Finally settled on a new car

[ElPogoLoco]

Well, I have been mulling over the purchase of the next car. This spring the wife and I are getting rid of her Escape. She will transition into mine.

I was trying to decide between the following cars:

07 GTI 4 door
07 Mazda3 s 5 Door
07-08 Fusion 2.3L
03-04 Focus with 2.3

I decided to get the Mazda3 since this car since it is close to the Focus but not quite the same. I loved the way it drives too.

As for plans, I am only planning some small upgrades. Intake, Koni Adjustables, and a bigger rear Sway Bar. Nothing drastic since this will be a daily driver and a fun, spirited driving car.

In retrospec, I should have never sold my Focus.

[bbychvz]

sweet congrats

Bobby

[Fordfan05]

You should be happy w/ the Mazda. Enjoy

[hotrodkris]

Originally Posted by ElPogoLoco

In retrospec, I should have never sold my Focus.

I agree.

[ZedX31485]

The Mazda 3 is a great car.

Good choice

[Jared]

We have an 07 Mazda3s sedan with the GT package, and my friend has a Mazdaspeed3, and they are great cars, but seriously I am not joking around when I say get a 3m clear bra if you care about your paint. And be religious about waxing the crap out of the car. These things have really, really delicate paint. You can like tap it with your finger and chip it. Well not really but in all seriousness it is very prone to chips.

Get the bumper and a good halfway up the hood and you should be fine.

My manager at work used to be a manager at our dealerships's Mazda dealer and he confirmed this, cuz I asked him if we just had insanely bad luck, and he was like "oh, no the paint tends to suck on the 3's."

That aside we love the car, kinda wish it got better gas mileage for a 2.3L but it is alright as is. The steering feel isn't as good as the C170 Focus but it's still fun in it's own ways.

[Dubzilla]

^you can always do the on/off/on trick to turn off the power steering, or something like that. I forget how it works.

[biscuitninja]

No Mazdaspeed?
-bix

[Z63R]

No Mazdaspeed?

His username contains a clue as to why he is not best served by the Speed3's 6-speed manual w/ clutch pedal.



Now, if he had decided upon a DSG-equipped Golf, then...

I am 100% behind his choice of a Mazda3 and the mild mods he has planned for it. It sounds very much like my daily-driven 2.3 ZX3.

[zetecgt]

I'd love to have a Mazda 3 when my Focus is gone.

dave.

[OGFocus99]

Good luck with your new ride

[ElPogoLoco]

Originally Posted by Z63R

His username contains a clue as to why he is not best served by the Speed3's 6-speed manual w/ clutch pedal.



Now, if he had decided upon a DSG-equipped Golf, then...

I am 100% behind his choice of a Mazda3 and the mild mods he has planned for it. It sounds very much like my daily-driven 2.3 ZX3.

Ding ding ding. Yup the username denotes my short comings when it comes to a clutch. Although I can still drive a manual, it isn't practical for a daily driver for me.

As for the DSG GTi. Don't think that one didn't make the list. I didn't put it down because mainly, the wife and I are also financing the restoration/modern musclization of her Trans Am mentioned in my signature. We figure by the time I am done with everything on the list, the Trans Am bill will be right around $30K with the parts and labor. I can expand on the reasons for the cost if so desired.

Simply put, I can get into an 07 Mazda3s 5 door for roughly $225.00/month while the GTi would cost 100-150 more. Plus, I have loved the styling of the Mazda3 since inception. With mild modding, the Mazda3 will be a dandy daily driver. Tons of suspension goodies.

[Ray]

And, well, what do you have planned for audio?

[ElPogoLoco]

Originally Posted by Ray

And, well, what do you have planned for audio?

Actually, I am planning a nice little something or other.

Nothing too big. (seems to be the theme)

Alpine HU, iPod, HD Radio
NEXT 5.500
eD F&R speakers
eD 8" sub

FG enclosure.

