>be me>looking for manual hatchbacks on Autotrader>mostly Civic Type R, Integra Type S and A spec>next most common is the humble mazda3 hatch>more of these than GR corollas and GTIsThere's clearly a market for the stick shift version of these, why not make a sport trim for 5-6k extra? Add the turbo and AWD systems they already have and a body kit, and they'd BTFO the WRX, GTI, and Elantra N by virtue of being better looking, better built, and more reliable.
>>28924370>Finally make AWD + turbo in the econo box mazda3>No stick>Finally make a 3.0+ turbo straight six>Only available in auto and mom's xboxfuckheug crossoverThis. I almost wonder if Mazda has the same situation like Chevy has with the Vette where they need to protect it for other performance competitors in their own line up. Old ms3 and ms6 were okay ( had they not rusted to absolute shit back then) but Mazda is barely on the same level is Hyundai these days.
>>28924363Must not have been selling well, didn't they used to offer these with turbo + manual? These cars look pretty goofy in pictures, but irl they look cool. I hear the rear visibility is horrible and the interior is cramped. But they are reliable, affordable, and look kinda interesting.
>>28924421>Didn't they used to offer these with turbo + manual?Not since the MazdaSpeed 3 in the '00s.The turbos are AWD only, their manual is designed for FWD, and they thought it wasn't cost-effective to develop an entirely new manual transmission for the AWD version.Damn shame, it would've been moderately popular and desirable.
>>28924363>>28924380>>28924421They made a decision to chase the luxury market since zoom zoom wasn't working out for them any more and I have a feeling they did not want people to drive their cars in a way that would make the brand image look bad. Hence why they downgraded the rear suspension and put tiny as fuck brakes on which are not at all suitable for the power that the turbo puts out. It seems to be working for them, their 'water in motion' design language is making beautiful smooth driving cars and I see soo many new mazdas here in canada, but the company is clearly going down the soulless EV route. Oh well, I snagged my mazda 3 and miata. I'll drive them until they rust out and then look at a home made car before any of this EV touch screen faggotry.
they made them, mazdaspeed3, and were cool but crazy torque steer.the current gen came in manual but only the nonturbo trim I think.And the rear suspension is a torsion beam, isnt' it? Wouldn't be much of an enthusiast car unless they change that completely.
