Thursday 15th March 2012

PH blog: Mazda 3 MPS

For the second time in a week Dan feels moved to fight the corner for MPS Mazdas

---

So, as alluded to in a previous blog I've spent the last couple of days tooling about in a Mazda 3 MPS, including some of the swoopy backlanes on the way to Goodwood.

Yep, it's that bloody Golf again

We'll be doing something proper with this shortly but I thought I'd share some musings on a car I desperately want to really, really like. Styling wise I'm afraid I don't though. Definitely marks deducted for trying too hard and I really liked the fact the last one looked so bland but was actually something of a lunatic underneath.

Comparisons with 'our' Golf GTI Edition 35 are inevitable too. That, in a nutshell, is why we lobbied VW to run it. You can boil a whole host of fast car buying decisions to 'yeah but how does it compare to a Golf GTI' and having one to hand makes those quick and easy to call.

Dusting off my motoring hack's book of cliches I find the page falling open on the 'lot of bang for your buck', 'lots of metal for your money' page. 23,395 for 260hp, an LSD and a decent amount of standard kit is a bargain. There's a real lack of polish in every department compared to the Golf but I find that kind of honesty appealing. Is it as good? Frankly, no.

Goes better than it looks, thankfully

It's oversprung and underdamped and the steering has that unpleasant feel of being twitchy around the dead ahead, 'falling' into the turn and then lightening up alarmingly meaning it's not entirely obvious how much front end you've got. The Golf isn't the king of feel but it's at least consistent and linear.

I do like the gritty, mechanical feel you get and, like the previous one, there's more than a hint of classic Impreza in the controls and demeanour. And as an ex-Subaru owner that has me feeling right at home and a sense I remember from driving the last one. Like an old Impreza it's a case of pitching it in and trusting it'll back you up. In this case there's the diff rather than four-wheel drive to haul you out, gentle nibbles of torque steer over bumpy surfaces there to remind you where the power's going but huge traction and, even under power, an LSD-inspired hunger to pull itself into the turn rather than wash out under power like many powerful FWD cars. And unlike the Golf the fact it's a proper, mechanical diff means its proactive rather than brake-assisted reactive effect. It's a sound basis for further tuning - easily achievable I'm told. And you certainly get the feeling that it could happily cope with plenty more. That BBR onecertainly looks like a good bet too.

3 MPS stares thoughtfully over the downs

Chatting with Neil at BBR it seems they're doing a good business in upgrades too and with 290hp for 549 and the stage two 320hp conversion for 1,645 (also compatible with first-gen cars and 6 MPSes too) there's the potential there for some serious get up and go for sensible outlay. Expensive VED and, anecdotally, more aggressive torque steer counts against the first-gen cars though.

So, lacks polish. But there's an honesty about it that really appeals and, with a tickle to the suspension and a cheeky little power boost, I reckon a previous-shape one would make a nice, discreet little runaround. Which is my cue to head off into the classifieds I think...

Dan

[redgriff500]

Used - why would you choose one over a BMW 330i ?

OK the BMW will be older but its better built, lovely large NA engine and RWD.

[X5TUU]

I would take a 3MPS over a 330i anyday ... I would much rather have a nice hot hatch mazda than a M3 wannabe (just a shame the 3 MPS never came with just 3 doors)

I am biased coming from multiple RX-8's but even still ...

[Life Saab Itch]

I agree that the thing's ugly. I too much prefer the previous generation. A nice, silver, de-badged, 3MPS is my current ideal car. Shame about the bumming you get for VED though.

[Krikkit]

Love them as an alternative to the Golfs etc, but I couldn't buy something in this category that didn't have the lunacy of the Focus ST/RS 5-pot.

[Lowtimer]

redgriff500 said:

Used - why would you choose one over a BMW 330i ?

OK the BMW will be older but its better built, lovely large NA engine and RWD.

As a long term BMW fan I have sympathy with this point of view, but I also like the fact that the Mazda is anonymous and no-one except the select few knows what it is. I imagine with one of these in the right boring colour it would be possibly to made very rapid progress without attracting attention.

[Repent]

I feel the same, drove the original and loved it for its understated looks (brilliant looking car in black against those nice silver wheels) and seriously impressive fwd performance.

But as much as the new one surely builds on that, to look at it's almost like a bigger frumpier current gen Fiesta but without the finesse or characterful styling tweaks. It looks very japanese yet like its attempting to be European, it just doesnt gel. And as much as the hooliganism of them appeals the fact I could get out of it beaming from ear to ear only to walk straight in through the front door without a respectful/admiring glance back means it just doesn't cut the mustard. Which is a shame.

[Iamnotkloot]

I run a 330i touring as the family-bus and it's a lovely, classy old thing.

But back to the topic, I think a used 3MPS and an old 330i appeal to different segments; if you're after a hot hatch you won't be looking at a saloon.

Comparisons with Focus ST/RS / Megane Cup's etc are more relevant.

[redgriff500]

Iamnotkloot said:

I run a 330i touring as the family-bus and it's a lovely, classy old thing.

But back to the topic, I think a used 3MPS and an old 330i appeal to different segments; if you're after a hot hatch you won't be looking at a saloon.

Comparisons with Focus ST/RS / Megane Cup's etc are more relevant.

I just don't understand why anyone would want a modern (too heavy, too refined, too powerful) hot hatch.

