Give Me Your Opinion

[vipertag313]

Im split...

- Im at a stage in my life where i want a car that i can enjoy and that is fun to drive.. (the listings below fit said criteria)..i want some of your opinions on this.

- Mazdaspeed3 - From what i hear its a very fun car. I have not test driven it yet. I like the versatility and gas mileage of it as well. However, ive come to the conclusion that it dosnt "connect" you with the road as an RX-8 or a 350z would.
- RX-8 - Very fun car. Less power then MS3 but i have driven it. Enjoyed the feel, the clutch, the shifts.. it felt like an old glove -> just right- so im wondering too, how much feel is related between the MS3 and RX-8.. but gas mileage :${.
- 350z - Very good looking car with all the same fun included that an RX-8 would have. I have driven it and have felt that it has a slightly harsher suspension. However, with less versatility, it turns me off. I also like the fact that is has respectable gas mileage for its power, but the MS3 trups it.

- concering price, i understand, that new, all these cars vary. My price range is from 20-25k so all of these cars, if new or used would not break the bank.

- Now i know almost all of you have heard the arguments on whose top dog. Im not interested in that, im interested on your input as owners, Thanks in advance

 

[JD45535]

dude save yourself the trouble and buy a freaking WRX!! that car will meet your expectations and more...way better performance and looks then all ur listed cars

 

[Invictus]

Is the car going to be your daily driver?

 

[hectik1]

For that price range you get pick up a new 09 Lancer Ralliart too. 237 HP 253 TQ turbo/intercooled 4b11t out of the Evo X. AWD system from Evo IX. Seeing them pop up on lots now too.

Used I would look into a STi or Evo IX. Both fun, AWD, and have 4 doors and a trunk.

 

[mattj3636]

new wrx is ugly. sick.

 

[mattj3636]

i say either the 370z, or speed3

 

[CrazyT]

You're in a MS3 forum. Guess what, most people are going to tell you to get a MS3. But for s**** and giggles....

The Rx-8 and 350Z are different cars then than MS3. If you are looking to cruise the main strip with your car and buddies, hey guess what, you're in a 4-door wagon. Doesn't exactly stir up the opposite sex. The Rx-8 and 350Z has a bigger "check it out" factor. However on that point, it's a better "sleeper".

Never driven a 350Z so I won't speak on it (except it's ugly). The Rx-8, however, is a nice car, but if you're comparing it directly to the MS3, the MS3 has more power and torque (better for daily driving), is cheaper, and gets better gas mileage. If you're into modding, the RX-8 is pretty much tapped for all available power, and the side port rotary does not take to turbocharging very well (possible, but not very effective). Insurance may be cheaper as well for the MS3.

As for the WRX someone mentioned, I think I'm the only forum member that actually likes the look of the new WRX. The engine was the biggest detractor for me. The engine is absolutely gutless under 4-5k. If you're just driving around city streets and need to speed up (for a lane change, i.e.), you need to downshift. The MS3 can cruise around in a high gear, and with all that available torque at 3k, just give it a little gas and you're good.

Think about what you really want. Buying a car for the "wow" factor seems vain, but if it didn't matter, we'd all be driving Chevy Cavilers. Will you be happy two months from now driving a 4-door wagon (or 5-door, whatever you call it). Or do you want a 2-door sport car?

 

[UHATEIT]

dude save yourself the trouble and buy a freaking WRX!! that car will meet your expectations and more...way better performance and looks then all ur listed cars

Uh NO!



*for the op, i was GLAD to see that you actually came on here and left those god aweful, ugly WRX off your list, congrats! Everyone always seem to ask... wrx or ms3... and then this guy above had to go and put it out there. Glad to see you did not include it anywhere in your decision.

Anyways. I came from a 350z to the speed3, I enjoy the first 4 door car I have ever had and its got much more room to work with while the 350z had no backseat and barely any trunk space. Speed wise, both are/were modded, and they were both very similar, the 350z felt more connected to the road mainly because of the lower sitting i could feel the road more than i can with the ms3 which is higher up.

I would recommend the speed3 as it is MUCH easier to mod a turbo car and see power and gains than on any NA car. I put every bolt in imaginable for the 350z before a turbo kit and did not get too much of a gain as opposed to putting mods on the MS3 it was much more niticeable and more of a better bang for your buck than on the NA 350z. ALSO modding a 350z is NOT cheap! Well neither is a speed3, but then again I felt that the 350z was expensive to mod compared to the speed3 and you didnt really notice as much gain from it.

Overall I would say go with the speed3, you wont get a new 350z for 20-25k either, and imo the 350z looks ugly stock unless you mod them up.

here was my comparison to start out:

 

[Super Unique]

It's really oranges and apples comparing the rx8 and 350z to the speed3.

between the rx8 and the 350z they are both really nice rear wheel drive sport coupes with excellent handling. The rx8 is obviously much better balanced and will carve corners like there is no tomorrow.

