Mazda Top Pick By Enthusiasts Looking For Value

While the trend may be toward hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles et al, there are still those of us who covet the Dodge Charger, the Pontiac GTO, or the Chevrolet Corvette, etc., who want our high performance vehicles!

And that segment is not being ignored. BMW is usually numero uno when sports cars are mentioned (at least out here on the coasts), attracting the high performance enthusiasts with the M-cars for the 3-Series and 5-Series. For those wanting something a bit more domestic, Dodge has its "SR-T" to give a nod and a wink to the high performance people. Ford has in the past offered high performance models with its "SVT" line but the company looks like it has shelved it for the moment.

But it looks like Mazda is leading the way among the Japanese automakers in providing high performance versions. The moniker they use is "Mazdaspeed", and that appears on four Mazda models -- the rotary-engined RX-8 sports coupe, the MX-5 sports roadster, the Mazda3 hatchback (pictured) and the Mazda6 four-door sports sedan. Mazda is doing things a little different from the competition: They are offering upgrades that can be added won't break the bank for a potential buyer. One example is the sports spring kit for potential buyers who seek a high performance ride. The kit costs only $400 and is said to reduce the ride height and increase the spring rates by 30 percent.

Other add-on upgrades Mazda offers include a cold air intake for only $417 as well as cosmetic items like alloy wheels.

Our take? Smart move by Mazda! Not all high performance enthusiasts have deep pockets. It also gives a buyer the sense that he is contributing to the creation of his car.

Via driving.ca