Advice Needed: Purchasing 2010 vs 2011 MPS

[dsn]

Hi guys - this is my first post as I've always wanted to own a 3 MPS

Went for a test drive today in the following cars:

1. Dealer Demo/used - 5800 km on the clock, black, 2010 MPS Luxury
2. Brand new - pearl white MY11 MPS Luxury

Both were exciting to drive except for the clutch feel.

The first black MPS, I stalled coming out of the dealer, the clutch felt very stiff and heavy. After a couple of starts, I got used to it and felt OK but I'm not sure how it feel on the wet. The first two gears felt "energetic" and I could feel some torque steer.

The brand new 2011 MPS clutch on the other hand felt more softer (much easier to drive in peak hour) and 1st gear felt "toned down".

I cant find specific threads that state differences between the two years but I have heard gear ratio's being revised, but did they change the clutch?

I'm interested in purchasing the black MPS as it is a lot cheaper but I'm concerned about the clutch.

Can I get any feedback on people who have driven both 2010 and 2011 models?

Thanks
Don

[Yeldarb]

Interesting. The 2010 car sounds like mine. I stalled it easy in the early days.

But, how much difference in cost between the 2? I thought the Series II had only one model.

[Reedy]

2010 and 2011 models are the same car, same clutch, same tune, everything.

The only difference you're feeling would have been the fact that 1 has been run in and the other hasn't. Altho it's odd that the new one has a less bitey clutch..... I know mine was grabby and awful when I first got it but one it bedded in it got a lot better, it's still a fairly bad clutch when compared with other cars on the road tho.

[Caffeine Fiend]

Apparently the new model doesn't have the 1,2,3 buttons for memory position on the front drivers seat. For whatever reason Mazda removed it for the 2011 refresh.

Might not seem like a big thing but if you have more than one driver of the car it's invaluable.

My wife would adjust just about every aspect of my seat in my old car and it was frustrating getting it back to exactly where it was. Now she just pushes a button to move it into her spot and my smart key automatically moves it back when I drive


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[TD]

I wouldn't buy a dealer demo MPS, if you can afford the new one, do it.

[Bakis]

Apparently the new model doesn't have the 1,2,3 buttons for memory position on the front drivers seat. For whatever reason Mazda removed it for the 2011 refresh.

Might not seem like a big thing but if you have more than one driver of the car it's invaluable.

My wife would adjust just about every aspect of my seat in my old car and it was frustrating getting it back to exactly where it was. Now she just pushes a button to move it into her spot and my smart key automatically moves it back when I drive


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That's pretty cool , i just change the drivers seating position in my gf's car just to annoy her :P good fun haha.

[Yeldarb]

I'd be worried about buying the previous model, especially considering that the new model has all the fruit of the old lux model, but at the old poc pack price. They must be offering a great deal on the demo...

[dsn]

The black mps listing price was 38k and new is 43.5k from a different dealer.

There was a red 2010 mps for 37k with 1200km on the clock (the dealer wouldnt tell me why it was 1k cheaper than the black - he said it was down to what ever price mazda auctioned it to his branch). I dont know how much to believe any of it is true.

I did notice that the red mp3 has whit'ish particles in the rear exhausts (is it a sign it has been flogged?) - i didnt test drive it as the battery was dead (apparently).

[Caffeine Fiend]

I did notice that the red mp3 has whit'ish particles in the rear exhausts (is it a sign it has been flogged?) - i didnt test drive it as the battery was dead (apparently).

Nah that's normal



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[Yeldarb]

5.5k, that's a big saving. Imagine all the mods you can do with that

Tough call. Personally there are not enough positives about the new model than the old. Plus you won't have as much depreciation when you drive out the door.

Me, I'd go the demo. Plus it's the colour you want, yeah?