09 Ms3 Vs 09 Wrx

W

Wurf

Member
:
2010 CX9 Blue
I haven't bought yet. I have a very good price on the MS3 from a dealer and I've been shopping them all over the state. I have quotes from several dealers. About 1/2 mile from the Mazda dealer is a Subaru dealer with ONE 09 WRX on the lot. It's not a five door but I plan to go drive it after I test drive the Mazda.

Having not driven one of these cars yet ( only sat in the MS3 and looked it over ) and looking at pics on the web of the new WRX, and reading posts on other forums comparing the two, I am finding the following:

  • Interior of MS3 GT is much nicer than base WRX or premium
  • WRX has AWD which is better for winter driving, wet roads, and hole shots.
  • WRX has AWD which is a detriment to mileage and eats HP on a roll giving the edge to a MS3
  • 09 WRX availability is ultra limited around here and dealers do not have many sitting on lots. I find less than a handful in the whole state.
  • Haven't found any reports of smoking turbo issues with WRX but I honestly have not searched very hard.
  • Handling is reportedly better in the MS3. Looking at reviews by Consumers reports and Car and Driver.

So guys, give me your thoughts on the matter. I would especially be interested in any opinions from those that either own both, have driven the 09 WRX ( 265hp ) or have other direct comparison information for me.
 
go with the one that gets all hot and bothered the most. Ultimately you will be paying for it so you better be getting the one you like the best.
 
Looking at addressing the strengths of the WRX over the MS3, snow tires should adequately get this car through each winter. I plan to put the snows on the factory 18" rims. For summer, I plan to put lighter 18"s on the car, run the OEM tires on them until they quickly wear out, and replace them with stickier rubber as soon as possible. The lighter rims should further enhance handling, braking, acceleration, and ride of this car, not to mention looks. I feel like I'm selling myself on this car when I don't really have to!
 
There are three long threads on nasioc regarding motor issues for the '09 WRX. May want to check into those.
 
GoFast said:
go with the one that gets all hot and bothered the most. Ultimately you will be paying for it so you better be getting the one you like the best.
Click to expand...

Pretty much the reason I want to AT LEAST drive another car similar to it before pulling the trigger.
 
Wurf said:
Pretty much the reason I want to AT LEAST drive another car similar to it before pulling the trigger.
Click to expand...

If it were the 08 WRX vs the 08 MS3 I would say go for the MS3 without question. Subie really turned their backs on their loyal fans with that car.

However what I have read since then about the new 09, makes me smile again. WRX was my dream car for years... until I drove my MS3.

Anyhow drive both, both are nice cars and the one that makes you the happiest is the one you should get. My clue that the MS3 was the car for me was the fact that it was alot more car for the same money... that and I was giggling like a school girl after my first ride it it!

As for the snow issue, you will have no problems with the MS3 in the snow, just get snow tires. I use no-name 16in sunny snow tires on a cheap set of rims and I have complete and total confidense in the snow. Infact my MS3 handles better in the snow then any car I have ever owned, and better then any car any of my friends own.

AWD would be nice if I could turn it on for launches, and off again for cruising. I average 27mpg in my speed, on flat ground at 65mph I can even break 30mpg sometimes.

One more thing you might want to consider. The 09 and 08 MS3 are pretty much the same. You might be able to find yourself a new 08 and low ball the dealer.

Good luck either way, remember its your money, make the dealer give you what you want!


Oh... that car and driver article was the my favorite review thus far, not because the MS3 won, but because they totally tore into that POS civic SI, saying a video game would have better handling. Im so going civic racing... er killing tonight!
 
drive both. it is the best possible test. after all, it doesn't matter who says what, it boils down to how you like driving each, and that'll determine what you should get.

as someone said: "buy the one that gets you hot & bothered." good advice- also applies to wives & gfs. ha! (rofl)
 
on paper i'd have to go with the wrx. awd is so much nicer both in inclement weather as well as when you're making real power. the engine is also basically the same that subaru has used forever so you're going to get full aftermarket support and will pretty much be able to make as much power as your wallet can afford. the MS3 is going to be slightly better in interior (really neither is a rolls royce so it's not a big difference), subjectively better looking, and handles better. so it does depend on what is important to you. for me i'd go with the wrx as handling is easy to fix and the interior in the wrx is perfectly fine so AWD, real aftermarket support and power potential would sell me on it.


that said i'd not pay more than invoice for any car right now. i've casually looked for wrx's and have not had good luck in finding them. if supply is low and dealerships won't deal because of it then i say screw that. however if i could find a wrx optioned the way i wanted it and the dealer wasn't giving me a hard time about invoice then i'd go for it. otherwise i'd just wait or if i needed a car now i'd get the MS3
 
Test drive both. If I was looking for a car now, it would be a lot closer than it was last year. I test drove the new 09 wrx 5 door (while waiting for an oil change) and it was nice. The interior is comparable. What I liked about that car was the seat fit me perfectly and I just felt more with the car. There was no jerkiness like with the MS3. Also, if drag racing is your thing, I raced a kid with a 2 week old stock 09 wrx and he was putting down 14.0s. Drive them both.
 
I'd have to hunt down the WRX with the color and options I want. The dealer has TWO MS3s exactly the way I want - grey GT's without the nav. I am test driving one for the first time in a few hours. Headed there right now. I will follow up my impressions on this thread.
 
Last edited:
you need to ask yourself this to -

will I be modding this car and what are my goals?

there are some issues with the engine on the 09 but from what i have seen it's a small% of customers having issues and soa is fixing them.

Do you need AWD?

basically this
traction - wrx
fit and finish - ms3 (althought the 09 wrx's interior is very nice) these are pretty sim.
aftermarket - wrx
handling out of the box - the ms3 edges the wrx barely here ( aftermarket ??)
if you are thinking that you want big power out of the car the wrx is a better platform ( i'll prob. get flamed for this but )
the ms3 has known fueling issues as well as engine failures ( just like the wrx)
basically you need to deciede what you want and whatever you choose enjoy it and post up some pics.
 
Please log in or register to reply here.

New Posts and Comments

W
Vague Transmission Oil Change Recs Vs Common Sense & Reality
2 3
Replies
55
Views
2K
cx5_2014
C
A
Instrument cluster
Replies
0
Views
30
AG16
A
theblooms
I gotta ask, what happened to Conrad 16.5?
Replies
0
Views
38
theblooms
theblooms
2
PHEV Charger Adapter Options, Ideas?
Replies
1
Views
108
island_e
I
K
    • Like
ATOTO A6PF 7" Android Double DIN Head Unit with Backup Camera Installed
Replies
1
Views
132
Silentnoise713
S
S
2011 Mazda2 Aux jack giving up - repair or replace?
Replies
4
Views
1K
wolfy1337
W
View more…

New Threads and Articles

Back