I cant speak for the new 3rd gens but 2nd gens are a blast to drive. If your looking for something to compare to your brz its going to be kinda hard as they are completely different on another level as you probably know. Many people do auto-x with these cars. My old 3 I used to drive it hard all the time and it would stick hard and well in corners. My speed does it better now. Good luck with the finding. If you have any other questions feel free to ask us here on your thread.
2014 vs 2013 handling?
Hi, what's your take on the 2014 mazda 3 s handling compared to the 2013 models?
I currently have a brz and am a little worried that I will miss the way my current car handles but I really need bigger back seats and 4 doors for practical reasons and the mazda 3 is the best option for me right now that is at a reasonable price.
Do any of you drive your cars hard through corners and noticed a difference between the 2013 and 2014 models? I can't really go balls to the walls on a test drive with family sitting in the car so it's hard for me to tell. I just notice the ride is better in the 2014 and it seems quieter. the seat can be lowered more in the 2014 as well which is a big plus for me.
I guess if it comes down to it, I could upgrade the springs and shocks to something sportier if I really need to...
I currently have a brz and am a little worried that I will miss the way my current car handles but I really need bigger back seats and 4 doors for practical reasons and the mazda 3 is the best option for me right now that is at a reasonable price.
Do any of you drive your cars hard through corners and noticed a difference between the 2013 and 2014 models? I can't really go balls to the walls on a test drive with family sitting in the car so it's hard for me to tell. I just notice the ride is better in the 2014 and it seems quieter. the seat can be lowered more in the 2014 as well which is a big plus for me.
I guess if it comes down to it, I could upgrade the springs and shocks to something sportier if I really need to...
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You could add an upgraded rear sway bar that will drastically improvse cornering and over all feel of the car. It's one of the first mods for the MZ3 that many of us would recommend. I have Corksport's RSBs in both my Mazdas. It's about $200 new and is easy to install. Corksport now makes it for both generations. JBR will be releasing one for the 3rd soon as well.
http://www.corksport.com
http://www.jamesbaroneracing.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index
http://www.corksport.com
http://www.jamesbaroneracing.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index
Or you could get a Speed. You get the cargo room for the family and 263 horses for yourself. They stopped making them in 2013, so dealers just have them sitting on lots. People have been landing them for about $22k w/o the Tech package. SPEND!!!
In stock form they don't handle nearly as well as a BRZ. But that's just springs, shocks, and a tire package away. The ancient-tech Ford C1 platform is really forgiving handling-wise, so if you tune the car right it's extremely easy to modulate its balance between under- and oversteer. The steering feel on the Gen 2 is more communicative than the Gen 3.Hi, what's your take on the 2014 mazda 3 s handling compared to the 2013 models?
I currently have a brz and am a little worried that I will miss the way my current car handles but I really need bigger back seats and 4 doors for practical reasons and the mazda 3 is the best option for me right now that is at a reasonable price.
Do any of you drive your cars hard through corners and noticed a difference between the 2013 and 2014 models? I can't really go balls to the walls on a test drive with family sitting in the car so it's hard for me to tell. I just notice the ride is better in the 2014 and it seems quieter. the seat can be lowered more in the 2014 as well which is a big plus for me.
I guess if it comes down to it, I could upgrade the springs and shocks to something sportier if I really need to...
As far as test driving the car.......leave the family at home or the dealership.
Not to thread jack but another question could be:
Which handles better, the 2014 hatchback or sedan?
Which handles better, the 2014 hatchback or sedan?
Thanks for the feedback... on the last test drive, I felt the car was responsive to steering changes like quick lane changes even under hard acceleration. There is definitely less grip and more body roll but that actually makes it fun to "drive a slow car fast". I test drove the iGT with the 16" tires although I might have imagined that particular unit had 18" wheels on it, at least to my eyes, they looked big.
Do the stock 2014 3's understeer a lot? If they do then a rear sway bar will help a lot like you have suggested.
I remember now the feeling I got was I couldn't get on the throttle as much coming out of a turn because of the FWD layout but it did seem easier to drive fast than the brz which can be a bit twichy if I'm not deliberate and too rough with the inputs.
Do the stock 2014 3's understeer a lot? If they do then a rear sway bar will help a lot like you have suggested.
