Need advice: 09MS3 or 09WRX?

[6SpeedTA95]

I haven't heard of Speed3's blowing their motors at 150 miles.


Here's a quote from one of the guys on WRX forum that really scared me:



Also here's that spreadsheet:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1695936

As you can see all the failures happened between 150-13198 miles. The average milage for a failed engine is between 3.5k-4.5k miles. Thats a LOT worse then what I'm hearing for speed3's.

But subie is taking care of their customers and on top of that all the failures are so early on it would be damn near impossible to deny the claim(s).

Mazda has had some shady issues based on what I've read...which is totally discouraging as a potential speed3 owner.

 

[mike8748]

Just know that the MS3 DISI Engine is limited to about 300-350 safely and if you upgrade the bottom end, turbo and fuel pump your still looking at a max of 400-415hp. That's it and there have been many testing and popping the engine finding how far this engine can be pushed.
If you are looking at staying there w/ a possible turbo seal issue, possibilty of popping the engine (#3, or #4) rod through the block and if you mod go ahead and void your warranty. If that's all good then I say go for the MS3
You might want to try holding off a little for the 2010 MS3.
Same engine but gearing is different.
Take every precaution before doing each mod.
Get a Dash Hawk to Monitor your Knock Retard, etc.....
If your cool with all that then yes get the MS3

 

[djthom]

the 2010 gti looks pretty hot, but they're still using the same 200hp engine

yeah the 200 hp engine that becomes 230+ with the revo flash and close to 280 with turboback...

oooh and the best part is they don't zoom zoom boom!!

i am just saying to the OP that you should look at all of the cars in that class...

the gti's are putting down good numbers and turning out to have more robust engines that dont blow the **** up at random weird times.

 

[jred321]

But subie is taking care of their customers and on top of that all the failures are so early on it would be damn near impossible to deny the claim(s).

Mazda has had some shady issues based on what I've read...which is totally discouraging as a potential speed3 owner.

plus just because the owners on here haven't neatly organized and put their blown engines into a spreadsheet doesn't mean a few engines haven't popped. it happens with all cars from time to time. something isn't assembled quite right or the part is the tiniest bit out of spec and things break. same thing with the turbo seal. something isn't quite right and adios.

as i said before replacing an engine, replacing a turbo, or replacing an engine because you didn't notice the turbo died or were running low on oil or coolant or whichever seal blows, all the same. it's a wash. neither vehicle is perfect and volume-wise neither have enormous problems, just things to watch for

 

[SomnoSpeed3]

Well, I have an 2007 MS3 that I just bought a few months ago. I love it but I really wanted a 2009 WRX. I live in MI and think the all wheel drive would have been a lot better for me but I could not afford the WRX as a purchase, only a lease. I'm done leasing cars so I bought my MS3.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my car and have a lot of pride when driving it. It's hard to beat the looks and the performance for the money. But I like the 09 WRX just about as much but give the nod to the AWD.
Me? I would probably go with the WRX, given the choice. The 0% helps that decision and I really don't like the slightly comical look of the '10 MS3.

It all boils down to what drives the best for you. That's what really matters.

 

[08cosmic3]

I met a subie tech at EECMM and he drives a speed 3. He said the WRX'S tranny is junk but the STI's is bullet proof. He bought a Speed 3 because he could not afford the STI and would not buy a WRX. Then again there is the whole problem of smoking turbos and blown motors with the MS3. My next car may be a Used BMW 135 or 335

 

[BlueWagon]

Just got home from work and read through all the responses. Well, the consensus seems to be that I will be happy with either. That's great! I will have to test drive both more throughly and then come to a decision in a few weeks. Thanks for all of your inputs. Was considering the gti also, but really like the looks of both the MS3 and WRX much better. The STi is pure sexxxx, but alas out of my price range.

 

[Circle9]

I met a subie tech at EECMM and he drives a speed 3. He said the WRX'S tranny is junk but the STI's is bullet proof. He bought a Speed 3 because he could not afford the STI and would not buy a WRX. Then again there is the whole problem of smoking turbos and blown motors with the MS3. My next car may be a Used BMW 135 or 335

From what I've read and heard, the WRX engine is a little trashy itself. Check out the list of blown motors thread on NASIOC, a lot of 'Rex's blowing their motors completely stock before 10,000 miles.

 

[meicalnissyen]

no.

how do you add???

