Finally drove an MS3

[vi edit]

I can't believe a car this small gets only 30mpg highway or so.

Until recently Mazda has *never* been a MPG queen. RX-7, Miata, Mazda3, ect. None of those are cars that you ever shopped for economy.

The new Skyactiv models of the Mazda3 can pull almost 40MPG while still retaining their athletic demeanor.

The speed3 is a performance oriented car without any real regard for fuel economy. It's a high strung, raw vehicle that is made to be driven hard and fast. Gearing, tires, that huge hood scoop...none of that is going to be a help for highway gas mileage.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

I was just on the mazda website last night. I built a brand new MS3 online, with the tech pack. Including destination and the fact I live in the NE, the cost was ~27k. According to Subaru, I can get a fully loaded WRX for about 28K, or just go with the barebones for the same price as the MS3. Toss in $500-1000 worth of nice audio equipment, and you get just about the same thing as the MS3, but in AWD. Only slight disadvantage is the MPG rating.

If you're comparing MSRP to MSRP then they're not that different however it is much more likely that you'll find Mazda to come down a lot more on the price than Subie.

 

[Atty]

I've been giving a lot of thought to the GTI today. I can find a GTI used much easier than a MS3 and my work gets a heft discount if I decide to go new, I'll have better power with the price which is important to me. The fuel economy is rated higher and while I'm sure I could squeeze the same 30+ MPG out of the MS3 with cruise control on my drive, I'm betting I could get even more than the rated 30+ on the GTI if I drove it carefully.

I was incredibly impressed by the GTI interior. Not that the MS3 has a poor interior by any stretch but I couldn't get over the red dotted design on the seats and door panels.

My only problems are that the GTI is noticeably slower, while this is easily fixable with a stage 2 tune and an intake, with a few other additions here and there (which is pushing me to go used) I'd rather drive it off the lot with the power I want and I am not too fond of the exterior styling of the GTI but I have a weird love for the MS3.

Sigh.

 

[vi edit]

I think being this close to release, you should at least give the Focus ST a shot. By almost every account it's been a gushing review. Seats, steering, suspension, ect. It's just a very well wrapped little package. It's true compromise between the GTi and the MS3.

 

[Atty]

I won't be buying for a few more months so I hopefully will get a chance to test one. Realistically a new car for me will be a christmas present. I have too much going on right now to do it (unless I find an uber deal.)

I am excited by the ST though I am worried it'll be extremely hard to get ahold of, have a large mark up (I do get X-Plan pricing though, which helps but they could easily deny that), and I'l be buying a first model year run so potential for problems.

 

[vi edit]

Couple things on the focus...

It'll be almost it's 3rd year for that general body style. And the 2.0T has been in production for almost 3 model years internationally. 1 + 1 = doesn't always equal two, but outside of maybe the torque vectoring there isn't anything significantly new going on here.

As far as demand, it's a 6 speed only car so that immediately lowers interest in it. And right now the regular Focus while selling...okay...isn't exactly flying off the lots as evidenced by the $2000 rebates Ford is offering on it.

I'm not sure a souped up version is going to a revolution in sales.

 

[z1ggy]

+1 on waiting for ST. I think it will feel as refined at the GTI, but will be better performance wise and cost about the same, if not a tad bit less. Compared to the MS3, it might not be a pure beast like it, but it beats interior and looks (IMO). Won't out perform the wrx, but it will look more stylish and will have a nicer interior (IMO, too). Really, I don' think you can lose, but I do know I'd pick the GTI last. I'm not sure if I will ever get over the face on the MS3, so it would prob come down to the ST or WRX.

 

[Zivic]

Focus RS? I thought they were EU only. I'm not too crazy about Evo's. I know they can be fun but I don't really care for them. I prefer the WRX just because of its styling but you're still buying $25k of rally car and about $250 of daily driver.

meant ST... sorry.

as far as the rally cars go, they are in an entirely different league than the FWD hot hatches. the FWD cars can be fun, but do not have the potential you will find in STI/Evos. if you keep the cars relatively stock, no worries about the DD aspect of it. If you are looking at 25k for a FWD turbo car, I would easily up my budget 5-10k to get into an evo... or if you prefer an STI. The MS3 and focus are good, but one drive in an evo, and you will realize they are childrens toys in comparison.

 

[Atty]

meant ST... sorry.

as far as the rally cars go, they are in an entirely different league than the FWD hot hatches. the FWD cars can be fun, but do not have the potential you will find in STI/Evos. if you keep the cars relatively stock, no worries about the DD aspect of it. If you are looking at 25k for a FWD turbo car, I would easily up my budget 5-10k to get into an evo... or if you prefer an STI. The MS3 and focus are good, but one drive in an evo, and you will realize they are childrens toys in comparison.

