3.5 SE vs Mazdaspeed 3

[pcpower]

ms3 comes Grand Touring trim comes with HID's and heated seats, etc., and is at about 23-24K invoice,,, a little bit cheaper than the a/c 3.5 SE. horsepower and torque is almost identical for the two, but the ms3 has a turbo-charged 4 cyl, a/c obviously has a v6.

a/c has a better look I'd say. Would probably still check out an ms3 though if in the market, sounds like a lot of bang for the buck.

what do u think?

thx

[leifab]

I would say it all depends on what you want to do after you pick up the car. If you're going performance wise...look at your dollar to value ratio. Lets say $5k if you put 5k into the ms3 for performance...what are you going to get out of it? It's already a turbo 4cyl...bigger turbo, 1 or 2 better internals, maybe a downpipe...and you've hit your budget and close to upper limit of the engine...and gained what? 50-75whp? Put the same $5k into the coupe and you've got yourself a turbo'd v6 putting down an extra 100+ whp....with plenty of room left to play with.

Now if you go aesthetics...well its a 50/50 coinflip on either and boils down to personal preference in the end anyways.

This is just my opinion...your mileage may vary.

[mcheddadi]

I'll just re say what I said before,

To me, there is only ONE car that could be compared to the 3.5SE Altima Coupe in terms of sportiness. Before I was looking at the Altima Coupe, the only option for me was the MazdaSpeed3. Starting at 22,935$ for 263hp and able to come within about four seconds of the Nurburgring lap record, posting a time of 8 minutes 39.66 seconds around the circuit. http://www.autoblog.com/2007/0...-ring/

In the end, I chose the Altima Coupe because of the luxury it had, the NATURALLY aspired V6 (no turbo lag for me, thxyou very much!) and the GORGEOUS styling. In my eyes, the ONLY competitor to the Altima Coupe is the MazdaSpeed3. But the MS3's look and design, while not bad, is kinda yawn inducing

Here's what the mazdaspeed3 looks like (It's an old wallpaper I made when I was interested by it):

And just to compare, here's the 3.5SE Altima Coupe :

[PHENOMenalVinyl]

c i feel like its not a good comparison because if u think about it

1. MS3 is a sports car pretty much 0-60 is good not as good as coupe i think .1 off but the top speed is 155 the coupe isnt

2. Ones more of a kid car (MS3) looks wise n its a cop chaser

3. A/C is a sorta luxury w/ premium u get everything

4. AC is a coupe n the MS3 has more room more practical for space

5. The MS3 is a nice car its quick and handles well a lil oversteer but once u get used to it its good this is bc u got a lot of power in it

6. MS3 is in a diffrent class like a gti

No offense to any coupe owners bc im one of em lol

[mcheddadi]

MS3 is a sports car pretty much 0-60 is good not as good as coupe i think .1 off but the top speed is 155 the coupe isnt

the ms3 is a sports car and the A/C isn't?

now that's just retarded

[Alaron]

All I can say is.. I just got back home from the Mazda dealership.. got my wife a Mazda 3 (not the speed) hatchback mid year touring edition. Have to say, its pretty darn shmexy in the metallic maroon and minuscule details .. Ill posts some pics if you wouldnt consider it a thread jack

[gucio69]

I had an '04 Mazda 3 Sport Sedan before the Altima and I loved it but I wouldn't consider them to be in the same class with Altima being larger. There were some things on the Mazda that Nissan could definitely take a cue from. The manual gearbox is probably the one thing that jumps out at me the most. However the body styling on the 3 is a bit stale by now and I think it could use a refresh.

[chow]

I too was looking at the MS3 before purchasing the coupe.

The main reason i purcahsed the coupe was..

1) They actually let me test drive it.2) The engine is hawt. (3.5)3) Its f***ing sexy

But other reasons you should consider..

I was helping my gf move her stuff outta her place in suitcases and.. the trunk could only fit onr large suit case. The trunk space in the altima is HORRIBLE.The only good thing about it is that the rears fold flat. This increases the space by alot, but the entrance to the trunk is still really bad.

[PHENOMenalVinyl]

the ms3 is a sports car and the A/C isn't?

now that's just retarded

no its really not bc its not a sports car it doesnt have any sport packages ur just sayin that bc u think it is bc u got the 6 n its not the stats n options show it

[600hppot]

The MS3...

