2010 Mazdaspeed 3: Zippy

I'll love to see the following video made on a closed course.

Video camera step up to record the steering wheel, and if possible? The speedometer.

Car is lined up on a straight roadway, driver floors the throttle - and let's see how much the steering wheel drifts as a result of torque steer.

and it still looks goofy. I still cant get over how it looks

The new GTI, while not as fast, is much better looking.

The styling is a-w-f-u-l. I really think Mazda locked several teenagers in a room for a couple days, slid pizzas under the door, and said "design us a sport compact car".

Then again I don't think they were targeting 46 y/o's like me. I much prefer the GTI.

I want to like the styling, but I know that I would feel silly in it. It just looks overdone and, frankly, slow. Put that Mazda motor in the GTI or a MINI and then I will be happy.

These have been selling really well (all MZ3/MS3). I've grown to like the styling, especially in Black or Silver.

I parked acrossed from a new 3 this morning- there is debate on the styling between the 1st gen and this hideous 2nd gen. I would NEVER buy one. The front overhang is now epic in dimesion to go along with that disgusting fascia. FAIL.

I never did get the appeal of the MS3. The standard ride is crude enough so I couldn't imagine living with even firmer tuning in car with zero sound deadening. I'm sure the car is fast but I don't understand the powertrain philosophy of producing power the chassis can't handle. What's the point of 263hp and 280lbs-ft if it's neutered in the first few gears? The acceleration times aren't even that impressive.

I had asked the fine folks at IL the origin of the burnout marks on the pavement (as I didn't believe they came from the MS3) the last time this picture appeared and I don't think there was a response.

Having now viewed the recent video of the Hennessey LS9 Camaro.....I think I found my answer.

Agree/disagree? Confirmation?

PS - I had also asked how the front skid plate on the SVT Raptor got staved in with no response (that I am aware of). A week or so later the extended video of the truck descending a rocky grade answered that question - you can see and hear it happen (IMO).

I am a fan of what I call the "Happy Smiley Robot Face". On the Mazdaspeed3 it becomes the Happy Smiley Robot Face of Doom.

cx7lover: Do you have the sales figures to back that up? I have only seen a few of the 3's on the road......

"Put that Mazda motor in the GTI or a MINI and then I will be happy."

A MINI? Yikes! The Cooper S has some torque steer issues with its 172bhp. One hundred more horsepower would make that car a tree/ditch/fire hydrant-seeking missile!

As for the GTI, the most recent C&D issue made the comment that they would like to see the MS3 engine in the GTI. I wouldn't. Part of what makes the GTI is great is that it doesn't have torque steer, it doesn't have a high-rpm dropoff, it doesn't have turbo-lag, and it doesn't sound like a vacuum cleaner. The 2.0T in the GTI is just fine with me.

I've been a Mazda fan since the mid-'80's. Now that almost all of them have adopted the new corporate grin, they're leaving me behind. They still drive great, like they have for years, but unless I can always walk up to them from behind...

Just about any little car is going to feel zippy if you're scooting around a parking ramp in first gear.

This car looks embarrassing on almost the same level as SRT Caliber. I can't imagine someone walking into a Mazda dealership, taking a look at one of these and saying "yes... yes! This looks wonderful. Here's my checkbook - can't wait to impress all the kids at the local high school with this mad tyte JDM"

asdfkj as well as the rest of you who continue to complain about this car's styling. Give it a rest. What would be embarassing is to have yet another-look-alike car driving down the road. At least Mazda is taking chances with something different and I for one think the car is great looking. And for those of you who don't know the grille is functional not just a bunch of "Teenagers in a room". The only issue I see with the new design are the seats. Everything else is right on the money. I know that looks are subjective but some of you are downright rude. You guys need to jump in your Camry's and amscray. "Embarassing"...please...try adventurous and interesting.

Why should they give it a rest if that is how they feel?

Good point Bodyblue. I think I'm more annoyed at the complete lack of decorum in some posts. Words like "embarassing" and "hideous" are just rude comments to make IMO. What ever happened to "I don't like it" or "it's just not for me". I suppose a strong reaction to something is preferable to some but I think I've read soooooo many posts both here an on other forums decrying the new 3's styling that it's getting old. In fairness the comments made here are pretty innocuous compared to what some people have said on other forums. Bottom line: hundreds of thousands of hours are spend designing cars. At least show some respect for the effort and don't simply spray bullets when you don't have a clue why something is the way it is. i.e. there is a functional reason for the grille but some people seem to think that it was designed out of ignorance or cluelessness. Comments like that are completely uncalled for. IMO

"At least Mazda is taking chances with something different"

Yeah, and they failed. This isn't junior high soccer and not everybody gets a trophy for being different. It might be a great car to drive, but it's terrible on the outside and mediocre on the inside. For some cars it's not a bad thing, actually - the bugeyed WRXs were great cars that also looked pretty ugly.

WRX was ugly in a functional way though, much like many other Subarus. The new MS3 is just gaudy and in your face, with no sophistication or moderation to the design. Front grille? Stretch it all over the place! Hood scoop? Bigger and wider! All sorts of strange curves usually reserved for the finest body kits from JC Whitney catalogs? Pile 'em on

Is that bad and maybe even embarrassing? I think it is. Should you care about what I think? Probably not. There are people that find Aztecs attractive, so to each his own. Just be aware that "the new Mazdaspeed is ugly as hell" is by no means an uncommon view. And keep in mind that people will occasionally have opinions that are different from yours.

"Bottom line: hundreds of thousands of hours are spend designing cars."

You can spend thousands of hours polishing a turd. Lots of time spent on something does not necessarily equal quality.

"You can spend thousands of hours polishing a turd. Lots of time spent on something does not necessarily equal quality."

Good point.....especially for the new Camaro. I would be interested to see how many who hate the Mazda find the Camaro good looking. I find the Mazda ok looking but it is a silly car IMO....all that power you cant use. I would consider a 3 if they weren't so expensive for what you get. I am not quite sold on the reliability either. I am also waiting for some sales figures...I dont think they are selling well at all.