our new MS3

[squidmotion]

well... these photos aren't that great, but here is our new mazdaspeed3! sport edition... only option... pearl paint charge.... wife loves the color... and she is sick of white cars (she has owned 5 in a row now)...


no mods planned, as this is the wife's car, other than a good window tint, some wheel locks, possibly a turbo timer to be sure she runs it a bit after getting to work...

this will be a pretty easily driven car, won't be raced or punished to harshly, at least when she is behind the wheel.

it will be a good test of how many miles you can get out of one, as i usually drive vehicles until the wheels fall off... :)

[Snyeed]

Welcome to the forums, Lucky wife getting to drive a wonderful car.

[oaklandopen]

So what do YOU drive then?

[PCspeed3]

nice, love the color mange.

[MSP2024]

nice, welcome to the forum

[kickniteasy]

So what do YOU drive then?

my thoughts exactly...if that's the misses car to stay a stock DD I'm really curious as to what else is in the garage.

[paylew]

I could have sworn I already posted in here, but congrats on the purchase! Hope she loves it!

[Big-Ben]

Congrats Squid.

How much did your Out-the-door price was?
And this was in Russel & Smith right?

[squidmotion]

thanks guys,

sorry i'm not going to have any tuner stories, but that seems to be pretty well covered as it is... just bought it for what it is... a fun ass car to drive..


So what do YOU drive then?


working on a '67 austin healey sprite that will have a rotary ...i'll show it on the forums as we get closer to the actual engine swap, mapping out the tube frame at the moment.... going for a street legal, autoX goal with this one.... still have a chevy luv out at dad's with a v8 (355sbc, 750cfm, huge cam, making about 400horseys, at least) that we are about to put a fresh body on...

my daily driver will be her speed3, as we will be using it for our daily commute/carpool to work... about 25 miles... HOV lane in, HOV lane out.. no sitting in traffic, for the most part...

i also have a 2008 toyota tundra crew max (for the rainy days.. she wants the speed to stay in the garage, lol)...i think you can just see the front of the USS SQUIDMO in some of the photos... i use it to tow my pop up camper and my 19' hewes flats boat, and haul surfboards to the coast.... i do a lot of fishing and surfing the coast here in texas.... has a hard camper shell on the back with thule racks... suubfloor for sleeping, enogh seating for entire fishing/surfing crew... :)

she said she would have been just has happy with the N/A 2.3 in the regular 3 series.... but she is glad i got her the better one... heheheehee... good wife i have... :)

i might have to research some smoother riding tires, however. my idea is to have a set of commuter tires and wheels a bit more supple sidwall, and then use the others for more 'sporty' driving... any suggestions on this?

i know that sounds like sacrilege, but if you aren't pushing the car around every day, doesn't it make sense? it hops around a bit on the concrete crap roads we have here around houston..... i have to say, for the way it grabs the road, it still rides pretty darn good.

we're up to 40 miles, and i'm just tooling around... did get into the throttle pretty good this morning with the daughter... all giggles from the passenger seat.... all of a sudden, she wants to learn how to drive a stick better... heehehehe... like my old '70 SS nova, this thing really loves the cold air...

sorry for the long post and thanks for the comments...i'll post a few more photos after i get the tint put on... should look good all blacked out... i like the way the car looks... the front end being different than the regular 3... kinda like chuck norris' chin..

under chuck norris' chin.... there is just another fist.... :)

[Silver Ecstasy]

Congrats, although I don't see the reason behind buying a MS3 as a daily driver for your wife who won't even really be driving it for what it is.

Hell, I don't beat my car to shit, but I also love spirited driving. It's hard to say the MS3 was a great choice. What else did you guys even look at??

[my3needsaname]

thanks guys,

sorry i'm not going to have any tuner stories, but that seems to be pretty well covered as it is... just bought it for what it is... a fun ass car to drive..




working on a '67 austin healey sprite that will have a rotary ...i'll show it on the forums as we get closer to the actual engine swap, mapping out the tube frame at the moment.... going for a street legal, autoX goal with this one.... still have a chevy luv out at dad's with a v8 (355sbc, 750cfm, huge cam, making about 400horseys, at least) that we are about to put a fresh body on...

my daily driver will be her speed3, as we will be using it for our daily commute/carpool to work... about 25 miles... HOV lane in, HOV lane out.. no sitting in traffic, for the most part...

i also have a 2008 toyota tundra crew max (for the rainy days.. she wants the speed to stay in the garage, lol)...i think you can just see the front of the USS SQUIDMO in some of the photos... i use it to tow my pop up camper and my 19' hewes flats boat, and haul surfboards to the coast.... i do a lot of fishing and surfing the coast here in texas.... has a hard camper shell on the back with thule racks... suubfloor for sleeping, enogh seating for entire fishing/surfing crew... :)
You sir, are a lucky man. Hope to see pics of all the cars soon!!

