Convince me to not buy a WRX and get a Mazda3 instead

[apocman]

Where the hell do people get the idea that the STi has some lack of torque. That damncar easily double that put out by my 6 at any point in the power band. The car really couldn't be easier to drive. Power is basicly right there, always. Worst case, you wait 3 seconds for a massive surge unlike most cars where you wait 10 seconds for jack.


God damn I miss that car.

I thought you still had the STI????

 

[1sty]

What about a Legacy GT. I drove one, and was impressed. The WRX is very close in price and with the extra options on the Legacy, It may be worth it. You could get a 5 speed nicely loaded for $28.5k, and with slow sales, knock off an additional 2-3k if you do it right. It also comes in a wagon if that is what you really want. The only 2 things I would change right away is the stereo and if you get a MTX, get an STi short shifter. Just my 2 cents.

Why pay $28k for a legacy when you can have an STi for less then $32K?
Not to mention, the WRX is 5-6k less then the legacy and the 3 is 7-8K less.

 

[1sty]

I thought you still had the STI????

Nope, it has been gone for 2 weeks now.

 

[sprayed03mp5]

do you have 2 grand to replace the transmission when it blows up, but you can get piss loads of power out of them and the aftermarket supports them like crazy. the mazda3 is less expensive and probably more reliable with the mods you can do to (short of 100 shot of nitrous of course) plus 30mpg is not bad at the pump vs about 18. that is about it

 

[FlyinMSP]

how about the mazda6 sportswagon? it's very cool and with little suspension mods it should handle very nicely...

 

[RHAGEL]

Why pay $28k for a legacy when you can have an STi for less then $32K?
Not to mention, the WRX is 5-6k less then the legacy and the 3 is 7-8K less.

I left out the STi because it was over $30k but the last ttime I checked a decently loaded wrx was is about $25k, without leather or sunroof and 16" wheels. IMO it is just too much.

 

[RHAGEL]

how about the mazda6 sportswagon? it's very cool and with little suspension mods it should handle very nicely...

I Agree.I don't know about in San Jose, but at Long Beach Mazda they are offering $7k off the wagons, that is a hell of a deal.

 

[1sty]

do you have 2 grand to replace the transmission when it blows up, but you can get piss loads of power out of them and the aftermarket supports them like crazy. the mazda3 is less expensive and probably more reliable with the mods you can do to (short of 100 shot of nitrous of course) plus 30mpg is not bad at the pump vs about 18. that is about it

I have yet to see a WRX tranny blow that didn't have a chuckle head shifting it. Anyone that tries continuos launches with it gets what they deserve. Its not a race car, thats what the STi is for

 

[1sty]

I left out the STi because it was over $30k but the last ttime I checked a decently loaded wrx was is about $25k, without leather or sunroof and 16" wheels. IMO it is just too much.

That doesn't sound that bad to me if it compares to a mazda 3, acura RSX, eclipse, or one of a handful of other cars with the same options but no where near the engine, no all wheel drive, and none of the modability.

 

[Antoine]

This thread is actually interesting!...See, it is possible to have a car comparison type thread without busting into flames...

Keep it going guys (thumb)

Side note...1sty why did you give up the sti and what are you driving now?

 

[1sty]

Side note...1sty why did you give up the sti and what are you driving now?

Someones guily of not reading the whole thread.

In essence I came to the conclusion I was spending too much on the STi. The Car payment was near $600/month, it only got around 20 miles a gallon (usualy less) and needed 93 octane. Plus registation on it was $500/year and I was in need of brake pads, rotors, and probably tires within a year. That all added up along with my typical 1.5 year itch for a new car led me to shop for a Mazda 6. I ended up with a 6s that is rather loaded for $200/month less the what I was paying for the STi.

In hind sight though, I shouldn't have done it. The deal just wasn't that good (but they never are in the north east) and I am now just looking to mod the 6 for handling and more power, which I really wasn't modivated to do in the STi.

 

[II-Savy]

1sty that sucks.....the STI was nice I bet. ...I want one.

FYI
The 3's braking, Roadholding and fuel econ are all better than a WRX....also no question the 3 interior is way nicer. The WRX is faster though....

 

[DE31]

what kind of tires does the 3 come with? all season?

 

[RHAGEL]

That doesn't sound that bad to me if it compares to a mazda 3, acura RSX, eclipse, or one of a handful of other cars with the same options but no where near the engine, no all wheel drive, and none of the modability.

I agree, I just think that the WRX is too expensive for what it is. I would consider it if my pocket could handle the cost. Performance wise the wrx is a good deal. The cons are: like I said (no leather, no 17" wheels, no moonroof) unless you pay extra. But then your talking $30k. If yourt going to go that route, you might as well buy an STi or Legacy. Mazda 3 is an awesome deal for the price, but if you want a little more a Legacy GT or Mazda 6 is also good deal. As far as the RSX & Eclipse; the RSX is too small, but nicely appointed and the Eclipse is an overweight wanna be sports car, ugly piece of s***. (getting hyped up while sipping my JD Manhattan)

 

[Mazda3ofKent]

what kind of tires does the 3 come with? all season?

some gross goodyears

 

[mobomelter]

rsa's. they suck.

