So I test drove some cars today...

[rpn453]

Originally Posted By: MCompact
That said, the MS3 has been a lot of fun, and it's helped me pass the time until I can find a nice M3 ZCP or Cayman S.


I believe it. I enjoy driving my Mazda3, and a limited-slip and more power would greatly increase that pleasure, provided it doesn't wheel-hop. Does it? I know the engine mounts are a bit stiffer, and I'd hope they used better control arm bushings. I got some aftermarket bushings recently and I'll be installing them this spring. If that can finally rid my car of wheel-hop, then there will be only one major thing left that I don't like about it: the open diff. I don't think I'll touch that unless I have to remove the transmission, but it's something I've always wanted to do. A Quaife unit is about $1500.

I think it's unfortunate what they've done to the appearance of the Mazda3. I'd go used if I were to buy another.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: rpn453

I believe it. I enjoy driving my Mazda3, and a limited-slip and more power would greatly increase that pleasure, provided it doesn't wheel-hop. Does it? I know the engine mounts are a bit stiffer, and I'd hope they used better control arm bushings. I got some aftermarket bushings recently and I'll be installing them this spring. If that can finally rid my car of wheel-hop, then there will be only one major thing left that I don't like about it: the open diff. I don't think I'll touch that unless I have to remove the transmission, but it's something I've always wanted to do. A Quaife unit is about $1500.


I don't have a problem with wheel hop, even though I added a Mazdaspeed intake. I don't like to do brutal high rpm clutch dumps in any car. The LSD helps a lot, but any powerful FWD car is inherently ill-suited for drag strip style launches. I currently have 54,000 miles on the car and in a month or so I'm either going to install a new OEM rear motor mount with Corksport inserts or a Street Unit 60 durometer rear mount. Next comes a set of Bilstein HDs, Hawk HP+ pads, and Enkei Racing or O.Z. wheels wrapped with Dunlop Direzza Star Specs. I may be spending 2-4 days instructing at Road America, so It should be an interesting experience.


Originally Posted By: rpn453

I think it's unfortunate what they've done to the appearance of the Mazda3. I'd go used if I were to buy another.


Exactly; there is no way I'd consider a 2010. The seats aren't as comfortable or attractive, you can't get Xenons, and you have to buy the useless nav system to get a sound upgrade. And the exterior styling is just beyond ridiculous.

 

[rpn453]

Originally Posted By: MCompact
I don't have a problem with wheel hop, even though I added a Mazdaspeed intake. I don't like to do brutal high rpm clutch dumps in any car. The LSD helps a lot, but any powerful FWD car is inherently ill-suited for drag strip style launches. I currently have 54,000 miles on the car and in a month or so I'm either going to install a new OEM rear motor mount with Corksport inserts or a Street Unit 60 durometer rear mount. Next comes a set of Bilstein HDs, Hawk HP+ pads, and Enkei Racing or O.Z. wheels wrapped with Dunlop Direzza Star Specs. I may be spending 2-4 days instructing at Road America, so It should be an interesting experience.


3000 rpm clutch drops have never seemed brutal in any other car I've driven. It's normally just a little wheel spin, and I'm off. I don't even have to do a clutch drop to get nasty wheel-hop with my car. On a wet street, enough throttle at any speed in first gear will do it easily. It also likes to do it on dry pavement while accelerating out of turns or if I go over a rough patch of pavement while I'm accelerating. It's not predictable though, so I just try to go easy on the throttle in first during city driving and ease off right away when it happens. A couple of my friends' wives have automatic versions and even they've experienced it on rainy days. It's the worst thing about this car. Flexible liquid-filled control arm bushings were a horrible idea, and I doubt they were used on the MS3.

The rear mount is a great upgrade, at least on the regular 3. I can really feel the engine flopping around when I've gone back to stock. The MS3 mount is a bit stiffer, but still allows enough movement that I expect you'll feel an obvious difference. I have 60 durometer rubber CP-E mount that will be going in this spring. I'm currently using a Top Speed/Hardrace mount, but it's the race version and the rubber is pretty hard. They make a softer street version, but I've never seen it available. It's tolerable, and I prefer it over stock, but the CP-E is the one I've been wanting for a while. It's often back-ordered and they had never bothered contacting me when it's available - even though I signed up to be notified - so I tried the Hardrace, which seemed like the best alternative at the time. I've also used the polyurethane AWR mount. That was the first aftermarket mount available, and I was willing to try anything at that point, but it was too harsh for me. My impression from the comments I've read is that the Corksport inserts are also quite harsh. I don't know much about the SU mount.