Mazdaspeed3 vrs Sport GT gas mileage

[des]

Hi All,

I currently own on 05 Sport GT manual with leather/sunroof. Its been paid off for a little under a year. Just got a raise to ~68k a year at work and now I can seriously consider the car I really wanted when I purchased my car (the speed3).

I am curious to know the difference in gas costs of the two vehicles. If anyone has owned both can they please shed some light? Practically what percentage increase would one see if they drive 60% highway and 40% city?

Anyone have regrets about trading in a newer regular 3 for the speed? (As im sure many have done so)

thx!

[Unoriginalusername]

how many km's do you get per tank... i get over 600km if i am nice, 420-50 if i am naughty with the speed on premium

[Notorious MS3]

The speed3 from empty is about $55 per tank with premium. My old GS was about $48 per tank with regular gas. Thats with gas being around 1.21/L

[des]

If I am lucky with my sport GT I could probably get close to 600km before the light goes on, ALL highway km. City much less, 400 or so. (obviously on regular)

Des

[mogul_pro]

For gas.. look up the specs on the mazda canada site.... it will tell you exactly.

[mogul_pro]

The numbers are not always bang on accurate but it will give u a comparison to see how much more u'll be spending.

[WeatherB]

The speed3 will for sure use more gas than your GT. Even the L/100KM is higher.

Keep in mind that you need premium gas as well.

[RX9]

i drove 98% local, i used to have around 500km at mz3, i also got around 500km in speed3 now, i thought, b/c speed3 doesnt need to give same amount of gas to get the same acceleration as regular3 will do (speed3 is direct inject). when i drove 70% HW, i can get around 600 from a full tank and i always keep the speed around 120km/h.

[ghostdog]

Let's assume you drive 20,000 and using figures listed on the web for gas consumption

20,000 yearly kms driven
12,000 hwy 60% hwy
8,000 city 40% city
11.8/7.6 speed3 gas consumption liters per hundred kms
(12,000 / 100) = 120 x 7.6 = 912 x 1.20 (premium gas price) = 1094.40
(8,000 / 100) = 80 x 11.8 = 944 x 1.20 (premium gas price) = 1132.80 + 1094.40 = $2,227.20

9.2/6.7 mazda3 gas consumption liters per hundred kms
120 x 6.7 = 804 x 1.07 (reg gas) = 860.28
80 x 9.2 = 736 x 1.07 (reg gas) = 787.52 + 860.28 = $1,647.80

difference = $2,227.20 - $1,647.80 = $579.40

You probably will pay a little bit more in insurance and should pay more attention to maintenance since it's a turbo car... just more things to look out for than the regular mazda3...

You should go for it! You can't put a price on the thrill / fun factor of a high performance machine! And the 0% financing (if you were looking to finance) is ending soon (I think... can't go on forever...?)...

[bj21]

do it - life is too short to worry about gas money

bj21

[theurgy]

LOL keep in mind that the first 5000KM it's a pig on gas because of the break in oil... once you switch to the synthetic you see a decent increase in fuel economy

[WeatherB]

I'd go for it... So what if you have to pay an extra $600 in gas per year.

[des]

Haha well guys its also the price of the car itself :p

Gas is just one of those unknown factors that I was curious about, I have a heavy foot in my current car, and it would only get worse if I got this one.

Does anyone who had a normal 3 who bought the speed regret their purchase?

[Unoriginalusername]

Haha well guys its also the price of the car itself :p

Gas is just one of those unknown factors that I was curious about, I have a heavy foot in my current car, and it would only get worse if I got this one.

Does anyone who had a normal 3 who bought the speed regret their purchase?

here's my $0.02. I drove my matrix xrs a ton harder then i do my speed3 since you had to work it to beat anything as it only had 180hp. the 154hp in the mazda3 is the same, you feel like you have to thrash it all the time to have any fun, be competitive in any toying around.

In the speed it has enough power that you feel like you don't need to prove anything and you know you can smoke such a high % of the cars on the road you don't feel inclined to waste your gas on cars like a civic, golf or whatever that might be egging you on

[ghostdog]

Haha well guys its also the price of the car itself :p

Gas is just one of those unknown factors that I was curious about, I have a heavy foot in my current car, and it would only get worse if I got this one.

Does anyone who had a normal 3 who bought the speed regret their purchase?

if it's the price then look for a 2007 model, it would be nicely discounted right now compared to 2008 and you get the same performance... you might not get the 0% financing but with your new higher salary it shouldn't matter... :) maybe a little harder to find but it's out there... or if you're willing to work it a little bit go and buy from the US since Mazda Canada does honor the US warranty (according to a web site...)

You can get a nice Speed3 2008 with leather and NAV! :)

[kingrukus]

how many km's do you get per tank... i get over 600km if i am nice, 420-50 if i am naughty with the speed on premium

thats very good mileage...a lot better than i thought it would be

[07Speed3]

Well I have a speed 3 and I get about 11-13 L/100km. Ya its actually horrible. The thing is I dont floor it much and I drive alot at least half hwy. Im getting an intake soon and that should help a bit. I think im running too rich.

[alhope34]

Well I have a speed 3 and I get about 11-13 L/100km. Ya its actually horrible. The thing is I dont floor it much and I drive alot at least half hwy. Im getting an intake soon and that should help a bit. I think im running too rich.

All MS3 run rich. This tank of gas I got 11.0 L/100km exactly, thats 100% city driving, about 25% bumper to bumper. And I gas it hard every chance I get. Just cruising on the highway I can never get more than 7.8 L/100km.

[oni]

Just wanted to clarify but does the new 2008 GT's need the premium (91 octane) gas or is the 87 fine?

[S.F.W.]

Just wanted to clarify but does the new 2008 GT's need the premium (91 octane) gas or is the 87 fine?

87 is fine. Only the MS3 with the turbo engine requires premium.

[oni]

87 is fine. Only the MS3 with the turbo engine requires premium.

great, thx.

[Garu]

Gas prices are freaking outrageous these days.
1.25 for litre of premium.:complain

[igzy]

If you suspect you are running rich on MS3, I would consider getting an emanage or something like it to tune your fuel pressure, ~$300 with tune will help you save a few $ in gas over long haul...

Another thought is: to drive a boosted car requires gas-consumption conscious numbness ;)

[theurgy]

I usually have a little 94 Octane in with my cereal in the morning...keeps me going you know.. then I'll take a shower in synthetic oil.