having more power and torque that our cars? besides me?

 

yet still slower. nope, doesn't bother me.

 

Is it still slower? Haven't seen performance specs... Probably a good deal though...

 

Uhhh, what? This is going to turn out just like the MS6 vs the 8. People were yelling the MS6 was still slower than the 8 until the track times came out...

 

yeah and the MS 3 is much cooler than MS 6 in my opinion -- MS 6 kind of fugly. Bad wheels, heinous black and white interior, fugly bodkit, boring wheels, should I go on? thought not...

Meanwhile RX-8 looks as fresh and new as ever -- I still look over my shoulder as I walk away...

 

How much HP/torque will it have? (too lazy to google/search)

 

So, I guess you're over it then?

 

240+ hp, 225+ lbft (also too lazy to google the exact numbers...)

 

i dont think the 3 has awd so it may not have the advantage of the 6.

 

//quote
2007 Mazdaspeed 3

Mazda's hotrod 3 has more than 250 hp, front-wheel drive, and a limited-slip differential. We're bracing ourselves for the torque-steer.
BY RAY HUTTON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE VALENTE
March 2006
To celebrate the successful and well-regarded Mazda 3's three-year mid-cycle refresh, Mazda is introducing the Mazdaspeed 3. This hotted-up 3 combines the turbocharged 2.3-liter DISI direct-injection four-cylinder engine (making more than 250 hp in this guise) from the long-delayed Mazaspeed 6 with the 3's smaller five-door hatchback body and front-wheel drive only (the Mazdaspeed 6 has all-wheel drive). Top speed is limited to 155 mph and Mazda claims a 6.1-second time for 0-100 km/h (62 mph). The suspension setup is significantly stiffer than the standard 3's (which is already no marshmallow), but it remains to be seen how well this chassis will handle the massive 280 lb-ft of torque; the few European hatchbacks with this amount of twist are pretty unruly, especially when equipped, as this Mazda is, with a limited-slip differential. We're bracing ourselves for the torque-steer.
//end quote

I would surmise from this information to say it's just as fast as an MazdaSpeed6 which is just as fast as an RX8, which makes me think the gearing is a bit screwy on the MS3 or it's just as porky and heavy as the MS6 which weighs about 4,400 lbs, which is why I got an RX8.

Power doesn't mean very much if your *** is too heavy. Hell it'll even feel faster, but it wont be. That's what torque does to ya, makes those endorphines go crazy. Torque has a way of distorting reality.

 

OK, here you go, now I'm really pissed...

250+HP, 280lbft! Source: Mazda

 

Dammit Mazda....

and how many pounds lighter will it be compared to the 8?

 

PS -- Under $25k

 

Looky here:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=109468#1

 

Nope, not pissed at all. If the value of a car were only based on hp/torque and 0-60 times, we'd all be driving Camaro's and Mustangs.

 

No my point is why doesn't Mazda do something with their performance halo car? instead they focus on 6 and 3 and avoid the car that could use the extra power, the 8

 

but that's an ancient subject around here. so forget it.

nevertheless, ms3 is gonna be hot...

 

Because their performance halo car is a sales dog.

 

O rly?

Globally, not rly.

And bad sales in the states just means more improvement in the one and only, all-important, the oh so great horsepower spec is needed. Actually advertising the car wouldn't hurt, either.

 

Same birthday as me an smart too...

 

I'm not jealous, more power to Mazda. Hopefully they will see there is a market for high performance vehicles and will keep trying until they get it right.

 

I hope they get it right by next year when my lease is up -- I'd likely stick with RX-8 if there was some performance enhancement

 

I don't want this to turn in to another RX-8 sales thread, but I wouldn't say selling 27k cars globally when your sales goals were 60k a sales success. Seems Mazda thinks they can make more money by building a souped up Mazda 3 than they can a RX-8. It's also easier to do so since they have the engine already, I just hope they get the bugs worked out before they release unlike with the MS6.

 

this has already been gone over, the 8 is sports coupe, and people who are shopping for a high powered hatchback probably won't even look at the 8, they'll be looking at the golf GTI (ugly) or the focus ST or something like that. they also won't be considering the 350Z or the other competitors.

plus, the wankel is generally a sales turn off and it's the 3rd gen RX-7's fault too. (there, flame me )

 

^^ uh, no Ike.

As has been said by several people MANY times, it's more like it's not time in the RX-8's lifecycle for the MS version. Both the Mazda3 and the Mazda6 came out before the RX-8, so they OBVIOUSLY are getting the mid-cycle facelift and Mazdaspeed model first.