I remember now the feeling I got was I couldn't get on the throttle as much coming out of a turn because of the FWD layout but it did seem easier to drive fast than the brz which can be a bit twichy if I'm not deliberate and too rough with the inputs.
ive driven both.Thanks for the feedback... on the last test drive, I felt the car was responsive to steering changes like quick lane changes even under hard acceleration. There is definitely less grip and more body roll but that actually makes it fun to "drive a slow car fast". I test drove the iGT with the 16" tires although I might have imagined that particular unit had 18" wheels on it, at least to my eyes, they looked big.
Do the stock 2014 3's understeer a lot? If they do then a rear sway bar will help a lot like you have suggested.
I remember now the feeling I got was I couldn't get on the throttle as much coming out of a turn because of the FWD layout but it did seem easier to drive fast than the brz which can be a bit twichy if I'm not deliberate and too rough with the inputs.
i dont think grip is easy to compare as its dependent on tires. but the s should be more grippy compared to the i. swap the tires and you have a different animal.
turn in on the 2014 is a tad better than last gen, but there is still oversteer.
high speed stability seems to be better with 2014. i cant tell if the car leans more. but the seats are better.
you mean understeer?ive driven both.
i dont think grip is easy to compare as its dependent on tires. but the s should be more grippy compared to the i. swap the tires and you have a different animal.
turn in on the 2014 is a tad better than last gen, but there is still oversteer.
high speed stability seems to be better with 2014. i cant tell if the car leans more. but the seats are better.
I forgot to say I really really like the 2014 driving position!
When adjusted to the lowest position, it reminds me of how low I sit in the brz. The 2013 I found cannot be adjusted to that low and my hair will tickle the ceiling on the sunroof model. The lower seating position also makes for good steering wheel position. That's basically the main reason I decided to budget for the 2014 model. :cheesy: The second main reason is my wife said the 2014 had more rear passenger space.
sorry, i meant understeer.you mean understeer?
I forgot to say I really really like the 2014 driving position!
When adjusted to the lowest position, it reminds me of how low I sit in the brz. The 2013 I found cannot be adjusted to that low and my hair will tickle the ceiling on the sunroof model. The lower seating position also makes for good steering wheel position. That's basically the main reason I decided to budget for the 2014 model. :cheesy: The second main reason is my wife said the 2014 had more rear passenger space.
Drove both back to back and very hard on different types of road. The 2014 hatch looses nothing in handling over the 2013 hatch and overall drives/rides/feels/sounds more refined.
I feel there's a large amount of understeer, especially while accelerating, but it doesn't take away from the day to day enjoyment of the car. If I were going to race or autocross I'd have to dial it out, but not for just around town.
I had a 2012 and now have a 2014. I think the '14 has less understeer and corners flatter and more stable. I plan on adding a RSB to it in the near future and will most likely replace the Dunlops that came with it.
Are you planning on lowering the car too?I had a 2012 and now have a 2014. I think the '14 has less understeer and corners flatter and more stable. I plan on adding a RSB to it in the near future and will most likely replace the Dunlops that came with it.
I've had a 2nd gen for almost a month as a rental a few years back and I loved how it handles. Compare to the 2014, I think they're pretty much the same, I have a lot of fun in both lol Ride just seems more smoother and more refined in the 2014, maybe a slightly bit more body roll than the 2nd gen.
I had a '12/'13 for almost a week and I will say that I liked the handling of the older car slightly over my '14. I think it was more so the steering feel. The older car was slightly heavier. Not a fan of light, over-boosted steering. I had a E90 BMW that was HEAVY and I own a Lotus Exige S that doesn't even have power steering. 
I am probably not going to lower it. I may do a front sway bar in addition to the RSB and tires, but that's about it. If I really go crazy, I might put some different brakes on it.Are you planning on lowering the car too?
Keep the BRZ for your spirited driving and buy a new 2013 or 14 for the family outing when you need the space ! Both issues solved :001_smile:Hi, what's your take on the 2014 mazda 3 s handling compared to the 2013 models?
I currently have a brz and am a little worried that I will miss the way my current car handles but I really need bigger back seats and 4 doors for practical reasons and the mazda 3 is the best option for me right now that is at a reasonable price.
Do any of you drive your cars hard through corners and noticed a difference between the 2013 and 2014 models? I can't really go balls to the walls on a test drive with family sitting in the car so it's hard for me to tell. I just notice the ride is better in the 2014 and it seems quieter. the seat can be lowered more in the 2014 as well which is a big plus for me.
I guess if it comes down to it, I could upgrade the springs and shocks to something sportier if I really need to...
lol... if I could afford that, I'd buy a used s2000 instead and let it appreciate in value over the next 10 years...
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