I own the old Mazda 3 aka Protege ES 2.0L. While the car has handling that prolly rivals or maybe even beats the wrx its lack of definite hp is its incredible downfall.

Having driven my car for more than a year and test driven both the wrx and sti. I can surely say that my car though decent at its speed lacks the ***** it takes to really compete in ANY race.

Here's a listin of estimated times for my car

0-60 9 seconds
1/4mile 17 seconds

 

The Mazda 3 is WAY ahead of the Protege. They've made a lot of changes and improvements (heh, it's a whole different car) that make the car handle WAY different than the Protege. Not to mention that the 3 is also faster.

But either way, WRX is gonna kick Mazda 3 butt for the most part but by how much is the question.

 

hell yeah the wrx will kick the mazda 3 butt. A turbo'ed version of my car picks up 2 seconds in the quarter mile but thats still 15's

I believe the 2.3L is only 160hp compared to my 140hp

 

ummm hey look at the bright side they come in "CUTE" colors~!!

<))><

 

Having sold my WRX to buy a Mazda 3, I figure I'll chime in here.
The 3 I got is a 2.3L hatchback. Leather, side airbags, xenon headlights, 5 speed manual.

Keep in mind the following comments come from someone who has had (or had regular access to) big horsepower cars since 1984.

The 2.3 in this car is a really good engine. The frigging miracle of variable valve timing allows this thing to have power everywhere. It will suck the headlights out of a standard WRX in a sub-3000 rpm acceleration contest. It pulls happily from just 1300rpm. As it works its way up the rev range, you can feel the variable timing working the cams and there seem to be changes at 3800rpm, 4500rpm, and again at 5500rpm. At 5500rpm+, it gets very hard edged and VTEC like. Great top end pull. Overall, its one of the best engines I've ever driven, despite its seemingly modest 160hp rating.
The only way it really compares to the EJ25 is low end. An EJ25 has an advantage to around 3500-4000rpm or so, but then this engine revs off into the distance. Again, thankyou variable valve timing.

As far as the rest of the car is concerned, it has very stiff body structure, its quiet, rides well, has almost no brake dive at all, corners very flat, transitions well, and has very quick steering. The shifter is better than any standard 5mt WRX could ever be. Gearing is spot on for the power curve. Mileage ranges from a low of 22.6 to a high of 30.2.

Demerits are issued for some front wheel clomp over rough roads, super dusty rear brake pads, some emission control issues which result in (harmless) CELs, and expensive to replace Eagle RS-A's. It desperately needs a limited slip diff; the 2.3 has a good dose of grunt down low and its a wheelspinner (and wheelhopper). Save us, Quaife. Mazda 3 bulletin boards are utterly useless, save for a handful of savvy tech oriented guys mainly located in the car audio area.

I've had mine for almost 2500miles, and have not regretted the purchase one single bit.

Cheers,
-Mirror

 

Just FYI, the maza 3 is basicly a better looking focus. Not a big fan of ford, although the focus is pretty nice, but I wouldn't trade my RS for one.

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=1

 

I'm surprised at that statement from Car and Driver, because it really isn't true at all. The Mazda 3 only shares 42% of its content with the upcoming Focus, most of that being platform, structural, some common suspension components. Everything else is unique to Mazda.
-Mirror

 

The Mirror,

how much does the mazda 3 weigh? and do u know the weight distribution?

thanks,
greg

 

My hatch weighs about 2850 or so. Not sure about the weight distribution.
Cheers,
-mirror

 

Wow... traded in your WRX for a Mazda 3?

May we ask why you traded in your WRX? Are you in an area that doesn't get a lot of rain and snow?

 

Here ya go, the detailed explanation.

https://www.i-club.com/forums/showth...ighlight=adieu

-Mirror

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dugrant153
[B]

Anyways, I'm more thinking of a used Impreza vs a new Mazda 3. Hence all this comparison stuff.


If you're looking at a used Impreza vs a new 3 do take this into consideration. The money you save on buying the used car, you can invest into upgrades for it. I'm sure a few well thought out engine and chassis mods will have that 3 in the dust.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by boxstahboy
[B]That's what I've been thinking as of recent. Get affordable transportation for now... then make it fun when income starts to increase and payments start to decrease.

Having a new car does make it has that "ownership" feel. And atleast you have the knowledge of knowing the car was properly broken in... but a used car wasn't, then it'd probably have problems during a test drive, right?