MazdaSpeed 3 Review - Everyday Driver

[mand2240]

the one on the left (paul) is a bitch. "the torque steer is un-manageable"... Ok pussy, learn how to drive. This car kicks ass

[dh39zj]

I truly love the 1st gen styling way better than the new open front grin. Power, speed, & versatility; what more can you ask for? My '07 MS3 is a freakn' pocket rocket.

[unc122388]

Probably the worst car review I have ever seen. You have to take into account the extra R&D it would have taken to make the MS3 a rwd or awd car. By doing so they would have to dramatically raise the price which would defeat the purpose of the car. What mazda has done, and proven, is that they can take a one of their simple economy cars and turn it into a car with serious performance for the price and have it find a perfect niche in the market place. Learn a thing or two about the car industry.

[SR388metroid3]

Sounds like Paul is a bit of a punk. I feel this way because he does not like something I like. Clearly, he is a punk.

[hallis1]

I do agree on the clutch and shifter shortcomings. on the 2011 MS3 it's no different. It's a hard car to get the hang of for that reason. the shift from second to third is sloppy and hard to hit. And if you arent really paying attention you'll miss it and hit a stop rather than your gear. But when you get it all right the car flies. It just takes a little more driver awareness I think. And the same goes for the torque steer, a non issue if you know its coming.

[LFADRIFTER]

Paul its a fwd car that beats most if not all other cars in its price range if you dont want torque steer then turn on the DSC back on because you are showing you cant handle it sure there is a good amount of torque steer do you really care that much its still a amazing car.

[Sleyer07]

ITS A HOT HATCH GET OVER IT ! If you new anything about any frontwheel drive cars they will have torque steer, it does not define the car nor should it be that concerning to an experienced driver that you guys supposedly are. In the new 2010 version you barely even touched the concern of torque steer in the car but in this one its all one of you ever talked about this car actually has the best handling of any hot hatch and there are many sources that would back that.

[mrcardio9r]

Todd, I wish you the best with your reviews and all but if you expect to go anywhere with your endeavor that joke of a reviewer "Paul" needs to be dismissed. That dude is a complete moron!

[mrcardio9r]

Notice how both (Paul & Todd) have a completely opposite point of view?? Everything positive Todd has to say about the car this tool (Paul) fires back with how much of a POS the car is. Do they seriously think people are this dumb? I mean Todd seems to have a good head on his shoulders but that Paul guy just talks out of his ass. Nobody could possibly think that poorly of the MS3.

[mrcardio9r]

If you feel like you're "fighting" a Mazdaspeed3 around a track there's something wrong with you period. Do you not know how to drive? You know both hands on the wheel. Throttle modulation, etc.? Apparently not.

"Torque steer" really? What "Torque steer"? I have one and know plenty more that own them and we don't have this "Torque steer" issue you speak of..

That Paul guy is lost in the sauce... Total BS review if I've ever seen one.

[harrylook]

so these guys don't like any front wheel drive cars? that's a lot of the auto market that they simply dismiss. the ms3 is a beast. a ton of car for the money. i will simply dismiss any reviews done by everydaydriver.

[EverydayDriver]

@harrylook - The guys do not dismiss fwd cars. If they did, you are right, it would wipe out a huge section of the automarket, and that would be stupid. And Todd has always liked the MS3. We suggest you watch the recent review of the 2010 MS3, and the other parts of their 2010 hatchback comparison. Definitely don't dismiss us based on one video.

[SOQUETEEE]

these guys don't like any car

[cobaltsam]

they like the 300zx

[jgpwlcs36]

i like the reviews and all, but its called "EVERYDAY DRIVER" not "lets see how fast it pulls around a track"

[nicholaiputan]

Top Gear isn't all about riding in 5th or 6th gear only is it?

[drums2play1]

these 2 guys are whiney bitches

[rcdude747]

how come you cant hear the turbo

[damianfonseca]

Paul, the only thing wrong with the mazdaspeed 3 you reviewed is the part behind the wheel!! That means you!!

[Sqr23det]

This paul guy is an idiot and needs to learn how to review cars. You cant have the same expectations out of a FF drive car as you do with FR or AWD. From the get go he doggs the car by saying he doesn't like FF. If he doesn't like it then he should find another job because his review is crap. The other guy is ok.

[omid11]

mazda = homosexual driving machine

[maheshcx]

umm ur homosexual

[omid11]

go 60 on your motorway get your arse plowed by a v6 accord wanker

[maheshcx]

dude i live in america.. mazdas here rock especially the new ones.. i own a bmw z4 but im just sayin mazda is really nice

[djkasdjkasdjdjdj]

ohh, at least its better than whatever piece of shit your driving!!!!

[omid11]

nice try wanker i bet you're loving your fwd

[6StringedxBrewtality]

retard alert

[omid11]

oh shit mazda driver alert! i better step aside you got 200 horsepower!

