Are you guys made of f#cking money
 

So I bought a new 2013 with the tech package because I like them and read that they were a great platform to build on and that for little $$$s I could get big horsepower. Hmmm.

Around here they go for around $31,000 (taxes in, on the road). I then proceeded to bolt on the stuff listed below. That added another $5500 and that's just for the parts as I did the installs myself. Add a pro tune and there's another couple of hundred. Overall I'm quite pleased as I got a pretty big bang for the buck. I'm now at about 310whp according to the virtual dyno ... BUT ... I am now pushing $37,000 out of pocket.

I have a modest goal of 400whp in mind and figure its time to do the rods and pistons, if I don't want a ZZB. Since that shit is way over my head, I take it to a local speed shop.

Sooo, they figure on 15 to 20 hours at $80/hr which adds another $1700, to remove the motor, tear it down, ship it out/back and do the reinstall. They farm out the internal stuff to an engine rebuilder. Manley rods, pistons and bearings, about $1500 plus an install cost of about $800Then there's the bigger turbo I'll need (GTX 3076) which is another $1500, plus say another $1000 in odds and ends before it’s on. Then I'll be fuel short so I need to go meth injection, another $500, as we've only got 91 octane locally. Plus side and trans mounts, plus a bar map, plus f#ckin' this and a f#ckin' that which puts me to about $45,000 out of pocket and that's without a single suspension or brake upgrade. WTF!?!? and it's still a $30,000 Speed3! How do you guys reconcile that, especially when it comes time to sell? Hence my question, "Are you guys made of f#cking money"?

To make matters worse, as my wife pointed out, for less than that $45,000, I can get a winter-stored 08 Z06 with 40,000 miles on it, babied by some old guy, running 500 whp. I've looked at it, the godamn thing is mint.

Don't get me wrong, I love my little car but am obviously becoming disillusioned. Feedback/pep talk/shit upon all welcome. Thank you for allowing me to rant.

Math is hard.

If 400whp is your goal you purchased the wrong car. I second the wife on the Z06.

That's what credit card debt is for. I usually waited for sales from CS, RallySport, and Edge. The used market is large and you can scoop up nice parts at a fraction of the cost new. I have an excel sheet of nearly everything I've spent and put on the car and have added it all up twice before. I stopped adding it up and have started chalking up the costs to what I have to pay to enjoy a hobby. SPEND!!!

I have a day job to pay bills and feed family then I have a side company that vinyl wraps vehicles (commercial and individual). When business is booming parts go on, when it's slow I just build a wish list.

As far as actual cost, I would much rather have my customized MS3 vs being the prick with a bone stock car that thinks my shit don't stink.

It's like they always say, you gotta pay to play.

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You have to keep in mind that most people's Speeds cost a significant portion less than yours did. People could have their car completely built and in total it'll cost less than you bought yours stock from the dealer.

Financed mine for 25,900. After everything is said and done I'll have paid like 30K. I've got 4500 into it in aftermarket parts right now. I regret nothing I knew there were plenty of cars that would be easily faster than the Speed. I got the Speed because I love Mazdas. And clearly you do too, and we applaud you for that. Its still rarer than corvettes where I live.


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It should also be noted that most of us do our own labor when installing a lot of parts.

I think I'm just starting to approach 30k after full cost of the car (including interest), new transmission, and new built long block. Though this has also been over the course of 4 years now.

If you're going to spend the money up front and build the car up then your logic isn't flawed, however most people here build up their cars over time a few parts here, a few there.

Brand new speed 3 (not tech but who cares) -$24k out the door
Ebay/craigslist for mods a total of - $650
Sots+ e85 tune - $50
Virtual Dyno 1.01 with 3 smoothing on 91 degree ambient day about 290/330
If I had it really tuned it would only be $150 more and equal or more to your power levels
Total in $24,700

30 grand because CANADA.

Spent $16.7k to get my MS6, have spent around $23k total with repairs and upgrades. You can find parts for less money than it sounds like you are spending. I also do most of my own labor on weekends with friends, for fun.

Bought my MS6 for 6k (salvaged) and i've probably spent $1600 so far. Going to have to spend some more soon when I get the VVT done aswell but overall i'm pretty happy with the purchase. Also not having a car payment makes it easier to spend more monies on the car.

Damn that's an expensive PU lol.

I got my 13' OTD for <25k... I'm making north of 800whp and into the car with everything less than $37k.... That includes a full cage, and every mod I can think of since day 1

@texasboy21 Don't say that ... now I have to live with her thinking she's right.

That's a nice looking ride you've got there. Very hard to find deals up here and there's a big hit at the border if I bring stuff across. I am however leaning toward your way of looking at this .... SPEND.

I like the novelty and surprise factor of the modded 3. My job doesn't let me do more work for more $$$s. Maybe I'll just start knocking over ATMs ... got hte getaway vehicle already.

[quote=jdmage_mx5;2853015]I have a day job to pay bills and feed family then I have a side company that vinyl wraps vehicles (commercial and individual). When business is booming parts go on, when it's slow I just build a wish list.

I like the novelty and surprise factor of the modded 3. My job doesn't let me do more work for more $$$s. Maybe I'll just start knocking over ATMs ... got the getaway vehicle already.

Sorry about the repeats, computer froze up then belched out all of the above replies.

