MazdaSpeed3 starting at $22,800
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]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
CJ 3:44PM (7/28/2006)
Nice!
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James 3:53PM (7/28/2006)
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*
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Chris 3:54PM (7/28/2006)
Looks like the Golf GTI is off my shopping list.
Speed, economy, 4 doors AND reliability? Sign me up.
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dreesemonkey 3:59PM (7/28/2006)
Doesn't sound too terrible to me. Still more than I could afford. It sounds like mazda has a real winner on their hands.
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ne1 4:00PM (7/28/2006)
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.
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Adam 4:06PM (7/28/2006)
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?)
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Bill 4:08PM (7/28/2006)
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.
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Jace 4:09PM (7/28/2006)
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!
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k0an 4:13PM (7/28/2006)
I wish this had the AWD of the MazdaSpeed6, then it would be a competitor with the rally cars out there.
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Michael Karesh 4:13PM (7/28/2006)
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
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k0an 4:22PM (7/28/2006)
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.
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Mr. Obvious 4:26PM (7/28/2006)
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
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Ethan M. 11:51PM (5/26/2007)
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 4:32PM (7/28/2006)
"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.
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k0an 4:33PM (7/28/2006)
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.
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Giggles of Doom 4:38PM (7/28/2006)
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...
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Mr. Obvious 4:38PM (7/28/2006)
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
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bgdc 4:42PM (7/28/2006)
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.
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Krishna Das 4:48PM (7/28/2006)
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.
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TSW 4:55PM (7/28/2006)
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.
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