A Mazda Worth Remembrance
Mazda has a long history of producing amazing sports cars, and the RX models with Rotary engines are some of the most popular ones. The RX-7 was a true icon of the 90s, and although the RX-8 tried to follow in its footsteps, it didn’t quite live up to its predecessor and was discontinued in 2008. Nowadays, Mazda is most well-known for its Miata sports car, which is widely regarded as one of the best in its class. However, many car enthusiasts still yearn for a new Mazda sports car that lives up to the legacy of the RX models.
The Mazda 3 is undoubtedly one of the top-performing hatchbacks available in the market today. It’s considered a worthy competitor to other hot hatches such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Ford Focus, and Honda Civic hatches. However, while the Mazda 3 is an excellent car, many car lovers still miss the speed versions of its hatchback. The Mazdaspeed 3 was a legend of its time, and even by today’s standards, it can still compete with the best. It’s a shame that Mazda no longer produces this model, as it was one of the best hatchbacks ever made.
The first-generation Mazda 3 was launched back in 2003, and it became an instant hit with car enthusiasts worldwide. The Mazdaspeed version of the Mazda 3 was introduced in 2007 and was a sporty hot hatch that aimed to compete with other popular models such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST. The main goal of this model was to combine the practicality of a hatchback with the power and handling of a sports car, and it did so with great success. The Mazdaspeed 3 was a true driver’s car, and it quickly became a favorite among car enthusiasts who appreciated its performance and handling capabilities.
Although the Mazdaspeed 3 was a high-performance version of the Mazda 3, the exterior differences between the two were quite subtle. The front and rear bumpers were slightly redesigned, and it had new 10-spoke 18-inch wheels. Apart from these changes, it looked like a regular Mazda, and when put side by side, one could mistake the Mazdaspeed 3 for a facelift rather than a sports car. However, it was under the hood where the real magic happened. The Mazdaspeed 3 boasted a turbocharged engine, upgraded brakes, and suspension, making it one of the most exciting hot hatches of its time.
The second generation of the Mazda 3 was released in 2008, and the Mazdaspeed version followed in 2010. Similar to the first-generation model, there were subtle changes, but with a few more exterior features that hinted at its sporty nature. The front bumper was slightly revised once more, and the hood now had a functional scoop on it, which was designed to improve cooling since the first-gen model had some overheating issues.
From the side profile, the Mazdaspeed 3 looked similar to its regular counterpart, but it had new 18-inch wheels. At the back, there was a bigger spoiler and a redesigned bumper with dual exhaust tips that further hinted at its performance capabilities. While there still weren’t enough differences to know that this car was a sporty version compared to the regular Mazda 3, it was a time when cars weren’t overly styled for the sake of being a sporty model. The Mazdaspeed 3 was a true driver’s car, and it didn’t need flashy exterior features to prove its worth.
While the first generation of the Mazdaspeed 3 looked great, the second-generation model did receive some criticism for its design. This was during a time when Mazda was trying to establish a corporate identity for all its cars, and as a result, they all had to wear the same “smiley face” front fascia. This design feature was present in most Mazda products of that era, including the facelifted 2008 NC Miata. While some people loved the smiley face, it was a controversial design choice, and many car enthusiasts felt that it detracted from the otherwise impressive performance of Mazda’s cars. Regardless, the Mazdaspeed 3 was still a great car to drive, and its performance more than made up for any issues with its design.
Although Mazda still produces the fun little hatchback, which is now in its fourth generation, the Mazdaspeed version was discontinued in 2013 with the second-gen model. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of the hot hatch segment, with new models such as the Civic Type R, VW Golf GTI/R, Toyota GR Corolla, Hyundai i20/i30N, and more.
Mazda does have the turbocharged Mazda 3, which has good power and has the potential to compete with the top hot hatches in the market. However, Mazda has no plans to bring back the Mazdaspeed version, leaving enthusiasts to look back at the previous models. While the Mazdaspeed 3 may no longer be in production, it remains a beloved car among car enthusiasts, and its legacy is sure to live on as one of the best hot hatches ever made.
When it was first released in 2007, the Mazdaspeed 3 was a great value proposition. It cost less than $23,000 and a bit over $25,000 fully loaded, which was directly comparable to the similarly priced VW GTI. However, the Mazda offered more performance than the competition for the same price, making it a popular choice among car enthusiasts. By the time production ended in 2013, the price had gone up slightly, but the performance was still the same. It remained an appealing car, especially since the VW Golf R was out by this time, and the Mazdaspeed 3 was still more powerful and faster.
Currently, prices for used Mazdaspeed 3s start at just under $6,000 and top out at just under $20,000 for clean examples. However, one thing to watch out for in these vehicles is modifications. Many people who bought these cars modified them for more power, and not always in the best way. Moreover, they were also driven hard by most owners, so it’s essential to get a pre-purchase inspection before buying a used example.
The Mazda 3 was an excellent value proposition for what it offered, with almost no compromise to its usability, and the current used prices make it an even better value. While it is a shame that we will most likely never see the return of the Mazdaspeed nameplate anymore, car enthusiasts are hopeful that Mazda revives the Mazdaspeed 3, as the current Turbo 3 platform seems capable of taking on this task and making it a great hot hatch once again.
Photo Source: Mazda USA News