 

[chimchim]

I just test drove the WRX wagon and Legacy GT wagon today. Unfortunately, this was from a dealer in a crowded city and I couldn't do anything with the car except get on the freeway. Sure I felt the straight line acceleration, but I was interested in handling too.

The power is addictive and acceleration was effortless for the 3100 lbs vehicle. You would never have known that the car is 300lbs heavier than the 3. But then again, I didn't open my wallet to fill that gas tank.

I've test drove the 3 last year. Both trunks on the 3 and WRX are small and narrow but the cabin felt more crampt in the WRX than the 3. Visibility was better on the WRX, but I miss the sunroof of the 3.

I've got big complaints about the WRX interior. It looks ok, and the seats or nice and supportive. But the whole inside FEELs like a gutted race car with an interior custom fitted to it... rather than the 3's interior which feels like it never was a naked chassis (like most cars with nice interiors). Both had flimsy feeling doors; like sheet metal and bars, in contrast to the airlock like doors of a Lexus (our other car).

The throw on the shifter was WAY too long for a car of this type and felt imprecise. The short shifter upgrade clearly is a must. The 3's shifter on the other hand is noticeably shorter and notchier... although a bit tough. I never accidently went from 2nd to 5th in the 3 like I did with the WRX.

I amazed at how small the WRX actually is.. and just how much weight it has to carry around. Can it really be just because of AWD? Plus turbo?

Wow. I though the WRX testdrive would convince me. But now I'm teetering even more than before. The Legacy was nicer because it didn't feel so cramped and had even more power. But I don't want all the posh-feeling stuff. I want a functional car. The WRX has a lot of track functionality, but the 3 has a lot of daily driver functionality.

 

[rodslinger]

I could not live with a WRX on a daily basis. The turbo lag on those things is borderline dangerous. I know mods can improve that but it shouldn't be that bad to begin with. If you've driven an auto version you'll definately know what I mean. The 2.5 turbo in the Legacy GT and Forester XT are nice motors and I felt should be the standard engine in the WRX. The turbo 2.slow should have been put in the base Impressa. Don't get me wrong, the WRX moves when it gets up in the RPM's but to me isn't a useful engine for a daily driver.

Just for kicks go test drive a WRX wagon in an auto. From a stoplight just mat the pedal. I swear you can brew a good cup of coffee before that thing gets through the intersection.

 

[RHAGEL]

I just test drove the WRX wagon and Legacy GT wagon today. Unfortunately, this was from a dealer in a crowded city and I couldn't do anything with the car except get on the freeway. Sure I felt the straight line acceleration, but I was interested in handling too.

The power is addictive and acceleration was effortless for the 3100 lbs vehicle. You would never have known that the car is 300lbs heavier than the 3. But then again, I didn't open my wallet to fill that gas tank.

I've test drove the 3 last year. Both trunks on the 3 and WRX are small and narrow but the cabin felt more crampt in the WRX than the 3. Visibility was better on the WRX, but I miss the sunroof of the 3.

I've got big complaints about the WRX interior. It looks ok, and the seats or nice and supportive. But the whole inside FEELs like a gutted race car with an interior custom fitted to it... rather than the 3's interior which feels like it never was a naked chassis (like most cars with nice interiors). Both had flimsy feeling doors; like sheet metal and bars, in contrast to the airlock like doors of a Lexus (our other car).

The throw on the shifter was WAY too long for a car of this type and felt imprecise. The short shifter upgrade clearly is a must. The 3's shifter on the other hand is noticeably shorter and notchier... although a bit tough. I never accidently went from 2nd to 5th in the 3 like I did with the WRX.

I amazed at how small the WRX actually is.. and just how much weight it has to carry around. Can it really be just because of AWD? Plus turbo?

Wow. I though the WRX testdrive would convince me. But now I'm teetering even more than before. The Legacy was nicer because it didn't feel so cramped and had even more power. But I don't want all the posh-feeling stuff. I want a functional car. The WRX has a lot of track functionality, but the 3 has a lot of daily driver functionality.

Well, I guess it sounds like you have your mind made up. The 3 is an awesome car, and with smaller payments you will have some extra dough in your pocket.

 

[1sty]

I agree, I just think that the WRX is too expensive for what it is. I would consider it if my pocket could handle the cost. Performance wise the wrx is a good deal. The cons are: like I said (no leather, no 17" wheels, no moonroof) unless you pay extra. But then your talking $30k. If yourt going to go that route, you might as well buy an STi or Legacy. Mazda 3 is an awesome deal for the price, but if you want a little more a Legacy GT or Mazda 6 is also good deal. As far as the RSX & Eclipse; the RSX is too small, but nicely appointed and the Eclipse is an overweight wanna be sports car, ugly piece of s***. (getting hyped up while sipping my JD Manhattan)

Its not even paying extra but paying after the fact as the moonroof and leather are not even options. Although, each will only be in the $1000 range so with paying 2-3% over invoice you should still be able to get it well shy of $30K