- Stock MazdaSpeed3
- Modified MazdaSpeed3 (w/MS CAI, Springs & Exhaust)
- Stock MazdaSpeed6
- Modified MazdaSpeed6 (w/MS CAI, Springs & Wheels)
- Stock MX-5 w/Performance Package
- Modified Mx-5 w/Performance Package + Air Dam, Rear Skirts & Side Sills (w/MS Spoiler, CAI, Springs & Exhaust)
- Stock RX-8
- Modified RX-8 w/Rear Spoiler (w/MS CAI, Exhaust & Wheels)
All cars were using Bridgestone Potenza's with the exception of the stock Rx-8 using Dunlop SP Sports, and the MX-5 using Michelin Pilot Preceda's on both stock and modified versions.
This would be the course. Dunnville Autodrome. Host of numerous lapping days, as well as seen on shows like "Dream Car Garage". The course was ran clockwise.
All cars were fun, no doubt about that. Almost tempted me to sell the Mx-3, almost, if she was actually worth something, but we weren't allowed to drive our cars on the track (so I didn't bother to drive her from VA) so I couldn't compare her to the tested Mazda's, but thinking about that, I'm sure she's kick some a--
I was fortunate enough to have 2 sessions with each car, and a 3rd with the modified Rx-8. As well, all cars were equipped with their 6-speed manual transmission, no auto's or tiptronics here.MazdaSpeed6
The car that would be at the bottom of the list would be the Speed6. Although having the most power, she was only faster than the Miata at the top speed marker (by about 10km/h), and roughtly the same speed at the low speed marker. As well, because of her size, she handled the least well, to an extent. Because being FWD based, on corners, she would want to understeer but on the long faster corner she would eventually start to want to start to oversteer. Although being turbo, power response was good to where I never felt I was waiting for power, I didn't feel like I had to drive it like a turbo-powered car, and the exhaust and CAI did improve responce and power on the modified version. Suspension made a good difference, but nothing amazing. She was more responsive to cornering, braking improved, and reduced bodyroll. What was most noticable was on the long "curve grande" bend, where stock she wanted to understeer, than go to slight oversteer after the apex, she felt balanced, than went to oversteer.
MazdaSpeed3
The MazdaSpeed3 was a close second in my book (tough call to the Rx-8 ). Although having less power, was definitely the quickest of the bunch, the modified version giving the best speeds of the day at the top speed marker (160km/h) and low speed marker (110km/h). She was more responsive than the Speed6, for handling, she is close to being as nimble as the Rx-8, if it wasn't the fact she was FWD. The way I was in the scheduled, I started out with the modified versions first. I will say that out of all the modified cars, this has the most drasticly improvement out of the bunch, specifically from the suspension, braking was greatly improved. I would like to say it broke better out of all the cars, however I shouldn't really compared with the RWD cars since they didn't need as much braking to enter the corners. Corners comparing stock to modifed was weird. Stock felt faster, it was just wild & jumpy (it's not a smooth track BTW), almost like my Mx-3, especially with DSC turned off, and had a hard time keeping power to the ground. The modified version was actually smoother and much easier to handle the corners. It wasn't only only faster in the corners, but just easier to go faster and keep power on the ground. While in the end the gap was only an extra ~10/km/h on the top and low speed markers comparing stock to the modified version, those speeds took 2 sessions to get to that point, while on the modified Speed3 speeds were consistant. On the stock Speed3 session, the gap was actually ~20km/h, and remember, I took the modified version first, so with more wheel and track time by the time I got to the stock Speed3, I should of been quicker. It was just that much more refined, I would like to say that's how the Speed3 should be out of the box, but that would maybe affect sales of the Speed6? Don't know, but I really like it!
MazdaSpeed3 and MazdaSpeed6
For all cars, I ran first with DSC (traction control) ON, than turned it off after a few laps. For the stock Speed3 and Speed6, DSC was actually preemptive and not intrusive, actually making cornering smoother on the stock siblings, basically doing a really good job at keeping power to the ground and counteracting understeer. I almost wouldn't of noticed it being ON if I didn't see the DSC light flicker on the dash out of the corner of my eye. On the modified versions, I was quicker with DSC turned off, but again, they had better suspension and didn't need electronics to compensate. But regardless, I was impressed with DSC, it's very well done with these 2 cars.
Although they had modified intakes and exhaust, and told to review aspects like sound, as well as performance, they didn't really add anything exciting, or even really noticable. I guess it would be good if you want a performance gain without adding the annoyance of noise, especially since these two can be used a family vehicles (they are both 4 door, well 5 if you going the hatch on the 3), but for the sports car aspect, they don't add a significant sporty sound. But if you want performance without the added ricey sound, this is a great solution, and I guess if you wanted to you could change the muffers and/or tips to rice change/add it's sound.
