OK, now about accessories for my Speed 3...

[DavidB]

So the Speed 3 has been reserved :), but yet to be collected (hopefully next weekend). Before I collect it, I'm now looking at what accessories I should look at getting. I'd guess some it's just easier to do right off the bat, although I'd expect I could get them done at a dealer here in Ottawa once I have the machine in hand. Now remember this is about accessories, not mods. :p I'll throw my list of things out, pitch your comments out about how useful or not they might be or if there is a better or more economical solution out there (this will be a daily driver in Ottawa snow and we have 2kids).

Oh, and btw Allen has me set for snows, thanks!

I'm thinking (hoping) that perhaps buying my accessories all at the same time might mean I could get a deal on them as a package... Any comment as to doing them at Mazda of Toronto before deliver vs. doing them after I get back to Ottawa?

Part and listed price on the Mazda website:
Cargo net: $28.50
Cargo tray: $75.31
or Cargo Mat: $60.00
or Luggage Mat: $76.09
All weather floor mats: $107.75
Block heater: $42.04
iPod Adapter2: $175.95 + harness kit $114.95 ($290.90 total)
Touch up paint: $11.07
Wheel Locks: $34.05
Auto Dimming Mirror with compass $170 + install kit $35 ($205)
Rear Bumper step plates: $22.28

And then I guess I'm not clear on what things the 2008 Speed 3 comes with to start... the oil cap? the scuff plates? the mats?

Hit me with your thoughts and experiences with what you have and like or hate. Thanks.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

First off..

Keep in mind the accessories you see on Mazda.ca do not include installation... so most of them you are gonna wanna do on your own..

So... the 290.90 ipod adapter is gonna be around $500 if Mazda installs it. Same as the $262.00 blockheater.

Good news, it will be covered under your Comprehensive Coverage... but not worth what it cost.

Even the all weather mats normally have labour. yes.. I know..

So whatcha do.. buy the car from me.. and then go downstairs and buy the accessories from Joe and pay him directly getting the TM3 discount and you install them yourself.

Lastly, wheel locks are already on the car.. compliments of TheBiz.

[Cardinal Fang]

I'd recommend the cargo tray, all weather floor mats and rear bumper step plates if you load up your hatch quite often. When I purchased my car from Jeff I received touch up paint and wheel locks for free.

[0nsp]

My stuff moves areound the back all the time, so I'd recommend a cargo net. Fer sure with snow and crap you want the all weather floor mats.
I believe that block heater is a must (But I live in Edmonton). I only got mine this year, and have had the car for a year, with no problems starting it, but I still like the fact that its there.
Definitely get touch up paint. See if they sell it by the gallon, because the paint is shite and chips like a mofo. Better yet, try to get a 3m clear bra installed.

[FLIPDADY]

Just come see me when you pick up your Speed. I'll work out some sort of bulk accesory package.

[DavidB]

How easy or hard is it to install the Auto Dimming Mirror with compass? Easy enough for an owner to install? I had a rear bumper step plate on our 2000 MPV, the bleeding thing lifted at the edges and wore the paint off the edge of the rear hatch, now I need to get the edges of the hatch painted. If I get the bumper step plates I'm going to make sure they stay in place...

The iPod set up seems pretty expensive, does it actually provide a lot of extra functionality? Like do you end up with some sort of control over the iPod with the steering wheel or stereo controls?

Thanks for the recommendations.

[ptfire]

From what I understand you can't use the cargo net if you have a cargo tray. I would go with the Weathertech mats and foget about the Mazda mats.

[flyinb22]

How easy or hard is it to install the Auto Dimming Mirror with compass? Easy enough for an owner to install? I had a rear bumper step plate on our 2000 MPV, the bleeding thing lifted at the edges and wore the paint off the edge of the rear hatch, now I need to get the edges of the hatch painted. If I get the bumper step plates I'm going to make sure they stay in place...

The iPod set up seems pretty expensive, does it actually provide a lot of extra functionality? Like do you end up with some sort of control over the iPod with the steering wheel or stereo controls?

Thanks for the recommendations.

Wouldn't recommend the Mazda iPod set-up....very expensive and doesn't work that well. The biggest problem is that once you plug in the iPod then the interface is controlled only from the head unit, while this sounds ok...its not...the head unit is a single line of text and so if you are looking for a specific song, it sucks to try and scroll through thousands of sounds.
I use the AudioLink iPod integration unit.
http://www.therpmstore.com/product_info.php?cPath=122&products_id=142

Not saying it is the greatest unit but I have had it for 2 years and it works great. You get full use of the ipod to select songs, playlists and whatnot, and as well still get to skip songs with the steering wheel controls.

As for other accessories....I have the rear bumper plates and think they are worth every penny..do lots of camping and have a dog. To go along with that I also have the cargo tray...really easy to remove and clean when required. It has been a savior, when the dog is dirty.

My weathermats are from C. Tire for $20 and are trimmable...they fit perfect and I placed a hole in the driver one to attach to the loop so it doesn't move around.

Wheels locks were free from dealer.

[WeatherB]

Get the autodimming mirror, one of the best accessories.