Is slightly cheaper, is lighter, handles better, brakes better, is slightly faster, can be chipped to increase boost (cheap, and veeeeeery effective) and has just as much modding potential as the VQ. (no offense leifab, but you're wrong).

The A/C...

Looks better, no turbo lag, no torque steer, more spacious, must invest heavily in turbo to get lotza powah. Must invest in better suspension to handle as well. The MS3's engine has had a slightly greater share of defects than the VQ. So the altima is more reliable.

It's pretty even to me. All depends on preference.

[adidas2go]

no its really not bc its not a sports car it doesnt have any sport packages ur just sayin that bc u think it is bc u got the 6 n its not the stats n options show it

Can anyone translate this into English?

[PHENOMenalVinyl]

Can anyone translate this into English?

he was saying the A/C is a sports car but its not what sports packages does it come with stock????? no special suspension, no turbo/supercharger, no exhaust, no sport rims/tires, it doesnt come like the MS3 does when its upgraded the A/C is upgraded it adds luxury not sportiness

Does that clear up my statement????

[mcheddadi]

Can anyone translate this into English?

LOOOOOL! my thoughts exactly when I first read that lol.

he was saying the A/C is a sports car but its not what sports packages does it come with stock????? no special suspension, no turbo/supercharger, no exhaust, no sport rims/tires, it doesnt come like the MS3 does when its upgraded the A/C is upgraded it adds luxury not sportiness

Does that clear up my statement????

MS3 is a sports compact or hot hatch if you want:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_compact

the Alima coupe is a Sports coupé or berlinetta(a uniquely styled model with a sloping roof, sometimes sloping downward gradually in the rear in the style known as fastback)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_coupé

/thread

[PHENOMenalVinyl]

c ur right in one the A/C is a coupe but not a sports coupe .....the A/C isn't a sports car its a coupe with sporty looks but not engine wise atleast not until u add a turbo if u do then it could be but the MS3 as u admitted is a sports compact if u want to say that but it is a sportier car look up every review on it and the coup when is the coupe referd as a sports car ive seen the MS3 labeled as a sports compact like u said but in the end they are totally diffrent types of cars a WRX would be compared to a MS3 or a GTI would be but not a A/C

[spockrock]

he was saying the A/C is a sports car but its not what sports packages does it come with stock????? no special suspension, no turbo/supercharger, no exhaust, no sport rims/tires, it doesnt come like the MS3 does when its upgraded the A/C is upgraded it adds luxury not sportiness

Does that clear up my statement????

Ummm..... sorry but here in Canada a 350z comes in one package and your only choices are manual or auto and if you want the GPS. There is no sports package does that mean its not a sports car, the GT-R comes in one package does that mean its not a sports car? I guess the sport tuned suspension on the 3.5se from factory, the 17" enkei wheels over 16" wheel on the 2.5 are not sportier upgrades??

c ur right in one the A/C is a coupe but not a sports coupe .....the A/C isn't a sports car its a coupe with sporty looks but not engine wise atleast not until u add a turbo if u do then it could be but the MS3 as u admitted is a sports compact if u want to say that but it is a sportier car look up every review on it and the coup when is the coupe referd as a sports car ive seen the MS3 labeled as a sports compact like u said but in the end they are totally diffrent types of cars a WRX would be compared to a MS3 or a GTI would be but not a A/C

Sorry but the 3.5se would leave should best a GTI or a WRX, the MS3 is faster but not by much. I guess that 3.5L V6 that was in G35's and 350Z's does not make it a sporty engine???

[adidas2go]

Ummm..... sorry but here in Canada a 350z comes in one package and your only choices are manual or auto and if you want the GPS. There is no sports package does that mean its not a sports car, the GT-R comes in one package does that mean its not a sports car? I guess the sport tuned suspension on the 3.5se from factory, the 17" enkei wheels over 16" wheel on the 2.5 are not sportier upgrades??

