LexFather

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

the Mazdaspeed 3 is probably the only sub $30k "hot hatch" id even consider. The focus is a POS and the TC is nice, but slow, even when lightly turbo'd.

ff_

Did they tune it, or just add visual effects?

I sure wish this car had AWD (knowing that RWD isn't really a possibility)...I can't imagine that it'd be much fun to drive a FWD subcompact with that much torque through the twisties.

Seize

Hmmm...that doesn't look to bad, looks pretty good, nice wheels too.

LexFather

Did you know EVO picked the Honda Intergra Type-R as the 2nd best drivers car of all time. And it is FWD

mmarshall

The Mazda3 is surprisingly popular. So far it seems to be the best-selling sedan that Mazda has ever produced. The MazdaSpeed version is a great little sports sedan in spite of being FWD.....a good example of why Mazda, for years, has been called the "Poor Man's BMW".

Before I converted to Toyota / Lexus in the mid-1990's...and later to Subaru...... I myself owned and drove several small Mazda sedans. I put 100,000 miles on one of them...more miles than on any car I've owned yet.



As far as the Integra Type-R being rated so highly.....doesn't surprise me one bit. The Integra, IMO ( although I know there are some who don't agree ), was a far better car than its replacement RSX ( although the R version was a little stiffly sprung for my tastes). Its build quality ws first-rate...better, IMO, than some larger and more expensive Acuras of the time.
I never cared for the RSX....especially its interior hardware and body sheet metal solidness.

ff_

Ehh, they only test FWD econoboxes though

Koma

iTrader: (3)

Are you sure this is factory tuned because the Mazdaspeed 3 on the Mazda website looks alot different than that.

Lexmex

I like it, reminds me also of the MG ZR that used to be sold down here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_ZR

They are great little cars. Mazda here in Mexico does not have them only the regular 3, but having a sales buddy at Mazda in my neighborhood he has been asked so many times about when it is coming (even someone at the track showed me), but still does not know.

mmarshall

The regular MazdaSpeed3, like other MazdaSpeed products, is definitely factory-designed and tuned. This car may or may not be factory-tuned.....it does not, right off-hand, appear to me to be, but maybe 1SICK can verify that.....he probably knows more about it than I do.