2014 Mazda 3

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8

That's right. If it doesn't get a bit squirrely under full throttle then it needs more power!


You nailed it- thrashing my modded 2007 MS3 is akin to obedience training an ADHD Pit Bull that's been mainlining crystal meth. I enjoy and appreciate sophisticated performance cars, but sometimes I need to drive something that's waaayyy out there on the edge.
But that's just me...

 

[Lolvoguy]

Originally Posted By: Bladecutter
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: buster
You can now get the 2.5L 3 with a 6spd manual.


I want to try one, but as I've said before, I'll probably wait for the rumored 2016 Mazdaspeed 3(too much horsepower is just enough).


That's right. If it doesn't get a bit squirrely under full throttle then it needs more power!


If it doesn't tell you that it's going to kill you before the day is over when you first fire it up, it's not enough.

BC.



finally nailed it!

 

[SteveSRT8]

^^^Yep.

As Dear Ole Dad used to say: "It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!"

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
^^^Yep.

As Dear Ole Dad used to say: "It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!"

Eh, I dunno, I dusted off the old YZ250 and gave it a good tune up last month, it used to be a race bike for a guy in the Canadian national motocross series...
I think I'll have to accept the fact that I won't ever be able to use all of it even on my relatively flat field track... Its fun but WO is a little like hitting a NOS button, best done in a straight line.
I find I use 3/4 mostly and that's plenty to raise the front in the first 3 gears so probably I'm going to sell it for something a little less high strung. Let someone younger/less breakable wrestle with it.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
^^^Yep.

As Dear Ole Dad used to say: "It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!"

Eh, I dunno, I dusted off the old YZ250 and gave it a good tune up last month, it used to be a race bike for a guy in the Canadian national motocross series...
I think I'll have to accept the fact that I won't ever be able to use all of it even on my relatively flat field track... Its fun but WO is a little like hitting a NOS button, best done in a straight line.
I find I use 3/4 mostly and that's plenty to raise the front in the first 3 gears so probably I'm going to sell it for something a little less high strung. Let someone younger/less breakable wrestle with it.



Totally agreed. I became straight 'cager' at 50 years young. I raced flat track in 1/4 mile and 1/2 mile as well as all the way into the 500cc ranks at the road courses when I was a kid. Used to ride a full race 350 Yamadog to school!

My lovely Wife is a licensed/registered therapist who once told me the worst thing is when you survive your motorcycle wreck!

I have nary a scratch in tons of real racing and way too much street riding. You really need to realize when you have used all your luck!

 

[IndyIan]

Yikes! Racing motorcycles for years and not getting a scratch must've used up a lot of luck!
I've always wanted to track a street bike, nothing fast, but something simple like a ninja 500 and be able to wring it out... No interest in actual street riding really, I rode my dirtbike on the road enough to have a few close calls, so I've never bothered to get a bike.

 

[buster]

After 4,900 miles, the car has really broken-in well. I'm very impressed with how good the automatic is, especially in manual/sport mode. The paddle shifters respond quickly and when not in manual mode, the transmission does a great job keeping the rpms up. In normal mode, rpms are only 2,100 at 80mph. This is the best AT I've ever had or driven. I can't wait to test the 6speed manual version though. Mazda makes great MT's.

http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mazda3/2014...ansmission.html

 

[97tbird]

Same here with wife's 2014 Skyaktive 6: best A/T I have ever driven, on par with the Bimmer's.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: buster
After 4,900 miles, the car has really broken-in well. I'm very impressed with how good the automatic is, especially in manual/sport mode. The paddle shifters respond quickly and when not in manual mode, the transmission does a great job keeping the rpms up. In normal mode, rpms are only 2,100 at 80mph. This is the best AT I've ever had or driven. I can't wait to test the 6speed manual version though. Mazda makes great MT's.

http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mazda3/2014...ansmission.html


The MTX is night and day better. The car feels completely different with the MTX. It feels lighter, more agile and of course connected. It is hard to figure out why it feels so different when I think the weight difference is only 80 lbs.

When I bought mine, I first test drove a fully loaded skyactiv hatch with the ATX. Very nice car. Felt very solid if not a bit heavy. I liked it. Then I hoped in a much less optioned skyactiv sedan with the MTX. As soon as I let the clutch out and started turning I was sold. Felt so much more sporty and lighter. When I got about 3 MPGs more on the same test drive route I had no doubt which one was for me.

EDIT: I should clarify. It sounds like I might have hated the ATX. I did NOT. I loved it. Best ATX I have ever driven.

 

[buster]

badtlc, what year are you referring too? Just curious.

Yeah Mazda has a killer combo here....both the AT & MT are top notch.