Hey guys!

[boostt214]

Alright so heres the thing
I have a moded twin turbo supra 98 targa black on black
I can no longer afford the insurance which is about 2k every 6 months
and gas is killer for this car I swear im getting 15-16 highway

I have finally decided to sell my baby and it kills because It is my dream car.(sad1)

I have decided to also look into the Mazda Speed 3 and the WRX 08

I have been reading up on both especially on the forums and from car and driver and edmunds comparison
I love the interior of the Mazda Speed and the looks
I know I might have to look at the WRX in person to actually appreciate it
but the inside of the WRX is not all that great from what I hear.
My friend has an 07 STI and that thing is amazing considering he just bought 7k worth of parts and is waiting to install them.

The WRX has a lot of potential being is has the same engine except being 2.5 than the 2.0 L
But I would like to know the potential of the MazdaSpeed 3

I mean I am coming from a totally different realm of car
A moded Supra to a Brand New 08 hatchback,
I would like to have some fun somewhere down the line putting parts into either car

Please send me some feedback on which I should Get I guess
I know WRX's in the past have had great parts made for them and can output a lot of horsepower and torque, I just dont know enough about the horses a MazdaSpeed 3 can make to make any real decisions right now


thanks!

 

[MicaSp33d]

As modding goes, the MS3 will make pretty decent power on just some bolt-ons from what i seen. There has been some clams of almost 20hp from just intake. There are some minor things that need to be address on the MS3 stock though. It needs a stiffer rear motor mount($100-$140) and shifter bushing($30). Then you can let the fun start.

go test drive the MS3 and WRX and then decide.

 

[Shane5425]

tunning wise, the market for us is still young, MS3 to WRX id take the ms3 anyday, MS3 to STI , i would take the sti. Its a fun car but a b**** to launch, first mods to do to a MS3 is Intake, motor mount, BPV, Downpipe. car will come alive.. anything after that, you gonna need suspension and super sticky tires because the trq will just roast the stock tires..

 

[boostt214]

Oh I also forgot to mention I live in the chicagoland area
and winter is not that far around the corner

so I mean im honestly loving how the MS3 looks
and I know the market is still kinda young for the car
but it is really catching my eye on price and the interior is truly superb compared to the 08 WRX

I mean FWD is better in snow than RWD
but dont get me wrong AWD is better than both in snow

Both cars catch my eye
Ive basically had a two seater car
and now that I am a college student it kinda sucks when I cant pickup friends and ask them for gas money LMFAO
but like I said both cars have more room, better interior, and just overall a more practical car than my car. Just really hard deciding on both.

I fell in love when the Lancer Evo first came out and the Rival to that car is the STi and the WRX's for years so I was into that scene because of my friend. But, I would probably be the only one around the area with a MS3 if I got it haha. Im looking at White for both the cars that color is just JDM and sexy (rockon)

 

[Shane5425]

from what i hear the MS3 is actually good in snow, as long as the DSC is left on..

 

[boostt214]

whats a DSC?

 

[Shane5425]

Dynamic Stability Control

 

[boostt214]

what are some good sites to look up parts as well as maybe some cosmetic upgrades for the car like maybe a front lip or something

 

[assman]

The MS3 works perfectly fine in the snow. We had the 2nd worst winter in our cities history last year and I never had a problem and I travel alot. Im sure Chicago being not so far had a similarly rough winter. I bought 17'' winters with good tires and its fine.

As far as the comparison ive never driven the new WRX but every article in every website and magazine out there seems to agree that 1 the ms3 is better and 2 the wrx is taking a step backwards trying to please a broader audience rather then sticking to its original race roots.

 

[iredremix]

what are some good sites to look up parts as well as maybe some cosmetic upgrades for the car like maybe a front lip or something

all of the sponsors in this site are great.. japanparts.com is good, SU, therpmstore, corksport.com, cobb and cp-e are great. i'd take ms3 over wrx anyday. AWD is better yes but i'd only buy a wrx or sti if they came out with the sedan

 

[boostt214]

You guys have really helped me out
MS3 is by far the best bang for the buck
Plus ill have a little spending money left over help pay off some debts lol

Thanks soo much for the information
ill be picking up a White MS3 real soon!

 

[DKo5]

You may want to wait a few months for the supposed refresh on the WRXs - extra hp + better suspension.

Personally, I chose the MS3 over a WRX ~6 months ago because of price + performance. Being that I'm in SoCal, the lack of AWD wasn't that big of a deal (although launching the MS3 is nearly impossible for me, at least on stock rubber), and the MS3 just feels like so much more CAR. The interior build quality, the comfort, the steering response, its the full package - and for CHEAP. Maybe this will change with the '09 WRX, but we'll see.

 

[EMPIRE]

Go with the MS3.

 

[ndedomin]

You guys have really helped me out
MS3 is by far the best bang for the buck
Plus ill have a little spending money left over help pay off some debts lol

Thanks soo much for the information
ill be picking up a White MS3 real soon!

Good Choice! The MS3 isn't as fast off the line as a WRX, but that's just traction. Once you get going, the ms3 destroys the WRX. And the WRX is one of the ugliest cars in existence. You'll love your MS3.

 

[PureDrive]

wait for the 09 WRX - 265hp...

 

[Hyun]

if you want awd go subie, if you dont mind fwd and dont mind saving 4-5k for roughly the same performance as new 09 wrx go ms3.

Really, that 4-5k could put to good use especially during this sorry state of economy and that awd and drop in fuel economy from awd just doesnt justify that price.

Now.. sti is whole different story..You dont buy that car to save gas.

 

[boostt214]

oh yea i totally know what you mean
i saw the fuel economy for the new WRX and i just said WTF
my friends 07 STI gets WAY better gas mileage than it does

and I dont wanna get what everyone around chicago has, a WRX or an STI
I swear its like the most common car around here, that and Evo 8's