09 Ms3 Vs 09 Wrx

[wisniaPl]

get a sti

 

[specvspeedfreak]

I don't understand why people are saying the handling goes to the MS3.. all the recent comparisons has the wrx having better autoX and road race times.. Also its alot faster all the way to 120mph... . If you can find a good deal on a wrx I would say get it. I would try to get them down to invoice as well... but it might be hard. I have only seen 1 or 2 09's at a dealer so far. check into insurance aswell. i bet the wrx is a bit more.

 

[Peter B]

get a sti

Yeah its slower and costs more!

To be honest I still have a soft spot in my heart for the 02 WRX and first 03(?) STI. Nothin but fast. No frills, to extras no nothin, just fast. The new STI has soo many options its like the friggin shuttle.

I just want to go fast.... or should i say 'go zoom zoom!'.

 

[jred321]

get a sti

Yeah its slower and costs more!

if you can find an 08 you might be able to get a great deal though. many dealerships were doing $7,000 off MSRP plus 0% for 60 months back in december. not sure if they still would do it. basically SOA was providing dealers large incentives to move their inventory and some dealers decided to pass that along to consumers so they could actually move cars. put the STI right around the $30k mark which is very close to a wrx premium not to mention the 0% for 60 month thing.

so getting an STI isn't THAT crazy of an idea, unless it's an 09 sti, then it's crazy

 

[240ka]

i went to check out the sti and rex. and just sitting in the car i wanted to cringe. the int. was terrible. felt like i was in a suv or station wagon. i didnt feel like i was in a sports car one bit.

i felt so good when i sat back in my car and drove home. couldnt help but to laugh my ass off when i thought back to the sales lady stating. "this car is 41k but i can give you a deal"

close to 40k or more on a evo or sti...highly laughable

 

[dcomiskey]

I honestly don't think there is any comparison. I test drove both and found the WRX felt like a cheap piece of s*** compared to the Mazda. Along with that, you get a LOT more room. The AWD is way over-rated. Slap some winter tires on the Mazda and you're just as good.

The Mazda is just a ridiculous bargain compared to the Scubbie.

If you want AWD to go all dor-if-tooooo and whatnot then you shouldn't be driving, IMO.

 

[lestat13]

I've heard about the the WRX having tranny issues, don't hold me to that though!

I researched the base model WRXs for a few months and was set on them until a dealer near me got a MS3 in.... and clearly you can see which I purchased

Anyway, with the transmissions, I have heard that through driveline shock you can wreck the gears in the Rex's gearbox pretty easily. Fluids and additives to reduce shock had a tendency to goop up the tranny instead. Getting new gears installed was at least a few grand and a chance of blowing gears still remains. An STi tranny is the best bet but can easily cost $10k or more.

I knew I couldn't own an AWD drive and NOT launch hard. I'd probably destory the transmission within the first year. This is what kept me away from the rex more than anything.

But with everyone else, drive them both and decide. But who wants a car that's slower, gets worse gas mileage, less fun to drive, and costs more? Then again, many many many people love the boxer burble. Weight your pros and cons.

 

[jred321]

I knew I couldn't own an AWD drive and NOT launch hard.

that's the problem with wrx's transmissions. it's driving style not the transmission itself. you can ruin a transmission in a day if you launch really want to. if you drive normally though it's fine. AWD gives you the ability to launch but that still doesn't mean it's good for the car or that the car was designed to take that sort of abuse. launching on dry pavement really is abuse

people said the same things about evos. they have crappy clutches, bad diffs, etc... i managed to drive mine for 2.5 years with only having to change the trans and diff fluids and the clutch still felt like the day i drove it off the lot.

i also remember reading that the early wrx's had weaker transmissions. can't say that i've researched it since but i assume things have improved pretty significantly in the last 7 years.

 

[lestat13]

i also remember reading that the early wrx's had weaker transmissions. can't say that i've researched it since but i assume things have improved pretty significantly in the last 7 years.

Heard that too. Bug-eye transmissions were pretty weak, the newer ones were a bit beefier but still don't wanna launch on them. I don't know what has changed since they changed to the 2.5 engine, but I hope they have better gears.

 

[TheRealDefman]

ughhh this is like the 1000th thread on this topic

Yeah, it would help if the search function wasn't so awful.....

 

[tiagotiago]

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.

I'm pretty shure you'll have (or are having right now) a lot of fun; I'm shure you'll be giggling the first time you really hit the gas, hell I still remember the first time I went WOT on my speed

That said, take some time after you'd driven both cars and the exitement has worn off a bit and think about what you'll be putting your car through, what you want to do with it and what you expect of it; make the choice more with your head not so much with your heart.

I haven't driven a scooby, but I'd also like to recommend to find out what you can about the dealerships in your area, maybe the Mazda dealership in that area is notorious for being bad, or maybe it's the other way around.

Keep us posted!

 

[Wurf]

I'm pretty shure you'll have (or are having right now) a lot of fun; I'm shure you'll be giggling the first time you really hit the gas, hell I still remember the first time I went WOT on my speed

That said, take some time after you'd driven both cars and the exitement has worn off a bit and think about what you'll be putting your car through, what you want to do with it and what you expect of it; make the choice more with your head not so much with your heart.

