Drove the new Mazda3...
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Joined: February 10, 2004
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Originally posted by briden+Mar. 24th, 2004, 1:23 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (briden @ Mar. 24th, 2004, 1:23 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Buell_Enthusiast@Mar. 23rd, 2004, 4:09 PM
Just on a fun little side note, you can make a FWD car slide
Just on a fun little side note, you can make a FWD car slide
[/b][/quote]It doesn't have a hand brake :bang: It has a parking brake pedal, like you can magically sprout a third leg to press that while shifting.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: October 2, 2006
Posts: 4,777
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From: Southeast Michigan
Those $15 xenon bulbs are sh*t. The Mazda3 S has D2S projection Xenon HID headlamps which are $180 for each capsule and the headlamp assemblies are probably $1000 each. The D2S produces 3200 lumens. Those $15 bulbs are probably 800 lumens.
Needs to be more Astony
Joined: October 4, 2004
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From: Volo, IL
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: October 2, 2006
Posts: 4,777
Likes: 16
From: Southeast Michigan
LOL 
the only reason I replied was because I am looking at a Mazda 3 S as a replacement winter car. It has all of the nifty features:
Dynamic Stability Control
Traction Control
EBD
Power Sunroof
Bi-Xenon HID headlights
Foglamps
Remote keyless
MP3 CD Player
The only thing it lacks is horsepower, but the 2009 model is supposed to get a brand new 2.5L DOHC I4 with direct fuel injection, making over 170 hp and gets 34+ mpg on the highway. The Stang is fun under the sun, but it lacks sophistication and is still a tad aggressive with fuel consumption.
Each of those D2S HID capsules is roughly $100-$250, hardly the same thing as a cheap $15 blue tinted halogen bulb
I was close to getting a 07 Focus ST instead of the Stang. The Mazda3 S is actually even better than the Focus ST because it is built on the C1 chassis (Mk 2 platform, same as the Volvo C30 and the European Focus ST) with the 2.3L DOHC I4 (156 hp instead of the ST's 150 hp). If I wait longer, they are going to release the Mazda3 on the Mk 3 chassis... But then the C7 Vette is coming out and the Mustang GT will get a BOSS V8 engine.
the only reason I replied was because I am looking at a Mazda 3 S as a replacement winter car. It has all of the nifty features:
Dynamic Stability Control
Traction Control
EBD
Power Sunroof
Bi-Xenon HID headlights
Foglamps
Remote keyless
MP3 CD Player
The only thing it lacks is horsepower, but the 2009 model is supposed to get a brand new 2.5L DOHC I4 with direct fuel injection, making over 170 hp and gets 34+ mpg on the highway. The Stang is fun under the sun, but it lacks sophistication and is still a tad aggressive with fuel consumption.
Each of those D2S HID capsules is roughly $100-$250, hardly the same thing as a cheap $15 blue tinted halogen bulb
I was close to getting a 07 Focus ST instead of the Stang. The Mazda3 S is actually even better than the Focus ST because it is built on the C1 chassis (Mk 2 platform, same as the Volvo C30 and the European Focus ST) with the 2.3L DOHC I4 (156 hp instead of the ST's 150 hp). If I wait longer, they are going to release the Mazda3 on the Mk 3 chassis... But then the C7 Vette is coming out and the Mustang GT will get a BOSS V8 engine.
Might want to consider the MazdaSpeed 3, starts at around $22K and only about $27K optioned to the hilt. Something like 260+ hp and 280+ torque and apparantly just a hoot to drive (and easy to take up to 300+hp with a few bolt-ons and chip).
Sure, FWD, torque steer and all that, but if your looking for a daily/winter driver with four doors, not a bad way to go at all.
Those D2S cartridges ain't cheap, but then, they should last far longer than an incandecent bulb and put out much more and better (whiter) light than the filtered down (dim) cheap blue-tinted bulbs.
Sure, FWD, torque steer and all that, but if your looking for a daily/winter driver with four doors, not a bad way to go at all.
Those D2S cartridges ain't cheap, but then, they should last far longer than an incandecent bulb and put out much more and better (whiter) light than the filtered down (dim) cheap blue-tinted bulbs.
Probably no worse than a standard 3 presuming you don't go gonzo on the gas and stuff. Winter tires would help, of course, as they would any other car, but the MS3 still has all the inherent FWD foul weather traction benefits. And it would certainly be better than a Stang.
Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: March 3, 2004
Posts: 2,634
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From: Richmond VA
the MS3 is soo much fun to drive. i even like the MS6, the 3 is quicker and the clutch is better IMO. And who needs all the gizmos. 22,000 for a low 14 sec car sounds like the 5.0LX to me!
(Every vehicle gets "the treatment" 
)