I have just recently seen a mazda3 with a different side badge. It said it was a SP2.3. Can anyone tell me the difference between the SP2.3 and the new Mazda3 2.3 liter? I looked it up but didn't see any significant differences in the cars.

 

The SP23 was the special edition version 2.3 liter from 2004-2005. The 2004-2005 models only came in 3 different trims; i, s, and SP23. No touring or grand touring. The SP23 is basically the original GT trim line. It came in a dark gray called carbon gray mica and other colors, but the dark gray was only available on the SP23. Heated leather seats (brown leather was an option), piano black trim, auto xenon headlights, rain sensing wipers, Bose sound system, all the stuff a GT comes with except automatic climate control. Hope this has answered your question

Lev.

 

^^ what he said

 

Actually, the sp23 was only offered in 2005 and it only came in carbon mica gray. Also, they made a very limited number. Original projection was 1500 5-dr and 3500 4-dr. Actual numbers were slightly lower.

 

I have a Mazda3 SP23, and i LOVE it.

 

Weird. In New Zealand and Australia the only 2.3 ltr Mazda 3 was the SP23. It came standard with cloth seats or GT(oz) or LTD(nz) with leather seats.