///M Compact
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Agreed; too bad opposable thumbs aren't a requirement for forum membership.
MS3 Highway Ride
- Thread starter kbrennan
- Start date
Agreed; too bad opposable thumbs aren't a requirement for forum membership.
Obviously both are great cars so you can't go wrong with either choice. The base WRX costs roughly what the MS3 GT does while the WRX Premium will clock in around $28k. So... pricewise, the WRX is a bit more expensive. That said, you obviously get something the speed simply doesn't offer for your extra coin. AWD Now before you just assume AWD is better than FWD just... because. Ask yourself how often you'd actually NEED awd. Not knowing where you live, I can't infer one way or the other. But if you're in an area that doesn't get hit with too much bad weather, the AWD's benefits will be mostly wasted.
You mentioned the WRX launched well when you testdrove it. That make sme think launches are important to you. While I personally could care less about how a car launches (namely because I'm not a red-light kind of guy) if you are indeed one who likes the race everyone you can from a standstill... the WRX is probably going to be a better choice for you.
In short, you definitely need to testdrive an MS3 before shelling out $25k+ for a WRX. Things that are subjective (how confortable the seats are... placement of HVAC controls... s*** like that) might make a big difference. And as I said, the pricing difference CAN be dramatic. I mean... let's say you were like me and didn't see the value in the extra bells and whistles the MS3 GT has. Suddenly now you're talkin about a $22.5k car Since you're also considering the WRX (which, again, starts at $25k) you'd essentially have $2.5k leftover... assuming that's your budget. That can buy a pretty sick aftermarket audio system... not to mention a few performance mods that'll get your speed into sti territory.
Either way... good luck with the decision. As for Cpt JA with his comments about ride quality. lol I'm not sure what's exactly going on with his ride but it rides about as well as you could hope for in a car like this. Obviously it aint no Benz... or Buick lol but then again, that's not what you're looking for anyway. Since none of the seemingly hundreds of (professional) reviews out there state anything of the kind... I think it's safe to say that his suspsension is either shot or... well, who knows? But like I said, don't take my word for it. Find a dealership that has one and testdrive it for yourself. I think you'll be pretty damn impressed.
Excellent comment. But base price wrx is selling for 23,500 Little bit less than invoice. I was offered $23,700 for brand new 2009 Red with fogs.
WOW with fogs... you're ballin. Since we all know fogs are the most important thing to look for when buying a car...they really add to the resale value
Fogs er kewl
WOW with fogs... you're ballin. Since we all know fogs are the most important thing to look for when buying a car...they really add to the resale value
Fogs er kewl
It is a option that cost more. The wrx has more resale value than ms3 with or with out the fogs. Where have you been?
Niz I'm not here to get in a war w/ you, and yes I have very few posts here, I tend to not be on the boards very often, but yes, I have seen one go for that at a dealer auction, not their lot. I know the difference, and I'm not knocking the older WRX's, I like them, I like the new ones as well, but the new ones due have a very weak tranny compared to other WRX's. IMHO if you're going to get a Subby, you might as well wait till you can afford an STi, for the amount of money it takes to mod a WRX, you can have a very nice used STi.
Thanks for the replies all. I think I'm going to have to make that 70 mile drive and testdrive one next week to get my own true opinion.
Launching isn't the most important thing in my life. It was just a kick to do it with a WRX. With that said, I drove the Cobalt SS yesterday, and I couldn't get the SoB to grab the pavement from a 3k rpm Launch. :-/
Gas mileage is also a minor concern, hence why the speed 3 is getting my consideration. I do almost 2k miles a month, 3 or 4 MPG does start to add up over time. Hence why the MS3 is getting strong consideration.
Launching isn't the most important thing in my life. It was just a kick to do it with a WRX. With that said, I drove the Cobalt SS yesterday, and I couldn't get the SoB to grab the pavement from a 3k rpm Launch. :-/
Gas mileage is also a minor concern, hence why the speed 3 is getting my consideration. I do almost 2k miles a month, 3 or 4 MPG does start to add up over time. Hence why the MS3 is getting strong consideration.
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60181
Sounds like you'll enjoy the MS3. The new 09 WRX's are nice cars and I can appreciate AWD now and then, but for me, they are priced a bit higher and the AWD for me isn' necessary. I would look at them if I wasn't in a speed though. My only complaints are the MS3 is a little loud inside...more road noise than it should have. Will be dynomatting my car next spring as I didn't get around to it this year. The seats are a little narrow for me too. I like to "just feel" the bolsters where these are a little tight after a long drive..more in the thighs than in the back.