[thepepperman]

Originally Posted by Jared

We have an 07 Mazda3s sedan with the GT package, and my friend has a Mazdaspeed3, and they are great cars, but seriously I am not joking around when I say get a 3m clear bra if you care about your paint. And be religious about waxing the crap out of the car. These things have really, really delicate paint. You can like tap it with your finger and chip it. Well not really but in all seriousness it is very prone to chips.

Get the bumper and a good halfway up the hood and you should be fine.

My manager at work used to be a manager at our dealerships's Mazda dealer and he confirmed this, cuz I asked him if we just had insanely bad luck, and he was like "oh, no the paint tends to suck on the 3's."

Seriously. The paint is so jacked up on my bumper and hood its not funny. Hoping for a repaint next spring.

Oh and this is after doing my best to increase the average distance between me and the car I'm following.

Otherwise I'm sure you'll love the car!

[biscuitninja]

Originally Posted by ElPogoLoco

Ding ding ding. Yup the username denotes my short comings when it comes to a clutch. Although I can still drive a manual, it isn't practical for a daily driver for me.

As for the DSG GTi. Don't think that one didn't make the list. I didn't put it down because mainly, the wife and I are also financing the restoration/modern musclization of her Trans Am mentioned in my signature. We figure by the time I am done with everything on the list, the Trans Am bill will be right around $30K with the parts and labor. I can expand on the reasons for the cost if so desired.

Simply put, I can get into an 07 Mazda3s 5 door for roughly $225.00/month while the GTi would cost 100-150 more. Plus, I have loved the styling of the Mazda3 since inception. With mild modding, the Mazda3 will be a dandy daily driver. Tons of suspension goodies.

Yep! I remembered, I need to get a auto for different reasons (Read Wife...). I still have the Mustang and the SVO for fun. Anyways good luck
-bix

[hotrodkris]

Oooh! More info on the Trans Am!!!

[ElPogoLoco]

Originally Posted by hotrodkris

Oooh! More info on the Trans Am!!!

OK, since you asked.

The body and interior is being restored to showroom condition with a few changes. Interior wise, the vinyl is out in favor of tweed. Exterior wise, the 4.9L and Turbo decals will not be applied since it will have niether in the vehicle. Also the aluminum door guards will be removed, holes smoothed and filled, and looking smooth.

The rest is the fun part.

Suspension:

Hotchkis TVS including 2" drop springs and leafs, F&R sway bars, and a few other bits. We are adding Koni Yellows for shocks and struts. Global west tubular upper and lower control arms, and energy suspension bushings. Baer Front 4 piston caliper brake kit, installation of Baer Claw rear disc conversion. 17" front Wheels and 18" rear wheels, likely Torque Thrusts or the Foose versions.

Drivetrain:

Pontiac 400 V8 with Edelbrock Topend and Cams. Electric water pump, host of other goodies. Rebuilt TH-350 transmission (existing) with B&M Shift kit. Aluminum driveshaft, Rebuilt rear end with new axles. Aluminum Radiator, etc...

I think you get the point. The goal is a daily driveable resto/modern musclecar.

The body work is being completed by a shop in PA and the Engine, Trans and interior is being handled by me.

[hotrodkris]

Oh, very nice! What a lucky woman! Are you going to keep the chicken on the hood?

And please go with non-chrome Torque Thrusts!

[ElPogoLoco]

No chrome. Polished, but no chrome.

[Virtual_Insanity]

A very good choice on getting the Mazda3

[Bparks717]

Those body firebirds are awesome I had one
I wasnt staying turboed though I was swapping for a 383 and a turbo 400
The interior was perfect so was the exterior it was show room, and I got it for 800 even better it had 90,000 miles did a vin check and it only had 2 owners and a clean title best find I ever made so so sad I sold it.... here is a pic
you have no idea what I would do to get it back

[ElPogoLoco]

Holy S***

Here is ours as it sits now.





Actually, today I order stainless steel fasteners for the entire body and chassis from YearOne. Not bad, total came out to 186.00 shipped. I was happy. We have begun to buy parts. I cannot wait to yank the 301T out and sell it to recoup what we are getting ready to spend.

[Bparks717]

the bigges problem i had was i couldnt find body moulding for the windows other then that the car was perfect... i miss it badly