A little MS3 praise, for once, and a few other brief reviews

[skallen]

Not to mention the Speed 3 is a fair bit cheaper to mod. Granted, we don't have the brutally excessive aftermarket following like the STI, but we have enough to modify it "moderately" Other than the STI, there isn't a hatchback that even comes close to the MS3 as far as power is concerned. The only other cheap option is the SS Cobalt. But, again, no hatch....And in my opinion, ugly as ****...Gotta have the hatch for the subwoofers...Much better than a trunk

 

[LaCroix08]

Not to mention the Speed 3 is a fair bit cheaper to mod. Granted, we don't have the brutally excessive aftermarket following like the STI, but we have enough to modify it "moderately" Other than the STI, there isn't a hatchback that even comes close to the MS3 as far as power is concerned. The only other cheap option is the SS Cobalt. But, again, no hatch....And in my opinion, ugly as ****...Gotta have the hatch for the subwoofers...Much better than a trunk

The cobalt is a toy, too. I couldn't possibly own one of those cars and maintain my dignity. I like the MS3 aftermarket. I have a bunch of mods lined up for the 135, and I certainly would have spent wayyyy more than I would to mod my Speed.

 

[TRDMS3]

GTI is overrated, best car of the year ok good on veedub but it's just too cute lookin for me, not enough guts with a hefty price tag, ms3 07-09 (for me anyway) is the way to go if your in the market to buy something reasonably priced, practical and meant for some spirited driving every now and then.

 

[TRDMS3]

Okay, since you ask here are three....Motor Trend - Four Hot Hatches

But when you consider this;
Price as tested MS3 - $25,840, Lancer - $31,060, WRX - $32,344, GTI -$32,360
All the other cars are $5-7k more expensive. That works out to 20-27% of the purchase price. Which is a lot if you ask me. All in all its a great showing to foe the MS3.

good article but in overall comparison to VW why does mazda seem slow? Only 2/10 of a sec faster in 1/4m than a -65hp GTI?

Not liking Motortrends this years take on us, last year we took it, rexie with more horsepower really made all the difference in performance for sure.

Mazda just lost it somehow along the way, perhaps it's the ****** grin lol

 

[fateexceeds]

I've spent the last month or so avidly looking to get out of the speed3 and into something a little... more, I suppose. When I bought the speed, 500 a month was the absolute most I could spend on a car, I'm now at the point where I can spend 7-800 a month, and I figured I would look around. I spent a lot of time researching cars in the 40-50k range, and was pretty well set on either a BMW 135i or 335i. So after learning everything I could about both of them, I drove them each quite thoroughly, and I much prefer the ride of my Mazda. Sure, the BMWs were nice, but they're really not for me, they're too soft, you can't feel or hear the engine, the tires, the road, the exhaust.

I decided, while I was looking, I would check out a new STi, cause I've always been a fan. While I couldn't find a dealer that would let me drive an STi, I did drive a new WRX hatch, and it was quite impressive. The AWD system was amazing, and that Boxer engine was awesome, but the interior felt quite lackluster and almost cheap in comparison to my '08. I know that the STi is somewhat nicer than the WRX, and I'm sure driving one is absolutely amazing. However, I just don't feel like they're worth the extra money. At the end of the day, I just wanted to drive my Speed.

I know this is kind of a lame story, but it's times like that that make me really love this car. I know I haven't experienced every option out there, but I can safely say that I will be keeping my Mazda for a long time, even when I could quite comfortably afford a much "nicer" car. Anyways, thanks for reading! (cabpatch)

I agree with your assessment of BMW. My sister used to have a 330i coupe, and she hated it (and had nothing but problems with it - she finally dumped it when the tranny went last fall). I took turns driving with her on a 26 hour road trip to visit our mom in Winnipeg, and I honestly missed my Protege! I was so used to feeling that feedback from the road that it didn't feel right driving the beemer.

another option to consider would be the Audi A4, which I believe starts around $31k. a friend of mine recently went looking for a BMW for his wife, and the BMW salesman actually told him to go look at Audi, citing better quality and reliability. he ended up getting her an A4 2.0T, and they both love it.

if you do decide to get something else, I'd also recommend the '10 MS3! I haven't driven the first gen MS3, but I have driven the '10 - it's been described as "more civilized" with better torque-management and ride quality.

