About to pull the trigger on ms3

[sho.gun]

Should I?

I've been wanting to get the mazdaspeed3 for a while now and I've let that desire ripen for a good two years or so. Now that I feel the time is right, I'd like to ask what you guys think about the car. I've yet to test drive it but I'm sure it'll be leaps and bounds better than my current 05 mazda3i.

What do you guys think?

[Maarchk]

What's wrong with your current one? How many miles do you have on it?
I want a new car too, but my RSX is still running great and as much as a new car is 'fun' I dont really need it...

Do it if you got the cash and nothing to do with it. but just because something is 'on sale' doesn't mean you really need it..

Sorry, being preachy i know...

[sho.gun]

My current one has about 81k miles and there are a number of things that's starting to surface:

1. Car is having trouble starting. It's not the battery or the starter, it seems like it's having trouble getting gas into the engine (fuel filter/pump clog?)

2. Clutch replacement soon, perhaps 6months - 1 year

3. Shocks are starting to squeak :(

The car overall is feeling a little sluggish, perhaps related to the possible fuel filter/pump being dirty. I have to admit though that I didn't take care of it as well as I should have...

[Maarchk]

If you can get a decent trade in than go for it. They are giving out good bargains... But hopefully you love the new car a little more. :)

[DarkFury]

My current one has about 81k miles and there are a number of things that's starting to surface:

1. Car is having trouble starting. It's not the battery or the starter, it seems like it's having trouble getting gas into the engine (fuel filter/pump clog?)

2. Clutch replacement soon, perhaps 6months - 1 year

3. Shocks are starting to squeak :(

The car overall is feeling a little sluggish, perhaps related to the possible fuel filter/pump being dirty. I have to admit though that I didn't take care of it as well as I should have...
Well dayuum...

If you don't take care of them, they won't take care of you... :shrug:

Sounds like your current car just needs a little maintenance and you'd be good to go... However, I'm sensing that you just want a new car. If that's the case, well... that urge can be hard to resist if you have the money to do it.

[LPMiller]

yeah, it's impossible to beat down the New Car Demon when he's on your shoulder like that. Give it a test drive, at least find out if you'd like it or not. I don't know that it will be radically different from your 05 3, but it will have a bit more kick to it, that's for sure.

[johnnymk]

I like to get rid of cars before they reach 100K. Just something about not having any bargaining power when they are over that many miles.

[DarkFury]

I like to get rid of cars before they reach 100K. Just something about not having any bargaining power when they are over that many miles.
At 100K, most cars are really "fully expended"...

If you are looking for bargaining power, you'd probably be better off selling the car when it hits about 30K miles or 2.5 years old.

[Jihforce]

At 100K, most cars are really "fully expended"...

If you are looking for bargaining power, you'd probably be better off selling the car when it hits about 30K miles or 2.5 years old.

at 30k and 2.5 yrs, I'd rather lease. It's cheaper.

[Airencracken]

At 100K, most cars are really "fully expended"...

If you are looking for bargaining power, you'd probably be better off selling the car when it hits about 30K miles or 2.5 years old.

Fully expended? Heh. My Prius (which is nearly 120k) feels pretty much the same as it did around 60k.

[InfiniteNothing]

Too much power for FWD

[Daedalus]

The most recent Car & Driver has it on their 10 Best list. Sounds like a fun ride. Find the article if you can. Financially, new cars are pretty much terrible decisions. You could always fix your current car for a lot less than what a new one will cost. But this isn't a financial question, is it?

As far as age and miles go, it all depends on what you're willing to do to keep the car in tip-top shape. My "garage queen" was purchased with over 50k on it. My first car had 175k on it when I bought it, and I just finished assembling the engine from a factory new long block. Before pulling the engine I had already replaced every single strut, bushing, ball joint and piece of rubber in the suspension, so it rode like a brand new car. The average miles at time of purchase for all my cars is about 108k, but I'm fanatical about taking care of 3 of them...the other 2 get proactive maintenance, but nothing else.

[sho.gun]

So I took an 08 GT model for a test drive the other day and I guess my only reaction afterward was: HOLY CRAP!

I've never driven anything more powerful than my current car, a mazda3i 2.0 with 140'ish HP and the ms3 gave me a taste of 260+. My goodness... what a ride! The interior has the same layout as my current car though the alcantra seats are much more comfy. Paired with the new piano black dash pieces, it does look a little more classy and clean. I also like the exterior and definitely the extra cargo space. I just wish there were some windy roads around the dealership so I can see how well it handled them.

Regarding whether or not it's a wise financial decision to buy a new car, I'm leaning towards the purchase because of the condition of my current car. Not sure if it's wise to spend 1 maybe 2k in repairs for a car worth 6-7k and 80k+ miles. Since I'm the sole owner of the vehicle I know that I (shamefully) did not maintain it properly during my ownership. As such, I'm starting to notice that problems are sprouting up like grass in springtime, most are little things that just annoy the hell out of me but some are quite major.

Anyway, I would go as far as saying I'm in love with the ms3 and I already got the ball rolling on the purchasing process :) Depending on how much the discount the 08 models, I may just skip out on the 09's. Nothing changed anyway.

I'll update you guys on the prices when I get them.

[sho.gun]

yeah, it's impossible to beat down the New Car Demon when he's on your shoulder like that. Give it a test drive, at least find out if you'd like it or not. I don't know that it will be radically different from your 05 3, but it will have a bit more kick to it, that's for sure.

lol, a "bit more kick" is an understatement. This car is a rocket! It was a little depressing to drive my old one after I drove the ms3...

[DarkFury]

Guess you'd better wash and clean the old car really good... to get max trade in for it when you go to negotiate. :heh:

[clutchy]

i tend to drive my cars into the ground, last one had 210k on it when i sold it. and my maxima has 165k. I just got that little SI recently which is fun, but man i wish it had more torque...

btw i've been averaging 25-27mpg over the last 5 fillups.


that mazda seems pretty boss :)

[LPMiller]

lol, a "bit more kick" is an understatement. This car is a rocket! It was a little depressing to drive my old one after I drove the ms3...


Yeah, I wasn't sure what engine you had in your old one, the 2.0 or the 2.3.

No, there is almost zero difference in the 08 and 09...the model gets the redesign in '10.

As to cornering, I think you'll find it's a dream on the winding roads. Bit of understeer, but it's a front driver after all.

I find the mazda3's too small for me, but my wife loves 'em. Me, i love my 09 mazda6.

[sho.gun]

There you go, pulled the trigger...

I managed to find a dealer who had a Crystal White Pearl Mazdaspeed3 GT that's about an hour away from my place and drove over there last night about an hour before they closed. I can tell everyone was a little grumpy because I kept them at work late but whatever, I bought a car from them.

As for the damage, my total otd price is 25,700... which is about $600'ish below the invoice price they gave me (it included destination and advertising). They threw in some free oil changes and washes if I'm in the area and also a $300 credit for their parts store.

The car drives nice, a little bumpy and loud but that was to be expected. I'll take some pics later and post it here :)

[DarkFury]

Gratz on the new ride...

Hopefully they gave you a good trade in on the old car...