Mazdaspeed3 -original post date 4/27/2013
For your entertainment, I present the
happy go lucky 2010 Mazdaspeed3 Sport I spotted at a local car lot a
few weeks ago. Just look at that silly grin on its fascia... I just had
to stop to say hello. The Mazda3 was introduced in 2004 as a
replacement to the 323/protege, and
shares a platform with the Ford Focus. Just as I am fond of the Focus
ST, so am I fond of the Mazdaspeed3, and I'll tell you why.
A base Mazda3 features a 2.0L four cylinder engine that gives you 148HP and 135 lb ft of torque along with mid 20s in the city and low 30s on the highway for gas mileage, which is decent for a little car like this. This isn't a base model Mazda3, though.
Madzaspeed is Mazda's very own performance shop, kind of like SVT is for Ford. They take Mazda vehicles and work their magic on them to turn them into rip-snorting versions of their former selves. In this case, the Mazda3 that has been transformed into a Mazdaspeed3 is endowed with a turbocharged 2.3L 4 cylinder engine that puffs out 263HP and 280 lb ft of torque, which you can engage via a 6 speed manual transmission. That's a fast little hatchback. It gives you high teens/mid 20s for city/hwy gas mileage. But all is not perfect in happy Mazda land, as the front wheel drive set up translates into some issues with torque steer. For the 2010 model year, anyway, there wasn't any type of torque vectoring system in place to try to correct this issue. It's still a fun little hatch though, and quick as a jackrabbit.
Brand new back in 2010, this car had a sticker price starting at just over $24,000. This used one I found has 25,000 miles on its odometer and has a tag of $18,997. I'd estimate the dealership that took it in on trade probably owns it for around $15-16,000, so there ought to be a little bit of latitude in negotiating a deal. Getting out the door with one like this for $16,500 to $17,500 would mean you could drive off with a smile on your face to match the one this perky little Mazda wears.
The Mazdaspeed3 is a spirited car with styling that will make you think of it as a bright-eyed, tail-wagging puppy that's always overjoyed to see you approach from across the parking lot. Sure, it can get a little carried away with its exuberance and pull at the leash with its torque steer, but with some practice, you can reign in its happy dance and have yourself a hell of a good time with it.
A base Mazda3 features a 2.0L four cylinder engine that gives you 148HP and 135 lb ft of torque along with mid 20s in the city and low 30s on the highway for gas mileage, which is decent for a little car like this. This isn't a base model Mazda3, though.
Madzaspeed is Mazda's very own performance shop, kind of like SVT is for Ford. They take Mazda vehicles and work their magic on them to turn them into rip-snorting versions of their former selves. In this case, the Mazda3 that has been transformed into a Mazdaspeed3 is endowed with a turbocharged 2.3L 4 cylinder engine that puffs out 263HP and 280 lb ft of torque, which you can engage via a 6 speed manual transmission. That's a fast little hatchback. It gives you high teens/mid 20s for city/hwy gas mileage. But all is not perfect in happy Mazda land, as the front wheel drive set up translates into some issues with torque steer. For the 2010 model year, anyway, there wasn't any type of torque vectoring system in place to try to correct this issue. It's still a fun little hatch though, and quick as a jackrabbit.
Brand new back in 2010, this car had a sticker price starting at just over $24,000. This used one I found has 25,000 miles on its odometer and has a tag of $18,997. I'd estimate the dealership that took it in on trade probably owns it for around $15-16,000, so there ought to be a little bit of latitude in negotiating a deal. Getting out the door with one like this for $16,500 to $17,500 would mean you could drive off with a smile on your face to match the one this perky little Mazda wears.
The Mazdaspeed3 is a spirited car with styling that will make you think of it as a bright-eyed, tail-wagging puppy that's always overjoyed to see you approach from across the parking lot. Sure, it can get a little carried away with its exuberance and pull at the leash with its torque steer, but with some practice, you can reign in its happy dance and have yourself a hell of a good time with it.
No comments:
Post a Comment