[6StringedxBrewtality]

retard alert ! i drive a mustang gt lmao

[omid11]

oh mustang gt damn how much did you spend to actually build a decent slip diff and tweak your transmission to take a corner? get a life fuckhead

[nicholaiputan]

Mustang GT? LOL Enjoy your rear axle.

[drums2play1]

263 actually....much faster than your car...

[omid11]

drive it in a ditch with that piss poor fwd

[juggspirit93]

i like your helmet..xD

[paulcataldi]

I'm going to chime in. I've owned 2 MkV GTi's...just sold the second one to pick up a speed3. The speed is definitely the superior performance car, while the GTI is geared toward a more supple and refined ride. My GTI was APR Stage 2, and was nowhere near as fast as my stock MS3...sorry gti fans... the speed is just a better performer. It's not necessarily a nicer car, it just blows the doors off the GTI.

[JAFrk]

that guy just failed at giving car reviews the moment he said "Have i mentioned how much i dont like ffd?"  If your going to go in and review a car, plz dont hold onto bias, what a bk

[mediacritic]

It's ugly. Good car, though.

[sspope]

"Of the front wheel drive hatchbacks today, this one feels the least like a front wheel drive"

^^

I don't know what that guy was thinking when he was saying that, or whether he was high, but in all comparisons I've seen, MS3 lost to all its competitors because it was torque steering like crazy. Really, it's the worst FWD hot hatch on the market.

[dsmluck]

It has won all the cheap comparison competitions for the last two years. Hardly the bottom of the market. In fact the Speed3's nearest competitor is actually the Chevy Colbalt SS. The GTI is a middle of the pack also ran that doesn't have the chassis or the horsepower to compete with the cars in the top of the pack. By the way how much did you pay for your GTI with 200hp? I bought my 09 Mazdaspeed 3 brand new for 22k out the door.

[p90muscle]

The Gti has an amazing torque curve, better handling, better materials, and better looks. Not to mention the revolutionary DSG tranny option. All will run you 24-25k. Worth the extra coin in my opinion.

[dsmluck]

2008 GTI 2.0t : 200hp, 207 torque, .84g's, 15.0

2008 MS3 2.3t: 263hp, 280 torque. .89g's, 14.1

Look at the math. The GTI is down on power-63hp and 73 torque, can pull less G's and nearly a second off the quarter mile. The R32 cannot even keep up with the Speed3. Where is the logic in this? Im not going to argue interiors with you because frankly I bought the car because its the best bang for the buck right now, and I love its utility.

[p90muscle]

I never said its faster, sure the mazda would out-sprint it. If all you're looking for is pure speed and little else the mazda is better. If, however, you want a more "grown up" and sophisticated car, the GTI would be better. I would choose the GTI.

[dsmluck]

You certainly said that the GTI handled better, which is not the case. You are right for pure performance the Speed3 is superior. What I fail to understand how the GTI is more "grown up"? Why is buying a car based on raw performance and utility not mature? Your not giving me a logical argument here.

[p90muscle]

I said that it handled better because you aren't fighting torque steer the entire time. The speed3 really needs to be all-wheel drive like the railiart and wrx. Personaly the Mazda3 is a bit showy when it comes to apearance like "Hey cop, look at me!". I l personaly prefer a more subtle "quick" car. Combine those classy looks with a quality interior and that amazing DSG tranny and you have a more "grown up" car. But its all in what one would prefer.

[dsmluck]

Really? I never get noticed in the Mazda compared to some of the other cars I have owned. Part of my decision in choosing one over the 09 WRX was the fact that the Mazda looked less ricey. The torque steer is actually pretty well controlled by the computer. You are right though that it is up to personal preference and interpretation when it comes to the exterior, interior or what you are looking for in a performance car.

Also im at 5200 ft elelation, the GTI would be sitting at about 150hp.

[p90muscle]

Wouldn't a computer re-program fix that? Surely it would void the warranty. Never thought climate or region could shave off that much hp.

[dsmluck]

The nearest 1/4 mile track is at 6000ft altitude, and there cars run a full second slower than sea level. You would be looking at low 16's in a GTI.

[sspope]

Raw performance? Are you serious? People buy hot hatches because they can use them as a everyday family car. People who want raw performance buy 2 door coupes.

[dsmluck]

Funny how my four door family car shits all over quite a few big name two door coupes. For the price point it is an incredible PERFORMANCE bargain. Add in the utility and you can keep your coupe.

[sspope]

What 2 door coupes do can your MS3 shit on?

[dsmluck]

Mine personally will shit on anything that doesn't hit at least low 13's in the 1/4 mile. That leaves quiet a few 2 door coupes to be defecated on.

[saudim46]

in stock...Yes. MS3 is faster and better I guess. But once you chipp the GTi with couple hundred bucks, a little different story begins...

[dsmluck]

Even an APR or GIAC chip, which cost around 500-600 dollars does not get the GTI up to the speed of an MS3. Not to mention the fact that you have to upgrade the suspension also.

Where is the logic in taking a car which costs a few thousand more and putting a few more thousand in it to get it to perform at the level of an MS3 and calling it superior?

