Fell in love.
 

So I happened to be driving by the Mazda dealer today... I decided to pull in, and found the two lonely MS3s on the lot. Salesman came over and asked if I wanted him to get the key to open it up. As I was checking out the car I told him I live out of the country so I am not looking to buy right now but when we return... I will be. Was just checking the space for my dog in the back and such. He still jumped right out to offer me a test drive. Very nice salesman, no pressure for the sale, just wanted to give me a chance to test the car out. Made sure I got to a spot where I could open up the throttle, etc.

I am very happy with this car. The response, the handling, the overall power, room, etc. Seats could be bolstered better, but I can deal with that. The shifter sits real high which felt strange, but another thing easily looked past. The one I drove was fully loaded with a sticker of 27k.. The push button start was nice.

Regardless. I was sad walking away from it. The color and everything I want in that lil package <3

I molested the white one <3

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...123_o.jpg?dl=1

Wait till you put a shifter extension on it.

27k is way too much.

Now why would I do that? Lol.

Agreed. I wouldn't pay that, or I'd drop the tech package if needed to find one more in my price range... That's just what they had it listed at. Not ready to buy yet anyways, however seeing it in person up close and driving it certainly helped secure my decision for when we return to the US in 2013.

the whole assembly sits a lot higher in the pu's. I have a 6" knob on my genwon which actually puts it right where it should have been imo.

To make getting from the wheel to the shifter and back again, take less time.
It's a track rat thing.

No extension wanted/needed here, lol.

57 posts and you still haven't bought it yet? :poke:

Does it bother you that I joined the forum prior to buying one? I am headed back to Germany next month, it would be pointless to buy it now, lol.

One wonderful thing about the ms3 is how much you can do to customize the feel of the shifter.

The previous owner of my car cut ~1/2" off the shifter shaft itself and threaded it farther down. With a deeply countersunk knob, my shifter sits about the same place as my miata and has shorter throw due to my JBR shift plate.

I am glad to see you like these wonderful cars.

I don't think I'd change the shifter... It felt really awkward at first, but I got semi used to it by the end of the test drive. It looks nice and short, the console just sits farther up than I'm used to. My console is low, plus I have a B&M short throw, so my arm is almost reaching for the shifter, whereas the Mazda, I wasn't reaching for it at all. If anything I could see it being nice once used to it. I really liked the clutch and go fast pedal, nice and responsive.

Plan when one is purchased is to keep the warranty, and keep it pretty stock, for once I'm my life. Have any of you found Mazda to be good or bad about honoring their warranties?

Mitsubishi broke a couple bolts off in one of the Evos Brembos, and tried to tell me it was my responsibility to cover it... I gave them a piece of my mind.. They called Mitsu headquarters who honored the warranty immediately and replaced the caliper and paid for everything, minus the labor for installing the new pads/rotors.

So just curious how Mazda has been for any of you?

Honestly though, as much as I like CWP, for a Pu go black. It helps the whole smile thing. Doesn't seem so noticeable. If you go Gen1 though, find a CWP.

Reaching for a shifter is retarded.

My SS was black... I don't want another black car, but I agree with it hiding the smile a bit. Idc though, everyone knows it's a happy Mazda anyways, might as well embrace its goofiness! Lol.

I don't mean like really reaching, it's still comfortable, but my arm is mostly extended to have my hand on it. I'm used to it and like I said its comfortable... But it is probably why the mazda felt awkward. I haven't seen the Evo in 3 months so I can't compare that setup but we have a stock shifter on the Evo with bushing replacement so it doesn't have a stubby shifter in it like my car.

Where are these pics? :banana:

Not at all. I joined before I bought mine, but I made 1 post. :)

Once you own the car, the smile is the last of your concerns. You don't see that shit from the driver seat.... ;)

I've been on the forum for quite a while now (learning at first, and now contributing some) and I won't be getting my '13 MS3 until April. :D

Tell these pu haters how it is! :banana:

Well its like I said at a meet to an MS6 owner after a night of talking shit to each other:

He pointed at a white toyota sienna and said, dude someone is stealing your ride. Which I admit was fuckin hilarious. Then I asked him if he knew why the Pu was smiling. Of course he said no. And I said its because they don't make the MS6 anymore. :)

Same could be applied to juan, but truth be told, I love all speeds.

if you get the silver one, make sure they put some air in that front tire...

Haha ^^ not getting either posted above anyways.

The smile is goofy but it gives it character, lol. I'd like to see the next gen without it, but id rock it either way :)