I haven't driven a scooby, but I'd also like to recommend to find out what you can about the dealerships in your area, maybe the Mazda dealership in that area is notorious for being bad, or maybe it's the other way around.

Keep us posted!

You are dead-nuts on the mark. I was giggling quite a bit in both cars.

Here's the summary of my experience. Keep in mind my daily driver is a 4cyl Camry so the contrast is likely affecting my perceptions.

I drove the MS3 first.

1. Brakes are fantastic and grab instantly. Blown away by the brakes. I had to use them too. A big fat woman in a Cadillac pulled out in front of me on my demo drive when I was exploring third gear. The ABS works well.
2. Acceleration was a hoot and I love when it gets on boost. Top of first, tires are slipping but it's in the 20's outside so it's expected. Second gear is a blast. The car is NUTS.
3. Handling is outstanding! Instant steering response and amazing road holding. Took a couple exit ramps off the highway and WOW.
4. Seats were great, leg room OK but a little lacking for my 6'2" frame.
5. Transmission was great and pedal position not a problem. I was having heel and toe fun without a problem. Shifter was great IMO.
6. Noticed exhaust drone at certain RPM and load during cruising. Reminds me of an old Mustang I used to have. Seems very racy.
7. Noticed the infamous window rattle I've heard about here. It went away after the car warmed up.
8. Third gear is loads of fun too. Car pulls great and is a blast on the highway.

2009 Subaru WRX

• Seats seemed a bit larger with a tad less bolstering on the side. Plenty comfortable.
• Noticeably more legroom and with the seat back all the way, I can fully extend my left leg when depressing the clutch. Couldn't do that in the Mazda.
• Accelleration in first gear makes you giggle like a schoolgirl. NO slippage it just GOES and it pulls really hard. Trumps the MS3 here pretty badly.
• Second gear equally as satisfying but maybe felt a bit less powerful than the MS3. I think the difference in torque is what I may have felt. Still has plenty of balls.
• Slightly smoother, softer ride, with noticeably less steering response than the 3. Still handled great, but not as sharp. Noticed more body roll.
• Much less muffler and exhaust sound. It's much more quiet than the MS3 and more like my Camry during cruise.

I have to say this is a tough call. I came away thinking the MS3 has a higher strung, more intense sports car feel. It's a hardcore car, a drivers car, and a sports car all the way. Once you're moving it pulls really hard and double digit speeds are seconds away. It's obvious it has more power than it can use in first and second gear.

The Subaru dominates in first gear. I've not driven anything that pulls like it off the line. I did not drop the clutch. Just a smooth release and mash the gas. No drama, just good acceleration until the boost comes on and then WOW. Felt like I was being shot off an aircraft carrier.

I can't decide what is more fun, the off the line acceleration of the WRX or the amazing handling of the MS3.

I really like both cars. I'm thinking the WRX will be easier to live with day to day and the AWD will make driving in the rain and the snow a totally different experience compared with the Mazda. I'm sure with snow tires the Mazda is very capable in winter, but there's no arguing which works better in both the rain or the snow. We get plenty of both in Michigan.

Maybe I'm getting old but I can't decide if the Mazda felt just a little too edgy for me. It's an amazing car and I was very impressed with it, but I'm not sure it's for me.

The price difference is not a consideration right now. I will live with this car for a minimum of 5 years and have the funds to go either way.

I have some thinking to do.

Steve

 

[MS3MB]

I think there is an article I by edmounds or somewhere about an 09 MS3 vs 09 WRX. They rated the MS3 better is all aspects. I was also looking at these two cars and also an 09 STi. I went with the MS3 and im very happy with it. AWD is going a big advantage if ur going to rally style driving other then that MS3 is more then enough to keep you happy

 

[Wurf]

Maybe if I look at it as the MS3 being the sportier of the two cars, it's a matter of Go Big or Go Home.

 

[Wurf]

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

I like your logic, but really......... I think I'm done modifying my cars. I don't have the time to do it, or the desire to dump cash into performance parts. I'd rather have the factory sort it out, offer the car as a package, and just wax it when I feel the urge.

This will probably come down to the dealer and who wants my business more.

 

[gtlaw]

I been thinking about trading my 08.5 MS3 in on a 09 wrx sedan. Doing some research I found there are a lot of them spinning bearings so I think I'll hold out for a while until SOA gets it sorted out.. If I had read more about the MS3 I probably wouldn't have bought it either knowing what I know now

 

[Wurf]

I've been thinking about it and probably will do so all weekend. The info on the spun bearings in the 09 WRX is disturbing, but frankly so is the info on the smoking turbos on MS3's.

 

[gtlaw]

worse than smoking turbos is the rods through the block...If I you I wouldn't buy either of them

 

[Hank3]

I think there is an article I by edmounds or somewhere about an 09 MS3 vs 09 WRX. They rated the MS3 better is all aspects. I was also looking at these two cars and also an 09 STi. I went with the MS3 and im very happy with it. AWD is going a big advantage if ur going to rally style driving other then that MS3 is more then enough to keep you happy

It'd be cool if you can find that cuz I don't recall an '09 faceoff.

 

[PCspeed3]

make sure to get a licence plate that says spun bearing.