I looked at the clipboard yesterday, and lo (and also, behold), they're coming for the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 on Monday. That only leaves me five days to give the 'Speed a proper send-off. Any ideas? A track day is probably out of the question for lack of planning, but there's ample time for a drive on back roads. Perhaps Mt. Palomar, or the squiggly ribbon of road known as the Cerro Noroeste north of Frazier Park, California...well, assuming recent snows haven't closed the road.
So ideas, please. And if there's anything we somehow haven't covered that you'd like to know, post any questions here. Do not expect me to give dry, neutral opinions on the Mazdaspeed 3 -- I like this car, the good, the bad, the big torque, the bad clutch, everything, so above all, I plan to have to fun this weekend.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 22,862 miles
P.S. Just a reminder that the MS3 is still running around on its original P225/40R18 88Y Dunlop SP Sport 2050 tires, which have thus far protected every one of its pretty wheels from curb rash.
rdryder says:
10:37 AM, 11/24/10
Man Im goona miss reading about MS3. Ive been romancing the idea of buying one. I say head on down to Palomar Mountain! I love that road. Id be happy to meet ya in my MX5. (im not a freak) Then shoot on over down the 79 to Palms to Pines Highway and drop down into Palm Springs. Good windy road there too one of my favorite drives and hey, you can stop at the outlets and get some holiday shopping done and fill that hot hatch up. Two birds with one stone!
Erin Riches replied to comment from rdryder
10:51 AM, 11/24/10
rdryder, if you send me a friend request on Facebook (Erin Riches), I'll send you a message with time/date particulars if we end up heading to Palomar. I'll be accompanied by SubyTrojan and his '04 WRX.
zcalvert says:
10:53 AM, 11/24/10
consider me depressed... the long term fleet is starting to suffer from a serious lack of anything interesting to read about. this leaving, viper leaving, miata MIA, audi leaving, raptor primarily running errands around town... hopefully the incoming batch of cars contains a few that are a bit more exciting than the 2 or Cruze.
carraway says:
11:15 AM, 11/24/10
I'm going to miss the Mazdaspeed 3 posts, as well. At any rate, I have a pretty nifty copy of National Geographic's Drives of a Lifetime. It's better for ideas and overviews than very detailed itineraries, but it has a lot of awesome ideas. I'll guess you know most of the great drives in your area, but a few quick California ideas--there are a lot of them--include Big Sur on California 1 between Monterey and Morro Bay, Bigfoot Scenic Byway on Hwy. 96 from Willow Creek to Yreka on Hwy. 5, and Steinbeck Country, Rt. 101 starting from Salinas (steinbeck.org). (I'm also a literature geek, so that one really appeals to me). There's also a 431-mile Northern California loop from Red Bluff which has a more detailed route than I should give in a comment. The book references visitmountshasta.org.
On a related note, I was driving home the other night and thought about the GTI entry on how the car would likely appeal to the five year older you. I happened to think that, while true, I'm glad the five and ten-year younger me had some fun cars I would not buy now, and I really wish the younger me had managed to buy one of the great, departed cars, like an Integra GS-R, Prelude SH, original VW GTI or even an E30 BMW. I think the current Mazdaspeed 3 may eventually draw a similar reaction, in that all those who scoffed at the goof grin and turned away will wish they had gotten behind the wheel for a while as they nostalgically yearn for the days that such a car existed.
rdryder says:
12:15 PM, 11/24/10
Thanks Erin!
Let's see.... MS3 WRX and me in a MX-5...... Guess I'll be the sweeper with nothing to sweep! ;-)
Mark
old_volvo says:
12:23 PM, 11/24/10
So, this brings up the next question:
With the Mx-5 seemingly awol, what will be the next small, affordable, sporty car in the Long term fleet for Erin to flog on those enviable, scenic California drives?
The Mazda 2 may be fun, but it's no MS3. They've already done STI, GTI, lancer, mini, Civic si, and smart fourtwo (j/k on that last one) so whats next?
Maybe a Hyundai Genesis coupe? I see they've never had a Porsche, why not a used Boxster?
How about they really go way out on a limb and get an electric motorcycle like a brammo (not really for sale yet) or a zero s.
hybris says:
12:46 PM, 11/24/10
A Used Porsche 911 would be cool or a used Mustang GT (1999-current).
blueguydotcom says:
12:52 PM, 11/24/10
I feel the worst for Erin - her beloved little MS3 will be gone.
arcangelcesar says:
01:03 PM, 11/24/10
I understand that the testing locations are in sunny California and its nice to see what the car can do under nice warm sunny conditions, however most people do not live in California it would be a humble suggestion for any future reviews on any new cars that you try to include foul weather testing such as winter and snow. I realize its way to late to test the speed 3 in snow, I will have that lucky duty tonight on my drive home. But it would sure be nice for potential buyers to see the cars and trucks tested under all conditions this would be a more complete and accurate way of testing. I feel bad for the authors of these reports. You are letting go of an awesome car. I really love my 2010speed 3 and I thank you for your reviews of this fine car.
old_volvo says:
02:07 PM, 11/24/10
Erins relationship status on facebook will go from
in a relationship with MS3
to
it's complicated.
liquoredonlife says:
05:32 PM, 11/24/10
Oh my. I must get a picture with this red MS3 parked next to my silver MS3. Finding you on facebook!
liquoredonlife says:
05:37 PM, 11/24/10
Also, I'm amazed you guys have managed 22k out of the stock Dunlops. Several owners can't seem to get past 18k on them. At 9100 I'm at around half tread left. Hope there's enough bite left for something fun.
roadburner says:
09:33 PM, 11/24/10
I'd have VERY fond memories of my 2007 MS3- if I had sold it at 23,000 miles. At that mileage the EGR valve, the struts/shocks, the turbo, and the VVT Actuator failures were all in the future...
stovt001 says:
10:27 PM, 11/24/10
Erin, would you be opposed to another MX-5 Miata along for the ride?
rdryder says:
11:05 AM, 11/25/10
@stovt001
I say come on! Not sure if Erin will read this being the holidays. But I can keep ya posted on the ride.
felonious says:
06:59 AM, 11/28/10
Highway 33 out of Ojai is my all-time favorite twisty road. Tight, technical stuff at the bottom and some great high-speed sweepers up top. Nice scenery too.