attn speed3 GT owners.. if given 2nd chance, would u get sport model

[tbone13]

hey everyone,

if given another chance, would anyone here have gotten the sport package instead of the GT?

i guess what im trying to get answered is.. is the quality of the upgrades over the sport worth the extra premium? when i say quality, i mean are the headlights that much better, is the leather decent quality, do the wipers work well, does the headlight adjusting come in handy, etc.

i should be picking a speed up in a few days so crunch time is coming up fast... cant wait to rip apart the first si i see..
(drive2)

[Willspeed]

I love the GT model... I wouldnt trade it for a sport model.

[Akaveli]

hhmm...it depends on where your interest is in the car. Do you plan on modding your car?? Do you already wanna have certain features equiped in your car already?? HIDs, GPS, and the other various little features can be added onto your car later on down the road if thoughs don't interest you at the moment.

[Hikaru9]

HIDs are great, and I would never settle for an aftermarket unit.

Leather is the worst I've seen in any car I've owned. I wouldn't even call it leather. >_<

Rain-sensing wipers are simply awesome, and all cars should have them.

Bose stereo sucks in my opinion only because music is very important to me. It should, however, satisfy the general public.

Trip computer: consistently inaccurate in my experience, and non-GTs can unlock them, too.

Bottom line, buying the GT trim was still worth it for me.

[BlackJack]

Getting the GT was the best thing I have ever done. The upgrades that was included was amazing and I wouldn't trade it for nothing.

[SharkDiver]

I have the sport and could of gotten the GT but didnt.The only thing the GT has that I wanted is the HID lights, I can add them later.I dont need GPS or hard leather seats.Im happy with my decision.It saved me a few Ks...

Shark

[Vixen]

I love the headlights and the wipers.
I find my seat to be quite comfortable, there's not that much leather on it.
The stereo isn't bad but I'm used to having two 12" subs behind me so I think I will eventually have to put more woofer power in.

I'm glad I got the GT.

[M3_Zoom]

I have a GT and it's definitely worth the extra money. I actually payed below MSRP, have Navigation and a 100,000 mile warranty. You can't fall to there whim, you have to make them sell you the car. I'm pushing my 40's so I have purchased a few cars in my time. It's what you wan't in a car and what you will do to it in the future. I know some say the leather sucks, I disagree. It only covers the side bolsters with normal cloth centers. If you treat it with say Lexol or any good leather treatment a few times per month it will last some time. The sport is awesome as well so........... just decide if you really want the extra features of the GT. Oh, and the stereo just depends on your music choice. The GT model has the Bose system and if you want more BASS then the little subwoofer under the passenger seat, then just add an 8" powered bazooka in the hatch and that is all you would need, unless you like to wake up the neighbors etc.

[AntimonyER]

I have a GT and wouldn't have it any other way... HIDs and Wipers are great, trip computer is nice to have, and I am not sure of others, but mine is fairly accurate, at least the avg mpg, which is all anyone uses anyways right? Bose speakers are a huge dissapointment, 6 disc cd changer is nice but I use the Aux input with my Ipod anyways, does sport have one of those? That and comparing the two dealerships that got an MS3 in at the same time, both were red, one was a sport, and one was a GT, the GT was actually less as the other dealership was marking up 3k the sport... so it was a no brainer for me!

[mcopare]

GT is definitely worth it. I would not take back any decisions I have made so far...well maybe try to control my modding bug!!!!

[moleodonuts]

HIDs are great, and I would never settle for an aftermarket unit.

Leather is the worst I've seen in any car I've owned. I wouldn't even call it leather. >_<

Rain-sensing wipers are simply awesome, and all cars should have them.

Bose stereo sucks in my opinion only because music is very important to me. It should, however, satisfy the general public.

Trip computer: consistently inaccurate in my experience, and non-GTs can unlock them, too.

Bottom line, buying the GT trim was still worth it for me.


I agree with this on all accounts. Esp. the stereo- worst bose setup I've heard in a car and I don't think that the others I heard were even that good. I'd be interested in hearing the stand. stereo.