 

[zx2man]

ive driven both and besides the awd the wrx isnt really better than the ms3. The ms3 pulls harder from 3rd gear on in my opinion...and yes im talking vs the 09 265 hp wrx...but if you drive in snow and bad weather all the time the subie is better for that. Also yeah if you want to build a horsepower monster the ms3 engine just wont do it...limit is usually around 350ish..and with beefed up internals maybe 450 max...but then i look at it this way...fwd and that much hp is gonna be way to crazy..I already have enough torque steer as is with prabaly 250 whp I have now lol...Bottom line is drive em both see how they feel and then go from there.

 

[jasonspeed3]

I just picked up a brand new 08 Evo X for 28k+ tax. they also had 0% interest for 60 months if you had 750 or higher credit rating. i would look into that.

750 or higher.... I think that is not correct. I know for most dealerships, you have to be above a 650 to get the incentivised rate. That's the way it is with GMAC anyway. I can't imagine subaru being harder on someone than GMAC is.

 

[Nismothecat]

750 or higher.... I think that is not correct. I know for most dealerships, you have to be above a 650 to get the incentivised rate. That's the way it is with GMAC anyway. I can't imagine subaru being harder on someone than GMAC is.

it was Mitsubishi, but when i bought the car they said tier 1 credit rating was 750 and higher and you had to have thet to get the 0% financing.

 

[jasonspeed3]

it was Mitsubishi, but when i bought the car they said tier 1 credit rating was 750 and higher and you had to have thet to get the 0% financing.

Well, I won't comment on mitsubishi, but I know for GM it is 650, and I think Ford, Dodge and Chrystler are even lower. That's really wierd. Just from a salesman standpoint, you see waaayyyy more 6xx than you do 7xx, especially 750.

 

[jflash]

if your gonna mod it i would go with the MS3. my bro just bought an 09 wrx. preformance parts for that car are quite a bit more then the same part for the MS3.

on top of that it takes FOREVER for the turbo on the wrx to spool up.

 

[Speed3@UCI]

I just picked up a brand new 08 Evo X for 28k+ tax. they also had 0% interest for 60 months if you had 750 or higher credit rating. i would look into that.

did you pick up the car at south coast mitsubishi from SAM? they are offering some ridiculous prices right now. So tempted to pick one up.

they also have a skyline GT-R v-spec on display. so sexy.

 

[Sport6]

Well, I won't comment on mitsubishi, but I know for GM it is 650, and I think Ford, Dodge and Chrystler are even lower. That's really wierd. Just from a salesman standpoint, you see waaayyyy more 6xx than you do 7xx, especially 750.

I think that is the point, they want you to get to the point where you are doing credit apps and all that to then find out that you have to be stuck with a not as good deal. Though not saying everyone is like me, I don't run a credit app unless I am really looking to buy the car because inquiries hurt your rating as well. 0% Financing doesn't make them money other than on the initial sale of the car so 750 seems like it would be write. Ford, Dodge, & Chrysler are really trying to push cars so I could see the lower credit rating.

 

[Nismothecat]

did you pick up the car at south coast mitsubishi from SAM? they are offering some ridiculous prices right now. So tempted to pick one up.

they also have a skyline GT-R v-spec on display. so sexy.

I bought it at Long Beach Mitsubishi, but they are owned by the same people and i picked it up at South Coast. i saw the Skyline. they also had about 15 used Sti's there as well.

 

[jasonspeed3]

Any financing makes the dealership money. They will make points of the unincentivized rates and get paid for the deal for the 0% deals. Why do you think you loose rebates when you take the rate? Not very often you get both, you will get some rebates and the 0% or all the rebates, but you won't get all the rebates and the 0%

I think that is the point, they want you to get to the point where you are doing credit apps and all that to then find out that you have to be stuck with a not as good deal. Though not saying everyone is like me, I don't run a credit app unless I am really looking to buy the car because inquiries hurt your rating as well. 0% Financing doesn't make them money other than on the initial sale of the car so 750 seems like it would be write. Ford, Dodge, & Chrysler are really trying to push cars so I could see the lower credit rating.

 

[BayAreaMS3]

Go with the WRX!!!

 

[nypz]

Ya, i was in the same boat and ended up with the ms3. I read allllll of the posts on the NASIOC forum and there is no chance id touch an 09 Wrx regardless of the vin numbers and build dates.