i'll second that. never expected to be able to go from 25 to 60 as fast i have. not near what i had with the 8 but it was a pleasant surprise. drove my boss one day and he was asking me where i was going so fast, i was just normally accelerating. i've driven other small four bangers of friends and family, but this engine seems to have some extra grunt hiding somewhere.

 

the 6-speed is geared pretty low at the bottom so you really gotta do some fast rowing comin' outta the hole.
But I agree, once she's rollin' a bit look out, it'll stick ya to yer seat...

 

I agree, 1st gear is boring. 2nd-5th are fun, and 6th is just there to try and save us some fuel.

 

I was really surprised by this little 4-banger... It's got quite a bit of torque, which really makes the car fun to drive - I think.

 

must get my 2.0 swapped D:

 

I too agree. I've come from a truck and car with V8's and thought this 4 banger would be pretty crappy compared to those. Man was I pleasantly surprised. Wish I had a speed tho, but I needed an auto for the wife.

 

[quote author=XERO74 link=topic=177062.msg3855760#msg3855760 date=1289441401]
I too agree. I've come from a truck and car with V8's and thought this 4 banger would be pretty crappy compared to those. Man was I pleasantly surprised. Wish I had a speed tho, but I needed an auto for the wife.
[/quote]

I had the same problem.... But I explained it like this, "Honey, you hate driving my car anyway, let me get a manual".

I'm not sure how or why that worked, but it did. Or maybe she just felt pitty for me.

 

in my opinion the 6 speed MT is not slow to start. Its pretty quick at all speed ranges. Nice car. However, I am disappointed with the MPG tho. Wish the direct injection gas or diesel were available now.

 

Even up at 5000-8000ft with 15-24% horsepower loss due the high elevation natural aspiration derating, it's fun. Are there any better-accelerating US market hatchback vehicles than the 2nd gen mz3 with it's l5-ve 2.5l engine and 6-spd MT? I determined the answer was "not really" in August. I disagree with the assessment that 1st gear is slow, once I've let out the clutch in 1st, I can stand on the throttle and it'll generally pull ahead of any other car I've shared the road with from a stop. Ah well, YMMV, but as corny as i must admit it sounds, I get a nice zoom-zoom feeling in my mz3, regardless of no forced induction.

 

[quote author=Potenza link=topic=177062.msg3855080#msg3855080 date=1289405903]
must get my 2.0 swapped D:
[/quote]

I'm happy with my 2.0L. It's not as muscular as the 2.5L, but I'd describe power delivery as ample. The smaller engine is also quieter, smoother, and more fuel efficient than the 2.5L. The interesting gears on 2.0L are 1 thru 3, with 4 and 5 for cruising. Zoom Zoom!

 

This 2.5 is a terrific. I searched for a long time for a 4cylinder that had it all torque, free revving, sounded great. Well this 2.5 is indeed it, I drove a 244 hp V6 for 5 years prior to this and its not that behind in power feel.

 

I have a 2008 MazdaSpeed 3 ... light weight MazdaSpeed Rays Wheels ... MS Cold Air Intake ... RPMC Turbo Inlet ... dual resonator delete ... the light wheels help with acceleration ... the cold air intake is good for about 28 hp and same tq ... the Turbo Inlet lets the turbo engage faster (200 to 500 rpm's quicker than stock)... removed resonators sound good overall ... all of this amounts to "simply breathtaking" performance ... very very close to 300 HP ... over 300 FT LBS of Torque ...

 

[quote author=COOL 3 link=topic=177062.msg4006445#msg4006445 date=1303953292]
I have a 2008 MazdaSpeed 3 ... light weight MazdaSpeed Rays Wheels ... MS Cold Air Intake ... RPMC Turbo Inlet ... dual resonator delete ... the light wheels help with acceleration ... the cold air intake is good for about 28 hp and same tq ... the Turbo Inlet lets the turbo engage faster (200 to 500 rpm's quicker than stock)... removed resonators sound good overall ... all of this amounts to "simply breathtaking" performance ... very very close to 300 HP ... over 300 FT LBS of Torque ...
[/quote]

.... I think your hp calculations are way off there bud.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I never said anything about "Wheel" horsepower ... 263HP Stock (advertised) / 280 FT LBS TQ Stock (advertised) + 28 HP/28 TQ for the Mazda Speed CAI and about 5 more for HP and TQ for the turbo Inlet ... this is 296 crank HP and 313 crank TQ ... done

 

The 2.5 seems to like warm weather better than cold. A bit different than my old Accord which ran like a bat out of hell in cold weather. As the temps go up, ( we havent even seen a 70 degree day in Seatte) the car responds better. I hope when we hit 70-80 this August it will be more zoom zoom.

 

[quote author=COOL 3 link=topic=177062.msg4010723#msg4010723 date=1304387531]
I never said anything about "Wheel" horsepower ... 263HP Stock (advertised) / 280 FT LBS TQ Stock (advertised) + 28 HP/28 TQ for the Mazda Speed CAI and about 5 more for HP and TQ for the turbo Inlet ... this is 296 crank HP and 313 crank TQ ... done
[/quote]

I love my Mazdaspeed CAI and CP-E TIP, but there is no way the CAI gives +28hp/28tq, and the TIP giving another +5hp/5tq. TIP is more of a driveability mod (make power slight faster). And unless I see some dyno, I'm going to say the CAI gives +25hp under OPTIMAL conditions. So for most folks, that's like 20hp and below...

 

Last night filled it up with 89 octane instead of 87. I feel an improvement in throttle response, I will continue with 89 seems worth the extra dough.

 

[quote author=XERO74 link=topic=177062.msg3855760#msg3855760 date=1289441401]
I too agree. I've come from a truck and car with V8's and thought this 4 banger would be pretty crappy compared to those. Man was I pleasantly surprised. Wish I had a speed tho, but I needed an auto for the wife.
[/quote]

I taught mine how to drive stick instead. Now I don't have to buy an automatic ever.