2008.5 Mazda 3 GS or GT

[oni]

I'm just wondering if the 3,000 difference justifies a GT purchase over the GS? Apart from the 2.3L engine and 8 extra HP, do the extra's justify the cost?

Any thoughts?

[mogul_pro]

I didn't think so.... 3 grand for 8hp.. for 5 grand you can turbo your car...

I have the gs wit hthe sport package ('06) and a friend of mine who has the gt model did some "testing" with me and we were DEAD even in the "test". lol.. The gt owners will disagree... but there is a june 1st track day at mosport that will allow for further "tests".

And thats not getting into gas consumption.

Best thing to do.. drive both and pick for yourself.

Just my 2 cents.

[oni]

I forgot to add, that these are the extras:

Has all of GS features +
2.3L engine, 156HP, 150lb/ft torque,
17" allow wheels
2005/50R17 Tires
6 speakers
Carbon fibre appearance panel trim
anti-theft system
sporty cloth seats
front heated seats
leather wrapped steering wheel
leather wrapped shift knob
LED Hannabi tail lights
Side Sill Extensions
Sporty Bumpers
Sport fog lights
Tri-Mode electroluminescent gauges
Xenon headlights (HID)
Moonroof

[mogul_pro]

Moonroof is an 800$ extra for the gt model...

The HID lights only come in the GT luxury model which is 2500$ more than the GT...

So to add what u just listed from a GS model to a GT with those features ur looking at $6300 more... (nearly 25% more....)

[oni]

My bad, excluding the moonroof (technically, I'm considering the moonroof on the GS).

However, the Xenon Headlights is part of the 2008.5 feature, not in the lux package.

[mazdas3sporte]

all i care is about the engine, i could care less if u have heated seats or power mirrors, personally i think that thats a waste of money, the Xenons are useful though obviously cause of safety, the 6 speakers on the Gt or lux package i could care less about, i can get a 2000W RMS sub for like 400 and install it my self, which will sound 1000 times better then factory, iam just hoping that the model that i purchased is a 2008.5

[cwp_sedan]

If you have the money definitely go with the GT. You will be much more satisfied in the end.

[oni]

you have nice GT as well cwp.

[cwp_sedan]

you have nice GT as well cwp.

Thanks.

I had a dilemma when I bought my car. Luxury package or not. Lux at the time was $1500 or so and included leather, 6 disc changer, auto-climate control and HIDs. All I really wanted was the HIDs so I opted out and just installed my own for about $300. I'm glad I went that route.

The jump from a GS to a GT has some significant changes. The big thing is appearance and the motor. The little things are great and really do make a difference. I would say if you are planning on keeping the car for a while, make sure it has everything you want.

[SilentJay]

You do tend to get better features associated with the GT, but if you're either cash-strapped or looking for a temp/project car, a GS will do fine. I didn't bother with the Lux package even though I could have gotten red (i'm still a little bitter about it ), but I'm not too big a fan of leather, and like most others, I tossed in HIDs myself and it ran me about $200.

I made the call last August, and was enjoying the heated seats/mirrors pretty often this winter

[oni]

I didn't bother w/ the LUX package as well, i'm not too keen on the leather being hot and stuffy during the summer time. I finally dove in and got the GT. I do plan on keeping this car for a long time and I don't think it was worth the trouble to acquire all the parts to mod a GS into a GT.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

I'm glad I went that route.

The jump from a GS to a GT has some significant changes. The big thing is appearance and the motor. The little things are great and really do make a difference. I would say if you are planning on keeping the car for a while, make sure it has everything you want.

You do tend to get better features associated with the GT, but if you're either cash-strapped or looking for a temp/project car, a GS will do fine. I didn't bother with the Lux package even though I could have gotten red (i'm still a little bitter about it ), but I'm not too big a fan of leather, and like most others, I tossed in HIDs myself and it ran me about $200.

