Mazdaspeed3 or Nissan Maxima
- Thread starter gibbsj87
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spardavr4
New member
- Apr 10, 2012
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I have 4 years left to payand around 20,000 dollars.
To me it doesn't seem so much of a money issue as to what sounds like you aren't really liking your car very much.
If the latter is the case, ditch the car for something you know you will like. If not, I would keep the Maxima, that is a great car. I was looking at one before I bought my Evolution.
Klasse Act
Well-known member
- Feb 21, 2012
- 27,705
- 2,735
"Leagues ahead of the speed 3"? I see you've got an EVO in your avatar, what, did one embarrass you out on the road one day or what?
I've got a buddy with one, an 08' that he bought new, and its got 82k on the clock, still sports the original brakes (lots of freeway driving but 4 trips to the Tail of the Dragon) and the only issue he's had with the car is he had to replace the slave cylinder about 2 monthes ago, that's it! Oh yeah, the car has some mods too, nothing too crazy and this car flies, 300 whp and FWIW, get's almost 30 mpg's on the freeway, a solid car and kinda of stealthy out on the road. The interior isn't cheap either, even though its based on an economy car.
Oh wait I forgot something, he did have to replace the rear shocks at 50k, front struts are original and the car drives out great, get a certified MS3 and call it a day, you'll be glad you did:dblthumb2:
derek0609
New member
- Oct 25, 2011
- 714
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Damn, lots of Mazda hate from Infiniti and spardavr4! The Maxima and 3 are two different class of cars. If you wanna go apples to apples, it would be Sentra to 3 and 6 to Altima. I don't know what scoring you looked up but I have read numerous good things about the Mazda 3 before I decided buying the Speed. Mind you I have never driven the Maxima but I am sure it's a nice car. I've also never owned an Infiniti and I bet they are nice as well but I don't want to spend that much on a car anyhow, call me a cheap skate if you will. I won't bash either of you for your purchases.
"Sporty looks and joyful driving dynamics have made the otherwise practical Mazda3 an omnipresent figure on our annual 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000 list."
"Great gas mileage and an enthusiast-oriented chassis are fused with a premium interior and dynamite styling to form the 2012 Mazda3 sedan and hatchback. If you thought you couldn't have all this in a small affordable car, Mazda just proved you wrong."
"Mazda's Zoom-zoom tag line isn't just a hollow advertising gimmick. It really does describe the attitude behind every car they build. Perhaps the best example of Zoom-zoom can be found in the 2012 Mazda3, a fun and efficient vehicle that's available as either a 4-door sedan or a 5-door hatchback, as well as a high-performance turbocharged terror dubbed the Mazdaspeed3. The various versions of the Mazda3 all offer great driving credentials, a long list of high-end features and appealing good looks. Oh, did we forget to mention the very affordable price tag? Yeah, the 2012 Mazda3's got that, too."
The review by Edmunds.com compared the vehicle favorably to some more expensive rivals, saying "It's a lot of machine for the money and it offers the same balance of speed, practicality and value we've found previously only in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution or Subaru WRX STI."
"Car and Driver's 10 Best list for 2007, 2008, and 2010"
To the OP, I see you picked up on the shifter and the oil in the intake. One, the shifter complaint is a perspective thing, it's an internet forum where people complain all the time!! I never had issue with the stock setup. The shift action is light, but with a positive engagement, and it has a very nice mechanical feeling. Yes, I did upgrade the bushings and added a heavy knob, but many people do that on different brands of cars. My only gripe would be the clutch being abrupt, but you get used to it. The oil in the intake is a common thing with GDI cars just as is the carbon build up on the intake valves. This is not just an exclusive to Mazda either. There are some aftermarket catch cans you can install to help with the issue. Like I said before, buy what you want, drive one to see if you even like it. I am very happy with my purchase!
"Sporty looks and joyful driving dynamics have made the otherwise practical Mazda3 an omnipresent figure on our annual 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000 list."
"Great gas mileage and an enthusiast-oriented chassis are fused with a premium interior and dynamite styling to form the 2012 Mazda3 sedan and hatchback. If you thought you couldn't have all this in a small affordable car, Mazda just proved you wrong."
"Mazda's Zoom-zoom tag line isn't just a hollow advertising gimmick. It really does describe the attitude behind every car they build. Perhaps the best example of Zoom-zoom can be found in the 2012 Mazda3, a fun and efficient vehicle that's available as either a 4-door sedan or a 5-door hatchback, as well as a high-performance turbocharged terror dubbed the Mazdaspeed3. The various versions of the Mazda3 all offer great driving credentials, a long list of high-end features and appealing good looks. Oh, did we forget to mention the very affordable price tag? Yeah, the 2012 Mazda3's got that, too."
The review by Edmunds.com compared the vehicle favorably to some more expensive rivals, saying "It's a lot of machine for the money and it offers the same balance of speed, practicality and value we've found previously only in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution or Subaru WRX STI."
