Mazda Speed3
 

I'm in the market for one now, I might get a new job so with paying off my civic I might be able to afford a new one.

I want a white one with navi+push start.

I went to the local dealership today and $28,000.00 for it, seemed like a COMPLETE rip-off.

My question is, what should I be able to get an 11-12 new one for? Ive seen them go as low as 22,995$. Any suggestions on how to deal with dealerships?

Of course I wish Lou Fusz was in denver CO! :tup:

I suggest checking with a MazdaSpeed3 forum to see what prices they are paying.

But doesn't 28k seem like to high@?

I don't know, I've never priced MS3s. :icon17:

I built one the other day on mazda's website and i remember msrp is $24K and if you add the nav/tech package iirc it's around $26K. BUT, you need to go haggle, email various internet sales managers from different dealerships and see what you come up with.

I'd imagine if you can go 23 - 24k otd for a fully loaded one you'd be doing alright.

including TTL?(tags, t something l?) ha

yes, that is what otd (out the door means).

Honestly, I have no idea what fair market value is as I havn't gone further than building one online. You should email various internet sales at various dealers and get lots of quotes, then play them against each other as see where you wind up.

Truecar.com is also a good resource to help you with pricing.

very true, totally forgot about that one.

Trueprice could I print that off and show them?

Not really. You just need to use that knowledge to figure out what price you should be paying... if they won't deal then walk out on them.

When I bought mine it was a 2010 and had nav and better stereo. Honestly though I would go with the gti over the ms3 a ms3 needs a hpfp once you get beyond an intake. A stage 2 gti makes good power. Has better interior and the torque steer is much more controlled. The ms3 will literally rip the wheel right out of your hand. I paid about 23,2 for mine by the way. Im buying a 2012 wrx and im going 8 hours to pick mine up. Don't be afraid to let the dealer know you'll go wherever to save money.

Definitely Im not into VW unfortunately but thanks for heads up

Have you looked into picking up a WRX?

I think a speed3 is much less ricey than a wrx.. although the wrx 5 door seems pretty low key. The tail on the wrx (or is it on the sti), is just nasty looking.

STI has the tail.. I couldn't say the WRX is more rIcey either.

In addition to my 370, I have an 11 MS3 and i paid 25k otd for a non-tech in virginia. I think they add 1000 for the pearl white. Even so, 28k sounds high. Great car, handles really well and is pretty quick.

Thanks Chris what could I get an 11 for? Thy add 1,000 for pearl white

I'm waiting to see if Lou Fusz can help he's given alot of people On Here great deals for their z and seems very knowledgeable I'd definitely like to do business long drive but may be worth it!

From what I've read, WRX performance is superior by a landslide. Interior quality is equal to the mazda. I would shop a around and configure a WRX and just give one a test drive.... a hatch WRX in black looks really hott. Red Zed has a review. Take a looksee

:tup:

http://www.the370z.com/other-vehicle...-thoughts.html


Fwiw, I cross-shopped the ms3 and thought I was gonna get one. After test drives, the wrx was a no-brainer.

Interesting... I think the gti is a much better looking than the new ms3s ... they are sort of a girl looking car. I am selling or trading my z for the wrx which has much more potential than the speed3. Don't get me wrong... my wife and I still have an 09 ms3 and I like the styling on that gen1 better... plus it doesn't have that gay boost cut or whatever in first and second gear. Id really think twice about the gti ... especially one in shadow blue metallic.. NICE looking color.

I like the price range of a used
Mazda.... Great ratings like the looks of them.
I couldn't afford an extra 5-6 thousand for a Sti. I'm just looking right now for something that was received well. Fun quick and reliable.

You aren't going to get much more reliable than subaru ... some will point out tranny issues but I've read up on this and it seems the issue has been addressed but 400 whp is about the limit from those... could be off there.

The ms3 was a car that SHOULD have been awd. It would have been their ultimate car and they could have done with the very pathetic performing rx8. I know the arguments will talk about the 8's weight distribution as well as its lightness for tracks... but the car was also successfully made very slow as well.

