Recently test drove both. I’m looking for a potential replacement for an aging, full bolt on Mazdaspeed3 and a CX-30 (would be nice to consolidate down to one vehicle.)
Interior is the same on both (that lovely red leather). The N/A Skyactiv 2.5 pulls nicely from idle and is enough to push you back in the seat once the tach sweeps over 5 grand. It did not feel lacking in power and while it’s no sledgehammer like the DISI in the MS3, it’s more than adequate for public roads with 191hp. The shifter/clutch combo is fantastic and you can easily heel/toe this car just like the Speed. Handling is good, it rotates well, but not quite as good as the Speed (more body roll on a spirited back road drive), and the car is under-tired IMO, but the suspension is far more compliant over rough surfaces even with the torsion beam. The Speed is a hardcore car and kind of beats you up but as a guy who’s over 40 now, which is why I stopped dailying it, and the new 3 feels easier on the back.
The Turbo is great, I would totally rock one of them as a fast cruiser, but I have to give it a zonk for the SUV-like power delivery that falls off over 4k and artificial engine noise from the speakers (really, Mazda?) Also felt heavier over the front axle than the 3 manual, which is a given given a turbo, intercooler, plumbing, and heavier engine internals to take the boost. Finally, it’s an automatic, and not a particularly crisp shifting one, and as such, there’s just less to do, less engagement, less moment to moment fun outside of onramp blasts. You drive the 3 manual with all four limbs. My arm and hand, and left foot, are a piece of the powertrain.
Anyway, the N/A manual feels like an enthusiast gem that gets slept on more than it should. I had a buzz after driving it that I didn’t get off the Turbo.
I drove both when I was car shopping, the Turbo 3 felt underwhelming and just “numb”, nowhere remotely near as fun as my 2011 Speed3 (was also FBO/e30, now stock) which is still in the family. My friend actually ended up buying the Turbo 3 instead of me. I’m a huge fan of the interiors and exteriors of these cars but that’s about it.
The regular AWD 3 that I also test drove was actually fine, but I didn’t fall in love with it when I drove it so I ended up in an Audi A4 lol. Not as reliable but much more “fun” to drive because of the low end torque, even though it’s probably the most boring Audi out right now, I’ll freely admit that.
Perhaps the Manual 3 is better because the Auto I drove just wasn’t it. In any case, I don’t think you’d be missing much by going with the Turbo 3, save your money and if anything just get the regular 3 with AWD if you want AWD.
Well, the Turbo 3 is missing the engagement. Not dissing the car, I quite like it actually, I just didn’t find it especially captivating to drive. Certainly would do a great job as a luxe, quick-ish commuter though.
Exactly! It was my top choice when I was looking because I love my speed, but it definitely lacks engagement as you said.