mmarshall

Shut that door, though, and you will get at least a fairly good thunk....not the tinny sound you do from some small cars.

The Mazda3's sheet metal, of course, is not like an army tank, but, to me at least, it is noticeably better then some of its competition, especially the hood. Lift the Mazda3's hood, compare it to the lightweight aluminium hood on many other cars, and you will see what I mean.

D.Jobin

iTrader: (4)

Alrighty, Ill check it out next time I see her.

Allen K

iTrader: (4)

Thanks I appreciate it. She's going to go in for some test drives soon so if we need more help I'll be sure to send you a PM. Thanks for the offer and the great reviews!

Neo

iTrader: (3)

We love our Mazda3. It is a useful and fun little car to zip around town. It is my wife's commute car. As it was a timing issue, we could not hold off purchase until the release of the Mazdaspeed3 although I would be the only one who would want the extras of the Mazdaspeed.

As always, a nice comprehensive review.

mmarshall

Thanks.

In switching from a regular Mazda3 to the MazdaSpeed version, you would also have to be willing to put up with a harsher ride, more noise, and the awkward, sensitive clutch. That, of course, is up to you if you would accept that or not.

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

Great as usual review! mmarshall

mmarshall

Thanks, black. I'm waiting for chances to drive and review the Smart for Two and the new BMW 1-series. Neither is available yet in the DC area.....but hopefully I'll see them at the DC Auto Show in a couple of weeks and can at least look at them.

mmarshall

Is it an AWD MazdaSpeed6? AWD cars, because of the extra hardware in the drive train, sometimes have a larger turning circle than conventional FWD or RWD cars....especially RWD ones.

Koma

iTrader: (3)

All MazdaSpeed6's have AWD.

mmarshall

Yes, I know. I brought the point up because he was complaining about a wide turning radius on the Mazda6 but did not say if it was a MazdaSpeed6 or not. The AWD could be what accounts for it. I notice a rather wide turning radii myself on AWD Subarus.

Koma

iTrader: (3)

Oh sorry, my mistake.

mmarshall

Perhaps Mazda's, too. Though I am am AWD fan, that car doesn't really need AWD, except maybe to filter out some of the standard Mazda6's FWD nose-heaviness and understeer. But the AWD, of course, adds weight and drag.....the smaller/lighter MazdaSpeed3, with the same engine, will probably blow its doors off.

Mazda sells other products, of course, like the Tribute, CX-7, and CX-9 with AWD if you need to drive in bad weather...you generally don't need it on a MazdaSpeed product.

Neo

iTrader: (3)

Well. Like I said, it is the wife's commuter car so it is not for me to decide. I am pretty sure though that she would not put up with all that.

mmarshall

I'm with her on that.......I wouldn't either. And the regular Mazda3 has a stiff enough chassis as it is.

Neo

iTrader: (3)

It probably worked out for the best that we had to get a car before the Mazdaspeed3 was due for release.