Observant Autoblog reader Matt Miller informed us that Mazda has quietly released the pricing of its forthcoming MazdaSpeed3 on the car's website. The 250-hp wonder wagon will start at $22,800 for the Sport model and feature a six-speed manual transmission, stability and traction control, 18-inch wheels, four-wheel ABS, and more. The Sport model will be topped by the Grand Touring, which begins at $24,515 and adds automatic on/off headlights, rain-sensing wipers, Xenon HID headlights, LED rear combination taillights, leather bolsters on its black cloth seats, a premium BOSE sound system and available DVD navigation. We'd say Mazda's asking a fair price for a four-door hatchwagon that can reach sixty in under six seconds and return nearly 30 mpg on the highway.
[Source: Mazda]
Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro concept
Spy Shots: Production Audi TT Clubsport Quattro
Chevy Camaro getting early unveil at Indy in September
James Garner recovering from mild stroke
VIDEO: God's ringtone is a V10-powered Audi R8
First Drive: 2009 Ford Escapes, more of almost everything
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang
Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans
_thumbnail.jpg "Lamborghini Reventon unboxed in Las Vegas")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
CJ @ Jul 28th 2006 3:44PM
Nice!
James @ Jul 28th 2006 3:53PM
That price could creep up... depends how many were on that boat... :)
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/27/cargo-ship-cougar-ace-tips-over-4-700-mazdas-aboard/
*j*
Chris @ Jul 28th 2006 3:54PM
Looks like the Golf GTI is off my shopping list.
Speed, economy, 4 doors AND reliability? Sign me up.
dreesemonkey @ Jul 28th 2006 3:59PM
Doesn't sound too terrible to me. Still more than I could afford. It sounds like mazda has a real winner on their hands.
ne1 @ Jul 28th 2006 4:00PM
That's just within reach of all the teen racers. The insurance companies will love these. Even with all the inevitable and spectacular wrecks. I wish the price was higher to keep out the brainless punks.
Adam @ Jul 28th 2006 4:06PM
This car looks like it is going to be king of the pocket rockets, at least on paper. I have driven the 160 hp 3 and it was nice and fun. This should be a blast. This has the best blend I have seen yet: Stylish exterior, high power, refined interior. I wish the MPG was a bit higher and that it was AWD, but still solid looking on paper (on screen?)
Bill @ Jul 28th 2006 4:08PM
It's way too much power for me, but I think that price is definately reasonable.
I have a regular 2.3 5-speed Mz3 hatch, and I think Mazda3's are great cars for the money. Even the cheaper 2.0 sedans (pref with touring pkg) are a sweet deal, and get great mileage.
Jace @ Jul 28th 2006 4:09PM
What an awesome combination of traits in one car! I'm glad I bought it two years ago when it was called the Subaru WRX Sport Wagon!
k0an @ Jul 28th 2006 4:13PM
I wish this had the AWD of the MazdaSpeed6, then it would be a competitor with the rally cars out there.
Michael Karesh @ Jul 28th 2006 4:13PM
The price would have to be a lot higher--check the insurance rates for an STI or S2000.
I'll get this one into the pricing database tonight. Is the pricing of the options listed anywhere? Most are offered on the regular Mazda3, but not the audio.
http://www.truedelta.com/models/Mazda3.php
k0an @ Jul 28th 2006 4:22PM
Michael, the S2000 is a RWD roadster. Insurance values are mostly based on car value and both the STI and S2000 are above $30k.
The Impreza WRX is a good example of how this car could be matched against affordable rally-type cars.
Mr. Obvious @ Jul 28th 2006 4:26PM
hmmm a 2006 WRX 0-60 in 5.3 seconds AWD better reliability and awesome handling..... or a mazda3 speed.... tough choice.... wait a sec no no it's not
Ethan M. @ May 26th 2007 11:51PM
u know guys
AWD isnt always better...
more weight, more expensive, more stuff to go wrong and top end acceleration is always sub par
plus the WRX are old, ugly, and chicken-shit teenage drivers always abuse them
Sid @ Jul 28th 2006 4:32PM
"hmmm a 2006 WRX 0-60 in 5.3 seconds AWD better reliability and awesome handling..... or a mazda3 speed.... tough choice.... wait a sec no no it's not"
The WRX is faster to 60 and it has AWD but that's where the comparo stops. The Mazda is far more refined, better looking, better interior, more reliable, more options etc. A sports machine which isin't cheap-looking...a concept alien to park-bench winged STIs.
k0an @ Jul 28th 2006 4:33PM
Mr. Obvious - I think it's a little early to make your decision on which vehicle is better. The MazdaSpeed has a better power to weight ratio so it will probably be very close on the 0-60 time and we haven't seen any handling #s yet in a review so you can't write it off yet (although without AWD it's a tough fight). As far as reliability goes, I haven't heard anything bad about Mazda3 reliability.
Giggles of Doom @ Jul 28th 2006 4:38PM
Not to mention the base WRX TR starts at $1000 more and has 20 less HP, and (based off the normal 3) 200 pounds more. Yeah, the AWD is awesome, but still...
Mr. Obvious @ Jul 28th 2006 4:38PM
hahaha how can sid say mazda is more reliable? thats funny.. funny guy
didn't subaru win most reliable automaker two years ago in CR and came in second last year? while mazda wasnt anywhere close to the top... but ok you go ahead and l;ive in your own little world where mazda's are more reliable
bgdc @ Jul 28th 2006 4:42PM
Nice...the Mazda3 woulda had me earlier this year had there been more power on tap. The Mazdaspeed3 answers many of my problems with the base car - more power and an LSD. This sucker will hopefully replace my 2006 BMW 330i (which is a boring, bloated, massive pig). God what a mistake that car is.
Krishna Das @ Jul 28th 2006 4:48PM
Mr. Obvious, I do not know about the other Mazdas. But my 3 has been very reliable and fun. Its practical too. Plus the WRX is terrible below 3000 rpm.
TSW @ Jul 28th 2006 4:55PM
I've always liked the 3, and this cinches it.
Once I'm done with the payments on my current car, I'm off to the Dealership.
Power, refinement, flexibility, and if it's a tooorbo: ease of tuning/detuning for power/efficiency.