Mazda MX-5 "Miata"
Of course, by it's name alone (btw,they dropped the "Miata" name on this generation), it was obviously the best handling car in the group, like a go-kart, especially cause we we're driving with the top down. Was just the regular version, not the convertable hard top. Although I have limited experience with RWD, mostly go-karts and vans, this was not a hard car to drive or push. Cornering she would want to understeer on corner entrance and oversteer on exit, of course more squirly than the Speed6 on the oversteer, and there was significant body roll. The modified version was second to the MazdaSpeed3 in terms of how drastic the car was improved with the MazdaSpeed upgrades. Suspension significantly reduced body roll, turn in and exit speed in the corners, as well as braking, but the Mx-5 is extremely well balanced that you need much less braking for corners as you would for FWD and AWD. The modified version was very peppy with the intake and exhaust. Although with only a 6500rpm redline, she happy and easilly revs up to the rev limiter beyond 7000 (hehe, oops
). But that wasn't without it's reason, being a natually aspirated 4 cylinder, it's equipped with a variable valve system, so under 4000rpms, power lags, worse than the turbo Speed3 and Speed6 where you wait for it to kick in, and you only have 2500rpms of power to work with, so it runs out fast. Although I'm sure if you get familiar with the car you can keep it within it's powerband, it's frustrating when you're not in it. Although the Miata is very fun to drive, I would personally only consider one with some sort of forced-induction system. I'd love to know how it would drive with Mazda's turbo 2.3L. The exhaust of the modified Miata sounded great, especially driving with the top down, it didn't sound weak and had a nice throaty sound. Even racing with the top down, wind wasn't an issue and never cross your mind that you should have the top up for racing Mazda RX-8
Although it seems most perfered the Miata as their favorite car, myself, it was the Rx-8. Fast like the Speed6, handling like the Miata, functionality of a 4 door, it's a perfect mix of everything. Although the Rx-8 did not have improved suspension, it performed only marginally less than modified Miata. The fun and odd part is getting used to shifting at 9000rpms. For the first few laps, I actually had a habbit of not downshifting enough. Power delivery is fast and smooth, with a buzzer sounding at 8500rpms to remind me to shift at 9000. Even with the low-torque high-reving rotary motor, you never felt like you were waiting for the power to come, even at mid range, it has more than enough power to get the job done. The rotary sound through the MazdaSpeed exhaust is to die for. It's easilly the loudest of the MS exhaust systems, but if you love that rotary sound, you just can't get enough of it.
Mazda MX-5 & RX-8
As I mentioned, I'm not an experienced RWD driver, but with that said, Mazda made kickass RWD cars where you can push them hard to the limit comfortably and confidently. They both feel very balanced and stable. Having 3 sessions with the modified Rx-8, I tried to get the rear loose, I had her squirly a few times, but just couldn't get it really loose, DSC disabled of course. Even the expert race car driver that was there (he came to me after driving the stock Miata and commented me on my line
) took it for a run afterward and took a few tries to finally get a single drift out of it. As for DSC on the RWD cars, I really didn't like it. Although it's preemptive like the Speed3 and Speed6, it was intrusive, noticably and significantly affecting power when it engaged, basically making the car more stable by slowing it down, I did not like it at all. Thank god for being able to turn it off, cause it did take fun out of the driving experience.Zoom-Zoom Factor
On the score sheet, there was a "Zoom-Zoom Factor" scale from 0-10. I didn't mark them until the end, using that as my comparion between all cars instead of comparing between models for the regular tests, so overall, I would rate them as such:
Modified Rx-8: 9
Stock Rx-8: 8
Modified Speed3: 8
Modified MX-5: 8
Stock Speed3: 7
Modified Speed6: 6
Stock MX-5: 6
Stock Speed6: 5
One things I would like to note is the CX-7. Although there was one there, and I didn't get to drive it since it was the personal vehicle of one of the organisers, I did ride in it for the pre-run to show the track and pilon markers for the suggest track line, as well at the top and low end speed markers. 2 laps we're driving, the first was jsut casual, the other was very spirited and honestly, after about half of the spirited lap I had to remind myself that I was sitting in a SUV, I was really impressed and it wasn't far off from how the MazdaSpeed6 felt. I wish I could of has a session with it, cause it was amazing for what it is.
And some pics: (The modified cars has MazdaSpeed windshield banners and faux license plates)
The Victims
Coming in from the pace lap. That's me in the second car the red modified MazdaSpeed3.
Me again, coming out of the long bend with the modified Speed3, givin' her hell for the camera
Me, coming back into the pits with the stock Miata, er, MX-5.
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