 

[LaCroix08]

I agree with your assessment of BMW. My sister used to have a 330i coupe, and she hated it (and had nothing but problems with it - she finally dumped it when the tranny went last fall). I took turns driving with her on a 26 hour road trip to visit our mom in Winnipeg, and I honestly missed my Protege! I was so used to feeling that feedback from the road that it didn't feel right driving the beemer.

another option to consider would be the Audi A4, which I believe starts around $31k. a friend of mine recently went looking for a BMW for his wife, and the BMW salesman actually told him to go look at Audi, citing better quality and reliability. he ended up getting her an A4 2.0T, and they both love it.

if you do decide to get something else, I'd also recommend the '10 MS3! I haven't driven the first gen MS3, but I have driven the '10 - it's been described as "more civilized" with better torque-management and ride quality.

Oh! I forgot to mention that I drove the A4. I was so horribly disappointed with it that I must have forgotten. The one I drove was stickered at 45k, which I thought from the start was far too much for the car, but I drove it anyways. The interior was nice, I suppose, but lacking in comparison to the BMW, imo. The performance was dreadful, it has a 4-banger turbo, like the speed, but the same refinement that the Bimmer has. You can't feel the acceleration, the tires, the engine, ect. I kinda laughed after driving the Audi; I hated it. With that being said, I know there are a lot of people that really love the Audi, so I'll add that it's just myyyy opinion.

I drove the '10 MS3, and I love the new instrumentation, navi, push-start, ect. I hate the clown car cloth inserts, and I'm still not sure about the exterior of the car. I love the hoodscoop, and I like the new wheels/tires. I like the '10 MS3, but I like gen1 speeds better.

In related news! I installed my Cobb SRI today, and it certainly made me like my car a bit more . I'm gonna do a fewww more go fast mods, and a short shifter, and I think I'll be set with my car for a while. Oh! And Cobb stage2, mmmm.

 

[fateexceeds]

Oh! I forgot to mention that I drove the A4. I was so horribly disappointed with it that I must have forgotten. The one I drove was stickered at 45k, which I thought from the start was far too much for the car, but I drove it anyways. The interior was nice, I suppose, but lacking in comparison to the BMW, imo. The performance was dreadful, it has a 4-banger turbo, like the speed, but the same refinement that the Bimmer has. You can't feel the acceleration, the tires, the engine, ect. I kinda laughed after driving the Audi; I hated it. With that being said, I know there are a lot of people that really love the Audi, so I'll add that it's just myyyy opinion.

I drove the '10 MS3, and I love the new instrumentation, navi, push-start, ect. I hate the clown car cloth inserts, and I'm still not sure about the exterior of the car. I love the hoodscoop, and I like the new wheels/tires. I like the '10 MS3, but I like gen1 speeds better.

In related news! I installed my Cobb SRI today, and it certainly made me like my car a bit more . I'm gonna do a fewww more go fast mods, and a short shifter, and I think I'll be set with my car for a while. Oh! And Cobb stage2, mmmm.

I never drove the Audi, so I don't know from personal experience, just annecdotal evidence. sorry about that! lol.

the '10 MS3 is awesome. as I've said elsewhere on here, the only thing that kept me from buying it (I was sitting there doing the paperwork!!!) was the fact that the salesman found out from his manager that he was wrong when he told me the 0.0% financing for 60 mos. was available on the MS3 - the best they could offer was 4.99% for 72. I ended up going to another dealer and getting the '10 3s Sport with the 0.0% for 60.

post pics of the SRI! glad to hear it's making you enjoy the car more. the cobb stage 2 kit would be sick. since you were looking for a car in the 40-50k range, it shouldn't be a problem!

 

[fateexceeds]

I agree with the guy who posted earlier, if you can afford more of a payment right now, get your car paid off sooner. You will pay less in the long run, and just imagine what you could dowith an extra 7-900 a month.

sagacious advice, especially if you're seriously considering buying a home in the near future!

 

[fastmazdams3]

Not that I'm a honda fan, but did you try the 2010 Acura TL with SH-AWD? The AWD system is one of the best, plus it has a super user friendly interface that lets you see where the power is going. The looks are kinda blah though, but you can get a sports grill for it that's all chrome, not my thing but it might work. The Power is nuts though and you can stomp on the gas through turns with no worries and the suspension is solid. I test drive them all the time as a tech and its definetly on my list for an upgrade for the MS3. Not sure if that's in the class you we're thinking about getting though, might be a little to much luxury and not enough performance.