So true. Gonna have to just suck it up I guess ... or ... more lottery tickets

Not like that up here. No real community to speak of. BTW how'd you get that picture of my wife for your Avatar?!?!

Healthy perspective. Thanks.

B

Go to work in the mines in Nevada or the Oilfields in Texas or North Dakota, that is how you make easy money quick.

This was my first attempt at anything mechanical. I did the stuff I could on my own (all the bolt-ons) but this next level is way out of my wheel house. As stated earlier, not much of a community up here though I did recently connect with a local who has offered assistance with future projects.

You did good ... me ... not so much.

Spend 2000 on a civic, spend another 2000 on a k20 motor.... Throw 20,000 on a turbo fullybuilt motor/tranny bells whistles and a stripper pole, youve just spent less the 25,000 and have a car that will eat your common gtr's and lambos.
Its all relative bro. You cant look at it the way you are, cuz if you could have you would have just goten that 40k corvette, spent 10k and been slightly faster. Instead you got a speed and slowly thrown money at it.

I thought about that approach for about ten minutes and then my need for instant gratification kicked in and away went all the good intentions.

Nicely done.

I know .... it sucks donkey dick ... but this is where I'm at.

Does that count both motors?

I hear you. There's no doubt the batch of bolt-ons in my signature could've been sourced for less, I just didn't know where to look. That border thing takes a big chunk as well. Like I said earlier, I did what work I could on my own but this next level stuff is way beyond me. Could do big, big damage.

I am made of money.

At least in my dreams.

Hobbies cost money bruh.

Also, did those poly exhaust hangers cost you like $500 or something??

Sounds like a success story. I love to hear those. Best of luck with the next steps.

I couldn't be f#ckin' happier for you ... now I think I'll just sit here and cry. Kidding. I really do like to hear success stories. 800 is so over the top, I can't imagine.

B

Oddly, I feel better now. Thanks man.

B

if you want 500 HP I have a CPE stanback that will do that. Very rare. I will sell it to you.

I was a n00b with respect to hands-on car work when I bought my car, but over the years, I've learned a lot. The intake/exhaust stuff is pretty simple to deal with, with the exception of the downpipe (which is a giant bitch to get out). Most of the stuff you've got in your sig you could've done with a set of jack stands and some decent tools.

The tuning, on the other hand, is an entirely different matter....

There's a trick to the MS6 downpipe. Just rotate the driveshaft and it pops right out from the top.

We've done a couple down here. :)

I got rid of my speed3 and the payments. I have about $12k into my speed6 including paying cash for the car.

FWIW I purchased my Mazdaspeed (second time purchasing one for daily duties) because it is an inexpensive and fantastic car to drive as is, and it's cheap to maintain.

Dollar for dollar, the fun factor cannot be beat.

Purchased new 2012 in November 2011 - $27000 out the door. Sold in early 2013 for $24000

Purchased used 2012 with 27K miles in March 2015 - $20200 out the door.

first of all, new cars are always money pits. as soon as you drive them off the lot, generally you are in the red.

second, if your goal was 400whp, or 8lbs/hp, you had a lot of better options. if you settled on that goal after you bought the car, your research should have indicated that was doable on stock internals with the right turbo and tune.

third, you'd need at least 500 whp to keep up with this supposed 500whp z06 you speak about.

in summary, your wife is right, stop wasting your money.

It does count both, I'm out of pocket less than $1000 dollars on this second motor ;)

Let us think about it this way...how many times does the speed just give you a big smile after you did a mod? Probably far more often than the stock vette would have.

I know how you feel, paid $32K for my '12 Tech with 18k Km on it 6 months ago, I've worked out I've thrown roughly 5k at it so far, but that has gone from bone stock to BNR S3 with all supporting mods and Meth. Once it's all good to go I'm hoping to be throwing around 380whp. For 37K. That's not a bad price, especially considering how little I see of these and the look on people's faces when a Mazda beats their V8.

Keep in mind, I'm from Australia, so 1usd is like $1.30 Aud, then add $200-400 shipping on top of that, parts get real expensive real quick here. But it's still worth it.

As most people will say, stop counting your $$$, enjoy your car and keep smiling when you blow by Honda's!
Just remember ;) :fyhn:

i paid 14k for my ms6, dropping round 6,500 into an engine build and parts with a road map to 300 WHP.... wtf are you guys spending your money on?

oh thats right.. the dealer cuz you foos be buyin the new shit! bwahahah

COBB is super expensive IMO plenty of quality aftermarket stuff for much less money. Also you said it was brand new so you know how it has been treated, that z06 may have been babied or it could have been thrashed.

I would enjoy this car for what it is. Go out and find a fun mountain road if you have any near and enjoy it. I think most people somehow find the money for their hobbies because they are interested. You never know when that newfound mechanical ability will come in handy in life. Plus it's a car, probably not your first or last, appreciate the moment with it, that's my plan.

Hmm, yes you may of paid less then us... But you also have a car that is a dying breed and approaching if not already, a decade old.
And your only making 300 WHP? I mean I understand AWD and your drivetrain is a bit more parasitic, but not to that extent.. I think you be the "foos" if you spent that much on your car and your only achieving that..

The Zo6 can't put a refrigerator in the back or carry four grown adults in comfort. Speed is all relative of you wanted a toy just go out and build one. Butch up candy pants