I made the call last August, and was enjoying the heated seats/mirrors pretty often this winter

I finally dove in and got the GT. I do plan on keeping this car for a long time and I don't think it was worth the trouble to acquire all the parts to mod a GS into a GT.

You will enjoy your car and be glad you went with the GT, my CWP and Silent Jay are both my clients as well.. They both love their cars.

[Cardinal Fang]

I struggled with the same decision when it came to opting for the luxury package or not for my 2006 GT. I remember sitting across from Jeff and my wife saying the only real benefit I saw was the heated seats and I really didn't care much for the moon roof or the 6 CD changer for that increase in price.

I remember being told "you're going to be keeping this car for a while" make sure you get the options you want and be done with it so that you NEVER second guess yourself. I'm glad I went that route because I love all the decision I made. No regrets on the luxury package.

P.S. I am a convert to moon roof now. My wife says the wind blowing through my thinning hair gives me a rush.

[sudz]

I have a 2007 GS Sedan... I really wish I had the $$$ for the GT.... I look at all the money i've spent/spending... and IMO... its just making it look closer to a GT! Things like LED tail lights, Side sill extensions, Rims... All this I wouldn't be upgrading if i had the GT...
However... the car wouldn't be "mine" if i didn't make customizations to make it unique.

A car isn't yours until you've taken it apart/looked up its skirt :-P

[PolarBear]

Other thing to consider is the gas mileage.
If you do a lot of city driving and cost of gas matters to you go with GS.
Otherwise definitely go with GT.

For myself I got GT but Mazda 5 :-)

[andytam]

i have a GS
but would have preferred the GT
i want snowflakes for winter!

[Wild Weasel]

Remember that the GT also has slightly larger brakes, increasing the safety aspect.

Have you had a car with leather? I find that people who worry about leather being stuffy have either never had it, or have had a car with vinyl seats and thought they were leather.

I wouldn't pay $3000 for 8 hp, but you can't ignore all the other stuff you get. I'd definitely get the GT. The extras are worth the money.

[Chargedup]

I bought a 2008 GT with luxury package and moonroof...and I am glad I did..I love it all..the leather seats are well worth it...my other car is a GT mustang/leather and they have been awsome....upgrading to the GT is well worth the money....If I was going to drive somewhat of an economy car it was going to be Luxury all the way!

[baymoe]

Go with the GT. Didn't regret getting the GT one bit, well.... maybe a little bit after seeing the Mazdaspeed3.

[Mike]

Exactly the same for me. I'm super happy to have upgraded. I'm using all the extra features.
But at the end of the day they are luxury items. You can only justify it if you have some extra savings that allows that. I spend a lot of time in my car, so I could justify pretty easily.

I bought a 2008 GT with luxury package and moonroof...and I am glad I did..I love it all..the leather seats are well worth it...my other car is a GT mustang/leather and they have been awsome....upgrading to the GT is well worth the money....If I was going to drive somewhat of an economy car it was going to be Luxury all the way!

[visco9]

Personally I'm going with the GS 2008.5

The GT has some really nice features like the clear rear lights, great seats, and nice interior dials. But I couldn't justify the big price jump and the extra gas the bigger engine would take. I should add this is my first car, so I am a little more price conscious. But the GS 2008.5 has plenty of features and is IMO the best value for the short and long term.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Update:

oni went with the GT and I think he is very happy with his decision.

[Cardinal Fang]

Another convert to the GT class. Who's next?

[hoodlum]

Over a 5 year period I suspect the price difference would be over $5k after taking into account the initial $3k + taxes ($400) and the difference in fuel costs ($1k/5yr), insurance(?) and tire replacement(?).

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Over a 5 year period I suspect the price difference would be over $5k after taking into account the initial $3k + taxes ($400) and the difference in fuel costs ($1k/5yr), insurance(?) and tire replacement(?).

If everyone worked it out like that... we would all ride the bus.