Anywhere... that's not to say the ms3 is a bad car. Its not at all. I personally just think its not where it could have been. If you are going to mod the car at all beyond stage 1 trust me... its going to cost a lot for very little satisfaction. Like I said as well... the ms3 my wife and I have is a fun car .. it was 22k at the time though. For 28k id be looking at an Evo which you could get practically new.

I was just referring to the rice factor. If I was half my age, the tail probably would be the appealing factor :)

I did test drive a 5 door wrx sti 6spd before getting the g37. It was a very easy car to drive, but not one for me. If we had perfect roads around here, it would be a dream, but chicago's roads are cr@p. The suspension was just way too stiff for being a daily driver in this environment. The interior was a few steps below that of the G. It also lacked many of the bells/whistles/creature comforts of the G. Price tag wise, there was probably a $2K or so difference in terms of pre-ttl price for the loaded sti and my G37S 6mt sedan. The extra 2 gran were well worth it for the added features of the G.

Thank you I don't diss Subaru at all. I just like the bang for your buck for the Mazda. I dot plan on racing it or spending money. I don't have 28k 25 would be top top limit! Looking for something else. :-) ms3

you can get a WRX for 24.7K OTD here in VA with 3% sales tax...isn't tax about the same where you are?

If you want bang for your buck the ms3 at 28 or even 25 isn't it. If not the wrx then a used Evo or sti is the way to go imo. Im telling you though the gti has won car of the year about 5 times in a row and while it also has its flaws... its a better overall car. Keep in mind that when it comes to the wrx... many of them are special order cars meaning less if them... meaning higher resale value.

I think you misread what I was typing or maybe I wasn't clear whih is probably it. I didn't want to pay 28k for the Mazda I was asking because I believe there are better prices 23-24 k range. I didn't like when I test drove the regular 07 impreZa wrx found it disappointing to say the lest.

Clint, there have been some massive changes since 07. If your mind is made up, I'm not gonna pester you, but lemme know if you wanna chat. If nothing else, we at least share the civic in the past.

I had a 2009 Mazdaspeed3 I bought back in 2009 brand new for $21,500. The OTD price was $23,9xx if my memory serves me right. But again, that is 3 years ago and pricing may be much different now.

$28k is too much for a Mazdapseed3. With that kind of money, go with a WRX base. It's a much better platform to start with if you want some power from it. I was very active on mazdaspeedforums.org a few years back. People who were breaking the 300whp threshold were blowing their motors right and left. Lastly, AWD > FWD

Private message me :-)

I would pay 22.-23.5

As zed said... massive changes with the wrx since 07. The car is as fast as the evos were from 03-06 and faster 08 and up... straight line speaking at least.

If you are stuck with the ms3 in mind then that's cool and 23,5 for the car before ttl but im not sure about that... could be a bit less. The ms3 gives bang for buck... but its one of those cars to put a top of the line intake on.. tune it and then leave it alone imo

/\ me to. :) (had an 07 FA5).

Well if you're interested my wife and I are selling our 09 to help pay our house down payment. It has the special white that was 500.00 or so. Its unmolested and just commutes... 35k miles. Asking 16 obo

I'm curious as to why 300whp seems to be the limit (or above the limit) for these (ms3) cars?

Admittedly, I haven't spent hours and hours on speed3 forums searching but just reading on mazda's website about the engine, it seems like it'd be pretty stout, iron cylinder liners, etc etc...

I know some people run 360-370whp. I think the rods are the weak link.. I will say that for the money the car is a blast to drive, especially for FWD

The reliability looks good is it not good???

As far as I know mazda doesn't have reliability issues... now with nodding as said above the rods are weak and fuel starvation is an issue. Keep it with an ap stage 1 tune with a good cai and you'll have a fun quick car. Will it ever be "fast"? Not without ALOT of money.