2012 Speed3 CWP Used - Fair Price?

[Oliverms3]

Originally Posted by MacheteJames

I did notice that the 2012s have a new instrument cluster color scheme. It's pink and gray. Not sure why Mazda had to mess with this... the orange color scheme was perfect on the 2010-2011 models. The MS3 also feels a little bit ponderous in comparison to the regular 3. I know it's 250lbs heavier, but it doesn't feel as light on its feet the way my MZ3 does. Power in the first couple gears doesn't feel that much different than my 3, and it's not until highway speed that it becomes a completely different, vastly more powerful car. I'll have to think about this.

wut?

its heavier because it has much beefier suspension for better handling. and 1and 2 gear the same? I doubt that.... maybe the DSC is turn on.. lol

[MacheteJames]

Originally Posted by Oliverms3

wut?

its heavier because it has much beefier suspension for better handling. and 1and 2 gear the same? I doubt that.... maybe the DSC is turn on.. lol

I know that. I'm describing how it subjectively feels. It's heavier due to more than just the suspension - the DISI motor is heavier than the 2.5, the wheels are heavier, etc. You can feel the extra heft behind the wheel. I stand by my statement that the Speed3 doesn't feel significantly faster than the regular 3 through most of 1st and 2nd. It IS faster, however, and instrumented testing bears this out.

[MacheteJames]

Dealer called and said they're willing to make a deal with me on the MS3 with 7,500 miles that I was looking at originally. I'm checking it out tomorrow morning, fingers crossed.

[MacheteJames]

I was able to negotiate a deal on it yesterday afternoon. Worth every penny, IMO. An unbelievable machine to drive, and MPG so far seems is no different than the 2.5. Pics to come.

[OrangeVirus1]

WTF? why the hell the dealerships around here have speed3's priced at 28k and above??

[Dnick454]

Originally Posted by OrangeVirus1

WTF? why the hell the dealerships around here have speed3's priced at 28k and above??

I know, my dealer wanted 23.9k for a 2010 with 25k. I was half tempted to tell the rep to blow me...

How are you getting 21 for a brand new one out the door??!?!? That's what I ended up paying for my stupid iTouring

[MacheteJames]

Bear in mind, guys, that this was for a used 2012 MS3 with 7500 miles on it. They wouldn't go below $24k for a new one. It makes little difference, though, as this car is new for all intents and purposes. I'm actually a little afraid of the right pedal on this car, since it goes ballistic with so little effort. So far, getting 27mpg combined with a mix of 70% driving, 30% city, though that is per the onboard MPG counter that is always optimistic in these cars.

[MacheteJames]

Quick review to date:

- Still averaging 27MPG, same as the 2.5 6 speed

- The clutch will take some getting used to as it leaves little margin for error. I actually stalled it out once earlier
today when pulling way from a light.

- The highway power is just flat out unreal. Around town, power feels similar to the regular 3. The DISI motor is
a little torquier when off-boost than the 2.5, however. It takes very little effort to get moving without boost
and the motor feels like it isn't having to work as hard at the 2.5 did to move the car.

- I'm actually driving it a bit more conservatively than I drove my 3, because every time I get on it at highway
speeds, the thing gets gets going so fast in such a short amount of time that you must to treat it with
respect unless you want to go to jail. With the hood scoop and wing, it is certainly less stealthy to the
authorities than the regular 3, though it looks just like any other hatchback from the side view.