Mazda also offers one with an integrated feature called homelink, this will allow you to use the buttons on your mirror to operate your garage door opener.

Not really a do-it-yourself install unless you are very proficient at working on your car.

[SonicBoy]

How easy or hard is it to install the Auto Dimming Mirror with compass? Easy enough for an owner to install?
Thanks for the recommendations.

It's not that hard to install the mirror. Really the only two areas that take the most time is removing the A-pillar trim and finding the right wires in the wire loom. Search this site. I believe there is a right up on how to do this. I think it was RedRaptor that put it together .

In total, I believe it should take you about an hour. Add an extra 30 minutes if you're being really careful.

[WeatherB]

It's not that hard to install the mirror. Really the only two areas that take the most time is removing the A-pillar trim and finding the right wires in the wire loom. Search this site. I believe there is a right up on how to do this. I think it was RedRaptor that put it together .

In total, I believe it should take you about an hour. Add an extra 30 minutes if you're being really careful.

Don't forget removing the existing mirror cover from the rain sensor, I am always worried about this given that you can easily damage something.

[swales]

From what I understand you can't use the cargo net if you have a cargo tray. I would go with the Weathertech mats and foget about the Mazda mats.

Yes you can, I have both

[JordanAndrew]

When I bought my 2008 Mazdaspeed3 I got a bunch of accessories free with my deal. Things like 5 free oil changes, cargo mats, first aid kit, auto dimming mirror, extra set of mazdaspeed3 mats, all weather floor mats, touch up paint pen and lastly my iPod adaptor.

Definitely get the auto dimming mirror, its fantastic! The iPod adaptor I could probably live without since it a bit of a hassle trying to figure it out and even if you've figured it out it's still a pain in the ass to use, overall once you get it working though it's not a bad thing. I just think it's overpriced for what it's worth. All season floor mats is a must especially if you live in a snowy city. Cargo mats are convenient to have since the car does move around a lot of it's cargo. I've yet to use the first aid kit but it's nice to have especially when I go for long drives and go camping(I live in Calgary near the mountains and we camp a lot during spring/summer/fall). I haven't use the touch up pen yet so I couldn't tell you if it's good or not. The block heater is a standard install for all mazda's here in Calgary so I didn't have to worry about adding that since it's already in it, same as wheel locks.

As for standard equiptment, I'm sure you've already covered it with the oil cap, scuff plates, and mats. It also came with the standard 6 disc changer with the auto climate controls, mazdaspeed seats, etc which I know you already know. Hope that helps you out, enjoy the car it's quite fun to drive.

[oneurt]

I'd recommend the cargo tray, all weather floor mats and rear bumper step plates if you load up your hatch quite often. When I purchased my car from Jeff I received touch up paint and wheel locks for free.

I was told I was to get free touch up paint, but alas never did.. :( oh well I agree with getting the floor mats and cargo tray. I got the mats just need to buy the tray.

[CamelFilters]

So the Speed 3 has been reserved :), but yet to be collected (hopefully next weekend). Before I collect it, I'm now looking at what accessories I should look at getting. I'd guess some it's just easier to do right off the bat, although I'd expect I could get them done at a dealer here in Ottawa once I have the machine in hand. Now remember this is about accessories, not mods. :p I'll throw my list of things out, pitch your comments out about how useful or not they might be or if there is a better or more economical solution out there (this will be a daily driver in Ottawa snow and we have 2kids).

Oh, and btw Allen has me set for snows, thanks!

I'm thinking (hoping) that perhaps buying my accessories all at the same time might mean I could get a deal on them as a package... Any comment as to doing them at Mazda of Toronto before deliver vs. doing them after I get back to Ottawa?

Part and listed price on the Mazda website:
Cargo net: $28.50
Cargo tray: $75.31
or Cargo Mat: $60.00
or Luggage Mat: $76.09
All weather floor mats: $107.75
Block heater: $42.04
iPod Adapter2: $175.95 + harness kit $114.95 ($290.90 total)
Touch up paint: $11.07
Wheel Locks: $34.05
Auto Dimming Mirror with compass $170 + install kit $35 ($205)
Rear Bumper step plates: $22.28

And then I guess I'm not clear on what things the 2008 Speed 3 comes with to start... the oil cap? the scuff plates? the mats?

Hit me with your thoughts and experiences with what you have and like or hate. Thanks.

congrats on the car!
have you thought about getting some winter tires?
if you're out there in ottawa, you'll probably need them.

good luck

[DavidB]

When I picked up the car I went straight from MoT to Simply Tire and got a set of 16" steelies and some Yokohama W.drives. Great tires so far, but have yet to experience any deep snow (it rained a fair bit in Ottawa this week). But based on all my previous Yoko snow tire experience I'm sure it'll be good.

MoT had the cargo net and the bumper step plates (which I'll install once it gets warm) but they were out of the cargo tray. Ordered Weathertech mats last week and they finally showed up yesterday (Purolator can't seem to read...) I'll pick up the tray next time I'm at Elite Mazda here in the capital to get the windshield rattle fixed. I think I might wait a little before I get any other accessories... let the spending frenzy subside.

So far I am amazed at this car, and I've only had it a week.:whoa