Very true. The exact defintion of a "sports car", varies. However, an exact likeness lives in all of them. Driving performance is the key element of the car. Doesn't matter if is is plush or barren inside. Doesn't matter what packages it comes with. If the main focus of the car is pure mechanical driving performance, then its a sports car. Many cars can share some of the same traits as a true sports car, however that doesn't make them a sports car. A sports car's dominant traits tend to be superior handling, braking, maneuverability, low weight, and high power. While a sporting vehicle tends to create a balance of the; list above, passenger space, comfort, and fuel economy

[spockrock]

Very true. The exact defintion of a "sports car", varies. However, an exact likeness lives in all of them. Driving performance is the key element of the car. Doesn't matter if is is plush or barren inside. Doesn't matter what packages it comes with. If the main focus of the car is pure mechanical driving performance, then its a sports car. Many cars can share some of the same traits as a true sports car, however that doesn't make them a sports car. A sports car's dominant traits tend to be superior handling, braking, maneuverability, low weight, and high power. While a sporting vehicle tends to create a balance of the; list above, passenger space, comfort, and fuel economy

Hi Adidas, sorry to diverge here but did you get my email?? I sent you an email (profile) about your opinion on something since there are no PMs.

[adidas2go]

If you just sent it this morning, I can't check that till I get off work. Send it to [email protected] if you need a quick answer today

[spockrock]

If you just sent it this morning, I can't check that till I get off work. Send it to [email protected] if you need a quick answer today

sent I appreciate any advise you have.

[mcheddadi]

c ur right in one the A/C is a coupe but not a sports coupe .....the A/C isn't a sports car its a coupe with sporty looks but not engine wise atleast not until u add a turbo if u do then it could be but the MS3 as u admitted is a sports compact if u want to say that but it is a sportier car look up every review on it and the coup when is the coupe referd as a sports car ive seen the MS3 labeled as a sports compact like u said but in the end they are totally diffrent types of cars a WRX would be compared to a MS3 or a GTI would be but not a A/C

you have a 3.5se, or a 2.5s?

[racingtiger03]

I dont see how you could NOT call the altima a sports coupe. I only have the 2.5S, and have had my fair share of speedy sporty vehicles, and driven many more. Tha altima has quick handling response, a go-getter of an engine (even for the 2.5 its a peppy little bugga). And the brakes feel amazing. My old Z28 would dust any altima straight up, and withholding what I feel the suspension is capable of until I get some REAL tires on this thing, it would be close in the corners if power wasnt a factor! But im sure with the bigger wheel/tire package of the SE they handle amazing, and I couldnt begin to imagine hwo lost I would be trying to keep up to that in the curves in the Z28. Z28's are most DEFINATELY a sports car, if the 3.5SE can keep up and probably hand its *** back to the Z in the curves, then it MUST be a sports car right?...

/rant. lol

[adidas2go]

Ehh maybe, Its really a fine line. I personally dont think anything coming out of America, short of the Viper, Vette, or Cobra, is a sports car. Those cars are built to drive. They are built with full performance aspecs in mind. I think 60% of true sports cars come out of Europe, 30% from Japan, and 10% from America

[08Coupe]

RWD or AWD, 2 doors, 50/50 weight, 400+HP, less then 4K lbs,big brakes= Sports Car

[LongBeachCoupe]

that means a mustang cobra isnt a sports car? (i dont like them, but it is)

[08Coupe]

that means a mustang cobra isnt a sports car? (i dont like them, but it is)

Mustang Shelby is over 500hp and rwd

I'm also talking todays standards were 400+ is the minimum...

2004 Cobra 390/390hp,tq was way under rated...A pulley, intake, tune, catback put then over 500hp..

[spockrock]

RWD or AWD, 2 doors, 50/50 weight, 400+HP, less then 4K lbs,big brakes= Sports Car

GT-R does not have a 50/50 weight ratio.....not a sports cars, Audi R8 does not have a 50/50 weight distribution, close to it but not really. A Porsche 911 carrera does not have 400HP (355). Can you tell me with your rigid standards what is a sports car then?

No offense but those seem a poor choice in criteria. Because you can design a FWD, 4 door, 70/30 car designed with a balanced chassis, sports tuned suspension, ultra light, less then 400HP machine that could eat sports cars for lunch but yet they would not be a sports car.

I have to agree with Blake if the car is designed for performance, then its a sports car whether its does not have 400HP, or it does not have a 50/50 weight distribution, if its RWD/AWD/FWD matters.

[adidas2go]

RWD or AWD, 2 doors, 50/50 weight, 400+HP, less then 4K lbs,big brakes= Sports Car

Those are typical figueres, however, different companies make different variations of sports cars. Lambo Murcielago has a 42-58 weight distribution, the new BMW M3 comes in 4 door, and the Nissan GTR with a driver in it weights over 4,000 pounds. You can't justify numbers in doors, or seats, or weight really.

