In this thread you see Gniknave's new whip

[240marcuSX]

I rode in one of those over the weekend, lots of interior space, really comfortable ride, and neat looking display and console area.

nice choice!

[slept]

i love the mazda 3sthinking about picking up one in the winterso i can stop abusing my poor 240 in rush hour down here in Miamiwe'll just see how it goes, and the mazdaspeed 3 is fricken amazing

[gniknave]

Can I ask what the final price was , Your monthly payment, and where you found out about the turbo kit.

Final price with tax & fee's came to about $20,500. Payment is $320/mo (put a little down), the Mazda dealer told me about the Mazdaspeed turbo when I first visited them to drive an RX-8.

[PoorManQ45]

LOL @ Evan, he likes to stuff things in his hatch
Modified by PoorManQ45 at 11:11 PM 7/24/2006

[JustinStrife]

Damn nice deal Gniknave. Friend bought a Mazda 3 when they first came out. He fell instantly in love with one after driving it. This was back in 03' I think. Can't wait to hear how you like it with the Turbo. You did good man. For the money, you did REAL good.

[PoorManQ45]

Final price with tax & fee's came to about $20,500. Payment is $320/mo (put a little down), the Mazda dealer told me about the Mazdaspeed turbo when I first visited them to drive an RX-8.

Screw that, take it back and get a GTO for a few Gs more

[gniknave]

Screw that, take it back and get a GTO for a few Gs more

GTO, lets see. Premium fuel, V8, 2 doors, American, pretty much goes against everything I need in a car. Plus I was able to buy a NEW car, not used. Not to mention I only went 60 months. I'm planning to pay this car off quickly and drive it for a while until I don't need a 4 door anymore, then get something a bit smaller and more tossable.

[sensibleS13driver]

RX-8 > GTO

The turbo should be sweet, can't wait to hear how that goes

[The 240 kid]

actually the reason i ask:

at the glen for the indy race, a bunch of manufacturers set up trailers for display...pontiac had a solstice race car, gto.r, and a nhra drag car, toyota brings an f1 car and some nascar stuff, etc

anyway, one of the cars mazda had set up was a white 3 hatch, just like yours, only it was lowered on gold gram lights 57S's...it looked *amazing*

I remember that, they had some nice stuff there. I remember Toyota had a black Camry they had on something Gram light, too big at 19's but it looked really nice. Anyways, turbo Mazda3 ftw, seems like a fun.

[lord_hypnos]

Damn you're a good negotiator! Wait a few months and adjust to the 3 then BAM turbo kit! lol that should be some serious fun. My friend has one (auto ) but I still liked the interior and exterior styling.

As usual hatchback FTW.

[JustinStrife]

RX-8 > GTO

The turbo should be sweet, can't wait to hear how that goes

Sorry but I'll take the LS2 powered GTO over the RX-8 any second of my life. (for the money I'll take an 03' Z06 over both )

[FarFetched]

My in-law has mazda protege 97. It's got about 90 K miles. I love driving this liitle toaster because driver seat is so firm, reminds me of Recaro seats. Steering has the best feel among small-to-mid sized cars. Although it is and A/T. I still squeese every little bit out of it when I get hold of it. I do maintenance religiously on this little toaster, it runs simply superb !Mazda makes hellowa cars. Cheers!

[PoorManQ45]

GTO, lets see. Premium fuel, V8, 2 doors, American, pretty much goes against everything I need in a car. Plus I was able to buy a NEW car, not used. Not to mention I only went 60 months. I'm planning to pay this car off quickly and drive it for a while until I don't need a 4 door anymore, then get something a bit smaller and more tossable.

Actually check them out once.

The GTO can fit to full size passengers comfortably in the back seat!

A brand new(under 500 miles) GTO can be had for between 25k and 28k. This is the manual version with no stupid options.

Hmmm... You mentioned it being a V8 is a problem. How so? I guess you don't like torque? Or maybe you're hinting that the V8 will get poorer gas mileage. If it's the latter then I'd like you to report back with your gas mileage at least one month after you get the turbo installed.

I'll guarantee you that your mileage will be close to that of the GTO

[sensibleS13driver]

(for the money I'll take an 03' Z06 over both )

Definitely

[BadMojo]

anyone know the MSRP on the Speed version yet?

Hasn't been announced yet, but most folks seem to be guessing in the $23-$25K range depending on trim level. Seems like they're pricing it more around the WRX range than the new GTI or Civic Si. I suspect the Dodge Caliber SRT-4 will be priced between the two ranges.

[gniknave]

Actually check them out once.

The GTO can fit to full size passengers comfortably in the back seat!

A brand new(under 500 miles) GTO can be had for between 25k and 28k. This is the manual version with no stupid options.

Hmmm... You mentioned it being a V8 is a problem. How so? I guess you don't like torque? Or maybe you're hinting that the V8 will get poorer gas mileage. If it's the latter then I'd like you to report back with your gas mileage at least one month after you get the turbo installed.

I'll guarantee you that your mileage will be close to that of the GTO

If I was to spend between 25-28k, I sure as hell wouldn't spend it on a GTO. The GTO might work for some people, but if you read my first thread about why I was considering the Maxima at first, then you'd understand. Seeing as I just moved here from California and have never driven in the snow in my entire life, a RWD V8 with as much power as a GTO isn't exactly the way I'd like to learn.

Mileage doesn't have as much to do with it as much as the absolute required use of Premium fuel in the GTO is. According to Mazda, you can still use regular unleaded with their turbo kit. I'm not doubting the GTO has room for back seat passengers, but I don't have the everyday back seat passenger. I have my Grandparents, both of which suffer from some sort of arthritis. My Grandpa has crippling arthritis in his right hip/back area and getting into a back seat would be next to impossible for him without a door being there. My Grandma would be able to get in the back seat, but would have a hard time getting out.

I'm not saying the GTO isn't a good car, because as much as I hate Pontiac's (I used to own a 2002 Grand Prix GTP), I have respect for the GTO. Though, I'd probably never buy one because if I was to spend 25-28k I'd have bought a pre-owned G35 coupe w/ 6-M/T. Sorry, but I just really love the G35 Coupes, and working around them every day really makes me want to own one badly...

Anyway, I wasn't looking for the balls-out fastest car I could possibly buy to have fun in. I was looking for the car that made the most sense for what I needed it for. Just so happens that the Mazda3 met every need + some wants + plenty of potential, along with a bunch of fun factor, for a couple of grand less than what I initially set out to spend. Once I drove it, it became an easy choice.

[hannibal]

Good purchase. I havent driven a 3 yet, but from your review, I'm looking forward to it.

+9188467 for negotiating such a sweet deal.