They had a preview of the car and really seemed to like it. Their estimated performance figures are astonishing, however.

"Honed in Germany, the suspension and chassis package is terrific, and the ride quality and noise levels are surprisingly good. In short, this is a serious rival to the GTI, especially since Mazda claims it will be priced around $23,000 when it gois on sale this fall."

Performance ratings (C/D est):

Zero to 60mph...5.3sec
Standing 1/4 mile...13.9 sec
Top Speed (governor limited)...149mph


Wow.

 

Hmm, for a FWD car with such a good 0-60 time I would expect the 1/4 mile time to be quicker. What was the trap speed?

 

i'd hit it.

 

We fall further and further behind.

 

I would definately hit it...though I really don't like the hatch. It got bumped up by the Mazdaspeed version.

 

repost. see the mazdaspeed reviews thread. https://www.rx8club.com/general-automotive-49/mazdaspeed3-reviews-96342/

See post #56

Merge or kill.

 

would be nice to have that engine...

 

but but the 8 isn't about straight line speed right? RIGHT?

 

The MS3 is said to be a pretty tight handled by all the reviews thus far and it has been mentioned that Mazdaspeed coilovers and forged rims are under development...

 

^^^Yeah, still, there just isn't any substitute for RWD.

But man, if I were to do it all over again, I'd seriously consider an MS3 base.

 

Pwns teh srt-4.

 

SRT-4 "pwns" itself. Have you seen it lately? Uglier than the Aztek.

 

^^^ its not in production anymore... the 300hp SRT4 Caliber will be out soon though

 

So how is insurance on anything with the mazdaspeed label?

 

That's exactly the car I was talking about. It's the most horrid looking car on earth.

 

When I had my MSP, American Family told me it was a sports car, lol, and tried to charge me out the ***. So I switched to Progressive and it became right in line with my Focus 6month payment. What also helped for me is that most had it as a regular protege. I didn't argue. As for these models, being a 5door hatch must help.

To quote Dodge, "It's anything but cute". How true that is.

 

I suppose there is a market for cars that are as ugly as a mud fence as long as they can go fast enough.... I think we have some nitro powered tractors around here....

 

Kinda like the 8 huh? Except the fast part.

 

 

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