Ahh! 09-12 Speed3 swap dilemma :/

[SemperFiSC]

Ok guys, I’ve made a decision…btw, thanks for all the advice, very sound advice might I add

Here’s the thing, I REALLY love my car. I definitely prefer the Gen 1 styling over the Gen 2. Loved it since late 06!! And basically I got the newest Gen 1 model I could get.

I was also already setting aside money to get a carbon fiber hood with inlet to help with heat soak (and have it painted True Red to match, of course).

My thinking was that if I could get a great deal, and get them to throw in a lot of Mazdaspeed aftermarket products, and make the price worth my time.

I think I will at least go sit with her and see what they would offer for the whole deal but, the more I think about it, the less I want to get rid of my current Speed!

I’ve grown seriously attached to it and I swear it drives just as good as the new (then) Speed 3 I test drove off the lot with 0 miles on it

[SemperFiSC]

Ok, I’ve made my final decision.

The offer was actually pretty good. My current Speed 3 was almost fully paid for with the settlement from the accident so I knew I was gonna have SOME kinda of payment. With my job though, I’m not concerned about a car payment.

She offered me $1500 more than what I paid for on my 09 and for the 2012 Speed 3 she offered me 0% financing for 48 months which was more than affordable.

What it came down to is basically I just love my car too much! Haha…I love everything about it, especially the styling.

And the things that some would consider “shortcomings” compared to the Gen2, such as the heatsoak problem, suspension, and other minor things, I was already planning on correcting anyways by upgrading and tuning. New carbon fiber hood with vent, bigger intercooler core, Koni FSD adaptive dampers, CAI, TIP, etc…

I think I will be MUCH happier building my beast myself

[warlord]

Wow, so your self admitted inferior gendone was in a accident too and your still commited to keeping it. That's love! I'd prefer to break in an unmolested virgin, but that's just me.

[SemperFiSC]

Originally Posted by warlord

Wow, so your self admitted inferior gendone was in a accident too and your still commited to keeping it. That's love! I'd prefer to break in an unmolested virgin, but that's just me.

Please show me where I stated the car that was involved in an accident was a Gen1 Speed3....

I never stated what car was involved in the accident.

But, for the record, it was a 2001 Toyota Celica GTS

I DID test drive literally 12 Speed3's in an 80 mile radius until I found my current one :P And it was babied beyond comprehension

[SemperFiSC]

But you do have a point... the MAIN reason I was even considering taking the deal was so I could be the one to "pop her cherry" hahaha

[bonzman17]

jusdging by your sn you are in Beaufort SC, been there done that the dealships aroudn there suck and will do anytthing to get one over on you, if you are a non-rate i highly sugggest you take Staff or a Sgt with you and have them look over the terms and everything else. Been there and done that with the dealerships around Beausfort and including Savannah. Semper Fi.

missed the part where you made your mind up but keep the said above in your head for next time

[SemperFiSC]

Originally Posted by bonzman17

jusdging by your sn you are in Beaufort SC, been there done that the dealships aroudn there suck and will do anytthing to get one over on you, if you are a non-rate i highly sugggest you take Staff or a Sgt with you and have them look over the terms and everything else. Been there and done that with the dealerships around Beausfort and including Savannah. Semper Fi.

missed the part where you made your mind up but keep the said above in your head for next time

Good assumption...but not quite. I am from Savannah, served in the Marine Corps and finished my last 6 months in Beaufort. Also lived in Bluffton for a while...I know VERY well how the dealerships down there work, especially Key Mazda...they tried that "Oh they're only making 5,000 of them" BS back in late 06 when I first wanted one. Most people typically don't try BS'ing me down there since Sheriff Tanner is my uncle...but that's besides the point, haha.

I'm a Federal Agent and have been working in and around the Atlanta area for 3 years...it's a local dealership up here.

I'm not some kids getting tricked with the monthly payment scam.

Like I said, $1,000 over on trade-in (which I paid 80% for in cash anyways) and $500 under MSRP with 0% financing... there's nothing hidden in the deal. I know how to scrutinize contracts and legal documents.

[SemperFiSC]

BTW, I'm guessing you're a fellow Devil Dog? If so, where are you located now? PM me...we've got a small group of Mazdaspeed owners up here who get together...and 4 other Marines I served with live up here with 15 miles of me, so we get together a lot too. If you're close, you're welcome to join us!

[warlord]

"The offer was actually pretty good. My current Speed 3 was almost fully paid for with the settlement from the accident so I knew I was gonna have SOME kinda of payment. With my job though, I’m not concerned about a car payment".


This sentence made it sound like your MS3 was in an accident. Guess I read it to fast. If your car is in fact as mint as you state then keeping it is a no brainer.

[SemperFiSC]

Yeah, that and the fact that I like the Gen1 body style better is why I ultimately am happy with my decision to keep mine. It's just very tempting to get a car with no miles on it...