Taken not too long after they discontinued the speed 3. There were a couple more out front that aren’t pictured.

  • Hazdaz@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    That’s the generation of Mazda 3 that I think nearly killed the company. Such an ugly design. What’s worse is that they didn’t rush through a restyling. They just kept on keeping on. Tweaking the styling and aiming more at the WRX, they really could have moved quite a few of the MS3 versions.

      • Schmuppes@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        For me, Mk IV R32 will always be the peak of Hot Hatch. I’ve never owned one and never will, but damn.

        • nilloc@discuss.tchncs.de
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          1 year ago

          The prices of original R32s backs up this claim. Bring a trailer has had a coupon go over $40s I think.

          • Schmuppes@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            Oh wow. That’s a lot of money, and even then they might have age-related things to take care of with parts availability getting worse and worse. Thinking of OE fuel lines, for example.

            • sparky1337@ttrpg.networkOP
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              1 year ago

              There are quite a few parts that just aren’t available for the r32 specifically like bumper covers and window trim. It makes cars in good condition go for stupid money, and junk cars still desirable. The Humble Mechanic on YouTube has a fair few videos on the R32.

              • Schmuppes@lemmy.world
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                1 year ago

                Yeah, Charles is awesome. I haven’t seen his latest video yet, but the fact that somebody had his R32 in a body shop for two years for a full rust repair probably tells us that the surviving good specimens are sought after.

  • acedelgado@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    Still rocking my 2012 Silver genpu since I drove it new off the lot. Been the best balance of fun and reliability I’ve ever seen in a car. Just waiting for Mazda to get their shit together on their EV’s and make an electric AWD 3 hatchback.

    • sparky1337@ttrpg.networkOP
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      1 year ago

      I went German after my protege. I’m hoping the same as you and I’ll be back. Although I’ll be one of the boring people with a cx50 soon enough…

  • dan1101@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I had a 2008 Mazdaspeed 3. I still think those looked better than the smiley faces, not a fan of that. It looked ok on the black cars because it blended in.

    • sparky1337@ttrpg.networkOP
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      1 year ago

      I agree. I’d love to get a first gen but the ones I come across are all clapped out. I need that torque steer!

      • dan1101@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Yeah finding an unmolested one would be pretty difficult. I have a Focus ST now. The Mazda was a little more roomy in the cabin and felt maybe a little faster and more raw.