I'm really starting to like Mazda.

**Cerwin Vega Fan** · 03-22-2009, 10:17 PM

I have been working at one of the local shops for the past two months and one of my duties is to test drive cars for alignment and brake checks. I have to say that I have been very impressed with Mazda's late model cars. The ride is kind of rough in all models but they all have a sporty feel I like (excluding the B series trucks). I always thought they were cheap little cars but it turns out they are just as nice as any other low end car. For me the next purchase is obvious either a RX8 or Speed3.

**Hi-Po** · 03-22-2009, 10:18 PM

Sporty feel? Whats that feel like? Ive always wondered

Both of those cars you listed are slow as hell.

**Modulistic** · 03-22-2009, 10:22 PM

ban him

**Cerwin Vega Fan** · 03-22-2009, 10:23 PM

Cars that feel fast but really are not lol. The speed3 may not crush an ls3 car but it can damn near handle every car in it class.

**grouch0jr** · 03-23-2009, 05:01 AM

i heard the speed3 was really really fast. cant they beat an ls1 0-60?

**b.lee** · 03-23-2009, 06:10 AM

Boo this man.

**fccs** · 03-23-2009, 06:21 AM

Mazdas have always been known to handle great, rx7's rx8s's they all outhandle fbodys easily, and they're probably close to a vette or something.. but there not fast thats what stirs people away from them. I drove a rx8 and being able to take a offramp on the interstate at 90 and the tires holding on was just amazing, but the problem is is that they don't have ANY power or torque for that matter..lol

**grouch0jr** · 03-23-2009, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by b.lee

Boo this man.

haha, dont boo me, its what i heard

**Tobynine9** · 03-23-2009, 06:27 AM

I looked very seriously at a low mileage, Mazdaspeed MX-5 before I bought my SS. It was $4k more or I would have bought it instead. The sucker cornered like it was on a rail and with the turbo it was still pretty quick in a straight line. With the $$ I've dumped into the SS's suspension I could have stabbed a bigger intercooler and upped the boost on the MX-5 making it just as quick and it still would have handled better.

**chiller2484** · 03-23-2009, 06:46 AM

yeah but you would have looked pretty

driving around in a miata

**86 IROC-Z** · 03-23-2009, 07:18 AM

I miss MagicMan.

**Tobynine9** · 03-23-2009, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by chiller2484

yeah but you would have looked pretty

driving around in a miata

Until I ripped the doors off most LS1 F-Bodies...

I ended up with the SS because I didn't want the higher payments and the SS was my dream ride in high school.

**Cerwin Vega Fan** · 03-23-2009, 07:55 PM

I hope they update the engine in the speed3 for the next gen, a four banger with no top end power just doesn't seem right.

**toi tyme** · 03-23-2009, 08:02 PM

Say no to drugs!!!!

D.A.R.E.

**310stanger** · 03-23-2009, 08:10 PM

all joking aside, the mazdaspeed3 is quick for what it is. Not designed to compete with v8 muscle but for what else is in its class they freakin move. And yes all mazdas seem to handle well. The fit and finish of their cars is pretty much on par with all the other jap makes

**BADASS2000SS** · 03-23-2009, 08:15 PM

Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

**Cerwin Vega Fan** · 03-23-2009, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by 310stanger

all joking aside, the mazdaspeed3 is quick for what it is. Not designed to compete with v8 muscle but for what else is in its class they freakin move. And yes all mazdas seem to handle well. The fit and finish of their cars is pretty much on par with all the other jap makes

Fit and finish is the main reason I did not upgrade to an LS1 when I sold my 95.

**mitchntx** · 03-24-2009, 08:06 AM

After instructing in Speed3s on road courses, I have agree ... they handle well, well balanced, good brakes and have decent power for what they are. And they are amazingly durable, especially for what we put them through.

I liked them so much so, I bought the wife a CX-7 as a daily. I have run this thing up to 130 and just cruised. It was a lot more stable at speed than I ever though a sport ute would be.

Finally ... I like supporting manufacturers that support grassroots motorsports.

**LS1Jason** · 03-24-2009, 08:14 AM

My last car was an Rx8. when it wasn't in the shop, it was a blast to drive. handling was superb. but, it stayed in the shop all the time. Maybe the service dept wasn't worth a crap, but i wouldn't own another one.

**310stanger** · 03-24-2009, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by LS1Jason

My last car was an Rx8. when it wasn't in the shop, it was a blast to drive. handling was superb. but, it stayed in the shop all the time. Maybe the service dept wasn't worth a crap, but i wouldn't own another one.

thats just the perils of rotary engine ownership