The speed3 is a bit of a different beast altogether. Certainly more practical for daily use. More room, 4 doors, can actually have a passenger from time to time with little difficulty. Some tradeoffs for the front wheel drive configuration. Can handle and turn well for a FWD, but not in the same league as a miata or rx8.

To be honest, I am a rotary fan from way, way back and desperately wanted the rx8 until I realized I am just too tall to fit properly in it. My head is touching the roof when the seat is down and all the way back. Shame, but that's how it worked out for me. Who would guess the speed3 has more headroom, was a suprise for me. This isn't the first time that I have had issues getting into a car either. I tried the evo and the STI, neither of which have enough room for me. Even the Chevy impala SS was a tight squeeze for me. I am 6'4" which in my opinion really isn't that tall anymore. I regular encounter folks quite a bit taller than that.

 

[SHaW]

According to your price range of roughly 20-25k and the way you want to enjoy driving your car on road, as well as, the fact you have some concerns of gas mileage, I would recommend getting the MazdaSpeed3. This is because I also had the concerns of enjoying the car on the road as well as gas mileage. And so, I would just say go test drive the car. Hopefully, you will be satisfied with it like I am. However, it is true, of course people here are going to say go with the "MS3", since they have probably come to this forum since they are satisfied with the vehicle also. Hahaha.

 

[Super Unique]

i would be ecstatic if Mazda would grow a pair and put their renesis in more than just the rx8.

Bring on the mazdaspeed 3 ROTARY powered car. Throw a turbo and intercooler on that bad boy. Now THATS a wagon I would pimp daily.

 

[CrazyT]

i would be ecstatic if Mazda would grow a pair and put their renesis in more than just the rx8.

Bring on the mazdaspeed 3 ROTARY powered car. Throw a turbo and intercooler on that bad boy. Now THATS a wagon I would pimp daily.

Screw RENESIS. 20B production car, stateside.(headbang)

 

[Super Unique]

Screw RENESIS. 20B production car, stateside.(headbang)

20B would be awesome, but there are some downsides. Cost, would likely put the car over 35k, and there were reasons for the renesis program, including but not limited to epa standards, and fuel mileage.

Honestly, We know that rotary engines are never going to be gasoline misers, so why not use them across the board in the performance models. Then it's not such a deal breaker.

 

[vipertag313]

Is the car going to be your daily driver?

And yes, this would be my daily driver

- thanks for all the opinions so far, its helping

 

[oaklandopen]

And yes, this would be my daily driver

- thanks for all the opinions so far, its helping

maybe you should explain your "stage" a little more, that might help a little. cuz as i see it...

-ms3 is a faster-than-most, small family car. class includes srt4 calibur, 4-door cobalt ss/tc, civic si 4-door...anything with 4 doors, fwd, and can manage some performance like under 7 second 0-60 and whatnot

-rx8 is a 2.wtf door, rwd, moderately priced sports car...which i would say is in the same class as the 350z, but certainly not the ms3


there was a cool article in car and driver a few issues ago that had "best cars under $25k", and they were mostly used. now, if you're looking for something fast, they featured an 04 zo6 in the group. it may not meet even the intro vette's ls3 power plant, but it's still a fast-as-s*** car by any standard.

i just think you (and really everyone who has started a thread wondering if the ms3 is the right choice for them) need to weigh in as many factors as you can when trying to get a new car. price is a good start, but naming cars from there probably isn't.

personally, i think you should consider these factors...

-price range (you have one which is good)
-functionality (is it more practicle for you to have 2 or 4 doors?)
-drivability (i thought the 350z had a rough ride when i drove it)
-intended use (i've heard nothing but crappy gas mileage from the rx8, regardless of it's 1.3L engine)
-thrill factor (face it, if you were going to spend money on something that sends your nuts into your throat, and puts the corners of your mouth against your ears, you wouldn't be on this forum at all, EVER)

hope this helped, sorry it was long

 

[bioevolve]

Just do it and get a GT-R.(naughty)

 

[PCspeed3]

just to let you know, RX-8 motors go to s*** every 25K miles or so is what I have heard. If you plan on making your car really fast and really good looking and you have a stack of cash to spend, go with the 350Z. If you want a good all around car thats fun to daily drive and do a few mods to, go with the Speed 3. Only reason I didnt get a 350Z is becasue I would have to spend $6K+ to get it to look the way I like it then even more to make it quick. Good luck man.

 

[///M Compact]

I'd go with the RX-8 or the 350Z.

 

[CrazyT]

just to let you know, RX-8 motors go to s*** every 25K miles or so is what I have heard.

Sigh... That's what everyone has 'heard' about the rotary ever since the '70s.

 

[eperk84]

My 2 cents

I just recently bought a speed3. I looked long and hard (giggity) at the rx8. It just looks beastly. But when it came to reliability, maintenance, utility, and just talking myself out of buying something for the looks I went with the ms3. Not saying I don't like the way it looks, but you gotta admit that RX8 looks good.

(plus the rx8 has no low end torque. Not a good daily driver if you ask me).