Turn MS3 into a GT ?

[Equinox]

Hey guys, the only reason I want a GT version of the MS3 is for the tail lights and head lights. It seems simple enough if I buy a MS3 non GT I can get a plug in HID system for about 800ish, (real nice one). As for the tail lights, they are LED right? Is it just LED bulbs, or is it the whole light assy. that has built in LEDs? Wondering if I can just buy the Mazda Part bulb, if it's just that. I haven't seen the car close up yet, so I have no clue.

Not to mention, you guys with the GT, the HID system in the headlights, I assume it's just a Ballast and bulbs thrown in the same headlight assy.? Can you look in the engine bay and actually see a plug in system that Mazda adds? Or am I just gonna pay another 2000ish for it all?

[wongpres]

The rear LED's consist of the entire assembly (they're not individual bulbs). In fact, for those with the LED tails, even if one bulb goes the entire assembly would need to be replaced. I don't know the price of the LED tails in the US, but converting the Canadian prices it'd be in the $US400's.

As for the factory HID's, it's extremely expensive to do an OEM retrofit. Although they have the same shape and appear identical, even the headlight housings are different between the OEM halogen's and HID's (the projector is different). But fortunately, you can go with aftermarket HID kits for the headlights, and that's what 99.9% of people have done.

[RODSCALIP5]

Hey guys, the only reason I want a GT version of the MS3 is for the tail lights and head lights. It seems simple enough if I buy a MS3 non GT I can get a plug in HID system for about 800ish, (real nice one). As for the tail lights, they are LED right? Is it just LED bulbs, or is it the whole light assy. that has built in LEDs? Wondering if I can just buy the Mazda Part bulb, if it's just that. I haven't seen the car close up yet, so I have no clue.

Not to mention, you guys with the GT, the HID system in the headlights, I assume it's just a Ballast and bulbs thrown in the same headlight assy.? Can you look in the engine bay and actually see a plug in system that Mazda adds? Or am I just gonna pay another 2000ish for it all?

You can get both Led tailight assemblies for $350 +, these would be the Euro version though.

[Equinox]

You can get both Led tailight assemblies for $350 +, these would be the Euro version though.


Do you know the difference of the euro version and US off hand? Sound like it might be worth just getting a non GT after all and converting. Especially with how much more I like the aftermarket HID headlights than stock. I guess I'll just have to look up close.

[TheMAN]

the euro version has 1 less bulb.... the little red part at the corner of the lights aren't lit

[icspots]

In addition to the projectors being different the OEM HIDs also have the leveling motor.

[tsunami]

yeah auto leveling is one of the options you aren't going to be able to retro fit... as well as a lense that is made for the hid instead of just stuffing an hid bulb into a halogen lense... i would suggest getting the gt as its less headache... but thats just my .02

[tunersteve]

This was also something I was considering, but just the taillights, not the HIDs. I know there are more than just those two features that add to the price, but after seeing both in person, I would just spend the extra money to gather the extra features.

While on the subject, what exactly is the driver info system? I know it comes on the GT, but not on the sport. I drove a sport but the GT in the showroom didn't have the battery in it.

[jbiird317]

This was also something I was considering, but just the taillights, not the HIDs. I know there are more than just those two features that add to the price, but after seeing both in person, I would just spend the extra money to gather the extra features.

While on the subject, what exactly is the driver info system? I know it comes on the GT, but not on the sport. I drove a sport but the GT in the showroom didn't have the battery in it.

Its on the dash, next to the clock. It gives you current MPG, Avg. MPG, miles to empty, avg. MPH, and i think thats it. Pretty handy, still dont know how accurate everything realy is, but still a cool little feature

[tunersteve]

Thanks. It sounds similar to the one that most newer Ford and Chevy models have.


Its on the dash, next to the clock. It gives you current MPG, Avg. MPG, miles to empty, avg. MPH, and i think thats it. Pretty handy, still dont know how accurate everything realy is, but still a cool little feature

[Equinox]

yeah auto leveling is one of the options you aren't going to be able to retro fit... as well as a lense that is made for the hid instead of just stuffing an hid bulb into a halogen lense... i would suggest getting the gt as its less headache... but thats just my .02

Yeah I'm very familiar with the difference between a housing with retrofitted HIDs and a housing made for HIDs. Used to have HIDs in my P5 and had to aim them pretty low to not piss everyone off. I guess I will just have to see in the end when I mess around in the cars in person. Most likely I will get the GT just because I'm a stickler for top of the line, I just hate extra weight.

[icspots]

I don't think the GT weighs any more than the sport does. Oh, so other differences. Auto lights/wipers, climate control.

[Equinox]

I don't think the GT weighs any more than the sport does. Oh, so other differences. Auto lights/wipers, climate control.

I mean weight as in mindless extra electronic crap and extras. Inc 6 disc changer and so on