The Mazda MAZDASPEED3 GT provides thrills at an even more thrilling price.
How much would you be willing to pay for a turbocharged sports car-car with a limited-slip differential, 6-speed manual transmission and an auxiliary audio input and satellite radio…and still nets you an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined? $35,000? $40,000? More? Let me save you some money and introduce you to the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 GT. Now that you two have met, let me also introduce you to the total MSRP price of $25,080. I think you two are going to be great friends…
This Mazda may be red, but it will help keep your checkbook in the black.
The 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 GT takes a normal MAZDA3 and transforms it into a faster, more powerful and more exciting car. The base MAZDA3 is equipped with a 2.0L inline-4 that produces 148 hp. From there you can jump up to the larger 2.3L 4-cylinder motor that is good for 156 hp. The MAZDASPEED3, however, prefers more power and it gets it by adding a turbocharger to the 2.3L 4-cylinder. Power jumps to 263 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque which, when delivered to a front-wheel drive vehicle, results in wrist-flexing levels of torque steer. Mazda set up the computer to account for this, and if you have the wheels pointed straight, then you get all the power; however, if you have the wheels turned at all, the computer will reduce the amount of power so that you don't torque steer into the cars next to you.
The 6-speed manual transmission of the SPEED3 feels crisp, and shifts happens quickly and with little effort. To really put this car to the test, I drove it back and forth between Orange County and Los Angeles to the LA Auto Show. This was 2 days in LA traffic on the 405…in car with a manual transmission. I know traffic is bad everywhere but at least it makes sense…I have run into standstill traffic on the 405 at 2 am on a Sunday. LA wins for the worst and most insane traffic in the United States. My left leg never got tired and the car remained comfortable, regardless of whether traffic was going 8 mph or 80 mph. When I finally did break away from the traffic, I found that the car handled wonderfully, thanks to the front and rear stabilizer bars and independent front and rear suspension.
The interior of the MAZDASPEED3 GT is comfortable yet supportive at the same time.
The interior of the Mazda is comfortable and well-equipped for a $25,000 car. You get an in-dash CD changer that sounds crisp and clean through all 7 speakers, special MAZDASPEED3 stitched leather and cloth seats, carpeted floor mats, a tilt and telescope steering wheel (an under-rated feature for a sub-$30K car, in my opinion) and rain-sensing front wipers. The MAZDASPEED3 GT does not skimp on the safety features either, with Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control, 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and Brake Assist, dual front airbags, side impact airbags and curtains, and anti-whiplash designed front seats.
Is this Mazda capable of ludicrous speed? No, I just found a new setting on my camera…
So let us review the 2008 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 GT… you get a sports car and a wagon, great safety features, a good sound system and a comfortable interior, and you barely crack $25,000. On top of all that, the car is good looking too! Why do we not see roving bands of MAZDASPEED3 GTs out on the roads? More people need to know about this car, and more people need to buy it. This is the car for all you drivers out there who want to have your fun, have your space and save your cash. Most of you reading this review right now fall into that category; otherwise, you are probably just related to me and I forced to read this (Hi mom!).
Keep your eyes peeled for the next generation MAZDASPEED3 GT, which is sure to pack the same punch, the same quality on the inside and a similar price tag in a new, redesigned package.
For more information on all 2009 Mazdas, visit NADAguides.com, the vehicle pricing and information leader since 1933.