Mazdaspeed3 owner test drove an AP2
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Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Tennessee
Nice write-up. Pretty much sums up how I feel coming from my WRX into the S. My WRX had a mod list a mile long, and the feel of it just doesn't compare to the feel of the stock S2000. Even with coilovers, big sway bars, sticky tires, and other various braces, the S2000 is just superior, period.
Sure, I miss the power a little, but when can one really (legally) use 380awhp/445awtq? Maybe on a race track, but the WRX needed quite a bit of work to be trusted on the track. The S2000? Track worthy car right out of the box.
Sure, I miss the power a little, but when can one really (legally) use 380awhp/445awtq? Maybe on a race track, but the WRX needed quite a bit of work to be trusted on the track. The S2000? Track worthy car right out of the box.
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From: fuuuuuuuuu
Originally Posted by 2000ths' timestamp='1330499633' post='21461623
my last car was also a MS3 which i tracked for about a year and a half. it took about 3K in mods to make it feel more like a sports car. and make no mistake, it held its own at the track for what it was. but the S2000 is definitely more of a sports car right out of the box. i've done the basics on mine, coilovers/wheels/tires/brakes and i feel faster than i was in the MS3. despite the lower power of the S2000 i'm actually slightly faster at the end of the front straightaway because i'm taking the corner leading into the straight at a much higher speed. the handling and corner exit speeds far trump the MS3 on a road course which counts for a lot. anyway, they are both fun cars but i opted for the S2000 because i wanted a cheaper(AP1) RWD sports car that i could make into a more dedicated track car. that being said, i'm completely happy with the switch and look forward to working with the S2000 more.
One thing I noticed is the brakes on the MS3 are much stronger than OEM S brakes. That being said, I have aftermarket rotors and pads. The speed is known for having strong brakes though.
Do you regret going AP1? This is what I initially wanted to do since the car would be predominantly for the the track (but daily driven). I'm just afraid of "old car issues", no matter how reliable a vehicle, 10 years has to take a toll...
Still have to make up my mind about cheap AP1 vs 06/07 AP2...
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Indiana
Sounds like you know what you want and that's good.
You're right about vtec, sort of. But there is definitely a noticeable power difference from 6-8k vs from 4-6k (you can check stock dynos to see how drastic it is), but you never truly feel it the way you would in a boosted car or a V8. Torque is what provides that sort of artificial sense of speed from just throwing you back into the seat. Don't get me wrong, it's awesome and I miss it having come from a TT V6 and LS1, but whenever I actually look at the rate my speed is increasing it's always much faster than it feels. Makes it easier to get into trouble if you aren't used to the speed limits in each gear
Try punching an AP2 right at 6000; it should feel more like 'normal' cars being punched at 3000. Then get a Flashpro and actually have a powerband that lasts for more than 2000 rpm!
You're right about vtec, sort of. But there is definitely a noticeable power difference from 6-8k vs from 4-6k (you can check stock dynos to see how drastic it is), but you never truly feel it the way you would in a boosted car or a V8. Torque is what provides that sort of artificial sense of speed from just throwing you back into the seat. Don't get me wrong, it's awesome and I miss it having come from a TT V6 and LS1, but whenever I actually look at the rate my speed is increasing it's always much faster than it feels. Makes it easier to get into trouble if you aren't used to the speed limits in each gear
Try punching an AP2 right at 6000; it should feel more like 'normal' cars being punched at 3000. Then get a Flashpro and actually have a powerband that lasts for more than 2000 rpm!
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Thanks for all the advice and help deciding guys! It's just really tempting when I see a 2002/2003 with ~120k km going for around 12-14k Canadian. In comparison, a 2006+ AP2 in good shape with ~70k km runs into the mid 20-s here. The extra maintenance on AP1's is a bit of a turn off though.
On the other hand, the 10K savings is tempting; but after driving both versions, I still can't seem to decide. The Flashpro information mentioned above is really swaying me to the 06+'s though...
On the other hand, the 10K savings is tempting; but after driving both versions, I still can't seem to decide. The Flashpro information mentioned above is really swaying me to the 06+'s though...
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: San Francisco, CA
nothing wrong with an older car if it's been taken care of. maintenance is pretty basic on the S2000 and they are [in general] very reliable. just depends on your budget and needs. if the car is going to be more of a DD/weekend ride then i can totally see wanting more mid-range for driveability. but if it's going to be at the track all the time then you will never see the mid range. when i'm on the track i rarely dip below 6k RPM and have a good 3k to work with in the power band.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Prince William County, VA
Originally Posted by SkiLLeDS2000' timestamp='1330498399' post='21461580
Nice write up, except one little issue, the S is driven briskly inbetween 5k-8k. People that are not used to the S always give it the 3k punch slight. 3000 rpms on the S is almost idle, lol.
Glad you are hooked
Glad you are hooked
I can still drive an S2K while not worshiping at the altar of VTEC can't I? lol
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Ontario Canada
I've owned a few SRT-4's and I've loved the power that was provided by each of those cars, and I can't say anything negative about their reliability, they were 100% reliable in every aspect. My S2000 is really slow compared to many other sports cars on the road, but as an overall package it is so much fun to drive and I take more pride in owning this vehicle than any other car that I've had over the years. The outright speed and lack of torque isn't a big issue to me, it is still very fun to drive. I will never get rid of my S2000.
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I came from a 2007 GTI with almost all bolt ons and tune and although it had more power and torque than the S, I do not miss it at all. The steering, braking, suspension, gear box and light weight of the S make it so much more enjoyable to drive. What I love even more is that I dont even feel the need to mod this car, its perfect right out of the box.
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Nor Cal (Humboldt, Ca)
Where do I start with this amazing machine? I walk up to it and my jaw just drops; no words can really explain visual aptitude this car has when seen in real life. It was like looking at a work of art. The body lines moving from the front bumper, over the wheel wells and across the side panels in the classic wedge shape that Ferrari made so popular with the Testarossa and F355. Getting into it I found myself deep in the vehicle, inches from the ground and transmission/drive shaft tunnel. It was like the S was hugging me, just welcoming me to take it for a drive.
Welcome to my/our world.
It's how I felt day one, when I saw mine for the 1st time, and I still feel that way.
