motortrend tests the 09 wrx...

[mazdaspeedster3]

I beg to differ. With the starting price lower (assuming you can get one without options in the US) and the AWD and upped HP I think sales are going to be good for them. Everyone loves and respects the WRX and this one seems to tie back to what was lost last year. More power, better handling and a much nicer interior. I would consider it if I cared enough to spend over 25k on essentially what is an economy car. I love and respect the fact that my Speed3 only cost me 22k.

 

[VermZ06]

This just means that other car companies will be stepping up their games as well. We can all thank Subaru for doing this as it will hopefully create more competition and force other competing companies (nudge mazda) to keep upping their games.

 

[coyfish]

Sorry for the confusion but I was reffering to the older WRX 08 model . . . the one I looked at when car shopping. This new one is much faster but im still not digging the looks.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

I dont know... It has taken mazda a LONG time to throw a car into that ring. Now with the Cobalts new output who knows. Mazda isnt saying anything about future speed editions and with the new 3 coming out in 2010 it could be two more years before we see Mazda do anything about this. I would hope Mazda just gets smart and makes the Top 3 model have the DISI option.

 

[ZooMIN3]

hawtness.... honestly, i can dig it, both the new STi and the WRX.. =D (maybe I should've waited another year to check these bad boys out...lol)

The only reason I didn't get an 08 STi when I picked up my MS3 in the first place; was because how the seats made my buttocks numb... and the fact that the interior was definitely lacking in the gizmo/gadgets department... =\

go Subaru!

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

an STi lacking in Gizmos? lol

the dif and Si-Drive seems like a decent amount of gizmos lol

 

[TRDMS3]

Cmon boys where's the loyalty??? No one said anything like: "I am happy with my purchase and wouldnt trade it for anything else..."
it's just a rally, jump on what's a tenth of a sec faster...
I guess the WRX IS the next flavour of the month...

 

[bjjer]

Cmon boys where's the loyalty??? No one said anything like: "I am happy with my purchase and wouldnt trade it for anything else..."
it's just a rally, jump on what's a tenth of a sec faster...
I guess the WRX IS the next flavour of the month...

...or fanboism. The WRX is an awesome car (except 2008). Im pissed because I wanted one but when I was car shopping it was when the 2008's were out. And the WRX has been popular since its release here in the States so its hardly the "flavor of the month."

 

[ZooMIN3]

an STi lacking in Gizmos? lol

the dif and Si-Drive seems like a decent amount of gizmos lol

well... I'm like a go go gadget guru... i like shiny and electronic sparkling things... (guitar) the 08 STi(not the newest STi unless I got the models mixed?) lol was just plain on the inside... nothing that kept me interested really... (whip)

 

[mckraut]

Cmon boys where's the loyalty??? No one said anything like: "I am happy with my purchase and wouldnt trade it for anything else..."
it's just a rally, jump on what's a tenth of a sec faster...
I guess the WRX IS the next flavour of the month...

It's more than half a second faster in the 0-60, correct?

 

[15min5k]

It's more than half a second faster in the 0-60, correct?

Yeah if you don't mine dropping the clutch @6grand killing your drivetrain.

During normal every day driving the 09 WRX isn't going to feel/ be any faster than a MS3 except in a drag race IMO.

MS3 Advantage: Power to weight (slightly better)
Torque (280 vs 244) Chassis / Balance

WRX Advantage: Gearing (5 speed; better for the 1/4)
AWD (Great from dig, inclimate weather and exiting corners at the track)

 

[UHATEIT]

Here's a shot of the interior, for those who are curious.

looks very similar to the ms3:
-accented trim around the dash, red stitching on steering wheel, red stitching on seats, similar carbon style material on center of seats, red lighting, very close to what we have, maybe slightly less in wuality but still looks good

 

[stageup]

yea i was gonna say their interior looks so similar to us
i'd get one

 

[stockms3]

our shifter is nicer!

 

[Speed3@UCI]

BOO! its still a 5 speed manual...

 

[Kain]

BOO! its still a 5 speed manual...

I too am disappointed it's not a CVT.

 

[AAMguy]

i still dont get wat is sooo amazing about the ms3 interior. a lot of it feels like cheap plastic. granted they use pretty colors and shiny stuff. maybe to me the interior i could care about less.

 

[ZooMIN3]

i still dont get wat is sooo amazing about the ms3 interior. a lot of it feels like cheap plastic. granted they use pretty colors and shiny stuff. maybe to me the interior i could care about less.

coming from an 98 Chevy Metro,

and then an 01 Ford Focus,

it just seemed like the 08 STi compared to those interiors...

now the MS3 is a big step up from those..lol

like i mentioned though, the 09 Sti's and WRX's are looking delish!(rockon)

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

I thought the MS3 interior looked pretty much standard...its looked the ssame since the Mazda 6 came out...big black and plastic lol

 

[happy and angry]

I too am disappointed it's not a CVT.

I'm doing a CVT swap mod for my MS3, actually.