"Car and Driver's 10 Best list for 2007, 2008, and 2010"
To the OP, I see you picked up on the shifter and the oil in the intake. One, the shifter complaint is a perspective thing, it's an internet forum where people complain all the time!! I never had issue with the stock setup. The shift action is light, but with a positive engagement, and it has a very nice mechanical feeling. Yes, I did upgrade the bushings and added a heavy knob, but many people do that on different brands of cars. My only gripe would be the clutch being abrupt, but you get used to it. The oil in the intake is a common thing with GDI cars just as is the carbon build up on the intake valves. This is not just an exclusive to Mazda either. There are some aftermarket catch cans you can install to help with the issue. Like I said before, buy what you want, drive one to see if you even like it. I am very happy with my purchase!
rddmxmeth10
New member
- Mar 19, 2011
- 238
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Well, what's your opinion of "hard"? I would redline it at times, majority of the time I was easy on it. I also did pizaa delivers for two years and put on 40k during that time, so yeh it can be considered hard driving. I did use synthetic oil in my changes and when they replaced my motor, they opened it up and said it was clean enough to eat off of.
Going on forums such as www.mazda3forums.com will give you an insight as to what issues the car may have. If I didn't have the warranty on the car when everything broke, I would probably curse out the car, dealer, company, girlfriend, anyone who came to me after a problem occured.
I honestly loved my Mazda3 (MZ3 not MS3). It was a great ride, great handling, everything was pretty good. Most parts for this car are FoMoCo (Ford Motor Company), so are USUALLY pretty cheap.
I think wither way to decide to go, you will be happy. Like someone else said, if money is the issue, get the Mazda. You will get much better gas mileage (I was averaging around 30 highway and 24 city) Its your choice! Good luck with whatever you choose!
Oil in the intake is common direct injection cars in this era as they commonly reroute blow by back to the intake, used by almost every one running DI setups, I would hoiwever caution anyone running catch cans on turbos motors to educate themselves before long term use. The increase the pressure gradient in the crankcase and have been attributed to failures on the bottom end in some applications. Personally I do no run one in my twin turbo and choose to clean the valves and IC every 50K.
spardavr4
New member
- Apr 10, 2012
- 178
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I was hoping this site was different than others and didn't have posts like the above... Guess I was wrong. No need for that, never said anything to warrant that response.
Hang on now, I never said anything about the Speed3 being a bad car... No need to jump to conclusions. A speed3 would never be able to outrun an Evo from stand still. Maybe while they are already rolling because of AWD restrictions... Especially not my Evo, in any case, the Evolution X shines in handling, not in straight line driving, I thought that was common knowledge... I didn't buy an Evo simply to "go fast" as you seem to be implying. I bought it for the total car package and I loved every part of this car. If the OP doesn't feel the same way about his Maxima, he should definitely look into getting another one.
Again, I am not saying the Speed3 is a bad car, and never posted anything to suggest that. The Maxima has much more to offer than a speed3 does as a total car package. At least IMO. If I'm not mistaken, I'm pretty sure I told him that he didn't sound happy with his Maxima, and therefore should trade it in for the speed3 if he felt happier about it...
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Mazda.Mark
New member
- Nov 30, 2010
- 951
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Great choices, but depends on your need. What year Maxima are we talking?
derek0609
New member
- Oct 25, 2011
- 714
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No harm no foul, but saying a Maxima is leagues ahead of a Speed ain't exactly a shining endorsement IMO!
Two different types of cars in my eyes plus for what you pay, you can get a lot in the Speed3 when you get the added Tech package!I am sure your Evo is pretty baller, very nice cars indeed!
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spardavr4
New member
- Apr 10, 2012
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No harm no foul, but saying a Maxima is leagues ahead of a Speed ain't exactly a shining endorsement IMO!
I am sure your Evo is pretty baller, very nice cars indeed!
Agreed, but that is what IMO implies. As in my opinion cannot be wrong. Neither can yours. I agree the Mazda speed 3 is a fantastic car, but just not at the same level as the newer Maxima's.
Nick McKees37
McKee's 37 Product Support
- Jan 6, 2011
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derek0609
New member
- Oct 25, 2011
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I follow you, like I said earlier, no harm no foul!
It's all good and I'm sure I got a bit too defensive. I love my Speed. I traded in a Saab 9-3 to get it too. I'd like an M3 too, ha!
derek0609
New member
- Oct 25, 2011
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They are, just read an article that BMW is dropping manuals on the next versions of the M5 and M6.......
spardavr4
New member
- Apr 10, 2012
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That's just ridiculous. There is nothing like the thrill of driving a stick.
Switiching all M platform cars to DCT only totally different animal than a true automatic. Also expect to no longer see NA M platform cars either. Sign of the times, technology trumps tradition.