OK, I'm getting a new Mazda3s 5-door, manual transmission, GT trim. Test-drove both the 4-door and 5-door, loved them both, but I did notice quite a bit more body-roll with the 5-door. I'm getting the 5-dr because I need the space, but I have a couple questions:

1) Was it just my perception, or was I really noticing something? Anyone else notice it? I figure there's a couple hundred more pounds of metal on the hatchback, and enough of it is riding up high that it could have raised the center-of-gravity by an inch or so.

2) What size sway bars come standard on the non-Speed Mazda3?

3) Am I going to notice a difference if I spend a couple hundred $$$ and put on some aftermarket sway bars?

4) Any other recommendations for fairly inexpensive mods that I'll be able to notice?

5) And the biggie... will all this void my warranty? That, most of all, is to be avoided if I want to remain happily married. I could probably get away with spending a few bucks on parts/installation, but when I tell the lady that "hey, sorry... the car's no longer covered, and I knew it" there'd be hell to pay.

 

I do notice the difference when i drive my friends 5 door. i have a 4 door, and i think my car picks up a bit faster, or maybe i just shift better idk to be honest, but i like the handling on the 5 door. i would put after market bars in cause they dont do anything to your warranty, and they're effective. as for any other mods be careful.

i put my short ram intake in, and it voided warranties because of hydrolocking. if anything is proven to be bad for your car under certain circumstances, it will void warranties. thats straight from the dude who serviced my car 5 days ago. so my parents werent too happy about that, but you cant add your stock parts back and say you want your warranty back. even lowering springs void warranties. so i say, do what you want, but just make sure you take care of your car. take it easy and congratualtions on your new mazda. you wont regret it.