Slappie 9 #1 May 16, 2005 I broke down and succumbed to the gas prices. I didn't want to and I fought it as long as I could. $2+ a gallon was just beating my wallet up. I decided if I was going to be getting rid of my truck I needed something with some style. I looked long and hard until I came across the Mazda 3. I looked at the Toyota Matrix, Scion xB and some other small vehicles. I didn't want just a car, I wanted something with some sportiness and function. I found it in the Mazda 3 5-Door. I've done some mods to it; like tinting the windows, painted my calipers bright yellow, made a nice alluminum diamond plate dead pedal for the inside. Planning on some other changes to come. Lowering it 1.3in adding stiffer springs, giving it a CAI and maybe a catback. Who knows. It's such a new vehicle not many aftermarket pieces on the market yet. They're slowly trickling in and this year there will be many more. The MAZDA3 5-Door, with the s trim package standard, combines high performance, high utility and high style: 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine with 160 hp 17-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels 4-wheel disc brakes standard A/C 31 cubic feet of highly flexible cargo space This little car is super fun to drive. I won't be winning any SCCA races or competing with the Acura RSX and the ricers for speed. I am having fun though. My next step is to stuff as much sound system as I can in it and see how loud I can get it. I have 2 amps 1200watts of power along with 2x 12" subs. The old system in my truck was 128dbs when cranked. Can't stuff it in the 3 without some piece changes. Not going into specs with all that stuff. Let's just say, I used to use my truck as the jukebox when I stuck around the DZ for beers and bonfires. AggieDave can attest to it's loudness and clarity. Here some pics of my new toy. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyingferret 0 #2 May 16, 2005 Nice...pretty sweet little cars really.-- All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PurpleBadger 0 #3 May 16, 2005 Quote$2+ a gallon was just beating my wallet up. and i just paid $5.69 a gallon over here in the uk and that was cheap btw: nice car Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dagny 0 #4 May 16, 2005 I know what you mean about gas prices! Used to be, I dreaded spending $30 on a tank of gas. Now, I'm just about doing a jig if I manage to stay under $45. I love my jeep, but I swear my next car is gonna be a hybrid! I owned a mazda 323. It was a 3 door, stick shift. LOVED that car. It was tiny, but I could maneuver into the tightest traffic and parking spaces like nobody's business. And she had some serious storage space that rivals what I get with my jeep. I carried my bikes and camping gear and even a 6-ft air hockey table once. I miss that car! It ran and ran and ran... Enjoy your hot little ride and REALLY ENJOY your lower gas bill! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #5 May 16, 2005 Yeeouch!! man I couldn't afford to work if it was $5+ a gallon here. I drive 22 miles round trip. BillVon would be proud. I actually went and looked at a hybrid even test drove the Prius (sp). The one big drawback for me was the AC system. The AC only blows cold when the gas engine is running. So here in Houston I probably wouldn't be saving much money for 9 months of the year when we run our AC systems to stay cool. So that kinda blew the deal for me... "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #6 May 16, 2005 QuoteYeeouch!! man I couldn't afford to work if it was $5+ a gallon here. I drive 22 miles round trip. BillVon would be proud. I actually went and looked at a hybrid even test drove the Prius (sp). The one big drawback for me was the AC system. The AC only blows cold when the gas engine is running. So here in Houston I probably wouldn't be saving much money for 9 months of the year when we run our AC systems to stay cool. So that kinda blew the deal for me... Knowing Bill, he's probably already got a hack for that... Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #7 May 16, 2005 QuoteQuoteYeeouch!! man I couldn't afford to work if it was $5+ a gallon here. I drive 22 miles round trip. BillVon would be proud. I actually went and looked at a hybrid even test drove the Prius (sp). The one big drawback for me was the AC system. The AC only blows cold when the gas engine is running. So here in Houston I probably wouldn't be saving much money for 9 months of the year when we run our AC systems to stay cool. So that kinda blew the deal for me... Knowing Bill, he's probably already got a hack for that... Dunno how since the ac compressor is run by the gas engine. So the electric motors have nothing to do with the ac system. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #8 May 16, 2005 I figure he's already hacked everything else on his, that should be next if he hasn't done it already....Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #9 May 16, 2005 QuoteThe AC only blows cold when the gas engine is running. So here in Houston I probably wouldn't be saving much money for 9 months of the year when we run our AC systems to stay cool. So that kinda blew the deal for me... Living in FL that would suck.....I did not know this, and will most likely rule out a hybrid for me."