[sok07]

I guess I was a GT owner for a short time. I had a GT on order, and went to test drive a MS3 Sport about a week after placing the order. I was one of those guys who ordered the car before test driving it. :D I had a Mz3 previously and knew pretty much what I was getting. The MS3 purchase was to be paid in full w/ cash in-hand. Anyhow....After the test drive I negotiated the price on the sport just for the heck of it. After about 15 mins of chatting, I had the choice of the GT w/ a 2month wait at MSRP or a Sport on the lot for $2500 cheaper. I wasn't expecting nearly $1100 from MSRP when I started negotiating, so I took the deal and opted for the sport. The $2500 difference didn't justify the extra cost for HIDs, auto wipers & headlights. Didn't care too much about the bose stereo or partial leather upholstery.

So...the extra $2500 that I originally budgeted for the GT model I have used to put mods on my MS3. Currently it has funded the tint, OEM HID projector retrofit, D2s HID system, H&R coilovers, gauges, and Mazdaspeed3 workshop manual. All that and I've still got $1k to spend, which will most likely be earmarked for a MS CAI and either the MS exhaust or TMIC upgrade.

[tbone13]

thanks fellas. opinions are much appreciated. after much thought, i think im going to get the GT.. and the decision was much easier since i just found out that i can get x-pricing.

does anyone know exactly how much this comes out to in terms of a $ discount? i hope it will be a great deal which will make getting the gt w/ navi a no brainer.

[Rotary_Powered]

Not an MS3 owner (yet). But If I were you I'd get the sport, and then get a Mazdaspeed Cold Air Intake, and Exhaust system, with the money you save over the GT. the gains and changes in the power band in dynos I've seen seem impressive. Just my 2cents.

[tavarua88]

GT all the way

[M3_Zoom]

Not an MS3 owner (yet). But If I were you I'd get the sport, and then get a Mazdaspeed Cold Air Intake, and Exhaust system, with the money you save over the GT. the gains and changes in the power band in dynos I've seen seem impressive. Just my 2cents.


Ok, and you get the same gains with the GT. He want's to know about features on the car, not what can or cannot be done to the car. Both cars are equally fast, it just comes down to your preference of features.
(drinks)

[CTGrey02]

thanks fellas. opinions are much appreciated. after much thought, i think im going to get the GT.. and the decision was much easier since i just found out that i can get x-pricing.

does anyone know exactly how much this comes out to in terms of a $ discount? i hope it will be a great deal which will make getting the gt w/ navi a no brainer.


You cant get X (S) Plan pricing on the MazdaSpeed3, only the Regular 3.

[Alejo_NIN]

one question, wouldn't you guys had preferred to get a sedan version instead of the hatch?

[B1GHAM]

You cant get X (S) Plan pricing on the MazdaSpeed3, only the Regular 3.

Exactly...

Xplan pricing (ford) = Mazda S-plan pricing

S-plan qualifies you to buy the vehicle @ invoice.

however CTGrey is right, currently the MS3 is not eligible for Splan pricing. and even if it was, honoring Splan is @ the dealer's discretion. You dont have to offer it. Youd be hard pressed to find a dealer willing to honor Splan even if it was offered from Mazda.

[Hikaru9]

one question, wouldn't you guys had preferred to get a sedan version instead of the hatch?

This has been discussed a million times, but hatch all the way for me! ^_^v

[abun24]

one question, wouldn't you guys had preferred to get a sedan version instead of the hatch?

Hatch all the way for me as well. That's the cool thing about this car.

And, I have a sport, the GT stuff looks cool, but I was staying in budget and am perfectly satisfied. I do miss the auto headlights and wipers though. But, I saw the leather at the dealer and it already looked hammered, I'm happy with the cloth.

[gun]

just curious, if you got the sport and wanted the dealer to install the factory HID's from the GT on, would they? and would it carry the same warranty as your car or do those parts from the part department have a different warranty?

