Test drive: 2007 Mazdaspeed 3
We originally reviewed the Mazdaspeed 3 a few months ago. Mazda invited a bunch of journalists to Monterey, California to drive the Mazdaspeed 3 on the streets as well as on the Laguna Seca racetrack. I was visiting family, so Jason Fogelson, About.com's Guide to SUVs, went in my place (and I still haven't gotten over my jealousy). His verdict on the Mazdaspeed 3: Stellar. It was on Jason's recommendation that the Mazdaspeed 3 made it onto our list of the best new cars of 2007.
This past week, I finally got some time to put some serious miles on a Mazdaspeed 3. Both my wife Robin and I absolutely loved the car. It's not only a fantastic hot rod, it's also a great family car: Practical, roomy, and reasonably economical. Unlike the Honda Civic Si, which virtually begs your foot to hit the floor, the Mazdaspeed 3 is perfectly content to burble quietly and peacefully around town. Stir it up a bit, though, and it's remarkably quick and agile. There's no need for me to write a follow-up review; I agree with virtually everything Jason said about the Mazdaspeed 3. It truly is one of the greatest new cars of 2007. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Jason Fogelson
How exactly is this a bargain? Even with more hp, it’s still slower than a WRX which only costs a little bit more, and has the huge advantage of AWD. The Mazdaspeed 3 is certainly NOT a competitor to the Evo or STi, they are in a whole different league.
OK, the 3 may have the WRX on style, but that’s about it.
Another con: no sunroof option
J Kyle, does the WRX get better or worse mpg than the mazdaspeed3? Also, $3k is plenty for performance upgrades.
I think Mazda hit the nail on the head with this car(could have better mpg though), even without a sunroof. They aimed at daily drivers who want a car that’s faster than what they’ve got.
I really want one of these. I sat in one late last year right after they came out. I fit perfectly, the ergo is great, love the telecopic steering wheel. You can put a roof rack on it. The mileage is better than my wife’s 05 Altima. The exhaust note is great, (not quite as good as a G35 but close.) And it’s smokin’ fast.
I bought one last week. MAN is this a fun car. A WRX is nice, but my wife has a Subaru Outback XT that has been in the shop more times than any car I have ever owned. The WRX Tr doesnt even come close in options for 24600 that the GT package has. I have leather seats, Bose, 6 CD changer,HID’s. LED’s, a nd a few other opttions that Subaru doesn teven offer or would price a WRX to 27K and up. Im about .6 seconds slower due to lack of all-wheel, but who cares? I have a better overall car!
Sorry to hear about your Outback, Chris…having been a certified Subaru salesman for many years who swore by their integrity of build quality/dependability, I would now steer clear of the new Subies…they used to be bullet-proof…but not any more.
This car is alot cheaper than a WRX. Fully loaded it costs ~$26K, and features many things unavailable in the Subaru:
HID headlights w/leveling
BOSE audio
Navigation system
Side curtain airbags
Also, consider that the Mazda isn’t horribly ugly.
for $3K ATP Tuning can get you at least 350whp – turn the boost up even more and youre looking at the low 400’s
The WRX might beat the MPS3 off the line, but the Mazda will waste it from a roll and it’s trap speed is 6 mph faster in the quarter mile, which is huge. It’s also faster around the track in every test I’ve seen.