Mazdaspeed 3

[greenGS]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

Either way, they're both great cars!

Yep I almost bought one but the DSG was the desiding factor for me. Fun car and you'd never expect it to be as fast as it is just by looking at it!

[kuhli]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

The APR chip does a nice job to the 2.0T, particularily in the torque category! I haven't been following the new GTIs too much but its an impressive chip job. I'm not sure about the HP being higher, if stock is supposed to be 200 hp the engine must be quite underrated by VW so its possible that its close after the chipping.

Indeed a Cobb SRI and Accessport would show the Mazda's true potential. Cobb lists the gains as about 15hp and 25lb-ft. Interestingly their dyno looks nothing like the Automobilemag one...
http://www.cobbtuning.com/products/?id=4100

Either way, they're both great cars!

[Bullfrog]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

My best time @ RC is 14.1 @ 91 oct. Haven't tried 93 yet.

[greenGS]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

Yes I have the DSG and LC. LC doesn't seem to be too much of an advantage as I have not been able to get my 60ft lower than 2.3s. I think my 18" tires have something to do with that though. The real advantage is it's 100% consistent each and every time.

91 octane APR stage 1. I know Cobb has reflashes for the MS3 out now that should hopefully wake the car up nicely.

[Klobi-One-Kinobi]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

My GTI is a 2.0L not a 1.8L and I am just going by personal experience at Race City track. As far as how much power a chipped GTI puts out, it should be on par with MS3 Hp wise and more TQ to the wheels. Also the stats in one of the C&D comparos show MS3 weighs 50lbs more than the GTI.

Automobile mag is known for having THE lowest ms3 dyno #'s, and I dont think its because of the type of dyno. That being said I think a chipped gti would be close power wise to a stock ms3.

What mods do you have on your gti? Nice trap speed btw.

[Klobi-One-Kinobi]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

So what do you think your chipped GTI is putting out for #'s? I can't speak for the drag times but my butt dyno is telling me something that's different from your statement about a chipped GTI keeping up.

The Mazdaspeed wins on weight by 2-300lbs. It carries a larger turbo stock. 2.3L vs 1.8 litre displacement. And a factory limited slip diff.

I can't see how its going to keep up?

Dont forget greengs has dsg with launch control. Huge advantage from a standstill, especially when dealing with torquey front drivers. From a roll it might be a different story.

I think gs is right about the two being close in weight though.

[greenGS]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

My GTI is a 2.0L not a 1.8L and I am just going by personal experience at Race City track. As far as how much power a chipped GTI puts out, it should be on par with MS3 Hp wise and more TQ to the wheels. Also the stats in one of the C&D comparos show MS3 weighs 50lbs more than the GTI.

[kuhli]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

So what do you think your chipped GTI is putting out for #'s? I can't speak for the drag times but my butt dyno is telling me something that's different from your statement about a chipped GTI keeping up.

The Mazdaspeed wins on weight by 2-300lbs. It carries a larger turbo stock. 2.3L vs 1.8 litre displacement. And a factory limited slip diff.

I can't see how its going to keep up?

[Mefro]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

[greenGS]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

I am sorry to bump up an old thread but just to clear a few things up.
A stock MS3 will not run 14.0 in Calgary. (I know Mike and have talked to him on many occasions)

Weather conditions affect times at RC by a great margin. When I took my car out there I was running on par/slighty faster than the MS3 that was there.

Last friday my GTI ran 14.4@97. That was on par with a 280hp SRT4 Caliber, Faster than Cobalt SS, and I was trapping 3mph slower than my buddies stage 2 STI.

Saying that a chipped GTI could not keep up with a stock MS3 is false. This is how it is in Calgary, it might be different at sea level...

[Klobi-One-Kinobi]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

Good write up. This car really is a performance bargain right out of the box, and with a couple mods can be pretty fast. Couple gripes I have are the stereo, which is mediocre at best, and the throttle closing at higher rpms(cant wait for cobb to release their access port).

Ryan, personally I would get a new rabbit before the normal 3, especially after the power bump they got for '08. Mind you, there are probably some good incentives for '07 mazda's now.

[R_Ethug]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

cool thx

[kuhli]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3





I didn't take any good front 1/4s, but here's the best I have.

[R_Ethug]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

pics and price? my bro is needing a new car and i'm leaning him towards a mazda 3 actually

[kuhli]

Re: Mazdaspeed 3

Well, its sitting in my driveway right now and there are a few things to say...

1. This car is much faster than my GTI (VR6 stock). Its not even in the same ballpark, chipped turbo or anything its just not in the same department.

2. Initially I felt the GTI had it by and inch in the corners, it doesn't. With no mention of the additional power coming out of the corner it's still faster. It's sprung heavier and is significantly more controlled within the corner. (on 215's vs 225's)

3. Its upper limits for speed are greater than the GTI, the top speeds are incredibly stable (120+ mph), I think this is mostly due to the aero pan on the bottom of the car that adds a lot of stability.

4. The car is much roomier in the interior.

5. The steering is vastly more communcative than the GTI.

6. The power at hand is much more useable in a less high strung way (see below)

7. The brakes are superior but a significant margin, they're on par with some very capable sports cars.

on the other hand....

1. GTI seats are much, much better. The seat bottom is short and the seat bottom bolsters inferior.

2. The interior quality of the GTI is better, but not by the margin you might think. To me, the interior of the Mazda is above all of the non-luxury Japanese makes and on par with some of the poorer lux models.

3. The GTI tripmeter is much better with the two programs for fuel economy and drive time. Drive times aren't part of Mazda's tripmeter.

4. The GTI loves to be 'wrung out' and driven hard. While the 3 doesn't dislike it, it has so much power that you simple don't wring it out. In addition, it drives more like a V8 with a broad midrange torque curve.

5. The GTI has a slightly taller cargo compartment allowing slightly (5 or 6 inches more height of cargo to be carried. Although, there's more volume in the Mazda.

In short, I've loved my GTI, its a very good car that's good at speed and a bit soft in the corners. The interior is better in most ways, but not to the level you might think. The only major letdown in the Mazda is the seats, this may be a personal thing to me, but I suspect for most people the GTI seats are better (MKIV and MKV).

However, from a sporting perspective and from a driving pleasure and absolute capability of the car the Mazdaspeed is superior in virtually every way. The turbo is integrated beautifully in the way that the 2.0T isn't. The 2.0T is a very good turbo'd engine. The 2.3 is just plain better.

From a looks perspective, you're either going to love or hate either car for that matter. There's a refinement to the GTI that's not totally lacking in the Speed 3, but its a good looking car that has people asking you questions about it (several times in 3 or 4 days). Personally I like the appearance, but I don't like the basic Mazda 3's. Ultimately I'll give the looks department to the GTI by a inch. I'd like to see the rear side window on the 2 dr GTI corrected (non civic please).

By-by MKIV, hello MS3!