TESTED: SP23 Hatch

[bRaDiNhO]

Well, just got back from a drive of an (auto :( ) SP23 Hatch. Well, drove it back to back with a new 2.0 Megane, and it crapped all over it in terms of steering and performance. The engine is good.... much better than any of the other SP's in terms of responsiveness, smoothness, and straight line ability. And thats the auto! Steering was well weighted, and quite direct - very nice feel. Car felt solid, both good (not tinny)and bad (felt big). Didn't get a good test of handling unfortunately, but sat well with what i tried..... although i was shocked to see the salesman lifting a rear wheel ridiculously easy when going up a normal driveway!

The back of the car tho..... its personal preference and all, but it aint what I'd call purrrrrrrrrty. And then i saw the base (Neo?) sedan and nearly puked... looked quite horrible!

Will try a manual sometime, but either way it is a very good car.

[Critter]

Mazda isn't given to make anything but good cars, esp at the moment so I'm sure it's better than good.

And good to get hands-on input, but it just doesn't "do it for me" like an SP20 does.

[Cosmo Dude]

I'm looking forward to my test drive :D

Different strokes etc.... (What you talkin' 'bout Critter)

I enjoy my BA and will need to consider the $20k to upgrade or $8k - $10k to modify my BA.
Or the Series V Rx-7/Cosmo merger (funded by the BA sale)

[bRaDiNhO]

Cars are very personal, but i just don't see the value for the $36K drive away i was quoted. It is exactly what i said it is - good in most aspects, but for that money i'd want something exceptional. Plenty of fantastic second hand buys for that price.

[pr1mo]

R34 skyline for example :)

but what day are you taking the test drive rod?

[preeman80]

R32 GTR for $35K

Thats right GTR! :twisted:

[platypus]

i am interested in the sp23 sedan manual.... would like to borrow one soon.... don't know about purchase though!!1

[bRaDiNhO]

Skylines are along the lines i was thinking.... or a near new S15 200SX/ WRX/ Type R etc. But then again i dont have need for big boot, 4 doors, space, new warranty etc.

[Aaron]

Just as a thought.... Which model Megane did you drive? I mean testing a 2.0L not SP23 may give a more level playing field... I'm not saying anythign either way - just an observation....

A.

[mrpayner]

Well.. yesterday I was driving past our dealership here and spotted the bottom end cars sitting out front. Went in and sat in the Maxx Sport Sedan [16" Rims].. then asked where the SP23's were.. I will go and have a closer look on Saturday morning to satisfy my curiosity and see if I can get a drive, but to me the sedan is the one I would go for if I were even considering the upgrade. I prefer the subtle difference in the bonnet styling of the sedan over the hatch, where the bonnet finishes at the top of the grill instead of half way through it and also how the bonnet on the sedan is recessed instead of the bulge in the hatch. I'm going to have a closer look at the rear bar too on both cars. I noticed the bar on the hatch seemed to stick out heaps.. Just wonder if the sedan is the same.

I'm looking forward to Saturday and I'm definately taking the digicam with me just in case..

AP

[BigBoyLemonade]

I am actually looking at saving for a Sp23 Hatch in bright orange or black for my new company car.

all depends on how much I can save/finance and what the missus says :|

[KittyKatSmack]

The rear bumper on the hatch DOES stick out a lot, especially compared to the sedan....

The bonnet is different, and so are the side quarter panels, and the front bar....
And I am not keen on the look of the SP23 front end, but considering I have only seen it in the flesh in yellow, I can't vouch for how it will look in other colours.
I prefer the way the fog lights sit in the sp23 sedan over the hatch.

But the front end looks like someone left a pt cruiser in the tumble dryer for too long...... I am hoping that it will suit darker colours better, and there will be a dark coloured sedan for me to check out in the second week of Feb!! The picture of the sp23 sedan in the brochure in grey looks nice, but it all depends on what it looks like in the flesh! None of the Australian models I have seen so far have the aerial as advertised in the brochures for a start!! Second, the car will NEED clear tail lights... the red is well... too red!


The difference between all other models and the sp23 is the motor. All other models have the 2litre motor while the sp23 will have the 2.3 litre motor!
And the interior fabric trim on the sp23 is YUCK!

