Jim 'n' SC

First let me say I was not racing! So, please no comments on that subject. Ok, so I was getting onto one of my favorate on ramps with a chance for a quick burst of acceleration when I look in the rear view mirror and some guy in a Mazda right on my tail so I decide to play...that didn't work. Got up to about 90 mph in third and looked in the rear view mirror and he was still there! I slowed down and when I got off at the next ramp and looked at the rear of the car and saw it was a Mazda Speed3. Pretty good acceleration for a $24,000 car.

Marine Blue

Yeah it's a total sleeper, no one assumes it has any real guts and it doesn't look that much different than a regular Mazda 3. It makes passing the slow drivers sitting in the left lane easy, before they know you're passing and try to accelerate you're already long gone. Great DD although the interior could be nicer.

Speedyellow993

Chances are that the boost has been turned up. Alot of the Jap tuner cars are turbo. The engines last right up until the warrenty runs out. Not to mention, Mazda parts are more expensive then Porsche parts.

Quadcammer

well, you got it partially right. Mazdaspeed3 engines do have a tendency to throw rods.

But mazda parts in no way shape or form cost more than porsche parts.

Marine Blue

With 268 Hp in stock form and a 3200 Lb weight it does hold it's own. Granted it won't keep up with a newer 911 or later Boxster, it definitely does accelerate hard. Biggest problem with the Speed3 is traction when taking off, once under way the car can put down its power.

As far as throwing rods, I have heard the same but mainly from cars that have been modified. Powertrain is 5 years 50K miles so I still have some time before the warranty runs out.

Not sure on parts, mine is still under warranty and I haven't had it in for any warranty service.

Mike in CA

It's usually hard to tell with impromptu speed contests. On paper you had a slight power to weight advantage, but was his car modified? Did he start in second while you were in third? Did he abuse his car with a speed shift? Who knows.....

Wannabeproracer

also - no disrespect to OP - but the Mazda driver's skills also plays into it...

_Nathan

A friend of mine has a first generation (2007) Mazdaspeed 3. Very quick but lots of torque steer.

alexb76

GREAT CARS! I encountered one on track and he could totally keep up to pace!

KeninBlaine

I don't think anyone would suggest that a mazdaspeed3 is trying to compete with a Porsche in all respects. It is just one of those cars out there that can provide a ton of fun for not much money, and has sufficient space to be useful too.

Marine Blue

Owning an 09 Speed3 I agree 100% The car has lots of shortcomings including lots of plastic inside, rattles, torque steer and it is very difficult to shift smoothly. On the other hand it is fast, handles well and it is invisible to people and police. It also has enough space to haul the kids and stuff. Great DD but definitely not a Porsche by any stretch of the imagination.

e121c_991

somewhere on the other side of town a Mazda 3 owner is posting on his own forums about the very same incident with a much different response from the crowd. haha

Vancouver-BC

I traded in a 2008 MazdaSpeed 3 for a 2007 C2 7 months ago. Off the line the Porsche has got it all the way, as the Mazda is detuned in the first 2 gears, its not until you get into 3rd gear that you get full power. So on an on-ramp he could give you a good run for your money. Those cars have 280 ft/pounds of torque and move pretty well, and so from about 40 to 70 mph he could probably stay with you, beyond that you should start to lose him.

Mark Harris

+997. Front wheel drive sports cars are kinda like short sleeve dress shirts.......there is no such thing.

gonz911

So what, it's a Mazda. There are a lot of cars that are faster than the 997 but there's more to the Porsche than that.