I'm considering picking up a 3s hatch and mazda3club.com doesn't have a whole lot of information. This site has always had people with a lot of insight into other cars, especially Mazda's.

Does anyone know if the 3 has a neutral safety on the manual transmission like the 8 does?

Also, will Speed3 suspension upgrades work on the 3s hatch?

If anyone knows a good Mazda3 forum for info, that would also be greatly appreciated.

 

All the Speed3 stuff should be a direct bolt on. My advice would be to see if you can find a speed3 to buy instead of doing the upgrade. I drove one before I got my 8 and I can tell you it is a rocket. The power difference between the 3s and the Speed is significant. Don't remember for sure about the neutral safety, but I think it does have one.

 

I'm getting a 3s to help save on gas, not for racing, but I want it to handle better still.

 

Have you factored in the amount you will lose on the trade/depreciation into your equation? You will save gas, but you won't save money. Based on the amount you are losing in the trade and real world mileage it may take you 200-300k miles of driving to gain anything.

 

nothing for the engines will bolt over. I had a fully modded SP23 5 speed Hatch. Only like 1400 made of the one I had or some low number like that. If you want info, check out mazda3forums.com, there is a lot of good info there. I will tell you the the TWM short shifter was my favorite mod to the car. And if you want a good suspension upgrade, then go w/ the Eibach prokit and some koni adjustables, or the Koni FSD shocks. The car is an awesome car, I miss it sometimes. I'll find some pictures of her later on, and I'll post them

 

I have figured in vehicle depreciation, but I'm buying a used 3 so it kind of cancels each other out. I need something more practical than the 8 and with lower payments and better gas mileage.

Thanks biggins, I'm not planning on turboing the 3 or anything like that, but definately going with a short shifter and pretty sure I'll do coil overs. I may do intake and exhaust, assuming that I could get better gains than the 8 would show. But definately considering suspension mods. It doesn't matter how fast you can go in a straight line if you've got to slow down too much for a corner, right?

Also did your SP23 have the saddle leather interior. We had a sedan in the dealership I work at and it looked and felt great.

 

No, I got the black, I hated the saddle brown w/ that Carbon Grey Mica....clashed to much in my personal opinion. And I didn't get a sunroof, cuz I couldn't find one in a standard. The one I had was the rarest of the SP23's because it was last of the 4 models to be made, and the assembly plant burned down. If you get a cold air intake, I would advise getting a bypass valve so you don't hydro lock the car. Or, just get a short ram. And get a 3" exhaust. I think the dyno showed about a 20HP gain w/ a intake and exhaust. So the gains are def high. And it really really really smoothes the whole RPM range. And, I would also advise a TWM shift ****, if you look at the mazda3forum.com you will find out that people really like them. I'm actually using the one I had in my 3 on my 8, and its great. And def get new tires on the 3, the ones that come on it SUCK, they are worse than the stock 8's tires. Also, look at getting some RX8 18" rims and using them on the 3, if you want a better handling car. Like I said tho, I loved my 3

Here's a pic 2 weeks after I picked it up.


heres the short shifter, not the best pic of it but you get the idea



the stock rear



and here are some pics in the body shop after the 2" drop and body kit



I had absolutely 0 ground clearance



And I'll find some finished pictures of it. It had all the lights tinted, the refelecters tinted, the side moldings removed (which is a MUST, its like clear corners on a 8) and a few other things done that I can't remember right now.

 

I like the wagon much better than the sedan.
Good Luck!

 

You're right, the brown does clash, but that's part of what I liked about it. I actually have snow rims and tires on my 8 right now and I was thinking of hanging onto the 18", still not sure though. It looks like you did some pretty tasteful mods to your car, hopefully you can find the finished pics. Also, taking off the side molding, is that as easy as swapping for clear corners? I wouldn't think so, but definately agree it would be cleaner.