The brochure also gives a lot of extras you can add to the car, for a price of course :wink:
Chrome indicator surrounds.
Two different rear Spoilers
A front air dam skirt
Rear Under Skirt
Rear under spoiler
LED Rear Combination Lamp
Side Skirt and Lower Door Detail (sold separately)
Chrome door mirror cover
Scuff Plate
Bonnet Protector
Alarm
Cruise Control
Single CD and MP3
CD Changer
Mini Disc
Interior sports kit: steering wheel, door grips, dash strip (also sold separately) in red or blue
automatic shift knob in red or blue


When your mazda 3 sp 23 in manual is $32 875 before you add extra's, it is an expensive package..... :?

I think I am keeping the BA, until I have to sell it that is......
Then who knows? A hyundai Getz????

*shoots self*

[bRaDiNhO]

Personally like the SP23 trim.... the theme is, er, integrated- not too many colours everywhere unlike SP20. I like black.

With the Megane, not comparing like that. VERY different cars - one is meant as Euro comfort the other Jap sports. And thats how they felt. I tested the 2.0 - the SP23 is similar price to the 2.0 Megane, actually $2000 cheaper. Based on price its perfect comparo. Mazda came out on top apart from looks.

[ezin]

I think it will appeal to older drivers, but i dont mind it! I parked my sp20 hatch next to one when i was having a look, its heaps bigger!??? But when u sit in it it feels the same if not smaller, weird must have been hungover!
I like the interior on the 23, im a fan af black interiors.

Seeing the back of the hatch in the flesh was a brow raiser! The pics dont do that point justice! Fog lights! mm still unsure! it looks good but i think the real good looking ones r further down the production line, i reckon i will have a look in a couple of years after a facelift and the v6 thats in the woodwork mmmmm yes v6! Heard it of a mazda guy, hopfully they let it into the country. :D

[KittyKatSmack]

I love the console and other trim inside the sp23, I just don't like the seats!!!!

They look like a potty!!!!

:?

[platypus]

mazda australia smell funny.... they won't let nice cars in.... you have to buy them yourself.... crap...

ezin, i'm guessing that the small interior size is due to the rubbish they put in the doors, like intrusion beams, side airbags, etc

[Cosmo Dude]

mazda australia smell funny.... they won't let nice cars in.... you have to buy them yourself.... crap...
It has a lot to do with how many units they would sell, how many spares they need to stock etc....
The SP23 is in the low to mid $30k range then a V6 may be close to $40k. For that I'd want a turbo AWD :) drool :)

[bRaDiNhO]

For those that missed it.... SP23 got a RAVE review in Wheels. Absolutely loved it.

[KittyKatSmack]

2.3litre turbo AWD Mazda 6 supposedly coming......

might wait to check out that one

:wink: 8)

[Rupewrecht]

and rumour has it that they've made a prototype Mazda3 with a V6 in it...

[dfvadr]

well went in today to check out the sp23 much to my discuse looks like mums shopping car, lost all appeal off a sports car in this one, sedan looked ok theres no way ill be up dating the ba's an bj's look sporty but not the 3

if i was buying i would buy the 6 sports now that looks sexy an sporty

but i did notice that the 3 has the exhaust manifold at the back and there was plenty of room for a turbo

[HI-RES]

yeah same I like the 6 far better. Thing the gets me is the base 3 model is around the $21/22K mark, yet the sp23 is 10 grand more....compared to sp20 which was around 6k extra than the standard 323. geez the corolla sportivo is cheaper than that even.
kitty where did you hear about the turbo awd 6? Is it being manufactured yet?

[KittyKatSmack]

Hi HI-RES

the turbo awd 6 is been talked about and has been confirmed on the drawing board.... as in "it's coming" so it could be a loooooong wait

:cry:

please mazda, give this Kitty some zoom zoom with STYLE?

[BigBoyLemonade]

18months according to Mazda Australia!!! in 18 months time I hoping I can afford one!!!

[ZZOOMN]

well i also went on my test drive in both the hatch and seden sp23 man trans.

the seden wins hands down not keen on the hatch at all dont really like the look of the hatch from behind.

so i got a real good trade for my 2002 sp20 taking off my rims plates muffler etc and i take delivery for my brand new sp23 seden man in mid to late feb.

[Cosmo Dude]

Well done ZZOOMN, your shout :D

[MrShadow]

Went for a drive in the Maxx Sports, very impressed but decided we are getting the SP23. Looks better, I (we) hate those godawful red plastic covers over the rear lights. As well as that, it has extra features we would like.

Titanium Grey Sedan, here we come! Only thing - would like the blue interior, but doesn't appear to be available with the Titanium Grey paint job. Oh, well.