[squidmotion]

we looked at yet another corolla (man, i have logged some serious miles in those cheap lil bastids), but we were both bored to tears with those... and the new "SER" model felt lame...

the nissan sentra v-spec was one she liked, maybe a bit more than the speed, but we both didn't care for the looks of it AT ALL...

the WRX wagon was discussed... mostly about how horrid it looks... (wife ABHORS subarus.... don't know why... must have been some dick of a boyfriend...hehehee)

the VW was also brought up, but i didn't like their dependability record...

scion... no. no. no.


i told her about the dodge srt whatever, and she laughed... "buy a dodge, YOU drive it"



honestly, the honda vtech whatchamacallit.... hmmm. civic 4-door si? was considered as well, as we both loved my sisters short lived acura rsx-s (totalled last year in front of her house).... but i just wasn't hip with the enterior.. no wagon model, weird to me engine rpms... i LOVED that rsx-s... but don't think i would want to wing an engine like that all day....

[Silver Ecstasy]

I apologize if my response was sorta judgemental. I just...I honestly don't understand it because I see it everyday. Women driving vehicles they probably won't get full use out of, or don't even appreciate. Just inherited the car through marriage or guidance from the loved one, otherwise they don't have a clue. Back when I had my TBSS, I wanted to choke this bitch who cut me off IN A TBSS, while she was on her cell phone. She was a real estate agent with her sign magneted to the door. I was like "WTF DID YOU BUY THAT FOR?!?!" My mom's a real estate agent and drives quite a bit..why get such a poor vehicle for that, let alone the fact it's built for a reason and she won't be using it for that reason?

I'm sure she won't baby it for long, atleast I hope not!

[mckraut]

I apologize if my response was sorta judgemental. I just...I honestly don't understand it because I see it everyday. Women driving vehicles they probably won't get full use out of, or don't even appreciate. Just inherited the car through marriage or guidance from the loved one, otherwise they don't have a clue. Back when I had my TBSS, I wanted to choke this bitch who cut me off IN A TBSS, while she was on her cell phone. She was a real estate agent with her sign magneted to the door. I was like "WTF DID YOU BUY THAT FOR?!?!" My mom's a real estate agent and drives quite a bit..why get such a poor vehicle for that, let alone the fact it's built for a reason and she won't be using it for that reason?

I'm sure she won't baby it for long, atleast I hope not!

Jesus christ, sexist much?

Welcome to the OP, I hope you & your wife enjoy the car.

[squidmotion]

hey, wifey used to drive a warmed up mustang 5.0 (ewe, ford), so she is not a tender foot driver or anything..... she really likes the car a lot.... we both like the fact that it is kind of a sleeper, not very racer looking...

i had fun driving it to work this morning..... :)

[Silver Ecstasy]

Jesus christ, sexist much?


Main Entry: sex·ism
Pronunciation: \ˈsek-ˌsi-zəm\
Function: noun
Etymology: 1sex + -ism (as in racism)
Date: 1968
1: prejudice or discrimination based on sex ; especially : discrimination against women
2: behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex

I'm not saying that, because she's a woman, she can't enjoy fast cars, and i'm also not saying men are the only ones who should drive fast cars because it fits our stereotype.

What I am saying is, she may not be able to appreciate it, nor use it for what it's built for (especially if it's just a car that takes her from point-a to point-b:

Main Entry: ap·pre·ci·a·tion
Pronunciation: \ə-ˌprē-shē-ˈā-shən, -ˌpri- also -ˌprē-sē-\
Function: noun
Date: 1604
1 a: judgment , evaluation ; especially : a favorable critical estimate b: sensitive awareness ; especially : recognition of aesthetic values c: an expression of admiration, approval, or gratitude
2: increase in value

I have my same judgements when I see people hook their keys onto a carabiner. Are they going rock climbing? Or what about small people that drive Ford Excursions? My neighbor leased a 04 GTO automatic for his wife. WTF for? She literally got stuck in the snow almost every time it snowed. Why put her into something so impractical, just because you like the idea of having a GTO in your driveway?

