THSCC Forums

Hi all,

Looking to replace my daily driver with a mazdaspeed3, and I have been doing maybe too much mazda forum reading...

Has anyone driving 3's in autocross had issues with a second gear popout on hard braking?

Thanks in advance,
Steve

NEVER had this issue, but then again I drive a regular mazda3

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2012 MX-5 Sport SUV

Thanks, Brice...

Folks on the mazda3 forum report it occurring with regular and MS3, alluding to a trans mount or shifter issue. I suspect it's a vocal minority, but wanted to hear from some local folks, as some forum postings have to be taken with a grain (or two) of salt.

Steve

i had a speed3 last year, only tracked it once but i had problem with the 2-3 shift getting "hung" halfway, ie 3rd gear wouldn't properly engage until i relaxed the shifter and shoved it back up. dunno if that's in any way what you're asking about but a data point. i hated the shifter and clutch in that car, take it for a good long drive before you plunk down the cash. for me a lousy transmission experience ruins an otherwise nice car.

After driving one I really didn't like the non-linear power band . I'm sure it would make a fine autocross car, but I didn't want to try and learn the bad habits that the turbo car was going to try and teach me.

Thanks guys....

I'm going back for a second test drive tomorrow. I"ll have to scare the salesman a little better this time. Not sure if it's going to be an autoX or track car--but I knew that if anyone knew what happens with this car during dynamic driving, it would be this crowd... I'm really looking for something sporty to replace the current DD (Camry) that I won't mind keeping outside.

I drove the Subaru WRX today, and by comparison the MS3 seemed to have a very smooth powerband. The WRX I drove had close to a second of turbo lag, where the MS3 had much less. Interestingly, the Volvo C30 (built on the Mazda3 platform, but with a 227hp 5-cyl turbo) drove quite well, also with less lag than the Subaru did...That car felt like a Mazda3 that just got back from Ikea!

Still have the Audi A3 to check out...

Of course, when I got back home and took a drive in the M Roadster they all paled in comparison, but that's a different issue.

Thanks again for the advice!