So, I just got my tint this Tuesday. 17% all around. Just thought to share some pictures that I'd taken today. The car is extremely dirty, but you guys won't be able to see it that much so..













As for the future modifications, I'm thinking of getting the TWM short shifter, Cobb AP, Cobb SRI, Cobb TBE, Cobb Inlet, and Turbosmart BPV. Maybe a set of Enkei RPF1s with some meaty tires and a set of BC coilover in 1 year.

Or maybe I should just swap out the rims and tires first? Giving more torque on the front tires would not be a good idea as the stock car already has more than enough torque for a FWD, imho.

Anyway, I'm at 1600 miles right now. I have no complaints at all. I absolutely have no regret of trading in my 3G TL as I did a lot of research prior to getting a new car.

Thanks guys.

 

Needs more low

 

Nice! Hadn't seen one in black yet. Looks great. Hides the "grin" very well.

 

droppitydoooo!!!!!!!! Aaron, it looks great!

 

Looks great.... and IMO drop before wheels/tires Unless you don't mind rockin the 4x4 look for a while.

 

Nice ride...those stock wheels are sick!

 

sweet

 

I really like those stock wheels myself!

 

Congrats on the 3, have always had a soft spot for hot hatches.

My complaints on the redo are the goofy grille and the hood scoop. I liked the LED tails and q-ship appearance of the first gen speed3 better. Would still love to take a new one for a spin sometime though. Enjoy!

 

Looking good and you are right, I can't at all tell that it's dirty.

 

Looks like CA Tint did another great job! I'm kinda jealous I didnt go 17%...but I think I'm fine (and safer) with 23%

Car is lookin good!

 

Yeah, I'm just waiting for some other manufacturers to release the kits for the new MS3! H&R just release springs and coilovers though!

definitely hides the goofy grille!

I know I know! I'm going to! Can you install it for me? I don't know how to swap out the springs!

Yeah.. definitely going to lower it!

Thanks! I like them very much too!

Yeah, a lot of people hate the new looks, but Mazda really upgraded the overall package, especially interior and suspension! You should test drive it, I'm sure you'll love it!

hehe

Yeah, they really did a great job! Peter was a cool guy too!

And, yeah, definitely 23% is safer than 17%. I think I'm going to be really busy looking for cops while driving now..

 

Should I paint my stock rims? in black or gunmetal maybe?

And I drive pretty aggressively through the corners almost everyday, is it a bad idea to change the springs only? Every 1G MS3 owner says the BC makes the best coilovers for the Mazda vehicles, but they didn't release the coilovers yet.. so I was just thinking of getting the H&R sport springs which lowers my car about 1.3 inches all around, then upgrade to BC's in the future.

I'm just worried that my driving habits may possibly blow the stock shocks with aftermarket springs.

I had a set of Aspec suspension on my 3G TL, but never had any type of springs on my cars.

Any recommendations?

 

Such a sexy little car! If I was in the market for a hatchback, this would probably be my first choice

Get the wheels done in gunmetal

 

I would just upgrade to some GOOD shocks, like Koni Yellows. Don't cheap out because your shocks do more for ride comfort and handling than you think. Lowering springs in principle will pretty much never improve ride comfort, but if you go cheap on shocks or don't upgrade at all, the ride may be even worse, and so will the handling. But if you get some good shocks, people will think the car rides like stock, or even better.

Some cars' stock shocks can still manage with lowering springs.... but you almost always either want to get a nice set of coilovers, or a nice set of good lowering springs (IMO linear rate, not too high or too low of a spring rate with good shocks.

I'd go with gunmetal black wheels with no polished lip on a black car is meh.

 

nice car man... shes had like 4 grins

 

I should wait till BC releases the coilovers for my car right?

btw, the H&R springs for my car is only $205 at Tirerack! :wow:

 

black chrome wheels = sex

black on black on black = played out

 

Purty nice!

Black is the best choice to hide the grille as well, with that statement 100%

 

they kinda cuted this car up a lil bit for my taste, but I'm sure they made some good technical refinements.

 

I must admit I did not like the redesigned 3 one bit when I first saw it but it really has grown on me. The hatchback looks better than the sedan but that's just my

 

I like it..... But does the under grille look like the anti-Acura?

 

Doesn't look quite that bad, but the old one looked awesome in red. I agree with everyone else about black hiding the moustache well.

 

Keep the wheels.

 

DEF keep the wheels!

 

+1 for keeping the wheels.

that car is so awesome. belated congrats on the new car.

 

I got my windows tinted there too. Great guys, I've referred four people there. Make sure you keep your receipt in a safe place, I had to use mine once.

 

Looking good!...and the black sure hides the goofy grin front end

How are you liking the clutch? Every review I've read said it's either "on or off"

 

nice car bro...how do u like the interior?>

 

I love the interior.

 

Frankly, it's my first manual transmission car, so I can't really tell what's good or bad about the clutch.

I learned how to drive manual in my friend 06 Mustang GT, so I can definitely say that my car is much easier to drive.

 

Responsible behavior sucks ... I love your MS3.

I miss 275hp (or 340 in my Audi)

The regular 3 isn't a dog but it's not "point and go" like my previous cars.

 

My friend has one in red, my only gripe is that the design of the rear since it's a wagon is that it gets very dirty easily.

The car is phenomenal though, I love how it logs so much info, fuel economy, etc.

 

Yeah I learned to drive stick on my previous 2010 Si, it was a very nice clutch. It's definitely not that bad to learn on a new car as people suggest it is, so long as you know the basics, like you have to engage the clutch to shift lol.

 

Oh, I want to ask, do you think this is faster than the TL? Power to weight ratios are about the same.

 

I love it too...

plus two of my best friends just purchased the new WRX and GTI, so.. it's just so... fun...

Yeah, the rear definitely gets more dirtier than the other parts.

My 3G TL was an automatic with some bolt-ons. So I think it's safe to say my MS3 is just in different league in terms of performance. I don't know about the power to weight ratio at all, I didn't look at the numbers. But, I think my MS3 has less weight and more power than my previous 3G TL.

 

Sweet man! The tinted windows really pulls together the look of the MS3, all it needs is some gunmetals wheels. I also agree with what Costco said, get good shocks and wait for BC to come out with something. Have you added an exhaust yet or is it loud enough for your taste?

I saw a white MS3 yesterday zoom up a hill and it sounded pretty good and looked fast too!

 

Thanks!

And yeah, I think I'm going to wait for BC to come out with the coilovers and get them when they release it next year. I heard it's the best.

For the exhaust, there are only three options available yet (Ultimate Racing, Autoexe, & Borla), but several different aftermarket manufacturers are currently in the process of testing the TBE on our 2nd MS3, so I'm going to wait til early next year.

It's surprisingly quiet when I'm just driving it normally, but it gets pretty loud when I go WOT. Still, it's too quiet for my taste. I'll probably get an aftermarket exhaust next year that gives out the deepest sound. Maybe Cobb.

 

Can someone photoshop the stock rims in the OP to gunmetal?? Just curious how it would look on my black MS3... There are some grey MS3 owners who painted theirs in gunmetal and looked fantastic..

Thanks in advance!

 

wow. mazda really stepped it up with their interiors.