I grew up with the old stuff - 205 GTi, MK2 Golf etc which made perfect sense as they were small, light, nimble and cheap to run.

The new ones have lost all the charm / qualities of the originals so you may as well have the fun of a RWD.

[MadDog1962]

redgriff500 said:

Used - why would you choose one over a BMW 330i ?

OK the BMW will be older but its better built, lovely large NA engine and RWD.

Didn't you just answer your own question? :-)

I reckon it's a no brainer as a daily driver a 330 would be way easier to live with.

Neve mind that the Mazda 3 is also really hideous in 5 door hatch format. It's one of those cars that actually looks better as a 4 door sedan/saloon.

[Repent]

redgriff500 said:

I just don't understand why anyone would want a modern (too heavy, too refined, too powerful) hot hatch.

I grew up with the old stuff - 205 GTi, MK2 Golf etc which made perfect sense as they were small, light, nimble and cheap to run.

The new ones have lost all the charm / qualities of the originals so you may as well have the fun of a RWD.

From my perception the benefits of it arent understood, or the general market doesnt want to understand. 98% of aspirational mates around my age (23) either want a hot hatch if theyre after performance (their brand allegiance normally falling to what they got as their first car or what their Dad drives), or if its RWD its normally a Merc or BMW for the status. Either way performance stats and the marque/reg plate are the key factors, not the driven axle, steering feel or anything that actually matters.

People that know about cars in that age know dont buy new, it doesnt yet make financial sense (if ever) for performance/pound so theyll either pick a marque and hop between those acclaimed models or you get the guys who try a bit of everything and chop and change Impreza's for DC2's for 200sx's every month and keep the cash for the fuel/tyres.

ETA, thinking about it unfortunately the mate whos 3 MPS I drove falls firmly into the stats and plate category; he got into a reasonable job and came straight up from a low cc hatchback which he always crashed. He has no idea what hes doing behind a wheel, but it was rapid in a straight line so he loved it!

Edited by Repent on Thursday 15th March 14:36

[Ali_T]

redgriff500 said:

Used - why would you choose one over a BMW 330i ?

Personally? Because it's a BMW. Underdogs are usually more interesting.

[framerateuk]

Repent said:

From my perception the benefits of it arent understood, or the general market doesnt want to understand. 98% of aspirational mates around my age (23) either want a hot hatch if theyre after performance (their brand allegiance normally falling to what they got as their first car or what their Dad drives), or if its RWD its normally a Merc or BMW for the status. Either way performance stats and the marque/reg plate are the key factors, not the driven axle, steering feel or anything that actually matters.

Edited by Repent on Thursday 15th March 14:36

Or maybe you're looking for a newer, more reliable car with plenty of room that's still fun to drive?

I have a Megane 250 Cup which is massive fun around a track. Fantastic chassis with loads of grip, the best brakes I've ever had the pleasure of using, and yet is still suitable to get me back and fore to work in comfort.

No it's not the cheapest when it comes to consumables (find me a 1500KG car that is...), but it's still under warrantee and even then it hasn't had any mechanical issues at all.

Now admittedly, trackdays aren't the MPS's target market, but the hot hatch still has a place today. And dare I say it, RWD cars don't have all the fun, if you haven't driven a modern FWD hatch with a good suspension setup and an LSD then I think you'd be very surprised.

[Grovsie26]

These are awesome, they are way faster than evo's, ask Danneth.

[dukebox9reg]

Just the rear bumper and rear lights that puts me off. You could have a full size picnic off the rear bumper.

[CrammyJay]

Grovsie26 said:

These are awesome, they are way faster than evo's, ask Danneth.

tis true, i demolished an evo8 on way back from work yesterday, this danneth you speak of is a wise man

[Grovsie26]

Fo soe playa, they are untouchable.

[mikey k]

That actually looks like a great little package!

[CatScan]

It was on the shortlist before I bought the VRs, lack of a decent auto box combined with an American wife killed that idea though. It's still on the list for a couple of years time when we need 2 cars. Amazing value second hand!

[andyman_2006]

I think it looks ok, no worse than a new gen 5 door scooby...in fact sort of front end seems very similar in my view.

very understated and as ppl say not a polular choice, so not as common sight as a scooby or golf.

not a fan of the golfs, too plain and boring, but thats just me.

And price wise, i looked at even a golf GTD and with very few options price was up at 25K, this Mazda represents a real bargain, and used ever better so.

Tax on the old model sort of ruins things, but the new one is same as Astra VXR, Golfs GTI, megane etc...

wouldnt buy a new one, but maybe a year old one...but then i wouldnt buy a new golf either.

as for the 330i comments on here, i guess better built, and better sounding 6 pot, but wouldnt think the 330 was as quick, mind you a used 330ci clubsport in estoril blue would be a nice daily driver for not much money!

Like the sound of them BBR upgrades, sensible power and with a LSD happy days! :-)

Car in pics looks good in white, better than the golf.

[andyman_2006]

CrammyJay said:

tis true, i demolished an evo8 on way back from work yesterday, this danneth you speak of is a wise man

hmm must have been a 261hp one, not an FQ300,320, 340, 360! the evo will out handle the mazda tho.

as much as this is a good mazda and i really like them, compared to an EVO there is no comparison!

I've driven a few EVO's and they are one of the fastest point to point things you can buy, the FQ330 ' version X' was just mental in the midrange, and from 0-62 its something like 4.4 secs!

EVO every day over this, sorry.