The second most important financial decision made in a household or by an individual is usually the purchase of a vehicle. Doing some research heading out to the dealership helps the consumer to make a more informed decision. With that mindset let’s have a little fun analyzing the Mazda3 and the Mazdaspeed3 just in case a sporty car with great features yet at an economical price is in your future.

Both Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 are compacts produced by you guessed it: Mazda. Mazda3 began production in 2004 and Mazdaspeed3 in 2007. Mazdaspeed3 is the performance version of Mazda3. The refreshed second generation Mazda3 with a 2010 model year has a suggested MSRP of $15,295 and the first generation Mazadaspeed3 has a suggested MSRP of $23,340.

Establishing the price differential, makes it clear the Mazda3 is the most economical, however, determining what each vehicle has to offer will also aid in the decision making.

The 2010 upgraded Mazda3 offers a 148-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine available in 144-horsepower tune, and a 167-horsepower, 2.5-liter inline-four available in 165-horsepower tune. The 3 comes in five-speed automatic or manual, or an optional six-speed manual. The Mazda3 i SV offers drivers electrically-variable speed-proportional power steering. Standard and optional features include a sunroof, satellite radio, Bluetooth, navigation system and stereo with more watt-power

The Mazdaspeed3 specs go like this: The sporty high performance compact offers a turbocharged 2.3-litre DISI MZR I4 engine (borrowed from Mazdaspeed6), producing 263 horses and 280 lb.ft. of torque. Standard in the Mazdaspeed3 is a GKN limited slip differential, a six-speed manual transmission, antilock brakes, traction control and Dynamic Stability Control. Consumers will not be offered an automatic transmission until model year 2011. What is even more interesting is that Mazda’s high performance tuning and race division engineered the Mazdaspeed3 to reduce boost in first gear so that only 230 horses hit pavement and boost is also limited in second. Gear selection and steering angle are the determining factors of boost reduction in first and second gears.

As expected the Mazdaspeed3 takes faster – 0 to 60 in 6.8 seconds and the Mazda3 at 7.9 seconds. Both vehicles grant sporty technology rich cabins and a fun way to drive from point A to point B. So when all is said and done, the Mazdaspeed3 grants more power and the Mazda3 a fatter bottom line. A test drive may help you decide which one is more important.