Our fiery 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 longtermer crossed the 5,000-mile threshold over the holiday break. This little guy makes you feel young again, and I mean that in every sense of the expression -- it's fun, fast, and engaging, plus has a clutch that engages in a few millimeters of travel. This latter point constantly reminds me of when I learned to drive stick, and is one of only a few smudges on an otherwise very well executed package.
The torque steer issue is one aspect I'm conflicted over. Sure, it's annoying, but I'd rather have the torque and live with the torque steer than not have the torque steer and be slow.
I prefer RWD for several reasons, and this is one of them.
Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor @ 5,193 miles.
joliveira says:
04:40 PM, 01/ 4/10
I share the opinion. Apart the torquesteer, no other car has the feedback from the steering like a RWD car, when the front wheels are only connected to steering.
cwc1 says:
05:33 PM, 01/ 4/10
I agree also. I find torque steer a real drawback, and it's why a "real" performance car has rear wheel drive. I have found though, that torque steer isn't quite as bad on lighter cars that don't need to have as much torque to be fast and fun. My V6 Mazda MX-6 is a good example, as it was a reasonably light and powerful car for the time. Today, it seems tiny compared to most cars that have grown much heavier; even econoboxes. I've found too, that FWD is very sensitive to suspension settings and such, since the smallest thing out of kilter in the front end can cause a lot of histrionics when under power. Another reason RWD is preferable...
roadburner says:
07:57 PM, 01/ 4/10
My wife had a FWD when we got married, but it took less than a year to guide her on to the proper RWD path. Fast forward 19 years, when -in a brief bout of insanity- I decided that a 263 bhp FWD econobox would be an engaging change of pace from my steady diet of RWD Bavarian iron. Even worse, I bought the thing new.
An MS3 might make you feel young, but the torque steer and on/off clutch action soon gets old; I'm taking a 12,500 depreciation hit to get rid of mine.
It will be worth EVERY penny...
roadburner says:
08:05 PM, 01/ 4/10
In all fairness, I have a friend who bought an A3 at about the same time I bought my MS3. Same stupid idea- Try something "different". He's already dumped his automotive error and now runs an E90 330 with MT and SP.
I hate him.
greygabe says:
05:16 AM, 01/ 5/10
Can I just say that anyone who cares about steering feel in the slightest prefers RWD? I think it's a fair assumption
It is worth mentioning though as it is pretty much the largest flaw (and in my opinion, if you consider the price, only major flaw) of the MS3
But thats where the discount price comes from
asdfkj says:
10:43 AM, 01/ 5/10
Yeah, I guess all those drivers that raced Integra Type-Rs didn't care at all about steering feel because it wasn't RWD.
If you seriously think that RWD is better than everything else for every single application, then you're probably no different from an average chair racer that is also crazy about NAWS and horsepower per liter and redlines.
roadburner says:
10:52 AM, 01/ 5/10
It's nice to see that a real "expert" has chimed in...
cwc1 says:
05:32 PM, 01/ 5/10
@asdfkj, not *every* application, just the ones where higher performance is the goal. FWD can make a lot of sense for certain applications, when better space utilization and efficiency is given a higher priority. I don't mind FWD in my Jetta and think it does fine there, but want RWD when it comes to the best overall performance and feel.
roadburner says:
08:13 PM, 01/ 5/10
"not *every* application, just the ones where higher performance is the goal."
Precisely.
steng2495 says:
09:31 PM, 01/ 5/10
I am getting ready to purchase a second car which will be a black 2010 ms3 with tech package. I look forward to getting FWD as it snows here in pittsburgh and unfortunately my RWD nissan 240sx loves to slide around. Although 1st and 2nd gears are limited in the ms3, I will be using the car for daily driving and not drag strip racing. It will be a fun car to toss around, and at a price of $24,000 brand new out the door, after negotiations, I think its a steal (as compared to the wrx, ralliart, civic si, gti, and other close competitors in my eyes).
For me, the new ms3 is a car that grows on you, and when i graduate from college in 4 months, I look forward to seeing the beast in my driveway.
roadburner says:
12:31 PM, 01/ 6/10
Well, I'm "one and done with FWD cars, but you'll probably enjoy your MS3. Mine is a decent daily driver/grocery getter, but I simply don't find it enjoyable when driven at more than 6/10ths.