Mazda 3 MPS

[project.r.racing]

I brought a SP23 last Janurary with 122K on the clock for $10K.

I also owned a neo from new and sold it with 90K n the clock.

If the wife drives a MPS, she wont notice the lag or the torque steer. You really have to be upping an MPS to notice any of these.

The only issue I have with BK series 3s is they use wheel a little less wider than they should have, 17x6.5 w/ 205/50R17s for the SP23 and 18x7 with 215/45R18s for the MPS. An extra half an inch wheel would make the car a lot more stable in the corners and turn in.

The BLs came with 17x7 and 18x7.5 wheels.

The suggestion of a SP23/25 is a good one. You'll be surprized about the extra go these have over the 2.0L. Give one a drive before anything. You might find it ample enough.

[Blade_Hunter]

I would love a Gen4 SpecB Liberty wagon as a daily. 3 problems though:
1. Fuel economy is atrocious
2. I would want to mod it just as much as my MX-5
3. Missus wouldn't let me

You thought the Gen IV was bad with fuel? Gen V they relocated the turbo to be right at the exhaust manifold, the good was pretty much instant boost, the bad was you were ALWAYS on boost when you touched the accelerator. It kicked in around 2,400 I think.

Mine used 16.8 l/100 most of the time

[smy0003]

Mine used 16.8 l/100 most of the time

Holy crap.
The RS250 is giving me low 8's l/100km around town.

[Blade_Hunter]

Mine used 16.8 l/100 most of the time

Holy crap.
The RS250 is giving me low 8's l/100km around town.

I used to use a tank of fuel per week which was just over $100, I would get around 400 - 450 K's for this around town.

Get it out on the highway on cruise control and it would drop to around 8 l/100.

My MX5 does 7 around town and 5 on the highway . The MX5 is even more efficient than my old Corolla was (Sportivo)

[Lokiel]

I brought a SP23 last Janurary with 122K on the clock for $10K.

I also owned a neo from new and sold it with 90K n the clock.

If the wife drives a MPS, she wont notice the lag or the torque steer. You really have to be upping an MPS to notice any of these.

The only issue I have with BK series 3s is they use wheel a little less wider than they should have, 17x6.5 w/ 205/50R17s for the SP23 and 18x7 with 215/45R18s for the MPS. An extra half an inch wheel would make the car a lot more stable in the corners and turn in.

The BLs came with 17x7 and 18x7.5 wheels.

The suggestion of a SP23/25 is a good one. You'll be surprized about the extra go these have over the 2.0L. Give one a drive before anything. You might find it ample enough.

I preferred my MaxxSport's 16" rims to the SP23's 17" rims and will "upgrade" them to 16" rims if they clear the SP23's larger brakes when I need to replace the tyres (unfortunately the no-name-brand tyres were new when I bought the car and are wearing very well - they suck in the wet though).
The 17" rims make the ride too harsh and are only aesthetic "wank value".

The torque increase of the 2.3 SP23 vs the 2.0 MaxxSport is very noticeable and makes it more fun to drive.

I prefer the simpler look of the interior and exterior of the BL series vs the BK series (HATE the BL's front end/grin and the exposed tail lights), otherwise I'd have bought a SP25 (BL series) - that's a car you should at least test drive, biggest N/A engine in a Mazda 3.

The BK series has a really nice/forgiving 5-speed gearbox vs the BL's 6-speed gearbox.
The Aisin 6-speed gearbox in the NBs is rubbish - not sure if the BL uses the Aisin 6-speed gearbox but it was another reason I originally bought my MaxxSport BK series when I could have bought a 2nd-hand BL series for similar money.

[project.r.racing]

dunno about wank value. they are stock satin silver rims and not worth bragging to anyone about. so dunno how you can get wank value from that. a SP23/25 is only a jazzed up family car.

after having a daily with big wheels and coilovers for more than a decade. i dont find the 17s harsh at all. going from a 1100kg car with 215s fitted to 7.5 wide rims to a 1200kg car with 205s fitted to 6.5 wide rims meant i need to slow down a lot.

could do with a slightly bigger rear sway bar also. but that is personal preference. the stock 20mm sway does the job for most situations.

[jaycrab]

I wasn't really considering any 3 less then MPS. I probably should have mentioned that unfortunately this will need to replace the 5, so the replacement will need to be high on thrills and cater to weekend blasts as well as commuting. If I had room for two cars than a SP23/5 would probably work well but won't cut it as an only car. I'll just hate myself for it and end up buying something else.

So far I think it will be a toss up between MPS, megane, S3, and possibly R32/A3 3.2 (sorry speed, same car). I initially thought that the MPS would be the sensible choice in terms of running costs and reliability (plus 5 doors), but they sound to be hit and miss. There are some seriously cheap S3 BPs on the market so it's a tough call. This has been enlightening anyhow.

[speed]

All good Jay.
I may have come across as abrupt but I will spruik the VW's and audi's all day.
I just sold an R32. What I meant by not the same is that if you were paying the same money for an A3 ambition 4mo as an R32 you'd be getting ripped off.
The r32 holds its value much better and IMO is a better looking car.
Even s3s come up for sale every now and again cheaper than an R32.
My 2c is that the r32 is a great daily but for modifying the s3 is more bang for buck with a simple chip.

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[JZP]

Focus ST? I have one and it is a very good car.

Resale value is crap, I reckon due to the auto class action. Note: There is NO relationship between the ST and auto problems.

So poor resale is in your favour.

5 doors, Recaro seats, cameras, sat Nav, all the bells and whistles, and a more supple ride (in my opinion) than the Megane.

[jaycrab]

I just sold an R32. What I meant by not the same is that if you were paying the same money for an A3 ambition 4mo as an R32 you'd be getting ripped off.

Yep fair enough. My understanding was that the A3 quattro 3.2L (rare) and VW R32 had the same chassis, engine, gearbox, drive train etc. So in terms of testing I could get away with looking at one or the other rather than both. Of the two the R32 would be the one to go for if I could find a 5 door with low Kms in budget. They seam to have a bit of a cult following though and anything with less than 150,000kms costs mega bucks.

Re Focus ST - so far it's been low on the radar as most reviews label it a warm hatch (like VW GTI) rather than hot. Haven't ruled it out though.

[smy0003]

I never looked at the ST, as fast as they depreciate they were still out of my price bracket (but within yours). Meganes take the medal for depreciation I think.

The ST gets some great write-ups, and I'm pretty sure you can get a Mountune chip at the Ford dealer which brings it up to 202kW. Massive aftermarket scene in the UK if that's your sort of thing. I can't stand that interior, although five doors and the grown-up sized rear legroom would be handy.

[jaycrab]

We've decided on our next car. Something a bit different but hopefully enjoyable. Thank's for the suggestions.
I drove a 3 MPS and whilst it was nice, it felt huge. None of the 4 door hatches drove like the hot hatches I was used to, so i figured a sedan with serious power would do the trick for now.

If anyone's interested in a Blue PRHT NC keep an eye out on the classifieds section. It will be cheap.

[bruce]

Which sedan did you decide on?

[jaycrab]

Ending up deciding on a Passat CC. Very upmarket interior and features, plus a 5.6s 0-100 with launch control .
Not a 'fun' car but my wife likes it so I'm happy.

MX is now online

viewtopic.php?f=73&t=74335

[speed]

Haha. I was going to joke and say an audi a4. Not that far off the money. Good cars. Enjoy!

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