Learn me: the fwd Mazdas.

Specifically the ones that are made after like 2005. The older ones are hardly around anymore. That was the old BG chassis. But what if somebody wanted to grab a cheap Mazda three and go rally racing with it? What's the "you Gotta do this first when you buy it" item? 

also, 3, or 6? And for arguments sake, let's exclude the Mazda speed models. Simply because they cost more, and simply because the Mazda speed six was all wheel drive.

Don't forget the 2, the cute little guy. I remember forum members on here saying that the 2 was an awful lot like a FWD, 4-seat Miata.

In reply to NickD :

Yeah. And I know it shared the Ford underpinnings. I just read the mazda3, Volvo C30, and Ford Focus shared the same floor plan. Gives me ideas for a rally prepped Mazda 3, possibly awd. But nothing canbus would likely play together. 
 

here's a question- why does the 2.0 mzr have a  lower power output compared to the Miata variant. Basically the same engine right? Is it hardware or software (both?)

In reply to _ :

The Miata 2.0 was supposed to run premium. I am not sure what the internal motor differences are. 

If you want to do stage rally, I'm guessing that the Ford Focus has more options and aftermarket support. 

In all honestly, this is a situation where buying a rally car that's already built will probably be the much cheaper option.

Ive had a first gen 3 and a first gen 6. The 6 is way bigger and heavier, and you don't get a LOT of performance increase to go with it if you're doing apples to apples on powertrains, i.e. a 2.0 3 vs a 2.3 6, and a 2.3/2.5 3 vs a 3.0l 6.  The 3 has a simpler suspension with less failure points and puts less weight on top of it.  Just in sheer practicality terms of keeping the thing functional I'd rather have the 3 than the 6. 

Also don't forget that the last of the BG line survived into the 2000s with the Escort ZX2.

Brett_Murphy said:

If you want to do stage rally, I'm guessing that the Ford Focus has more options and aftermarket support. 

In all honestly, this is a situation where buying a rally car that's already built will probably be the much cheaper option.

Or same logic with a Fiesta. There are a bunch of rally parts out there. Some might fit on a M2.

When you say rally racing, do you mean stage rally or rallycross?

I rallycrossed a 2006 mazda3 for half a season last gear and invested in a diff over the winter and will be getting gravel tires for it soon. 

There are lighter smaller cars out there, but I'm a Mazda fan and wanted something with good performance, cheap and plentiful parts, and good aftermarket support. So a cheap 3 from an auto auction fit the bill. 
 

The ABS is sort of a pain though. I haven't figured out yet to to disable it (for off road use only, of course). 

In reply to MadScientistMatt :

And Kia Sephia

The 5 is the best of them.

In reply to HopmanJones :

Rallycross. Sorry. Forgot we have to specify these days. 

I looked into a mazda 3 for a daily briefly before I ended up with my fit.  I remember seeing a few comments about oiling issues.  Not sure how much truth there was to that, but would be something to look into.  

We've had a 2014 6 since new, first year of the newer chassis. Great car. NOT going to rallycross worth a damn.

If I had to go with one I'd try a mazda 2.  I wanted one, but for some reason they are really hard to find in my area.  Maybe yours is better.

In reply to _ :

I have driven a friend's protege in one rallycross event, and I will say that it felt more "old school" mazda-like. Simply put, the chassis is awesome, but it lacks power. Depending on the competition in the class, a car can be down on power but still be very competitve if set up well and driven smartly. 

I don't regret my choice to rallycross a 3, but there is pretty clear influence by Ford over my old NA or a protege. It still handles very well and I like the power of the 2.3, but as much as I don't like to admit it, a 2.0 is probably just as good for rallycross, and does not have the oil starvation issues of the 2.3. Also 16" rally tires are very hard to come by and in order to fit 15" wheels on a S trim mazda3 you have to downgrade the front brakes so smaller wheels fit. Ask me how I know.

Rust and the 2.3 oil issues can be weak points of this car. Pick a good one that's been taken care of it and it will be a very fun choice.

I didn't realize the 2.3 had oiling issues. Does a baffled pan fix it?

Does the 2.5 have those issues?