I'm looking to buy a Mazdaspeed 3.

Anyone have recommendations or comments about the local dealers in the bay area? I have a dealer here in Lakeland, but they don't seem to get Speed 3's in, and I want to have options in Brandon and Tampa area to go to.

I stopped by Ferman in Brandon tonight and it stickered with an included $3000 "market adjustment" bullshit on the window sticker. Lame.

The rest were closed for the day. I don't know if anyone here even has an MS3, but if you have a newer Mazda, let me know what kinda experiences you had. This is my first new car buying experience, and I will have parents on scene for assistance, but I'm hoping there's a good dealer around to work with. I'm not paying $28K for a car people are getting for pennies over $25k. market adjustment my ass.

 

I got my MS3 at Russell Mazda in Clearwater. Paid $0 over MSRP and negotiated pretty decently on my trade as well. Easy to work with and nice people really.

 

Thanks. I might have to swing over next weekend and look at some. I know they can get in other colors and models, I just want a place that is gonna be nice to me lol.

I want a silver GT, probably no Navigation though. Online pricing is like 24,800, and the national forums show people walking out with them around 24 flat so if i can walk out with one under 25k ill be happy.

the good thing is im not trading, i have cash to put down so they might be more inclined to go my way since i can put an offer down and dont have to worry about haggling much.


edit - ps how is insurance on that thing? i havnt called quotes in yet.

 

Theres a new dealer here in Wesley Chapel

 

I've got a Red GT, no nav.

Insurance was pretty high when I bought it (was 24, turned 25 3 months later) but dropped by more than 50% after I turned 25. Full coverage from State Farm for me is $120/month.

 

that's not bad. i'll be 25 in march anyways and mine on my 240 is pretty low now for full coverage, somewhere around $120. thats my goal to keep it around there. i have nationwide as of now.

 

Dan, good luck with the MS3, she's a beautiful car.

I saw a few MS3's at Ferman mazda here, I didn't know they were selling them for that much though, damn.

 

yeah, stupid markups.

the nice thing is my boss is family of the people who own the huge dealership here in lakeland...i might be able to get them to bring one in and get a hookup, but i dont wanna just go ask that lol. i may have to strike up a convo and mention it and see if they say anything lol.

ill have to keep looking.

 

Strike up a convo mentioning that the new motors these days are really amazing, blah blah, then mention that you've been looking at getting a nice MS3, but prices around town have just been insane...

I know you've got it down, again - Good luck man.

 

Well I went out Friday and test drove a used '05 STi that I had seen at the Nissan dealer earlier in the week when I was ordering parts to fix my 240. It drove okay, but there was some clunks in the back (loose shock tower?) and the trunk smelled wet...and it was just overall built kinda sub part, cheap interior.

So went by Lakeland Automall since my dad was gonna show my mom what the Mazda would look like even if it was a base model. Lo and behold, there was a black sport and a silver GT speed 3 on the lot. gave it a good look over, but they were closing.

went back last night, got a test drive and ironed out some details.

So I got my first new car. 2008 Mazdaspeed 3 GT, no Nav.

I had to really play with the market adjustment thing and get them down on that. They also had some package with a gay pinstripe and door/wheel well moldings and nitrogen filled tires. I'm getting the pinstripe removed today, but I'll leave the stupid moldings on for a few months just to keep the chips away. It also came with nitrogen filled tires, which I can't notice the supposed better handling from the density of the nitrogen compared to air, but I get tires for life, which is pretty slick, since that will pay for itself once I replace the tires once basically.

Haven't driven much, but so far, it feels good. I love the quality put into these cars, I can easily say it's built as well as a Toyota and Honda nowadays. It's tight, has every option available, and its pretty much unbeatable bang for buck wise.

I'll get some pics sometime after it stops being Seattle around here and raining 24/7. The silver is brilliant, and I love black, but it's such a chore to take care of.

Gonna give it a good break-in, done 1 or 2 75% throttle runs, varying my speeds and such to get it broken in. I hear these things seem to run better if you flog on them a bit, as the ECU adapts to the aggressive driving style. Plus, it's not really possible to hurt this motor by going WOT too much early on, since the drive by wire never really lets the throttle get open all the way anyways

Plans will be to remain stock for a few months, probably til at least March after my birthday. I do plan on getting the Mazdaspeed CAI as its warranty backed and tests have shown ridiculous gains (the stocker is so choked I can't hear spool or anything). Oh and some tint will be had asap!
Eventually maybe an ATP BCD and an MBC to up from the stock 15psi to around 18 or 19 and that's probably it. I want to keep the exhaust quiet and the car in a controlled state. People with CAI, BCD, and MBC are running good times and says the car really wakes up and is all it needs, so chances are that will be all I do, and then I'll just be able to sit back and pay for the car and drive it without issue.