 

[LazerBlueP5]

Ah, the new widebody and the big ol' STi wing on the new WRXs. Like I said, I simply could not live with the interior of the Subie.

Lol- you'd have a heart-attack if you saw my interior (Caliber SRT4) but it's about 300 whp/wtq and only $300/month. (birthday)

 

[LaCroix08]

Lol- you'd have a heart-attack if you saw my interior (Caliber SRT4) but it's about 300 whp/wtq and only $300/month. (birthday)

I drove the new SRT4's, and I just didn't like the way they drive. I don't remember the interior, but it is rare that Dodge's interior impresses me. Speed3 vs SRT4 is just a personal thing, but I'd take the speed over Dodge any day.

 

[coololddude]

MS3=Best all-round Hatch on the Planet and Canada!!

 

[SFCSpectre]

MS3=Best all-round Hatch on the Planet and Canada!!

I know I work in a windowless office but when did canada detach and start floating?(dunno)

 

[fateexceeds]

MS3=Best all-round Hatch on the Planet!!

fixed!

I'd take the speed over Dodge any day.

agreed!

 

[HondaEat-R]

(flame) I agree...seriously do these guys even know how to drive? Sometimes I think they only mention the torquesteer because they cant find anything else they dont like about the car. I mean look at all the speed 3's we have on this forum..from the 07 to the 2010... There is such a large number of them that are tuned/modded/pimped...whatever you wanna call it, that 263hp lasted about as long as it took to get the car home. We dont complain about torque steer...why? Is it because we can actually drive or is it because we drive the car more than once a year. More than likely it's because we actually take the time to learn the car before we start complaining about something like torque steer.

So MT here's what I think about the review (nuts)(pow)

In the same day, I drove a 2010 Speed3, then right after a 2009 GTI. GTI is a nicer car, IMO. With a ECU flash and TBE, the GTI will over power the Speed3. Stock for stock, the Speed3 was def a bunch quicker, BUT the driveability, interior, and overall feel of the GTI was much better. It's just a more adult car really. Don't get me wrong, I'll NEVER buy a VW though...too many horror stories of maintenance costs.

 

[HondaEat-R]

The cobalt is a toy, too. I couldn't possibly own one of those cars and maintain my dignity. I like the MS3 aftermarket. I have a bunch of mods lined up for the 135, and I certainly would have spent wayyyy more than I would to mod my Speed.

You need to look closer at the new Cobalts specs (TC), all of them... Very capable car, Chevy or not, cheesy or not. Even stage 2 (pulley, tune, injectors) on the SC versions, made very considerable power and times.

My mother has a Z4 and a new twin turbo 3-series....the TT 3-series has had nothing but issues, and always in the shop.

 

[LaCroix08]

You need to look closer at the new Cobalts specs (TC), all of them... Very capable car, Chevy or not, cheesy or not. Even stage 2 (pulley, tune, injectors) on the SC versions, made very considerable power and times.

My mother has a Z4 and a new twin turbo 3-series....the TT 3-series has had nothing but issues, and always in the shop.

I know the new TC Cobalts are quick, as quick as we are, at least. But I've known a few ricer guys around my town that have them, and the interior is cheap and falls apart, and the exterior isn't much better. If I wanted a race car I clearly wouldn't have bought the MS3. I just think, in our class, we really have no competition; I haven't gotten around to driving a new GTi, but they surrrre are pricey.

 

[TRDMS3]

(attention)

lol couldnt resist the smilie, Cobalt is worth as much as a rental car to me no matter how fast it is! It's ugly!

 

[LaCroix08]

(attention)

lol couldnt resist the smilie, Cobalt is worth as much as a rental car to me no matter how fast it is! It's ugly!

Aye, they're garbage.

/thread

 

[bigdaddy]

I always test drive the Subies when I go to my local dealer for service, (Mazda/Subaru Dealer). The 09 WRX Sti is a very nice ride with the BBS 18" wheels, Brembo brakes and suspension upgrades. Total price out the door is $45,000. I paid $25,000 OTD for my 07 MS3 and it is such a smoother, well balanced ride and has jet lift off acceleration. Sure AWD handles nicer but for around $20K less I just luv my Speed3. For $5-$7K more I can add MS coilovers, sways, wheels and tires and have a killer track toy.
I really feel that you can't compete against these cars in performance value and drivability for the price.

you go to Diablo Mazda/Subaru??