[clos561]

hey everyone,

if given another chance, would anyone here have gotten the sport package instead of the GT?

i guess what im trying to get answered is.. is the quality of the upgrades over the sport worth the extra premium? when i say quality, i mean are the headlights that much better, is the leather decent quality, do the wipers work well, does the headlight adjusting come in handy, etc.

i should be picking a speed up in a few days so crunch time is coming up fast... cant wait to rip apart the first si i see..
(drive2)
get the gt...leather keeps the car sexy along with the blue lights and the automatic wipers.....and yes the light adjusting helps out...when im behind people in traffic i lower them so i dont blind people...it annoys me alot when i have some bright ass blue lights in my rear view from acuras and audis...its worth it thats why i bought it...you can go cheap and then later you may regret it when ur sitting on cloth and u have piss yellow headlights

[clos561]

just curious, if you got the sport and wanted the dealer to install the factory HID's from the GT on, would they? and would it carry the same warranty as your car or do those parts from the part department have a different warranty?
that would be retarded...labor plus parts would cost more than jsut getting a gt............

[tbone13]

NOOOOOOOO!!! (knees buckling as i fall to the floor)

no xplan! (sad1) i really wanted to see the guys face when he would be forced to give me a good deal... ive been trying to chip away at him (and his manager) for a good week now with no luck...

i guess my plan of ripping an si this weekend might be out...


getting back on topic, it seems like pretty much no one regrets the GT... i can see how the long term enjoyment will out weigh the extra bill i spend each month..

now if i can only get 1k under msrp!

[clos561]

NOOOOOOOO!!! (knees buckling as i fall to the floor)

no xplan! (sad1) i really wanted to see the guys face when he would be forced to give me a good deal... ive been trying to chip away at him (and his manager) for a good week now with no luck...

i guess my plan of ripping an si this weekend might be out...


getting back on topic, it seems like pretty much no one regrets the GT... i can see how the long term enjoyment will out weigh the extra bill i spend each month..

now if i can only get 1k under msrp!
start puckering up your lips for a few blow jobs to get that

[clos561]

NOOOOOOOO!!! (knees buckling as i fall to the floor)

no xplan! (sad1) i really wanted to see the guys face when he would be forced to give me a good deal... ive been trying to chip away at him (and his manager) for a good week now with no luck...

i guess my plan of ripping an si this weekend might be out...


getting back on topic, it seems like pretty much no one regrets the GT... i can see how the long term enjoyment will out weigh the extra bill i spend each month..

now if i can only get 1k under msrp!
start puckering up your lips for a few blow jobs to get that

[blue2turbo]

I bought a Sport, and I am perfectly happy with it, I saw the price difference, looked at the added features, and said the hell with paying the additional. The leather didn't really feel "nice" to me, Auto sensing wipers ehh.. the only real things I would have liked are the HID's and the CD/MP3 Headunit changer that comes with the GT. I don't blare my music so the setup in the Sport is enough, but having more then regular CD would have been nice, thankfully there is the AUX jack for IPod Hookup.

Overall... sport all the way!!

[KOSMOS]

A some dealeships honor s-plan pricing on MS3s, you just gotta bargain.

[tavarua88]

fyi, i dont think the GT comes with a CD/MP3 player

[BlackJack]

GT DOES come with a 6CD player, but no MP3. However, there is a MP3 player available from Mazda.

[camrycev6]

I think both cars are great. I think it really comes down to personal taste. I have had cars with leather, NAV, etc., but I really don't like leather, I never used my NAV, and I just couldn't justify the additional costs. Don't get me wrong, the GT options are great...but I just wanted to spend the extra 2K in Vegas!!!

[maestro]

Happy with the GT model. Mostly I like the HID's and I did not have to purchase them seperately or install them. I sort of wish I had gotten the Nav system after playing with it in a friends MS3.

[clos561]

Happy with the GT model. Mostly I like the HID's and I did not have to purchase them seperately or install them. I sort of wish I had gotten the Nav system after playing with it in a friends MS3.
i wanted the nav but for the price...u can jsut get a portable big screen nav if you really n eed nav.....i seem to know where i live so ....only reason would be for eye candy and have some whore talkin while i drive

[M3_Zoom]

fyi, i dont think the GT comes with a CD/MP3 player

It's a 6 Disc in-dash player and the MP3 Jack is in the center console. The MP3 Jack comes on the Sport and GT unless you opt for Sirius Satellite radio.

