The golden age of the affordable, no-compromise hot hatch feels further away than ever. Automakers have pivoted toward crossovers, electrification, and driver-assist technology — which makes a car like the 2013 Mazdaspeed 3 feel increasingly special. It was Mazda’s last hurrah in the segment: a turbocharged, stick-shift-only firecracker that earned a devoted following and has never been directly replaced. It was Mazda’s last true wild child. More than a decade on, it’s edging toward cult-classic status. Sharp handling, punchy power, and a driver-first philosophy define it — but how much does this Mazda cost today, and does it still make sense as a used buy?
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