Hi there,

I have been quietly (not really) enjoying my 2005 3. I sold it to a real nice guy a couple of weeks ago and I am trying to figure out what to buy. I was thinking about the 2009 3speed until I found out it uses premium fuel. That is out. Has anyone bought the 2009 and been driving it yet? I only am interested in the manual shift. Thanks, Kat

 

Its only $0.20/gal more for premium over regular. If that's the reason not to buy a car, why not save the money and buy used instead?

AFAIK though, the '09 is the same as the 08.5, which is the same as the 08 aside from the stubby antenna and piano black interior trim

 

The leather seating surfaces in the '08.5 are different than those in the '08's. Instead of leather bolsters with cloth inserts, they now have Alcantara inserts (suede look/feeling material) I had been wanting to buy a Speed3 since they came out but refrained from buying one becasue I hated the look and feel of the leather/cloth seating surfaces. When the interior got its refresh I snapped one up real quick.

 

Filling with premium over regular really isn't that big of a difference. At 20 cents extra per gallon you're looking at roughly $2.50 more per fillup. If that bothers you then the mpg of the speed3 will really bother you, I'm averaging 18mpg in mine.

 

That's only on the Speed3. The regular 3 Grand Touring is still full leather surfaces.

 

just got a 2009 speed3 GT in white on friday.

 

It may just be me, but I have experimented with 87, 89, and 91 (premium) fuel in my 05 3. I get the best gas mileage on premium, second on 87, and worst (by quite a bit) on 89, the cheapest grade here in Nebraska. So if you do the math, it might end up being a wash. And any turbo/high compression/performance car you may buy from any car maker will tell you to use premium. My buddies '08 STi guzzles Shell's finest like its going out of style.

 

If gas in Nebraska is anything like it was in Iowa, you get shitty mileage on 89 out there because its got a bunch of ethanol in it. Ethanol has a lower energy density than gasoline, and in turn less Miles per Gallon. I've yet to try 91 octane in my 2.3L hatch just because I get ~25-26mpg mixed driving on 87 octane and I'm happy.

 

I miss the Sunoco stations on the east coast where premium has a 104 octane rating.

 

I believe the 89 octane is 10 percent ethanol, at least thats whats advertised. I know it does make your engine run hotter, and Ive pretty much decided never to use it again. On 91 octane (and me shifting where Mazda recommends) Im getting 28-29 mpg, mixed driving. And Im pretty sure 104 octane is race gas...you can get 104 and 110 here in Nebraska but its super expensive.

 

Just put in my order last night... manual transmission 5-door Grand Touring in black, with a moonroof. They had to do a bit of searching to find one with a manual trans, and they've got to add the air dam. It's going to be a week before I get it since I'm going out of town tomorrow.

I put gas in my '99 Cougar for the last time this morning.

 

That is the EXACT model I have, an 08 for mine though, and no air-dam. I LOVE it, but god, Black is a pain just because its dirty the day after you wash it...but when its clean OMG...so hawt.

 

There're a couple Union76's out here that sell Sunoco104 racing gas. Last i checked, it was like $6.50/gal or so...

 

Yeah, I was hoping for one of the dark silver metallic colors, but when you get a manual transmission on a fully-loaded car, you're apparently a bit unique. They had to search for the car, they only found one in the region, it was in Austin, TX and it was black. Second choice, but definitely not disappointed... it's going to be a sweet looking car.

Of course, I got a call yesterday that they'd 'had some trouble getting it here' (ie, probably sold it to someone willing to pay more) and it'll be another day. Whatever, all I know is that if there's more than 50 miles on the odometer, we'll be revisiting the destination charge.

 

Hi everyone new to the forums. but to answer TC question, just recently bought a 2009 Metrosexual Ghey GT MT as a daily driver. so far i am loving it.

i have pics posted at this forum.
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=158892