263hp, 280tq, lsd, 155mph top speed, $22,400. for $23,900 you get auto leveling hid's, rain sensing wipers, leather, bose stereo with cd changer. they say performance wise its in a totally diff league than the civic si and gti. I'm actually tempted to go to a mazda dealership.

 

Sounds like a lotta power to be putting the front wheels, ala torque steer. If they've found a way to tame it, sounds amazing.

 

the article says that taming the torque steer was one of their main goals. they seem to have done an excellent job of controlling it according to the article.

 

You know at $23,900 loaded, it's a decent deal. Though, I think many would have spend $24,900-$25,500 MSRP for AWD. Apparently, they couldn't do it?

 

I thought the published literature says 250 hp? As far as performance, I'm sure it's way faster than a GTI or Si, but I'll bet its handling isn't as good.

 

Wow. That should be VERY quick.


That should stop the whole, "Which is faster an S2000 or Nissan 350z" argument.

The answer will most likely be a Mazda 3.

Gonna result in quite a few dead teenagers I bet.

 

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=54584.60

here are the scans of the article. seems like it handles pretty darn well. the writer says with a stickier set of tires it would be a legit track car right off the lot. not sure if thats true but overall he seemed very impressed with it.

 

Wow pretty cool.

Maybe, I'll find one used in a couple of years for a beater.

 

That car looks great! I love the subtle styling changes over the regular 3. Sporty, affordable, and all in a very practical package. I think it would make a perfect daily driver (as long as it can average at least 24 mpg).

Andrew

 

Get a MS6 if you want AWD. They are trying to get rid of them and selling around $22-23k.

If history repeats again, the MS3 could be under 20k by Aug 07.