Thinking about coming back, convince me!

[monkeymsp]

Hey there guys! It's been a while and I definitely miss my MSP. I left a couple of years ago thinking I needed to "grow up" so I bought a BMW 330Ci. The BMW has been fun, I love all that low end torque, but I miss the turbo feel on the highway.

I went and test drove the MS3 but the other front runner for me is the base WRX, the STI just does not seem worth the premium.

A couple of questions:

1.) at 37 am I too old to be driving one of these cars? In my MSP, big wing and all, I definitely felt too old and that was almost 8 yrs ago.
2.) From reading the boards the MS3 looks more reliable stock than the MSP, do you think that is accurate?
3.) should I get the base model? is the tech package worth the price?


Any thoughts appreciated, thanks guys!

hmm, if I do get an MS3 I'll have to change my username

 

[skatethesea]

I saw a guy last night that had to be in his 70s driving a 2011 speed3. He even tried to get me to street race. So no, you are not too old. As for the comparison between the WRX. it's really a personal preference. I looked at both and I really liked the feel of the seats in the MS3 compared to the WRX. I knew the Mazda was going to be my long haul car for DC to Tampa trips. So that was important to me. Gas mileage is amazing. Stock I got 28mpg. For some reason with the COBB stg1 tune I am getting 30.6mpg on the highway. I have yet to even use the economy mode. As for fun, it turns like a champ. Found out last night that the fourth gear in the 2nd Gen really has made a difference compared to 1st Gen. And with simple bolt ons and a COBB AP you can pretty much tear into some cars that you would think are out of your league. I am fully satisfied with my purchase. And I like the fact that 16yr old girls don't drive an automatic version of my car because it is cute. Cause they can't!

 

[monkeymsp]

I... I like the fact that 16yr old girls don't drive an automatic version of my car because it is cute. Cause they can't!

I think you just sold me!

 

[n1smo]

I'm about your age and just purchased a MS3 2 weeks ago. The riceboy in me finally has an outlet. Put in the K&N Typhoon intake and now I can hear the turbo spool up and the BPV.

 

[MS3G35]

I'm 26 and I have a 2010 MS3. I was also looking at the WRX. IMO I don't care what other people think. If I like the car I am going to drive it weather people think I'm "too old" for it or not. I'll prob have some sort of tuner car untill I can't drive anymore. It's just what I like. I have respect for all types of cars. So people who put labels on cars are just ricers IMO.

Now comparing the WRX and MS3. It's personal opinion on what you like. I liked both cars but the MS3 was cheaper and brand new. The WRX I was looking at was 3k more and had 25k miles on it. Also I felt that shifting in the Subaru was very clunky and and MS3 was more refined. The only thing I miss out on is the AWD in winter. Other then that I LOVE my MS3 and don't regret my purchase at all. They are also faster stock for stock.(not from a dig) So anyway. I don't think you need "convinced" to come back. I think you need to go test drive both cars and fingure out what YOU like.

 

[JP0317]

If you have the money, I'd say go for the WRX! I really miss my awd.
To me it just seems like more of a refined car, esp with the new body design it doesn't just look like some race car anymore.
Also, not sure if you were planning on doing mods or not to either of the cars, but the Subarus have such a solid foundation to build on and parts are so interchangable between years. They're like legos haha.
I can assure you, with a Subaru, you won't be disappointed. Power and handling wise it's a awesome vehicle. Winter, spring, fall, summer, perfect for any season on any terrain.
As soon as my girl is ready to sell her car (and when we have the money), we're trading that one in for a new scoob.
But MS3G35 is right, drive both and figure out what YOU like. We're not the ones paying for this, haha.

 

[Killer]

<=====Fifty.

 

[LaCroix08]

My pops drives an 08.5 MS3, he's 58 now. He also drives like a mad man, he gets much more use out of his turbo than I do, and I'm 20.

 

[solis365]

I have not driven a WRX but I own a 2012 speed3; its tons of fun. The only complaint I have is the torque steer, which I have heard is not as bad of a problem on the WRX (because of the AWD, obviously). On the other side of the coin, because I don't have AWD it gets better mileage. We'll see how it does in the new hampshire snow this year.

 

[manualist]

Mazda really needs to make a Mazdaspeed5 for grown up people I don't pay much attention to what people think of my ride either.

 

[Tyrdstorm]

The biggest factor for me with the Tech Package was the lights and nav. I really really wanted the HID headlights and LED tails, especially the nagare style headlamps. The Nav is pretty small, but it actually does a better job than I thought it would.

Edit: And no, you're not too old. I'll be turning 34 soon and I will refuse to drive a car that isn't "fun" for as long as I possibly can.

 

[WillD]

Age is a mindset as much as it is a number. As they say, you may grow older but that doesn't mean you have to grow up. I see no reason why you should not get a MS3 if it will be something you will enjoy. Life is too short to pass on things because of what other people think.

When I was looking at my Speed3 I also looked at the Evo and STI. I felt both of them were superior cars but not worth the premium over the Speed (plus I couldn't afford it at the time ) and with the Speed I got exactly what I wanted. I'm not convinced that I would be $7-8k happier in an STI.

 

[Replica]

You're going to be dead for a very long time.