[M3_Zoom]

GT DOES come with a 6CD player, but no MP3. However, there is a MP3 player available from Mazda.


If you mean no MP3 playing capability, that's incorrect. No biggy, but the Sport and GT have a MP3 outlet in the bottom center console. They all come with it unless you opt for the Sirius Satellite radio.

[bast525]

guess I'm in the minority...

I got a red GT and really am wishing I had held out for a Sport instead. The stereo is really dissapointing. I'd also rather have had a single CD with MP3 CD capability like in my wife's Civic Si, vs. the six disc changer. HID's are nice, and the light level adjust is cool though I don't ever use it. Rain sensing wipers... come on... that just seems silly to me. And you give up an intermittent wiper setting for that, which sucks. The leather isn't very nice either... you can tell it's leather, but it's not nice and soft,and anyways, most of the seat is still cloth.

I mostly wanted it for the stereo and the alarm system... but yeah... I could have saved the money, bought a stereo with subwoofer for like $600, alarm for another $100ish, and had a lot of money left for mods.

IMO, the mods are not worth the $1700 I paid for them. Now... if you really want Nav, then yeah, worth it.

[tbone13]

well fellas.. thanks again for all the input..

i took the plunge and i got a black ms3 GT w/ sirius and home link.. no navi..

love this damn car!!!!!


but im REALLY worried.. there were a couple of times on my way home from the dealer when i looked down at the speedo and i was doing a 100.. i never drive a 100.. but it was sooo damn effortless!!

cant wait for some mods (band)

[Craighjr]

I could not justify the expense of the GT so I bought the Rays rims instead! They are truely amazing.

[M3_Zoom]

What's really great is you have a MS3 and your choice in Sport or GT with your tailored mods makes your car unique to you. That's what I personally feel most look for. They want the same car, but want to make it there own, so they go for different options, aftermarket parts etc. It doesn't matter what others say, because we will have the down to earth conversations about our cars, we will figure out issues together and of course what good is a forum without trolls. Just know at the end of the day you are driving a very unique car that I have yet to see someone not do a double take on. Happy Motoring and MS3 ROCKS!!! (rockon)

[tavarua88]

i meant CD player that could read mp3s but yea, i know what you're saying.

[M3_Zoom]

i meant CD player that could read mp3s but yea, i know what you're saying.

Oh! I didn't quite catch that, sorry. Old age getting the best of me. (drive2)

[RogRacer]

I'm happy with my plain old basic Sport model. And this from a guy coming from an E36 BMW M3. But to each his own! Both are good choices.

[Mike V]

I held out for a GT and happy that I did. I really like the HID's and 6-disc CD. Bose car stereo systems have always been a joke to me (also had Bose in a 97 Jetta GLX) but I like the 6-cd changer and it does sound better than the Sport stereo. The Rockford Fosgate system in my Titan sounds much better in comparison. I also felt that the GT seats are more supportive than the Sport. The leather bolsters seem to hold you in better. Another thing I like is the auxiliary jack in the center console. If I remember correctly, that doesn't come with the Sport package. Another thing to keep in mind is, as others have mentioned, you can't get Nav with the Sport model. Many people aren't willing to pay an extra $1700 just for the Nav option anyway (it is NOT included in the GT package).

[Betelgeuse]

The aux jack does come in the sport model. As for the semi-leather seats being more supportive, I doubt it. Leather is more about feel and looks than actual support. I'm sure the reason the seats aren't completely leather is to avoid sliding around.

[79_Limited]

Exactly...

Xplan pricing (ford) = Mazda S-plan pricing

S-plan qualifies you to buy the vehicle @ invoice.

however CTGrey is right, currently the MS3 is not eligible for Splan pricing. and even if it was, honoring Splan is @ the dealer's discretion. You dont have to offer it. Youd be hard pressed to find a dealer willing to honor Splan even if it was offered from Mazda.

Strange. I just bought a Blue Speed 3 GT this afternoon with my S plan. I told the dealer I would come in and buy today if they would allow the S plan pricing. I thought it was a great deal for this car at dealer invoice.

[Ms3Xeoc]

I can read a map... no need for a Navi. I'm not above turning on the wipers or lights :P I plan to replace the speakers and install my sub sometime. ehhhhh leather would be okish, but it's not a neccesity to me.


