I haven't been on here in awhile, so I hope nobody has started a MazdaSpeed thread lately. Anyway, I stopped by the dealership this weekend to have look at one and possibly drive it around the block to see what the deal was. It was a 2007 MazdaSpeed 3 hatchback sport model. The salesman told me it was quick, but I had my doubts. I ended up taking it home for the night and was very impressed. The thing flat moves, IMO. It pulled way harder than I expected. Have any of you guys had any run-ins with one, or any track experience? I'm very curious what they are putting to the wheels and what sort of ETs they are running. The one I drove was totally stock btw, I went over everything to make sure. I believe that with a tune and a couple of simple bolt-ons, they could start embarrassing people real quick. On the other hand, it could just have that sotp feel and not really be moving out all that fast.

It didn't handle as well as I expected though. My Mach feels tighter around corners than the speed3, but that also could be due to the fact that I am more accustomed to the Mach and feel more in control due to that.

 

I'd be driving one right now if they came in the foor door instaed of that tank of a hatch.

 

I hear you. It was a four door, but still a hatch. You're right though, the thing is big. I had it parked next to an S10 Blazer and they were about the same size just eyeballing them.

 

can't you get the 6 in a 4 door though?

 

They're fast, I had a run in with one back when I had my Diesel and tore him a new one (we were both surprised, him because he lost to a truck and me because it actually put up a fight lol. He was debadged and I thought he was a typical ricer, so I didn't really get on it hard until I noticed he was keeping up so I took off heh) but I haven't run one with my SRT8 yet. As far as I know, there is no real tuning for those cars (only a piggy back device).

Nice cars though.

 

I once owned a Mazda 3 hatch. I didn't think they were big, actually kinda small. It sits a littletall because it's considered a wagon. The stock speed 3 times are low 14s at around 100mph.Very nice cars.

 

i have one as my daily driver for the last 4 months. its modded, downpipe, race pipe, full exhaust, front mount intercooler, motor mount, short shifter etc. theres still no tune for the speed3, with those mods i dyno 280 fwhp, 310 tq. i can easily keep up with a new stang and beat 99 to 04 gt.

 

Yeah they are def very quick cars with promising aftermarket. The problem for them as of right know is that the ecu cut the boost in the first few gears and that cripples them quite a bit. Whenever the tune gets out those car will turn into a new diff animal.

 

The fiancee has one. I actually like the little car. Pretty quick for what it is, plenty of room inside etc.
It feels pretty stable in the corners especially compared to a Mustang.
Low 14's at 99-101mph are considered avg times for the MS3

 

My good friend has one and we have been talking for a bit. I'll try to get it on film for you guys. His is mainly stock right now with an intake and says that with this tuning company (I forget the name) they were able to get it to 290ish fwhp just by tuning it right because the car runs extremely rich from the factory.