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Test driven Mazda 3 MPS and FN2 back to back UPDATE: Ordered FN2
Started off with the FN2, a black GT model number R-000101 with 18" wheels.
When I saw it in the showroom I didn't go wow but I think this was because I had already seen so many photo's and vids, plus seeing it at the Geneva motor show last year I knew what to expect. I don’t think the Black colour helps because all the features ie skirts gets washed out from the Black.
I saw it in red at another dealer and this time I did go wow. So Red would be the colour for me,
The 18” wheels fill the arches but look bland to me. Which is a shame as I wouldn’t want the 19” as they could hamper the ride of the car.
Inside its amazing, very nice seats, excellent dials and instruments that tell you loads of data. A really nice driving position. The gear stick position is nice but for me I found my arm was not long enough to make use of the arm rest and I missed the position compared to the EP3.
Out on the road I found it similar to the EP3. The steering is more heavy and more sure footed but still not massive amounts of feedback. The ride was slightly harder but not excessive and still comfortable even on uneven roads.
The brakes are a good improvement over the EP3, more power early on in the pedal movement which give you more confidence.
As for performance its similar to the EP3 and I didn’t feel the extra weight. I did miss the kick of VTEC at 5800RPM, but you can still hear the change in engine note at around 4500RPM all the way to 8K rpm. The engine note is quite different to the EP3 and sounds awesome, more throaty almost like a touring car type sound.
It is quick, no doubt about it, and I couldn’t tell the difference between the EP3 and the FN2, but personally it didn’t seem so fun. I can’t understand why.
After some haggling for the best deal it was off to Mazda.
The car was out of a demo, so when it returned we watched it drive in.
It was in Red which is bright with a slight orange twinch. It has presence and sits nice and low (this wasn’t the lowered Aero-kit) model. Again the nice features of the body kit and diffuser would be washed out on Black so I’m not sure which colour is best for it.
Inside the dash is nice with clear dials but not a patch on the Civic. Nice seats with half leather, they hold you well but not as good as the FN2.
Out on the road the fun starts.
This cars power is awesome!!!! I’ve never been a fan of Turbo cars but this felt different and I’m not sure why. The power certainly had generated a huge grin on my face!! Then I found how good the LSD was. I had heard all about it but never driven a car with it fitted. Its awesome it just pulls you round the corners allowing you to feed more and more power.
So overall I found it more fun to drive. If your on a straight road it will leave the FN2 well behind and on a track the novice driver will have more fun in the Mazda IMO.
We went out with a freelance Professional driver who later showed us what the car could really do, which was very impressive. It was good to get away from salesman and talk cars to a fellow petrol head who knew what he was talking about.
So the FN2 looks the best, but the Mazda was more fun to drive.
I liked the drive of the FN2 but it didn’t feel as fun as my EP3 so I feel hard to justifying spending the extra money and not really upgrading. The FN2 is an excellent car and it has progressed from the EP3 making it more refined, but for my needs I’m not sure. I would hate to spend all that money and be missing my EP3. Maybe once it’s run in and more free flowing it will match the EP3.
Between the two I don’t think I can make a bad decision but it’s still difficult.
The FN2 will date better and will probably worth more in 2 years. It also looks better and will attract more attention. Were as the MPS put a huge smile on my face.
If I buy the MPS everytime I see a FN2 I will be jealous of the looks, were as if I buy a FN2 I hope I never come across a MPS as it will leave me behind.
If you looking to buy a Type R I strongly suggest you test drive the Mazda. Both are great but for different reasons.
With the deals I got the Mazda MPS is only £300 more expensive, as I think there is more margin on the Mazda compared to the Civic
Started off with the FN2, a black GT model number R-000101 with 18" wheels.
When I saw it in the showroom I didn't go wow but I think this was because I had already seen so many photo's and vids, plus seeing it at the Geneva motor show last year I knew what to expect. I don’t think the Black colour helps because all the features ie skirts gets washed out from the Black.
I saw it in red at another dealer and this time I did go wow. So Red would be the colour for me,
The 18” wheels fill the arches but look bland to me. Which is a shame as I wouldn’t want the 19” as they could hamper the ride of the car.
Inside its amazing, very nice seats, excellent dials and instruments that tell you loads of data. A really nice driving position. The gear stick position is nice but for me I found my arm was not long enough to make use of the arm rest and I missed the position compared to the EP3.
Out on the road I found it similar to the EP3. The steering is more heavy and more sure footed but still not massive amounts of feedback. The ride was slightly harder but not excessive and still comfortable even on uneven roads.
The brakes are a good improvement over the EP3, more power early on in the pedal movement which give you more confidence.
As for performance its similar to the EP3 and I didn’t feel the extra weight. I did miss the kick of VTEC at 5800RPM, but you can still hear the change in engine note at around 4500RPM all the way to 8K rpm. The engine note is quite different to the EP3 and sounds awesome, more throaty almost like a touring car type sound.
It is quick, no doubt about it, and I couldn’t tell the difference between the EP3 and the FN2, but personally it didn’t seem so fun. I can’t understand why.
After some haggling for the best deal it was off to Mazda.
The car was out of a demo, so when it returned we watched it drive in.
It was in Red which is bright with a slight orange twinch. It has presence and sits nice and low (this wasn’t the lowered Aero-kit) model. Again the nice features of the body kit and diffuser would be washed out on Black so I’m not sure which colour is best for it.
Inside the dash is nice with clear dials but not a patch on the Civic. Nice seats with half leather, they hold you well but not as good as the FN2.
Out on the road the fun starts.
This cars power is awesome!!!! I’ve never been a fan of Turbo cars but this felt different and I’m not sure why. The power certainly had generated a huge grin on my face!! Then I found how good the LSD was. I had heard all about it but never driven a car with it fitted. Its awesome it just pulls you round the corners allowing you to feed more and more power.
So overall I found it more fun to drive. If your on a straight road it will leave the FN2 well behind and on a track the novice driver will have more fun in the Mazda IMO.
We went out with a freelance Professional driver who later showed us what the car could really do, which was very impressive. It was good to get away from salesman and talk cars to a fellow petrol head who knew what he was talking about.
So the FN2 looks the best, but the Mazda was more fun to drive.
I liked the drive of the FN2 but it didn’t feel as fun as my EP3 so I feel hard to justifying spending the extra money and not really upgrading. The FN2 is an excellent car and it has progressed from the EP3 making it more refined, but for my needs I’m not sure. I would hate to spend all that money and be missing my EP3. Maybe once it’s run in and more free flowing it will match the EP3.
Between the two I don’t think I can make a bad decision but it’s still difficult.
The FN2 will date better and will probably worth more in 2 years. It also looks better and will attract more attention. Were as the MPS put a huge smile on my face.
If I buy the MPS everytime I see a FN2 I will be jealous of the looks, were as if I buy a FN2 I hope I never come across a MPS as it will leave me behind.
If you looking to buy a Type R I strongly suggest you test drive the Mazda. Both are great but for different reasons.
With the deals I got the Mazda MPS is only £300 more expensive, as I think there is more margin on the Mazda compared to the Civic
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