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeNReN 0 #10 May 16, 2005 I really like the new Mazdas....quite zippy(should I say zoomy?) nice styling and good quality As far as not winning any SCCA races.....well actually the Mazdas seem to be doing quite well the last couple of years in there respective classes Now for a lil sarcasim ....where are the neon lights underneath??....and if you really want to "chachify" it I would rec getting rid of the alloy rims and going with a nice cheap set of spinner hubcaps Back out of sarcasim mode....its really hard to get a idea of proper tire pressure by looking at a tire....but just a FYI...most factory rec'ed tire pressures are usually too low for proper tire wear ...that and factory alignment is usually not very acurate.....keep a eye on the wear pattern and adjust pressure as necessary (edges wearing more then the center = pressure too low......center wearing more then the edges = pressure too high)....feathering of the tire usually indicates that the toe is out while tire wear on only the outside or inside edge usually indicates that camber is out. Nothing worst than having to put new tires on a car with only 10 k miles on it ....factory supplied tires tend to be..ummmm..not great quality. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #11 May 16, 2005 I wonder how hard it would be to put in a thermocouple and have it turn on the gas engine if the inside temp gets above a certain point? Sort of like how the compressor will cycle on/off if you're sitting in traffic...Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #12 May 16, 2005 Thanks for the input Den, I've checked the tire pressure to make sure it was within tire spec. As for the tires themselves, I can't complain about Z-rated Goodyear Eagles on all fours. Your sarcasm wasnt lost on me. I will not be "ricing" my car. Ricers are for the Hondas and Toyotas... There will be no neon underneath inside or near it. I'm going to add a TypeR sticker to the back though. It's my understanding that makes any car gain 40hp just by adding the sticker. I also won't be entering any SCCA events in the area. This is just my daily driver and tinker box I get to play with this or that. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 0 #13 May 16, 2005 Great choice, they are fun little cars. I needed more space and power so ended up getting the 6, but the 3 is one of the cars on my list for when we get Derek a new car. http://www.jumpergirl.com/car.htmlFly it like you stole it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Girlfalldown 0 #14 May 16, 2005 Nice car! I was looking at ether one of those or the Matrix and the only reason I got the Matrix was because it was more comfortable to sleep in. I think the Mazda looks cooler! -------------- (Do not, I repeat DO NOT, take my posts seriously.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #15 May 16, 2005 QuoteGreat choice, they are fun little cars. I needed more space and power so ended up getting the 6, but the 3 is one of the cars on my list for when we get Derek a new car. http://www.jumpergirl.com/car.html Yup Kelly, I looked at the 6 also. I was very impressed with the fit and feel of the car. A couple of things kept me away from buying one. I didn't need the v6 and it just didn't look sporty enough. It looked like a wagon. I didn't need a wagon. I just though the 3 5-door was cool lookin. It's not about preformance it's all about how cool you look Oh and NO Shannon, I will not trade you!! "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bolas 5 #16 May 16, 2005 QuoteQuoteThe AC only blows cold when the gas engine is running. So here in Houston I probably wouldn't be saving much money for 9 months of the year when we run our AC systems to stay cool. So that kinda blew the deal for me... Living in FL that would suck.....I did not know this, and will most likely rule out a hybrid for me. The Hybrid Accord has a secondary Electric AC Unit just for this reason.Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RfukfreeflyingW 0 #17 May 16, 2005 QuoteQuoteThe AC only blows cold when the gas engine is running. So here in Houston I probably wouldn't be saving much money for 9 months of the year when we run our AC systems to stay cool. So that kinda blew the deal for me... Living in FL that would suck.....I did not know this, and will most likely rule out a hybrid for me. once you get use to it, its not that bad. I havent had AC in my car for about 4 years, Im just too poor I guess haha. It's not bad here, when I lived in west palm, it kinda sucked... but eh just get a bike, its like free AC, plus u can get 40-50 MPG on most bikes haha---- -God, you are the perfect amount of dumb... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #18 May 16, 2005 I never really liked the look of the Mazda 3 series. I LOVED the Protege 5 wagon, the styling of it was just awsome!! I also loved the MazdaSpeed Protege, the four door with the turbo. But right now if i was to get a new car, i'd probly get the Scion tC. Love the styling (like a mini skyline almost) and it has good power 160hp/163tq for a four banger. Plus the tC is pretty damn cheap starting at $16kI swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #19 May 16, 2005 Damn.... I thought you broke down and got the big Vulcan. Was thinking about a ride to texas....lol. Hope you like your new car... linz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #20 May 16, 2005 QuoteDamn.... I thought you broke down and got the big Vulcan. Was thinking about a ride to texas....lol. Hope you like your new car... linz Nope I got something a bit more practicle for me at the moment. The bike is still on the "todo list" "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conundrum 1 #21 May 16, 2005 oooOOOOooooo, very nice!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