That doesn't apply to the original poster, but my resentment is familiar.

[CWPspeed3]

Welcome and good choice on color.

A turbo timer probably wont be necessary if its just a DD. The turbo doesnt need much of a cool down time unless your racing it or getting into it all the time, for normal commute just let it idle while you get your stuff ready to get out of the car.

[mckraut]

Main Entry: sex·ism
Pronunciation: \ˈsek-ˌsi-zəm\
Function: noun
Etymology: 1sex + -ism (as in racism)
Date: 1968
1: prejudice or discrimination based on sex ; especially : discrimination against women
2: behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex

I'm not saying that, because she's a woman, she can't enjoy fast cars, and i'm also not saying men are the only ones who should drive fast cars because it fits our stereotype.

What I am saying is, she may not be able to appreciate it, nor use it for what it's built for (especially if it's just a car that takes her from point-a to point-b:

Main Entry: ap·pre·ci·a·tion
Pronunciation: \ə-ˌprē-shē-ˈā-shən, -ˌpri- also -ˌprē-sē-\
Function: noun
Date: 1604
1 a: judgment , evaluation ; especially : a favorable critical estimate b: sensitive awareness ; especially : recognition of aesthetic values c: an expression of admiration, approval, or gratitude
2: increase in value

I have my same judgements when I see people hook their keys onto a carabiner. Are they going rock climbing? Or what about small people that drive Ford Excursions? My neighbor leased a 04 GTO automatic for his wife. WTF for? She literally got stuck in the snow almost every time it snowed. Why put her into something so impractical, just because you like the idea of having a GTO in your driveway?

That doesn't apply to the original poster, but my resentment is familiar.

Without knowing his wife at all, you judged her as someone that wouldn't get full use out of an MS3, because she was a woman. That is sexism my friend.

Or call it whatever you like, the fact is, you're ignorant.

[Silver Ecstasy]

Without knowing his wife at all, you judged her as someone that wouldn't get full use out of an MS3, because she was a woman. That is sexism my friend.

Lol, we don't need to drag it on any longer. The original poster himself said "it's the wifes car, she's just going to use it as a daily driver". So, that's all I had to draw my conclusion off of. And like I said, sorry for my judgement, but that's just what I got from the post. And frankly, that seems like a poor reason to have a Mazdaspeed 3 in your driveway, just to get groceries and take the kids here and there.

To each his own.

Just like this is pretty fucking retarded:
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/corvette-photos/data/510/Corvette_Tire_Trailer_2.JPG

[my3needsaname]

Not gonna lie here, but putting a trailer on a Z06 would be kinda fun. Start into a drift, whip out the trailer, and pull a 360. Or use it as a weight to just keep you going once it's whipped out into the corner.

[CrazyT]

Why is towing a small cart like that with a vette retarded? Looks freaking smart to me. Getting track tires to the track with minimal trouble....

But that's coming from a guy that daily drives his stock MS3. Guess I'm a girl.

[mckraut]

Why is towing a small cart like that with a vette retarded? Looks freaking smart to me. Getting track tires to the track with minimal trouble....

But that's coming from a guy that daily drives his stock MS3. Guess I'm a girl.

lol, this made me chuckle.

[Snyeed]

please resize that picture!

I'm sure that Vette has more then enough TQ to pull that little trailer, A+ for that guy.

[Kain]

To each his own.

Just like this is pretty fucking retarded:


Yeah, pretty fucking retarded...









... in Bizarro World.

[Olestra]

Lol, we don't need to drag it on any longer. The original poster himself said "it's the wifes car, she's just going to use it as a daily driver". So, that's all I had to draw my conclusion off of. And like I said, sorry for my judgement, but that's just what I got from the post. And frankly, that seems like a poor reason to have a Mazdaspeed 3 in your driveway, just to get groceries and take the kids here and there.

To each his own.

So... is the MS3 your daily driver?