 

You'll most certainly gain a lot more reliability long term in a regular 3, and I don't know about where you live but they are offering Incredible deals on all mazda 3s right now. I was even tempted to trade my Speed 6 in for one, as there's just something about that car that says GET RID OF IT AFTER WARRANTY!!! I love the car, but I just don't have the trust in it like I did my STI, especially driving it hard, and long term. Seems more fragile to me, but I love it nonetheless.

Not just gas mileage, but overall maintanence and future problems will be far more expensive, so not caring about the power, this could be a smart move. Good luck!!!

 

when you take off the side moldings, all you have to do is heat it up and pull it off, no big deal. Its rather easy, and makes the whole car look better. I found the pictures, I just need to find the cable I need to get them off the camera and onto the computer. I thought the car was very tasteful, until I put on the new front bumper, which was a bad idea. Very bad idea!! I'll see if I can't get the photos up loaded tonight.

 

Hate to break it to ya.... but Legacy GT >>> Mazdaspeed6.

 

I'm looking into buying this car to be the last one for a while. I just started a new job and I think if I can last out the break in period I'll be able to make some good money and pick up a mazdaspeed version of a rotary, whatever that might be when they finally release one. But I'll have the 3s for commuting and running to pick up groceries and stuff like that, but at least it won't be a Corolla or Camry. There is only so much practicality I can tolerate.

I'm still wondering if anyone knows if the manual 3 has the same neutral safety as the RX-8. I've got a great remote start/alarm that I'm taking out before getting rid of my 8 and I would like to keep the remote start functional.

 

You are correct, except in looks. The car I wanted to replace my STI was in fact the Legacy GT. Much more reliable long term IMO. I test drove one, and I was going to buy one, because overall I liked the Legacy GT more, but the Speed 6 was $2000 cheaper at the time, as my haggling at Subaru to work a deal failed, so I went with saving money.

Speed 6 is better car for the money, because the incentives were always MUCH better. Since I knew I'd never keep the Legacy GT or MS6 past warranty anyway, I made a smart move.

Legacy GT >>>>> then Speed 6, but $2000 better? NO WAY!!!


Anyway, I love the regular 3, and I think outside the Mazdaspeed line and perhaps the RX8, Mazdas can run with Hondas and Toyotas in long term reliability and durability.

 

What? You like the bulbous hood that turned the sleek Mazda6 design into a beluga whale? But I agree, the price of the Speed6 is much deep discounts = better value. But as a car, Legacy GT is better overall.
So has Mazda addressed the heat soak and auto-1/2 power problems yet? TMIC without hood-scoop brilliant.

 

I just think in looks Mazda BLOWS away Subaru, and the Mazda 6 simply is a better looking car then the Legacy. I don't mind the hood, and I LOVE not having a scoop, so I think from a BONE STOCK daily driver standpoint, Mazda's design is FABULOUS!!! As a daily winter beater/commuter, it gives it more of a sleeper look.

You really don't like the Speed 6 eh? Heat soak is not a problem to me whatsoever. My power problems are non existent now, as a reflash fixed that. Car has been extremely good to me. If I was the type to keep a car for 5-6-7 years, I'd have spent the extra money and gone with the Legacy, but the Legacy GT to me was too luxurious and kind of BORING, and doesn't handle as well. The Spec B is the Legacy I'd want, but it's wayyy too expensive.

 

Nah, I am a big fan of the Mazda6. Best looking sedan when it came out. The fastback was a wonderful design.
I do find the bulbous hood on the speed6 makes the car look front heavy. Like someone punched it's nose and it's now swollen. hahahah...
I prefer the proper AWD vs. the FWD-centric Haldex system in the speed6.

 

I forgot one big modification you should do if you the car. And that is get the AWR engine mounts. It will turn the car into a completely different animal!!

 

My wife and I drove our 3 across the country, has been through quite a bit and was our first mazda. Overall I have a good impression over it, though the engine noise is annoying, and the gas mileage was better on my 2.4L 240sx. The gas mileage on the 3 is not as good as it should be with a 2.3L and more electronics than the computer Im typing on.

It's not the most aerodynamic car, and with a wide footprint, mileage loss is anticipated. We have the automatic so this also comes to play, the speed3 must rock!