[saudim46]

what do you mean a few thousand man...the difference btwn 09 GTi and MS3 is only 100 bucks and MS3 costs more. It used to cost two grands more for MS3. And I believe that GTi has the strongest rigidity among its competitors...

[dsmluck]

Ok lets see you get an 09 GTI out the door for 21.5k like i did with my MS3. If by rigidity you mean the least body roll, you are incorrect the GTI has more than a MS3.

[saudim46]

if you drove both of them, GTi feels more refined....yet i am not saying which one is faster or better blah blah blah. Especially, comparing MS3 and GTi by saying this is better than the other, is very hard and up to personal biased speaking. And VW has been making this hatchback for many years.......anyways, Enjoy your MS3. Peace out

[dsmluck]

If I wanted a "refined" car than I would have bought a used BMW. I wanted the maximum performance for a brand new car in the price range i could afford. The only options I considered were the WRX, Cobalt SS, and the MS3. The GTI while refined it too low on performance for what i wanted.

[sspope]

Again, don't be so sure about the chassis. Golf's and Focus' chassis' are simply the best two in this class and I'll tell you what the problem with Mazda 3 as such is.

Mazda took Focus' German engineered chassis and made it cheaper to produce - simplier rear axel, etc. And that makes it worse, it doesn't have the finesse of the Focus and it looks like a shopping car. Without Focus' chassis, Mazda 3 would be nothing.

[dsmluck]

The mazdaspeed 3 chassis is a reinforced version of the mazda 3's so everything you just wrote was a waste.

[sspope]

It's still the same chassis. Ford Focus RS/ST is a reinforced version of the normal chassis too. Are you trying to be dumb?

[sspope]

LoL, new Golf GTI mk6 only has 207 HP and it's faster around a track than this. Also it has no torque steer and it more comfortable and luxurious. It's also the most fuel efficient out of all hot hatches.

This Mazda is just a Focus RIP OFF.

[fstms3]

wrong.

[sspope]

...you are, whatever you think

[dsmluck]

Actually there was a recent comparison done between the R32 and the Mazdaspeed on a track and the Mazda handed the VW its ass. Type r32 vs Mazdaspeed into the search and watch it yourself. You only don't have torque steer because you have just over 200hp. 07-09 Mazdaspeed 3's dyno to the wheels at 240-250 stock. How are you going to make up that deficit with 60 less hp and an inferior chassis?

[sspope]

Inferior chassis? I hope you're being sarcastic. And that was nothing, Mazda win because it had more power. Now watch the GTi spank the Impreza WRX which has 30 HP MORE!!

watch?v=MzB6C1MquLI

[wcwashington]

i was annoyed by how that guy was crying about the performance of the car...

[Krooked06]

Its like this I bought a 08 speed3 from the dealer brand new with 47miles on it for 18g..dont believe it lol I dont care...But for the price I paid and the power I have everyone on the street can suck it.....AND they usually do..plus theres only 4999 others of them everyone and there mother has a STI.

[juvechii]

"Paul" you retard not everyone lives in florida and california where you can drive a RWD car the entire year. There is a reason this car is FWD so that people who live in the northern states can purchase it as well and use it during the winter months. Obvioulsy it would perform better if it was RWD. It could have been offered as AWD but that would add a couple of thousand on the price tag. This is a budget minded performance beast!!!

[iunnox666]

I'm pretty sure winter has been around longer than FWD, and I don't think people stopped driving during the winter.

[djacklowery]

lol +1

[cstishenko]

Paul, if you don't like anything FWD then don't drive them. It's won C&D's test against the other boyracer budget cars 3 years standing. I think that says enough?

[MassiveLemon]

The Cobalt SS was the fastest of all those Budget Cars, yet it didn't win first because of the interior. I really can't take C&D or MotorTrend seriously in a comparo that involved a Chevy, since even if the Chevy has the best performance, it will get docked over an interior.  They should stick to comparing performance, not the interiors.

[Astidcrisse]

and the rental car looks. Don't forget that

/MS3 Owner

[MassiveLemon]

Having driven both the MS3 and the SS/TC, I can honestly say the Cobalt was better. The Cobalt has a way more useable power bnd (2000-Redline) whereas the MS3 is really good from 3000-5500. Moreover, although the MS3 does have better interior, I spend a maximum of two hours in my car a day, so the Cobalt seats are just right.

[MassiveLemon]

It was a PERFORMANCE comparison. Not a looks comparison, not an overall comparison, but straight performance.

[ojd1990]

they're comparing the overall car and the CSS is cheap all the way around.

[ricepaddy69]

I feel sorry for Paul for not getting the most out of the Speed3.

[sergiomax11]

"i missed a shift" What a nub

[userms3]

that guy on the left is a tool

[thebossisheretostay]

well that was a good review, both contradicting opinions as usual, i guess if you dont like fwd cars, this is no exception, doesnt matter a great deal, how many people do track days, i love the speed3 personaly

[cookiecat111]

kool