thinking about getting a 2009 speed 3.
 

whatsup guys. My friend has a black speed 3 and has been telling me to get one for quite some time now. I like the car alot!! the only thing i don't like about it is i keep hearing that the rods on the car are horrible. I hear that 350 at the crank will bend a rod, is this true???


i love the handling and i want a boosted car. Im thinking of either this, cobalt ss/tc, or 09 wrx (more than likely not), or a mustang gt (not boosted but reacts to mods)

what do you guys think??

2010 MS3 herd had AWD and close to 300hp....Then again it was from the sales staff at mazda.

GET IT!

Skip the WRX because they're having issues with engine failure. The speed3's rods probably aren't the best to be on after 350WHP, not crank.

Don't do it, by a Chevy Volt.

Trust me, you'll thank me later.

I would think about ordering a new stang GT..You can put about 3-4k in mods on it and you will be very happy with the power you have.And yes the rods on the MS3 suck..I really wish mazda would have spent a few extra $$ on good rods and a turbo with ball bearing seals..Those 2 things are the only thing I dont like about my car..

350 crank hp is not dargerous for this car. 350 wheel hp without meth is starting to push it..

Bank for the buck, I can't see anything new being better than a MS3... for the 3rd year in a row. If you want a speed demon, then maybe look elsewhere- but for the all around power, handling, looks, and practicality, it's hard to beat. Plus, the stock power that the MS3 puts out is plenty for 90%ish of people who are new to "powerful" cars.

^^^I came from a 2000 Jetta VR6, i couldnt agree more. The speeds are very fun to drive. Everyone that been in mine thinks its a rocket!

Buy something else it will do you better later

How???



Ohh and if I get the car I would just do catted turboback exhaust with a cutout, intake, intercooler, and a tune. Then I'd do suspension and ever other appearance mid so I don't think I'd need to worry about bending a rod.

If I had to do it again, I'd buy a nice clean Evo9 (if there are any of them still out there that haven't been mauled.

Im selling my speed3 to get a v8.
Most likely a Camaro ss, but maybe a GTO.
im tired of fucking around.

The Speed 3 is a great car and a lot of fun but if you plan on modding more than a dp and intake or drag racing I would look elsewhere. Its more trouble than its worth imo.

I may be going that route as well. If not a v8 a 135i :boobies: since my father in law is bmw manager:party:. But im waiting a couple more years for my warranty to get used up and enjoy my ms3 for a while.

get the new genisis coupe....

I'm impressed

so do you guys think the Genesis coupe could be the new Supra?

lol kdm is the new jdm

is this true?

Yeah if you're looking to drag, look elsewhere. If you're trying to have a power monster (370WHP or more) look elsewhere..

well im not looking to drag race at all

What are you looking to do? If you need a balanced hatch the speed3 is the answer.

ME TOO G8 GT here i come

IMHO the speed3 is an amazing car. I have an 09 and i love it. I have very few mods(look in my sig) Mind you i have been more and more impressed with this car everyday. I never new that i would be able to pull on a challenger srt8 on the highway. I was amazed. Handling stock great, power great, practicality great i mean it is up to you. Test drive around. It is all what you want it to be. Just my .02 cents though.

Kind of funny the ppl recommending other cars are modded to hell. No wonder, you screwed up the cars excellent balance and reliability. The car is damn near perfect stock or if you put on an intake (about 20whp BTW for about (175-350$). Oh and if you use it mostly as a daily driver you'll love it. The torque of this thing is amazing which makes getting up to speed, passing, etc a breeze and extremely gratifying. Of course there's better cars but for the Price of a new car with warranty I wouldn't have it any other way. The cobalt ss/tc might be slightly better performance wise but looks like shit inside and out. The 09 WRX is fast but I wouldn't trust the 5-speed tranny to hold up long, especially if you plan on trying to run the times the mags got with.

I replaced my 2006 BMW e60 M5 with a 2008.5 MS3 GT in August 2008...the MS3 is a far superior as a daily driver than the M5. After using an M car as my daily driver for over 15 years(e34 M5, e36 M3, e39 M5 and e60 M5) I will never buy another...they are just too expensive to own for what you get...BMW quality has dropped substantially from the e34 to the e60 M5. In fact, the build quality of my MS3 is superior that of my former e60 M5, and it cost ~$95K ! The Japanese have not only caught, but have surpassed the Germans IMHO...

just wait for 2010 ms3..hopefully better rods or the 09 wrx.

parkerfe and ms3077 have some good observations..real life observations with years of experience behind them...i have to agree with them. For what it is this car is a blast stock or slightly bolted. Mine runs perfect.
I have to laugh at the young turks whose main priority with this car is the quarter mile time....although a bragging right, this is the worst reason to buy this car...Its strong point is balance and pushing it from a roll...If BIG power is what you want 350-400hp buy a different car..if you want a 23grand car that is fun stock and a little more fun bolted buy the Speed.

is the rods only holding a 100 more whp really a complaint.

New Genesis coupe is a nice...it's just really heavy for what it is. Considering the current value's of car's like the GTO (You can get an LS2 GTO with 16k miles for 18k), there is a bit more bang for your buck going with an LS1/LS2 car, then a new untested vehicle.

Of course I love the MS3 myself. It's the perfect compromise. It's affordable, it's quick, it's got great brakes, and handling (Though I think it needs different shocks), the interior isn't embarassing. (I think its actually nice). The exterior is a sleeper. (Less tickets, unless you get the red one :) ) And you can fit a whole crapload of stuff in it. I just had to move twice in 5 months, I can't tell you how nice that hatch was!

It's really not that heavy, the V6 is pretty much inline with the G37.

I consider anything over 3k lbs heavy. :) MS3 is right on the border if you swap out the wheels with some lighter rims and do some minor weight reduction.

yeh im thinkin about gettina an 09 speed3. i test drove one the other weekend and i love it. iv been doin alot of research on this car and it seems to be the best bang for your buck. i was comparing it to the 09 wrx, but the wrx doesnt offer anything for the price. the speed3 gives you so much more "luxury" for the money. Im hoping to pick one up within the next few weeks. i originally wanted black but i test drove the true red, and i like it alot. what would any of you suggest?

I like white myself (which is why I got it). Make sure to get the color you want. Don't compromise. (if they tell you they can only get you red, and you want black, then use a different dealer...MS3's are just sitting at lots all over the place due to the current economy).

I kinda of wish they had the aussie blue in the states, but alas we can't have everything!

yep, I have to agree. This car has been a blast from day 1, even stock. a stg1+ SRI cobb car is a blast to drive. I can imagine that on an aftermarket suspension (C/O's and sways) it must be a freaking go cart.