2007 Speed 3 US vs. Canadian model?

[DavidB]

Hello, I've not yet purchased my Speed 3, but have been actively looking for a bit. I'm up in Ottawa and currently there are a couple that I am considering. One is a Charcoal 2007 with ~17,000 km, and a long list of mods, a Canadian model. I like it but the Mazdaspeed cold air intake, the Turbosmart BOV and the aftermarket bumpers and skirts on it have me concerned about driving it in the snow as the ground clearance up front seems to be significantly less than a regular Speed 3 front end. It also comes with a Cork Sports exhaust. As an aside anyone know how much louder a Cork Sports exhaust is compared to the stock exhaust?

The other is a black 2007 Speed 3 with a few more kms, 20,400 miles in fact. The car is a US model and I'm hoping to go take a test drive in the next day or two.

The two are basically the same price.

So my question to the forum: what are the significant differences I should be aware of that a US model would have as compared to a Canadian model? I'm assuming the biggest issue would be that the gauge cluster would have miles primary and kms secondary, and that the odometer would read miles. Anything else I should know?

Thanks for your input and and I look forward to participating once I actually own an MS3.

David

[Olestra]

Lack of heated seats on the US model and you'll have to check on the heated mirrors.

[x_o_k_x]

there were like few posts about US vs Canadian model, just use search button on top

[DavidB]

I didn't think the Canadian Speed 3 had heated seats. At least the one I looked at didn't, and I've not seen it listed in the specs. Does anyone have a Speed 3 with heated seats? The 3 Sport GT has (stock or optionally I forget) but I thought the Speed did not...

[DavidB]

My searches of the forum came up with nothing, hence the question.

[Scottobot]

My Speed3 doesn't have heated seats... I don't think??
The US model might have a navigation system, and should have TPMS.

[cy88]

There is no heated seats on the Canadian Speed3.

The US speed3 got the option for Navigation.

[stormin84]

the canadian model does not have heated seats, but does have heated mirrors compared to the us model

what us model were you looking at because the canadian model is almost identical to the mazdaspeed 3 gt. except for mentioned above and the tpms and nav (which we do not have)

[Unoriginalusername]

I am still toying around with selling mine as we are looking at moving homes, pm me if your interested. The US cars will often be cheaper, even after the exchange rate converstion and the tax you pay as outlined in riv.ca however that is because some people fear questionable warranty service, not being notified of Canadian TSB's/Recalls etc. and that some vehicle history doesn't carry over between states meaning if it moved a few times you might not be able to easily know about a bad history

the us model doesn't have the DRL's by default that you'll need, obviously the speedo differences, but the GT model has the option of nav and leather seats. The sport model doesn't have the rainsensing wipers, led tails and HID lights if i recall corretly

[0nsp]

I have a US spec GT. No problems with warranty at all (been in 3 times over the last year). Neither has heated seats. Canadian spec has heated mirrors. US spec (GT version) has leather seats and TPMS. I *think* those are the main differences. OH the trip computer is only in miles.. miles to empty, average miles per tank, etc, but you can change climate control and outdoor temp to degrees Celsius.

That being said, for the exact same price, I would got for the modded low KM car, as long as the mods dont reflect the fact that the previous owner raced or abused the vehicle.

[0nsp]

And heated mirrors are easy to install.. did it in one afternoon for ~85$.

[ptfire]

Check the BIZ and buy one of the new ones he has for $23,995 with no PDI,Freight,air tax and gas tax.

[DavidB]

The US car I'm considering is already here in Canada, so I'm not going to be dealing with any exchange issues. It is a US model MazdaSpeed 3, not a GT or anything else.

What is TPMS?

The daytime running lights occurred to me after I posted the question. Are daytime running lights required in Canada?

At the moment the asking price for the modded 17,000 km car is $21,000. The asking price for the US spec slightly higher mileage car is $22,000, but I think there is a good chance I can get that number down.

My biggest issue with the modded car is the front bumper which juts out enough in the front corners, and is only about 5" off the ground. The way they plow the streets around Ottawa I'll be a snow plow half the time. This car will be a daily driver year round, and frankly I prefer the aesthetics of the stock bumpers. The possibility of having the front bumper removed and replaced with stock occurred to me, but that would cost me $900 at the dealer.

The other option might be to find someone out there who is interested in the modded car's front and rear bumpers and side skirts and swap them for their stock parts. I really don't want the car to stand out visually.

Thanks for all the input so far.

[DavidB]

Sorry for the dumb question... ptfire, who is the BIZ, where is he, and how would I check out his cars? And how can he sell them with no PDI, Freight, air tax and gas tax???

Thanks.

[stormin84]

The US car I'm considering is already here in Canada, so I'm not going to be dealing with any exchange issues. It is a US model MazdaSpeed 3, not a GT or anything else.

What is TPMS?

The daytime running lights occurred to me after I posted the question. Are daytime running lights required in Canada?

At the moment the asking price for the modded 17,000 km car is $21,000. The asking price for the US spec slightly higher mileage car is $22,000, but I think there is a good chance I can get that number down.

My biggest issue with the modded car is the front bumper which juts out enough in the front corners, and is only about 5" off the ground. The way they plow the streets around Ottawa I'll be a snow plow half the time. This car will be a daily driver year round, and frankly I prefer the aesthetics of the stock bumpers. The possibility of having the front bumper removed and replaced with stock occurred to me, but that would cost me $900 at the dealer.

The other option might be to find someone out there who is interested in the modded car's front and rear bumpers and side skirts and swap them for their stock parts. I really don't want the car to stand out visually.

Thanks for all the input so far.


tire pressure monitoring system


i believe the drl is required now in canada,
i would go with the canadian model and sell the aftermaket parts ppl will buy them...

[DavidB]

nevermind that last question I found him...

[x_o_k_x]

haha its so funny, cuz I was just looking at that car. If you like it go ahead and get it, looks like a great deal. Just make sure the warranty is transferrable. Ask them about that and provide proof from Mazda Canada. Otherwise, you will need to go to US for warranty work.
And dont worry about 5 inches of the ground, I am currently sitting 4 inches low and no big problems, just get good set of winters. And take that lip off, you dont want to crack it over the winter, then install it back in the summer.

[DavidB]

Unfortunately the Charcoal modded up Speed 3 in town doesn't have a lip, it has complete complete bumpers. :( so removing it as per the season isn't an option. Even if it has been driven hard how much can have happened to it in 17,000km?

Although now that I know the Biz might have a new white speed 3 for $24k I am seriously wondering.... hmmmm.

[condor888000]

Modded=sketchy IMO. Risking a problem caused by the last owner.

[DavidB]

BTW, I just thought I'd mention I've put the deposit on a 2008 CWP MS3. Hopefully I'll have it in a week and a half or so. Thanks to the Biz. Thanks all for the input, now I just need to sort out my solution for affordable high quality snow tires.

[S.F.W.]

now I just need to sort out my solution for affordable high quality snow tires.
I would suggest calling Allen @ Simply or John @Exclusive Wheel and Tire. They should both be able to help you out.

[Unoriginalusername]

BTW, I just thought I'd mention I've put the deposit on a 2008 CWP MS3. Hopefully I'll have it in a week and a half or so. Thanks to the Biz. Thanks all for the input, now I just need to sort out my solution for affordable high quality snow tires.

congrats

[0nsp]

The other difference between the 2 models is that the Canadian spec has the baller flip key, while US spec just has a normal key :(

[bbell1984]

Was the US model MS3 you were looking at for sale at the Mont Bleu Ford dealership?