[squidmotion]

lol, this made me chuckle.tle


made me laugh too... i used to see guys doing that all the time... explain to me why that is 'retarded' please? i think it's cool... enough trailer queens out there... this is refreshing...

yeah.. i can see that if it was a little boat, or utility trailer with firewood.. pretty obvious this is fulfilling a need..

oh snap... i guess it will disable him from drifting or racing on the way to the track.... darn.

i'll take that vette... trailer and all... :)

[squidmotion]

and for those who are worried about whether this isn't the right car for her...

just because we don't street or track race, and don't punish the car daily, does that mean she doesn't deserve a cool car like a speed3? all i said was that the car was going to be driven easy, and taken care of.. that doesn't mean we aren't going to let 'er rip on occasion...

she isn't your normal girl.... this is houston... 'spirited driving' just isn't something you get to do all the time...

thanks for your concern (i guess... do all new guys get this?)...

[KellyJoe]

......as this is the wife's car, other than a good window tint, some wheel locks, possibly a turbo timer to be sure she runs it a bit after getting to work...

Congrats on the car and excellent choice of color!! I have a set of factory wheel locks that have never been opened that I have no use for. My window sticker said that I had them but they weren't installed. The dealer sent me a new set and I later found the originals stuffed under my spare. Let me know if you want them.

[GoFast]

congrats on the new ride!! enjoy!!

[squidmotion]

hehehe she just got back from a drive (grocery grab, hehehe)... said it ran great.... she said that some kids at the store complimented her on having a cool car... one even snapped a few photos of it with his cell phone camera...

she said she overheard one of them telling his friend, 'that's a rare car, dude. it's got a turbo'

heheheh funny...

[Snyeed]

How is she handling the clutch? Last girl that drove my car killed it to many times...:(

[ottawaP5]

Congrats on the car!

If you want to smooth the ride out a little more, just buy some 17" wheels.

[CWPspeed3]

How is she handling the clutch? Last girl that drove my car killed it to many times...:(

Did she know how to drive a manual in the first place? My gf has driven my car no problem, shes giddy about the speed and likes to hear the bpv haha

[squidmotion]

Did she know how to drive a manual in the first place? My gf has driven my car no problem, shes giddy about the speed and likes to hear the bpv haha


yes, she drives a manual transmission very well.... like me, she has killed it trying to take off in third, thinking it's in first, but we have both gotten used to it...

[CWPspeed3]

yes, she drives a manual transmission very well.... like me, she has killed it trying to take off in third, thinking it's in first, but we have both gotten used to it...

Haha with the short shifter I've accidentally tried to take off in 3rd before, stalled once and the other time it went but a little sluggish... oh well.

[DaleNixon]

CWP == gorgeous! Excellent choice!

[CrazyT]

please resize that picture!

I'm sure that Vette has more then enough TQ to pull that little trailer, A+ for that guy.

(OFF TOPIC) Back to the trailer pic. It reminded me of the late Blake Qualley and his $2001 GRM challenge Rx-7.

http://images.rotarynews.com/images/RX7-1.5/smdscf0029.jpg

[squidmotion]

brother in law drove it yesterday... he was pretty darn impressed... says he might go talk to them about one of his own next week... LOL. they had a super sweet acura rsx-s that was wiped out in front of their house last summer...

like me, he like the bottom end grunt of this car over the acura...


both good cars...

[Russm]

My wife rather drove my old 87 ford Van with 200+k miles on it than the WS6 Trans Am we bought in 96 and she would rather drive her Grand Caravan than the Speed3 now but the motorcycle my wife learned to ride on was my TopGas GSXR when she drove 9.0 at 148 without the nitros.
Go Figure wives???? I Love Her!

[squidmotion]

car got the stamp of approval today by the harshest critic i know... my dad..


dad's an older drag racer, hot rodder. we've always built cars together... gearing up to build his first street rod... i think it has been narrowed down to a '32 chevrolet coupe.... should be interesting, as i don't think dad knows how to build a small block with less than 400hp...

we got it out on the back roads around where they live for a test drive, and he was all laughs... he raved about the handling of the car.... and was very impressed with the power...

after a pretty spirited run through the gears on a long straight road, he looked over and said, 'that's just not right! this car is a total sleeper'...

hehehehee

[my3needsaname]

Hahaha! You've got an awesome dad there!

[squidmotion]

Hahaha! You've got an awesome dad there!


i agree... one in a million.... dad was my best man in my wedding.... we have done a lot together!

[my3needsaname]

I really like the "can't build a small block with less than 400HP" part. lol
And when he drove the speed, he smiled and said "this isn't fair, it's a sleeper!"