So, I chose the sport. I'm happy, I got what I wanted.

bottom line, choose what you want. Diffrent strokes for diffrent folks.

[Mike V]

The aux jack does come in the sport model. As for the semi-leather seats being more supportive, I doubt it. Leather is more about feel and looks than actual support. I'm sure the reason the seats aren't completely leather is to avoid sliding around.

Haha you doubt it? WTF does that mean? Either they do or they don't. Have you driven both a sport model and GT model? The bolsters on the GT model provide more support for me.

[Betelgeuse]

Haha you doubt it? WTF does that mean? Either they do or they don't. Have you driven both a sport model and GT model? The bolsters on the GT model provide more support for me.


They're the exact same seats, contoured exactly the same way, just one has leather trimmings, how can it provide more support? I've seen both.

[Mike V]

They're the exact same seats, contoured exactly the same way, just one has leather trimmings, how can it provide more support? I've seen both.

Now you are starting to make me second guess myself. :) Do you have a Sport model? I remember the Sport model had seats similar to the Mazda3 2.3s, which have one-piece seat bottoms that simply curve up on the sides. The GT models have the leather bolsters attached to cloth seat bottoms. I drove a Sport model and a GT on the same day and remember the GT model hugging closer to my legs. (shrug) Maybe someone is willing to post a pic of their MS3 Sport model seats?

[Betelgeuse]

Now you are starting to make me second guess myself. :) Do you have a Sport model? I remember the Sport model had seats similar to the Mazda3 2.3s, which have one-piece seat bottoms that simply curve up on the sides. The GT models have the leather bolsters attached to cloth seat bottoms. I drove a Sport model and a GT on the same day and remember the GT model hugging closer to my legs. (shrug) Maybe someone is willing to post a pic of their MS3 Sport model seats?


Trust me, they're the same except for the leather trim, I have the sport. This thread has a pic of the sport seats:

http://**********************/index.php?topic=61562.90

The gt comes with:

hids (xenons)
navi
leather trimmed seats (sport seats with leather replacing the dark cloth)
rain-sensing wipers
trip meter (this can be unlocked in the sport)
bose
6-cd changer

That's pretty much it, everything else is the same.

*Edit* Well since linking is not allowed go to m a z d a 3 f o r u m s and check out the pictures section in the mazdaspeed3 section.

[Mike V]

Trust me, they're the same except for the leather trim, I have the sport. This thread has a pic of the sport seats:

http://**********************/index.php?topic=61562.90

The gt comes with:

hids (xenons)
navi
leather trimmed seats (sport seats with leather replacing the dark cloth)
rain-sensing wipers
trip meter (this can be unlocked in the sport)
bose
6-cd changer

That's pretty much it, everything else is the same.

*Edit* Well since linking is not allowed go to m a z d a 3 f o r u m s and check out the pictures section in the mazdaspeed3 section.

Cool thanks for the link. I see what you mean now. Apparently my memory is deteriorating more than I thought. Heheh.

BTW, the GT doesn't come with Nav. It's a $1700 option. The dealer where I bought my GT has a red one with Nav and Sirius - MSRP is $27k!

[Betelgeuse]

Cool thanks for the link. I see what you mean now. Apparently my memory is deteriorating more than I thought. Heheh.

BTW, the GT doesn't come with Nav. It's a $1700 option. The dealer where I bought my GT has a red one with Nav and Sirius - MSRP is $27k!


Yep you're right, my bad on that.

[bast525]

Trust me, they're the same except for the leather trim, I have the sport. This thread has a pic of the sport seats:

http://**********************/index.php?topic=61562.90

The gt comes with:

hids (xenons)
navi
leather trimmed seats (sport seats with leather replacing the dark cloth)
rain-sensing wipers
trip meter (this can be unlocked in the sport)
bose
6-cd changer

That's pretty much it, everything else is the same.

*Edit* Well since linking is not allowed go to m a z d a 3 f o r u m s and check out the pictures section in the mazdaspeed3 section.

you forgot the alarm. GT has an alarm that will go off if the doors are forced open, sport does not. But both have that ignition system that supposedly wont let the car start without the right key... microchip in the key or something.

