looking for a car to commute with that is fun to drive and that can use in a few autox/DEs per year.

Thanks,
Pat

Moses bought one for his daughter...reported that it's holding up quite well under this, possibly the toughest car test of all.

picked up a used 3 sport touring last year

Would have preferred the speed but they were unobtainable

They Make great daily drivers, good mileage, room for 4 adults, huge trunk for a car that size

It's good bang for the buck

No complaints here

In my opinion, a tremendous deal at the moment. Go for it.

My wife has a diamondschwartz '05 SP23. Great car with good performace and handling characteristics that's suprisingly practical. My only complaint is my right heel gets sore driving on long trips.

My dad has a torch red Speed3 and it's an absolute blast to drive. Better seats (no heel soreness) and so much power that it takes a lot of restraint to keep the inner hooligan in me at bay. I particularly like the lumpy idle. The same car with a completely different personality than ours. No quality issue thus far.

What were they thinking with the new design?

I absolutely want one. Got a chance to drive one about 2 months go and had a blast. Waaaay to much turbo lag though.

i have one.

i did have some buyer's remorse. here is why; it is sort of a "one hit wonder". it is fun to drive, fast, sound is intoxicating, and is super ZIPPY. i got my first speeding ticket shortly after buying the car. and that is what the car does. that's it. with four adult passengers, the car feels completely different. it doesnt have much in the way of payload. home depot runs wont work.

the troubles i have had are minor. the biggest is the gas cap. i have had it lock up twice. i mean it wont come off, and had to drop it off at the dealer. they switched it out twice, and now when it locks up it is because i screwed it in slightly skewed. how that can even happen, i dont know. but trying to get gas, when the damn cap wont come off is a PIA. on a road trip, it could be disastrous. i recently broke into a sweat running on fumes in sonoma. praying and getting medieval on the cap saved the day.

go for the stereo upgrade. the non bose system is very anemic. gas mileage BLOWS! i get 22 mpg. my best has been 26 on a road trip. big undulating road hills float the car up on the suspension and the car feels "floaty". some after market springs would fix that. i think all four corners is less than $300!!!

the car has grown on me, and i actually love it. the only remorse is that i miss a truck. i am a outdoorsy, DIY guy with home improvements and yard duty. i miss a truck.

my wife drives it most of the time now. SHE LOVES IT! i paid $21,200 for it last year. out the door, i was just north of 23k. you should do better.

Thanks to all,
Vash, thank you especially for noting some of your issues. I'm looking at some of the GT models with leather and the upgraded stereo. I don't need much cargo space (living in a highrise condo so I have no yard or need for home improvements at the moment.) My wife has an S60R so I doubt she'll try to steal the speed3 from me ;)

I'll have to see what kind of numbers I can get the dealer down to and I'll keep you all posted.

Anyone have any experience with it on an autox course or on track?
Pat

I have an 08 non-speed mazda 3s hatch, and it is a great daily driver. Very practical, comfortable, hip (kind of like a Target-store version of an Audi A3), and competent. The 2.3 is fairly pedestrian and the fuel economy is not much better than my chipped 95 325is' was, but the car is fun to drive and very affordable (paid under 16k for a leftover 08 last summer from a dealer struggling to stay afloat).

Mazda paint quality SUCKS though. Tons of rock chips/front end sandblasting after just one winter. Oh well.

A former bandmate has an 07 or 08 black VW GTI. It's faster, better handling and gets better fuel economy, but was something like 8 grand more. The premium isn't worth it for me....I would have had to sell the 911 to afford it. No way.

Never driven a speed3 but they went 'undefeated' in magazine comparisons for like 3 years so it must be pretty sweet...

I've seen them at the track, appear to be fun cars. A guy did total one 2 years ago, still had the dealer temp plates on it. Not sure what happened, maybe not familiar enough with the car. Put it in the tire wall on a left hand sweeper that's at the end of the long straight. He was either in the high intermediate or advanced group, not a novice by any means. Car held up rather well and he walked away.

I've been casually looking at speed3s as well. If you can find an '08 on a lot, MazdaUSA is giving $2500 back on them.

Let me know what prices you hear. I went to look at an 08, but when the salesman got all greasy on me I got antsy and left.

With my Mazdaspeed membership I can get a screaming deal.

I am allowed to pass this on to "friends" or family. PM me if you want to use my S-plan to buy.

.........compared to a truck. For a car, you can cram an amazing amount of stuff into a hatchback.

My in-laws have had a base model 3 since new, I think 2006. It's survived two years at the hands of a teen driver without any issues, and the interior is holding up very well.