Based on Marffeus' post, I'll assume Mazda actually is going to make '09 MS3s. (no brainer if you ask me!) But... with all due respect, that link above doesn't prove anything. For all we know Edmunds might simply be referring to the 08.5s. I thought the article was just that... an piece stating Mazda's intent to produce the MS3 another year (which is newsworthy considering their history). Either way, I'm glad they've extended it another year. When you think about it, this whole 2 years nonsense was pretty much just that. I mean, is Subaru only making the WRX for a couple years and then leaving it up to the base Impreza to hold down the fort till another WRX comes around? Just because it's a 'limited mazdaspeed' doesn't/shouldn't make it any different. Mazdaspeed is to the 3 as WRX is to the Impreza. If Mazda truly wants to compete in this market they need to drop this whole limited run idea and simply produce the MS3 along side the 3 for the duration. It can stand toe to toe with any competitor so why the hell not?
2009 Ms3??
- Thread starter Fat_Dave
- Start date
Based on Marffeus' post, I'll assume Mazda actually is going to make '09 MS3s. (no brainer if you ask me!) But... with all due respect, that link above doesn't prove anything. For all we know Edmunds might simply be referring to the 08.5s. I thought the article was just that... an piece stating Mazda's intent to produce the MS3 another year (which is newsworthy considering their history). Either way, I'm glad they've extended it another year. When you think about it, this whole 2 years nonsense was pretty much just that. I mean, is Subaru only making the WRX for a couple years and then leaving it up to the base Impreza to hold down the fort till another WRX comes around? Just because it's a 'limited mazdaspeed' doesn't/shouldn't make it any different. Mazdaspeed is to the 3 as WRX is to the Impreza. If Mazda truly wants to compete in this market they need to drop this whole limited run idea and simply produce the MS3 along side the 3 for the duration. It can stand toe to toe with any competitor so why the hell not?
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LOL now THERE's proof!
For people like me that have been on the fence (mainly due to the Lancer Ralliart & now new WRX) this is great news! I'd never buy a used turbo car so the pressure of having to get an 08.5 (while they last) and not being able to testdrive the 2 aforementioned cars bothered me. Now that's no longer an issue.
For people like me that have been on the fence (mainly due to the Lancer Ralliart & now new WRX) this is great news! I'd never buy a used turbo car so the pressure of having to get an 08.5 (while they last) and not being able to testdrive the 2 aforementioned cars bothered me. Now that's no longer an issue.
And therein lies the dilemma. Like the WRX, the MS3 has always been a tremendous value. Part of what made the MS3 so successful was Subaru not dropping the ball on the 08 redesign of the WRX but forcefully throwing it into the ground. A year later and that has seemingly been fixed. Compare the new WRX hatch to the MS3 and you have 2 ridiculously similar cars in terms of looks, performance and price (assuming the MS3 is a GT). Obviously there will be some intangibles at work here but, all things being equal, as great of a value the MS3 is... the addition of awd to the mix makes the new WRX a notch or two better. Should be interesting...
+1
Also, I still want to know people's opinons on getting an 08.5 vs waiting for the 09!
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If you like the style and want to pay for AWD, then the choice is obvious. Personally, I don't love the looks of either car, but I know I don't need AWD nor do I regret FWD on the MS3.
I agree, but my heart has been and still is mostly set on the MS3 (can't explain why). It is worth considering the fact that Subaru did not change the transmission for the 09 models, and with the increase in power, could lead to unexpected issues (FYI the 5-speed manual transmission is somewhat infamous for having problems).
I probably wasn't clear but my main question at this point is whether or not it would be better to get an 08.5 midway through the year vs. getting an 09 half a year before 09 is here. The '09s had a $300 increase in MSRP (despite no changes) and I can score a pretty good deal on the 08.5 at this point.
I know many people think that considering resale on a car such as the MS3 is silly, but I like to feel confident in a decision such as buying a car (friday)
Comparing the MS3 GT to even a base '09 WRX is a fair comparrison. (Sure, you can get a WRX into the high $20k range but that's after you add the premium package and navigation. Comparing similarly equipped cars, the pricing is pretty much the same.
I could of swore I read they bolstered the tranny but even if they didn't, that's not something to be concerned with. Those cars are virtually bulletproof. It would take A LOT of $ and hp (not to mention tomfoolery) to break that car.
Anyway... you have an interesting dilemma. There are two schools of thought on this topic. Some feel the year is more important when it comes to resale but I tend to lean on the side of mileage. All things being equal, buying an '08.5 now (especially for only $300 over invoice) will mean you got a hell of a deal on a car that, assuming you don't drive the s*** out of it, will seem to have even less mileage than it does. (considering how late in the 08.5 run you'd be buying it.) Conversely, buying an '09 the day they come out will have the opposite effect. Fast forward 5 years when you want to sell it and the '08.5 and '09 will have roughly the same mileage... yet the perception will be that you drove the '08.5 far less during the time you owned it.
Personally, if you're dead set on the MS3 and don't want to wait a month for the WRX, I say go for the 08.5. Barring the Rex taking a big bite out of the MS3 sales (which is actually highly likely) it'll be more difficult to get a similar deal on an '09 as you were able to negotiate on the leftover 08.5. If you think you can pull that off though... putting aside what I said earlier, the '09 would be your better choice.
