iv had a run in with a modded speed3(saw the am exhaust and sounded mean) and they are unexpectedly quick but like another guy said here, as long as youre in front thats all that matters!!

 

Agreed. I love cruising in my G with my wife, can't really imagine going back to a fast compact.

 

dont let it get you down just because its a mazda and you assume its slow,. the guys on horsepower tv did a tune and exhaust and picked up some serious power from that turbo. not to mention its lighter than the G its going to have some Pep. they picked up over 70hp just from the tune exhaust and intake.

http://www.spike.com/full-episodes/a...eason-1-ep-217

either way... Infiniti> Mazda in reliability luxury, brand name among other things

 

The MS3 is no slouch. I believe the first gen was quoted as being one of the best handling FWD cars out there when it was reviewed. If I didn't need the room and trunk space for kiddos (and an auto for the wife to drive *facepalm* ) I would of picked up a MS3 over the G.

 

Instead of doing it on the highway, try taking it to the track. Your AWD will have a better chance at making up for the gap in the turns.

 

On another note, I have 2 friends with MS3. 1st and 2nd gen. Both have serious engine / turbo issues.

The 2nd gen engine blew up on him after 10 XXXkm's and the car was factory stock. My other buddy got the turbo replaced 3 times in 4 years under warranty, each time it had lots of shaft play.

It could be fast but aren't very reliable vehicles.

 

i know the G is a lot nicer and I understand a lot of cheaper cars today and afford powerful engine bc they skimp on everything else. believe me, i know the G is way better and would never sell it for a mazda or cheaper import.

 

I give up with affordable fast cars. There's always one that's got you by .2 sec. Get a Liter bike and call it a day. Had my sports bike for 2 yrs 3mnth 23,123 miles later I'm still grinning how quickly it gets up to speed. I've never been close to max speed and don't care to but damn these thing get to 100 reaaaalllly fast.

I test drove a new MS3 in 2010 when I was selling my Yukon and looking for a another car. I liked it and would have bought it, but because I had a G35 before, I decided to get another one. Nothing against Mazda, I had a 2000 626 ES-V6 that I thought was fast hahahaha. Fastest car I ever owned at the time.

 

i beat a gto yesterday and a mustang GT last month

 

Yeah, there are always pros/cons. I think the G is a pretty good balance.

Also, again it depends on conditions and driver. I've been able to take on cars with much more HP and less weight than my G, but when i hit those esses or even the sweeps, a practically OEM Miata, driven by very capable hands, literally flies past me. I don't even bother trying to pass on the straights as i know he/she will just get me again at the next turn.

Overhead shot of the track i frequent.

 

the mazdaspeed 3 is ok, with full bolt ons and a tune they only make about 280-290 to the wheels ad the engines seem to explode around 400 whp
so the average ms3 is prob around 220 to the wheels

the cobalts either sc or tc are faster and unless its a stock sc they will walk a tuned g
and yes the ms3 and either cobalt will outrun the g/z at a track

 

but thats why i own one of each, the g for winter awd and classy cruises... the sport compact for quick silly fun and easy power
and a bike for stupid fast

 

From what I heard, the MS3 uses a small turbo charger to avoid getting turbo lag. but to get the desired hp number, it has to spill at a very high rpm and will run out of steam at high engine rev.

I did cross shop with '12 MS3 but I ended up picking up a used '08 G35S. The MS3 is pretty nice and the rush when the turbo kicks in (yo!) is pretty addicting (during test drive). but I think the rush will wear out sooner or later. The MS3 was nicely equipped, even with blind sport warning. and the audio system was awesome. those are the only two things that i wished my G has.

But the MS3 still can't be compared with the G35 for its refinement. Not to mention the balance of a front mounted mid-engine RWD chassis configuration.

At the end of the day, I just don't want a pocket rocket as a daily drive. The G offers me a whole package thats better than suited for my life style.

If I have money burning holes in my pocket, then I wouldn't mind having a stripped down MS3 for autoX or track toy, but not one as a daily drive.

 

There's probably a similar post on the bimmer boards "my 10 335 coupe couldn't get the G37"
From 1-40 to Wickenburg (near Phoenix) a 335 coupe blew by me and I just said what the hell, let's see what we've got. We blasted that road for 60 miles and he couldn't lose me, it was a rush but that's off my bucket list now
There's always faster cars on a budget, but the Gs got all the speed I need, and can still bring it when the time comes.

 

i agree with everyone else. the G is refined and relatively fast. i wouldn't trade it for an MS3. One time an MS3 was trying to ride my *** from stop light to stop light but i was opening the gap at every green light....granted he was spinning his fronts each time so he didnt' know how to handle the power. too bad he didn't want to drag side by side. it would've been fun. =)