I am fairly settled with my new car. I still wonder what 300HP+ feels like behind the steering wheel.

Ok, if I want a faster ride, making modifications to my Mazda 3 wimpy 2.0L 4 cyld, will be a waste of time and money. The money spent to put a tubo kit and better breaks could get me a decent used sports car that could go just as fast as my Mazada 3 would with a Turbo. At the point that I have to replace my clutch I will replace it with a sport clutch and put in a lighter flywheel at the same time. That did not look too expensive for the increased in responsiveness at the wheel.

Yesterday I test drove a Mazda Speed3 when I was getting my first oil change for my Mazda 3 i Sport. The extra boost from the turbo was intriguing. It was the first time I have driven a car that had a far amount of horsepower and tourqe. The six speed manual was different but not hard to figure out. Dangit, it was only $6K more!

Ok, so apparently with enough money you can make anything with four wheels do a 10 second 1/4 mile. I saw on youtube a 94 honda civic and a 78 chev full size van do it. WTF?? I get the honda, power from turbo to almost no weight ratio. According the that, I could get a Toyota Yaris and lighten it a bit more and put a turbo on it and it will move pretty quick. Granted the civic hat a V-tech motor in it though. The Van is not making much sense

I relized that, well my Mazda is not worth wasting money to get to move faster and I will not spend another dime other than regualar maintance.

A couple years down from now, I might look into getting some used american muscle and strip it down (weight wise as much as I can). Sofar a fox body mustang or a camaro from that same time frame will be to two I will look at. I will strongly consder the used imports like the M3 the 350Z and the 3000GT. Something that is rear wheel drive with at least V6 or bigger. This would be my personal vehicle to drive in middle of no where USA, but not an every day drive.

Thanks for the advise to all that inputed in this post. It has been helpfull, and I know now that your trying to point me in the better path shedding light on my ignorance of the matter.

I still like to drive fast, when it is appropriate. I just started changing my own oil. So it is a start. No Drag strips and street races where ever in my field of view. Just a fun ride to blow off steam!

Has any one on this site lightened their car by 500-1000lb in the efforts to make the car go faster? I know it destroys the value of a vehicle, but I am still curious about gutting a running used car one day like an older Camaro SS or a fox body Mustang 5.0 or GT. Gutting as in, removing back seat, front passenger seat, and A/C and Heater System, etc...

fox body mustangs, older camaros, and just about any muscle car from the late sixties/early seventies are getting very expensive and parts are scarce. lightening a car may not get you the extra speed you want. a better, cheaper way is to change the tire size. a smaller tire is easier to turn, but your speedometer and gas milage change as well. if you really want to feel speed, but need a daily driver, keep your mazda and buy a used motorcycle. bikes are quick and a car doesn't compare as far as the speed "rush" you feel from a bike. the only problem with a motorcycle is that girls always want a ride

I do my own oil changes on my Mazda 3 now. I've done two so far, and many more in the future. I aslo purchased a Fujita Cold Air Intake (Part#: FUJMA-2504) for $194. Got it for the possible 1-2 mpg and slight gain in HP/TQ. Anything other modification would be a waste of money in the short run and the long run. The CAI, might even be a wast of money, but I wanted to do this.

I do keep hearing at work about bikes being the cheapest way to go fast and I believe it! It sure seems like a death trap. I do plan on going to a Motorcycle saftey course, to try something new, like riding a bike. If I don't like it, then I'll save 4-6k buy not having bought a bike that would be collecting dust.