[$inCitySpeed3]

i have a GT, was thinking of this myself...I would do the same, most people end adding the things that come on the GT...

Navi
DVD
HID
LED
Better Seats

and all the little things like auto headlight levler, auto wipers...

I am happy

[clos561]

eya but the gt is only 2k more and arent the lights really expensive? i cant see myself driving a sport...cloth seats, yellow lights, non auto wipers, ....the lights and the seats are my biggest reason for getting gt...i didnt get nav because they didnt have it and i can jstu get a ncie hand held for cheap...

[Betelgeuse]

you forgot the alarm. GT has an alarm that will go off if the doors are forced open, sport does not. But both have that ignition system that supposedly wont let the car start without the right key... microchip in the key or something.

Ah forgot the alarm. But the aftermarket stuff is usually better.

I'm glad I saved the extra cash for real mods down the road. Except for the factory alarm, all that other stuff is just fluff. I know when it's raining and what to do so rain sensing wipers is pretty much useless, hids are nice looking but the
stock headlights work extremely well, the leather trimmed seats didn't really interest me and they're no better than the sport. I laughed at the leds. The trip meter is crap (it's always off) . Navi? Google maps work just fine and it's free. And if I must have one, it'll be a portable.

[clos561]

the nav weas a shit load and you could probably get 3 handhelds for the price of the stock nav...and u cant carry around the ms3 nav or switch cars with it....o yea anyone with navi...does the navi screen tell you tire pressure to the psi?

[camrycev6]

My buddy has a portable Garmin nav system and he loves it. It is hard to argue the whole portability of it, especially when you get the car version for $300, and the completely pocket-sized portable for about $390.

[whitey4311]

Dont forget that the GT has the cool LED rear tail lights as well instead of the red plastic bulb covers that the sport uses.

There are so many things that make the GT a more luxury type ride that for the minimal price difference its so worth it.

My friend and I bought a MS3 the same day he got the sport blue and I got the GT black and I love mine best.

PS my navi screen was dead from the get go and am still waiting for a replacement going on 2 weeks now.

Whats this talk about an alarm system in the GT? I didnt know mine had that vs the sport not having it.

Do the keys really have a chip in them? This would sort of make having an alarm useless wouldnt it?

[Talbot]

Do the keys really have a chip in them? This would sort of make having an alarm useless wouldnt it?

Yeah, if you're only worried about someone taking off with your car. But they can still break or shimmy the windows to get stuff you have inside the car.

[whitey4311]

good point.

After my CAI I will look into a alarm, priorities first. LOL.

[clos561]

i heard that the mazdaspeed3 has a sensor that turns the motor off if u dont have the unlock key sensor when u drive a few miles. not sure if its restricted to gt or sport but that is what i heard other than the other security features. can anyone confirm this?

[bast525]

Both sport and GT are supposed to have the sentry key or whatever... meaning you should not be able to start the motor if you don't have the key you got from Mazda.

The GT also has an alarm that will sound if the doors, hood or hatch is opened without using the right key/remote.

[speed3shon]

i too am getting s-plan pricing on my MS3 GT

it stickers for 26,400

Its basically a GT, with no added features except for nav, and im getting out at like 24.5... i cant wait to pick it up...

[clos561]

i too am getting s-plan pricing on my MS3 GT

it stickers for 26,400

Its basically a GT, with no added features except for nav, and im getting out at like 24.5... i cant wait to pick it up...
what does this s plan come with again?

[VermZ06]

I'm sure most of you know this but the sport does come with the driver information system it just needs to be unlocked on the sport model. Sport is definitely the best bang for the buck.

[Jeph]

What is s-plan price on a MS3 GT? i know its invoice, but what is the actual price out the door after taxes and everything?

[79_Limited]

What is s-plan price on a MS3 GT? i know its invoice, but what is the actual price out the door after taxes and everything?

With taxes and tile I got out of the door for a little over $25K. My GT was a little more because I added widow tint and the homelink mirror. Totally worth this price. I like this car as much as my old BMW which was a pretty fun car. The car has more muscle.