Were they Detroit's finest, with rear tires as wide as their torque plateau? Our 40,000-mile bottom line is about the same as our takeaways in previous Mazdaspeed 3 evaluations: Irritations and unpleasantries notwithstanding, this is one of the best performance buys available to go-fast addicts. Standard only with the MazdaSpeed3 model include bucket seats in cloth and half-leather; Piano Black finish on the center panel; unique floors mats, moulded cloth door trim, and scuff plates; a leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel and leather-wrapped shift knob; alloy foot pedals and foot rest; and the tri-mode electroluminescent gauges. Behind the wheel, the 6-speed manual MazdaSpeed3 takes Zoom-Zoom to a whole other level, with sufficient power and loads of torque across the entire power bandādespite suffering some torque-steer off the line and considering this is front-wheel drive only , this has been improved compared to previous versions. I am sure more potential buyers than I would like to see them. Its blend of eager turbo thrust, snick-snick six-speed manual gearbox, and mongoose transient responses has made it a staff favorite. It has the tech package which is nice in regards to the hid's, premium sound and push button start.
If our staff is any indication, fanboys inevitably become fanadults. But if its performance you love, version 2010 MazdaSpeed 3. The Car The number of factory options available on the Mazdaspeed 3 totals oneāa Tech packageāand we ordered it. Along with the torque steer, a topic discussed ad nauseam in these pages, staffers of various childhood car-tinkering backgrounds debated the merits of the shifter's balkiness, the clutch's on-off personality, the exhaust drone, and the onset of turbo boost that felt like being rear-ended by an out-of-control school bus. I also own a Corvette, and this car is just about as much fun to drive.
Select our installation instructions below for a complete package list. It is also the smallest wastegate in the Turbosmart range. He's a writer, editor at TractionLife. For how extremely short the clutch's engagement is, the pedal offers massive amounts of tactile feedback -- you know exactly when it's done with its business. I would recommend this car to anyone in the market for a hot hatch! That brace-for-launch acceleration followed by comical torque steer? While some of the steering-wheel controls are clever -- the thumb toggle for zooming in and out of the nav screen earned praise -- their number and layout appeared overcomplicated.
The Speed 3 also handled the cold well, starting without trouble after sitting for a day in subzero temperatures, and it always was quick to provide hot air to the cabin. But we have found that the Mazdaspeed 3 does have some faults. No extra modifications are required with our turbo. That extends beyond the quite reasonable purchase price to the surprisingly low running costs. This is a remarkably low basic-maintenance tally for 40,000 miles. Brakes also felt firm, provided excellent response, and showed no signs of fade. Our Take on the 2010 Mazda MazdaSpeed3 There seems to be an infinite supply of loud, little cars that have been modified to at least sound fast.
I attempted the install myself but had to take the car to my mechanic as the downpipe I have cpe had gotten the best of me. Gotta say it is a top notch turbo and turned my car into a beast. Duel climate control is great, and something you don't see in a low priced 20k car. One flaw, as far as I'm concerned. During the install me and a buddy got confused on if we needed to keep the restictor pill if I was going to use the greddy ebc running bleed setup and decided to replace the hose with the pill. So it is with our long-term Mazdaspeed 3, a classic hot hatchback with a gift for traffic dissection. A drop in turbo is exactly that, drops right in, no extra parts required that are not supplied with the turbo.
Reliability is great no problems thus far at 24,000 miles. Very very happy with my decision. With a clean bill of health and its 18-inch Dunlop Sport 2080 summer rubber back on, our Speed 3 is ready for warmer weather and its next adventure. Engine remains very powerful with a little longer legs for the gearing. Of course that is not a long time for something to be on a car but it has definitely been an abusive 2500km. Oops, forgot we weren't talking about that.
Along with the torque steer, a topic discussed ad nauseam in these pages, staffers of various childhood car-tinkering backgrounds debated the merits of the shifter's balkiness, the clutch's on-off personality, the exhaust drone, and the onset of turbo boost that felt like being rear-ended by an out-of-control school bus. But this turbo, you won't be disappointed. However, when it comes to day-to-day driving, you will feel bumps and dips, as we noticed on some of the poorly maintained roads where we did some of our driving. The dyno graphs are about as perfect as you could ask for. . Our 'speed3 had to go home too soon. He's a writer, editor at TractionLife.
Especially if you are looking to make big numbers. As before, it shares a lot of body parts with the on which it is based, with a few sporty tweaks like the hood scoop that feeds the top-mounted intercooler. The seats received good marks for lateral support but not-so-good marks for lumbar, which was all but absent and nonadjustable. The MazdaSpeed3 is fitted with a proper sport-tuned suspension, including coiled springs and stabilizer bars front and rear. I just passed the break-in period and this baby will go! Once you unbox the prize you can see first hand the level of quality in the castings not found in even the big name turbos. Steering is communicative and feels nicely weighted. They diminished when the car had run for a while and were absent in warm weather.
I've noticed that I have not been hitting the tuner's target psi. And the absence of a coolant-temp gauge is, if not unforgivable in a turbo car, at least unfathomable. I'd be more than happy to assist via phone or email. The logbook recorded only one unscheduled service visit, at 20,142 miles, when the boost gauge quit working due to a pinched wire. Ask and ye shall receive. Designed with you in mind, the CorkSport turbo upgrade fits the Gen 1 and Gen 2 Mazdaspeed 3 and the 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed 6. But seriously, it will quickly grow on you.
Structural improvements include use of thicker steel in high-stress areas, plus use of high- and ultra-high-strength steel throughout the structure. Ride is on the hard side, but the steering is neat and precise and the chassis lively. If you have more questions give us a call! The Fuel pump internals are pretty much mandatory after a downpipe is installed and you start making more boost than factory. It also makes the car move! They'll like this bit: Over a year, we saw a 23. If our staff is any indication, fanboys inevitably become fanadults. The 'smile' in the grille is also growing on me the longer the car stays with us.