[racingtiger03]

Ehh maybe, Its really a fine line. I personally dont think anything coming out of America, short of the Viper, Vette, or Cobra, is a sports car. Those cars are built to drive. They are built with full performance aspecs in mind. I think 60% of true sports cars come out of Europe, 30% from Japan, and 10% from America

... Im gonna try to keep my personal preference out of this. If you can call the corvette a "sports car" there is no way you can say the Camaro is NOT a sports car, especially the SS and Z28 versions. Last time I was at the strip, my 94 Z28 ran nose/nose with an 05 vette with the 400HP LS2.. After that point I was satisifed with what I had done with the car and sold it *shrug* engine was bolt-on only, biggest mod was the transmission. but anyways, Camaros arent sports cars right guess that means the RX-8 cant be called a sports car huh? cause theres no way in hell itll hang with a vette or the WRX sti, or even the originally mentioned Mazdaspeed3 *shrug*..

Is there even a real definition for sports car that everyone can agree on? LMAO!

this is a fun thread! :P *Disclaimer!*(not trying to affend anyone with any of the above statements its been a long week at work, and its just starting, so dis-regard anything that comes off sounding harsh!)

[adidas2go]

... Im gonna try to keep my personal preference out of this. If you can call the corvette a "sports car" there is no way you can say the Camaro is NOT a sports car, especially the SS and Z28 versions. Last time I was at the strip, my 94 Z28 ran nose/nose with an 05 vette with the 400HP LS2.. After that point I was satisifed with what I had done with the car and sold it *shrug* engine was bolt-on only, biggest mod was the transmission. but anyways, Camaros arent sports cars right guess that means the RX-8 cant be called a sports car huh? cause theres no way in hell itll hang with a vette or the WRX sti, or even the originally mentioned Mazdaspeed3 *shrug*..

Is there even a real definition for sports car that everyone can agree on? LMAO!

Well the Vette has multiple electronic suspension settings along with more powerful engine options than any out of the factory SS or Z28. IE- Grand Sport and ZR1 packages. A sports car doesn't necessarily have to be fast either. A sports car does not require a large, powerful engine, though many do have them. Some classic British sports cars lacked powerful engines, but were known for exceptional handling due to light weight, a well-engineered, balanced chassis, and modern suspension. On tight, twisting roads, such an automobile performs more effectively than a heavier, more powerful luxury sports car with less maneuverability. The RX-8 is most definitely a sports car. It defines a sports car to a T. Exceptional handling, near perfect weight distribution, powerful engine, light weight, and aesthetics. That car was built by Mazda/Ford to be a sports car out of the box with the key element harping on mechanical performance. It wasn't built for any other purpose other than the pure driving experience. Now its debatable whether or not it actually captured that, but it was definitely built to do that

[PHENOMenalVinyl]

WOW by sayin my comment i guess i really sparked up this thread lmao i like it that we can all say our opinions on here........ok bk to sports car......A sports car is what you make of it but i do agree that there arent to many "sports cars" made in the US bc if u think about it the best sports cars arent usually American unless u say the Vette classic example of a sports car according to wikipedia it kind of states its ongoing debate

"A sports car is a term used to describe a class of automobile. The exact definition varies, [1] but generally it is used to refer to a low to ground, light weight vehicle with a powerful engine. Most vehicles referred to as sports cars are rear-wheel drive, have two seats, two doors, and are designed for more precise handling, acceleration, and aesthetics. A sports car's dominant considerations can be superior road handling, braking, maneuverability, low weight, and high power, rather than passenger space, comfort, and fuel economy.

Sports cars can be either luxurious[2] or spartan, but driving mechanical performance is the key attraction. Drivers regard brand name and the subsequent racing reputation and history (for example, Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Porsche, Lotus) as important indications of sporting quality, but brands such as Lamborghini, which do not race or build racing cars, are also highly regarded.

A car may be a sporting automobile without being a sports car. Performance modifications of regular, production cars, such as sport compacts, sports sedans, muscle cars, hot hatches and the like, generally are not considered sports cars, yet share traits common to sports cars. They are sometimes called "sports cars" for marketing purposes for increased advertising and promotional purposes.[3] Performance cars of all configurations are grouped as Sports and Grand tourer cars, or, occasionally, as performance cars."

keep the debate going lol