One does not simply up their budget 5-10k. D:

At least, I can't.

Though, I have a feeling I'll see the value in it when I finally get around to driving a WRX.

 

[Zap]

Article about 2014 WRX.
...
Cliffs: Replacing the 2.5L with a 2.0L engine...Possibily putting a 6th gear in the WRX.

Good. Hopefully it is at the top end, leaving the other ratios the same. That way it drives like it does now transmission-wise, yet gets magically better highway mileage.

"The Mazdaspeed 3 is only a bit less tricky to launch than a space shuttle."

Add Mazdaspeed 6 to that as well. Always bogs down on launch. Once going it pulls very nicely, but launches are horrible.

Until recently Mazda has *never* been a MPG queen. RX-7, Miata, Mazda3, ect. None of those are cars that you ever shopped for economy.

Nope. Wife's old 2005 Mazda 3s (manual with 2.3l) had an EPA highway rating of 33-35MPG, but I don't think we ever got more than around 30MPG even on lazy road trips.

 

[vi edit]

Nope. Wife's old 2005 Mazda 3s (manual with 2.3l) had an EPA highway rating of 33-35MPG, but I don't think we ever got more than around 30MPG even on lazy road trips.

I had a 2004 3s and i don't think it was stickered at any more than 32MPG. The 2.0 in the 3i was a bit higher.

 

[Zivic]

One does not simply up their budget 5-10k. D:

At least, I can't.

Though, I have a feeling I'll see the value in it when I finally get around to driving a WRX.

Wait it out a little longer and save a few more pennies

Edit: or buy used. You could easily find a gsr used for under 25k.

 

[Stryker124]

You guys do know that the Focus ST is out now right? We have two on lots in the greater Cleveland area, and that was without me searching that much.

And I'm not looking at whats in inventory, I actually drove to the lots and verified they had them...

 

[manimal]

You guys do know that the Focus ST is out now right? We have two on lots in the greater Cleveland area, and that was without me searching that much.

And I'm not looking at whats in inventory, I actually drove to the lots and verified they had them...

test drive one with a hidden camera like captain slow!

 

[Stryker124]

test drive one with a hidden camera like captain slow!

Hahaha I'll see if I can pull that off.

 

[Atty]

My local dealership doesn't have a Focus ST and said they won't have one until late October or November even. Fail.

 

[Zap]

I had a 2004 3s and i don't think it was stickered at any more than 32MPG. The 2.0 in the 3i was a bit higher.

Auto? Hers was a manual. No matter. Even if it were 32MPG it never got that high even with cruise control set.

 

[Atty]

Auto? Hers was a manual. No matter. Even if it were 32MPG it never got that high even with cruise control set.

It is always interesting to me how some cars manage to beat their estimated MPG by a good amount (MS3 rated 25, getting 32 as claimed here) and others don't even get close.

I know it comes down to a lot of different factors (tires, foot lead-ness, etc) but intriguing nonetheless.

 

[Shawn]

It is always interesting to me how some cars manage to beat their estimated MPG by a good amount (MS3 rated 25, getting 32 as claimed here) and others don't even get close.

I know it comes down to a lot of different factors (tires, foot lead-ness, etc) but intriguing nonetheless.

Yeah, my MS3 won't break 24mpg even on cruise control.

 

[enis083]

I get ~30mpg on my MS3 on all highway roadtrips with cruise control. Driving in the city in stop and go traffic, I get about 20 mpg.

 

[JCH13]

Yeah, my MS3 won't break 24mpg even on cruise control.

Then something is probably wrong :|

 

[Shawn]

Then something is probably wrong :|

Can't figure it out. But it seems to be on par with the EPA rating.

 

[Zap]

I get ~30mpg on my MS3 on all highway roadtrips with cruise control.

Flat freeway with cruise set to 65MPH, I can get 30MPG on my MS6. Actually calculated one tank of gas at 30.06MPG using the trip meter. Only mod is a Mazdaspeed CAI.

 

[JCH13]

Can't figure it out. But it seems to be on par with the EPA rating.

Well, every other MS3 owner, myself included, is noting considerably better gas mileage than you. It could just be your driving style though.

 

[manimal]

Hahaha I'll see if I can pull that off.

every time I see you post bro I think of the movie airplane lol

characters name was stryker for the dora crowd.