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I2L Audio Package 2
I2V Sport Trim 1E
E8A I-Pod Interface
T8E STI Metal Pedal Kit - M/T
K8H Center Armrest Extension
R8D Security System Shock Sensor, Individual
B8A All Weather Floor Mats
MSV Wheel Locks (Alloy Wheels)
Satin White Pearl
Invoice $26,969
Total with Options $29,167
Adding in the options to make a regular WRX Premium equal to my MS3GT puts the price at $29k. Add in advertising and true invoice is over $27k. No thanks....I paid $500 over on my MS3 and saved more than a few thousand. That's on nearly identically equipped cars and the price is no where near the same.
I2V Sport Trim 1E
E8A I-Pod Interface
T8E STI Metal Pedal Kit - M/T
K8H Center Armrest Extension
R8D Security System Shock Sensor, Individual
B8A All Weather Floor Mats
MSV Wheel Locks (Alloy Wheels)
Satin White Pearl
Invoice $26,969
Total with Options $29,167
Adding in the options to make a regular WRX Premium equal to my MS3GT puts the price at $29k. Add in advertising and true invoice is over $27k. No thanks....I paid $500 over on my MS3 and saved more than a few thousand. That's on nearly identically equipped cars and the price is no where near the same.
A 'base' WRX and MS3 GT sticker for about the same price. (the MS3 is like $100 cheaper) The premium package is about $2k and is generally regarded as a waste of money since the 3 biggest things you get (in '08 anyway) are the aero package, upgraded stereo, fog lights, heated seats and a few other trivial things.... most of which can be had ala carte for far less. In '09, the aero is included so... comparing the '09 base WRX to the MS3 GT I feel is the best comparrison. Sure, the Rex may not have a pos bose system, HID or rain sensing wipers... but I'd trade those in any day for awd.. which is essentially what you're doing since the pricing is about the same.
The ONLY way to get a WRX's sticker price up to $29k is to load it with the premium package and navigation system.
The fact that you paid $500 over invoice on your MS3 is irrelevant in this comparrison since the same is theoretically possible on the WRX. In fact, after a few months of production, I'd say it's far more likely to get a sweet deal on a WRX than an MS3... since dealers won't be able to use the whole 'limited quantities' bs.
The ONLY way to get a WRX's sticker price up to $29k is to load it with the premium package and navigation system.
The fact that you paid $500 over invoice on your MS3 is irrelevant in this comparrison since the same is theoretically possible on the WRX. In fact, after a few months of production, I'd say it's far more likely to get a sweet deal on a WRX than an MS3... since dealers won't be able to use the whole 'limited quantities' bs.
I agree... I could care less about most of the extraneous stuff. Navigation is so overpriced in cars. You can get many great stand alone nav systems for much less. Heated seats... Had them for years and never used them. Same for rain sensing wipers...
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it's funny, the things you're calling a waste or not worth it are the exact things that so many people add to their cars aftermarket.
aero packages...how many wings, kits, facias do we see added to cars....lots. How many upgrade their stereos because the stock system sucks....tons...how many add HID's....even more...too bad they blow the benefit by going 6,000k or higher....dumb. Rain sensing wipers and ass warmers are awesome.....had both for years on my other cars and thankfully I don't have to miss them.
Different strokes for different folks....me....I'll forgo AWD since I'd only really use it on the 2-5 days of real snow we get here. Otherwise, it's sucking up my gas in lbs.
aero packages...how many wings, kits, facias do we see added to cars....lots. How many upgrade their stereos because the stock system sucks....tons...how many add HID's....even more...too bad they blow the benefit by going 6,000k or higher....dumb. Rain sensing wipers and ass warmers are awesome.....had both for years on my other cars and thankfully I don't have to miss them.
Different strokes for different folks....me....I'll forgo AWD since I'd only really use it on the 2-5 days of real snow we get here. Otherwise, it's sucking up my gas in lbs.
I think you read it wrong...
Since the aero package is included in '09 (for the same price as the aero-less '08 mind you) that's one less reason to opt for the $2k premium package.
So let's see... upgraded stereo. pass! You mentioned many people upgrade their radios and I'm one of them. Even the best stock system sucks balls next to even a halfway decent aftermarket. heated seats... would be 'cool' to have them but definitely not something I'm going to spend an extra couple grand just to have. Let's see... what else is included in that damn premium package? s***... I don't know.
My only point was the MS3 GT and WRX (similarly equipped) were about the same price. We just discussed how pointless the premium package is (in '09 at least) so that keeps the cars at about the same pricepoint. Simple as that.
Since the aero package is included in '09 (for the same price as the aero-less '08 mind you) that's one less reason to opt for the $2k premium package.
So let's see... upgraded stereo. pass! You mentioned many people upgrade their radios and I'm one of them. Even the best stock system sucks balls next to even a halfway decent aftermarket. heated seats... would be 'cool' to have them but definitely not something I'm going to spend an extra couple grand just to have. Let's see... what else is included in that damn premium package? s***... I don't know.
My only point was the MS3 GT and WRX (similarly equipped) were about the same price. We just discussed how pointless the premium package is (in '09 at least) so that keeps the cars at about the same pricepoint. Simple as that.
Are you speaking of the sti or the wrx. If you are speaking of the wrx then u r completely wrong...I don't even know how many trans I have had to replace with ppg gears. The sti can break too, you just have to know how to do it
