Talk:Mazdaspeed3

Criticisms

Why is the CX-7 and all those Volvo's listed as "Related"? That is not really in line with the other high quality auto articles. Pvaultguy (talk) 18:02, 28 May 2012 (UTC)

Should we add a 2012 photo to the first sidebar? I think it makes sense to lead with the latest model year. Pvaultguy (talk) 20:30, 28 May 2012 (UTC)

Is there a source for criticisms of poor fuel economy? I've read many reviews and have not seen it. The mpg ratings are pretty normal for a car in this class, and significantly better than the subaru wrx, for example. Friday (talk) 15:42, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

I have removed this unsourced bit for now, per the Biographies of Living Vehicles policy. Friday (talk) 18:09, 20 August 2007 (UTC)

That seems to be a general problem on this article; unsourced material or material cited to forums/blogs. I suggest a reading of WP:RS and WP:V by some of the IP contributors here.--Isotope23 ^talk 18:22, 20 August 2007 (UTC)

I'd guess this is common with car articles. People talk about cars on the internet a lot. Friday (talk) 18:26, 20 August 2007 (UTC)

Body style

Anyone have opinions on whether to call it a hatchback or a wagon, and where? Obviously it's both, but I don't know that I think we should mention both in the lead sentence. I'd tend to prefer "wagon" myself, as it's more specific. Friday (talk) 15:59, 24 August 2007 (UTC)

This seems to frequently get changed, but from the sources I've seen, most of them call it a "wagon". Either option is reasonable but I hope it gets discussed a bit instead of just getting changed back. Friday (talk) 23:43, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Someone changed it again with an utterly spurious edit summary. I guess there's no hope people will actually use the talk page? I guess I'll put it back, as it's supported by sources. Friday (talk) 13:44, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

The Mazdaspeed3 is a hatchback. It is an upgraded version of the Mazda3 5-door, which is a hatchback. Mazda's website calls the Mazda3 5-door a hatchback. Considering that the practical differences between the 5-door 3 and the Speed3 relate solely to the drivetrain, suspension, wheels, and chassis stiffening, and the fact that the Speed3's length is the same as that of the normal 5-door 3, I would argue that the Speed3 is also classified as a hatchback. Cataphract_40 (talk) 04:54, 25 April 2008 (UTC)

It's definitely classed as a hatchback- this was never in doubt. It's also classed as a wagon- pretty much all wagons have been hatchbacks for a good many years now. I agree that Mazda does not use the (spurned by the industry lately) term "wagon"- but the automotive press does. Friday (talk) 21:50, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

"Sports car"

Someone put this in the Category:Front wheel drive sports cars category, which I don't think it at all appropriate. This is a station wagon- about as far from a sports car as you can get. However we should be using what the sources say, rather than our own criteria. So, if someone can produce sources calling this a "sports car", I suppose I'll let it slide, but if not I'll probably be removing this from that category. Friday (talk) 20:48, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

You are wrong, it is certainly not a "station" wagon as that category is more for practical use and is generally assumed as family vehicles. I'm not sure how qualified you are in terms of the automotive market but according to most sources it is one of the best FF cars (in terms of performance)therefore I believe that it does belong in this category. Not to mention that I have never heard of the Hyundai Tiburon or Honda Civic Si being called sports cars, also considering they don't hold a candle to it when it comes to performance.

I agree the performance is impressive, but this doesn't mean it's a sports car. Compare it to say, a Dodge Magnum RT- performance is very similar, but neither one is a sports car. Friday (talk) 21:53, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

chassis code

I am considering putting in the Chassis Code designation (such as FC3S, FD3S for the RX7) that is BK3P for the Mazdaspeed3/ Axela MPS. This is according to the JDM aftermarket, more specifically Autoexe. I am planning to do this shortly, but I would like to hear any comments about how and where to put it, Thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 162.83.251.6 (talk) 21:27, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

I don't think chassis codes are needed in this article. The RX-7 article uses them as they are the most common way that enthusiasts designate generations for that vehicle. As the Mazdaspeed 3 only has one generation I feel that chassis codes would be pretty crufty especially in such a short article. --Daniel J. Leivick (talk) 21:46, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

Yeah it seems like a minor detail to me too- not something that needs to be included. Friday (talk) 20:12, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

Evolution from Protege5

The MS3 seems to have evolved from the Protege5 which was available from 2002-2003. Although not designated as "Mazdaspeed" the Protege5 was a quick little hatch. Tuners on the forums seem to follow this evolution and discuss the new MS3 with respect to its similarities to the Protege5. Also, lots of aftermarket manufacturers who made parts for the Protege5 now make, or are in the process of engineering, upgrades for the MS3. It may be pertinent to discuss this evolution. I'd be happy to research it and try to do it intelligently, if needed. Agershon (talk) 23:11, 4 September 2008 (UTC)

The entire Mazda 3 line was a successor to the Protege- not just the speed3. There was a Mazdaspeed version of the Protege which was reasonably quick, but still significantly slower than the speed3. Family resemblance is evident in the sedan and wagon versions. I dunno if it's worth mentioning here- I suppose it would depend whether reliable sources cover it or not. The family connection is mentioned in the main Mazda 3 article. Friday (talk) 23:19, 4 September 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, looks like there was a Mazdaspeed version of the Protege sedan but not the Protege5 hatchback. I think we've covered it. Agershon (talk) 16:07, 5 September 2008 (UTC)

Stage 3

I have never heard that the clutch in a Mazdaspeed3 is of stage 3 caliber. If one had to compare it with the stock clutch of the base Mazda3 then I would say St.2, maybe. But the MS3 clutch is definitely not 100% performance, it still has a somewhat smooth engagement and a softer feel than those on cars of similar power and performance-mindedness IMO. I may very well be wrong, but I still see no citation so... Axelarater (talk) 20:25, 23 April 2009 (UTC)Axelarater

It's unclear to me whether that section is trying to say that this is standard, or some available (presumably dealer-installed) option. Friday (talk) 20:30, 23 April 2009 (UTC)

Mazdaspeed3 or Mazda 3 MPS?

Just wondering if to be politically correct the car should be primarily referred to as the "Mazda 3 MPS", as that was what it was originally unveiled as in 2006 as stated; then rebadged for the US and Japan. Does anyone disagree?

In putting in the external links its about a toss up. Mazda3 MPS in UK and Australia; MazdaSpeed3 in USA and Canada. Pvaultguy (talk) 23:32, 29 May 2012 (UTC)

Discontinuation of Mazdaspeed3 after 2013

I can't find a source online that says that 2013 is the final production year for this car, but I got numerous confirmations from dealerships when visiting recently that they would not be producing a "2014 Mazdaspeed3". This is partly backed up because Mazda has made no mention whatsoever of a 2014 model, despite the fact that you can purchase Mazda's 2014 lineup today. The dealerships also told me that they were pulling production temporarily in order to try and integrate Mazda's SkyActiv technology into the Speed3. Can someone try and find a citable source that backs this up, other than what the dealerships are saying? Sp!ke (talk) 14:35, 25 November 2013 (UTC)