The other advantage is every around seems to have a WRX, expecially kids. Me, I kinda like having something that has a sleeper effect and isn't just another of what all the kids are driving.
Let us know what you think.
hey man, i go from fresno to bako to L.A. all the time and im not dissappointed at all going over the grapevine is easy as hell, and i dont notice the bumps really. Im getting 31 on the highway.
And if you are going to get a MS3 i would recommend going to Neftin Mazda in westlake its worth the extra 30 minutes, instead of going to Galpin, I had A horrible experience with them and they tried to screw me over at every chance they had.
Good luck with your decision!!!
And if you are going to get a MS3 i would recommend going to Neftin Mazda in westlake its worth the extra 30 minutes, instead of going to Galpin, I had A horrible experience with them and they tried to screw me over at every chance they had.
Good luck with your decision!!!
That's awesome. I have a friend that works at a local Subaru dealership and he told me the '08s... they couldn't give away. But with the '09's it's like everyone wants one. Said the lowest they're selling them for is $500 over invoice. Still a good deal IMO. I mean hell... they have to make money too! But yeah... obviously buying a car UNDER invoice is pretty damn sweet!
I don't think any Mazda dealerships are doing that so... if you can get an '09 WRX for that price I say go for it.
FrequentFlyer
Member
- :
- 2008 CWP Mazdaspeed3
I live in Jersey (some of the worst roads) and drive 30 miles each way on the highway to work and back, M-F and I don't have any complaints. The car is a bit overspringed and underdampened, but it's not bad. Of course I recently came out of an '04 Honda S2000 and before that, a '99 Miata with an aftermarket adjustable coilover suspension, so I'm used to firm rides.
Real "facts" from you are opinions. Half the suspension complaints are from people who expect 60k ride out of a 25k vehicle, the rest don't know what they're talking about.
squidmotion
Member
so true... the ride is firm.. but if you like a sporty ride, it isn't bad at all... my wife thinks it rides a bit rough, but even she is getting used to it...
it isn't the firmness of the ride as much as the way it behaves over up and down concrete freeways like we have here in houston... it can get a bit bucky... now run on up to about 80 or so, and she starts riding a lot better...
if your used to a camry, this probably isn't the car for you
Just had to throw in my 2. For my tastes the ms3 is an amazing highway car. Many of my highways have curves though and I prefer to do about 140kms/hr. I find the suspension to be stiff enough to stay controlled on high-speed corners, but compliant enough that bumps on high-speed corners don't upset the car. Rebound damping is a bit weak, but now that I've put some kms on the car it doesn't seem nearly as bouncy. Took a 10+ hour drive to the west coast, the car is stable and comfortable, I wasn't sore or tired at the end of that trip. Despite going through several mountain passes and overtaking alot of traffic I still averaged around 27mpg. Plenty of power to make passing safer and less stressful. Most cars I've driven on twisty highways don't feel comfortable at speed, which is way more annoying than a harsher ride. Plus, the HID low beams stay on when the high beams are on, that makes a huge difference on dark backroads. No this car's not perfect but for me the pros far outweigh the cons. I don't think you'd go wrong with a subie, either.
kbrennan
Read the reviews. Most of the ones I read rated the MS3 a little bit better then the WRX. Don't get me wrong, I have wanted a WRX since they first hit the States. It was my dream car for almost 6 years. But when I test drove the 08, I was saddened by the changes Subaru had made. Longer wheel base, cushier suspension. I had more then one dealer tell me Subaru was trying to appeal to a slightly older, wealthier crowd with the new changes. Subaru sort of turned their back on their loyal fans is you ask me. Christ look at the STI, can't get in a new one for less than 36k.
Anyhow the WRX is still a nice fast car. It does beat the MS3 0-60 time by about 0.1-0.2 seconds from what I have read. (Without a stop watch the human body can't tell the difference between 5.9 and 5.8 or 5.7 seconds.) But the MS3 beats the WRX in the quarter mile, slalom, and on the skid pad. On top of that I felt you got more vaule from the MS3 GT, then from a base line WRX, and the baseline WRX was about 2K more when I looked.
Personally, when I got into the WRX I didn't think it lived up to its name. The MS3 blew my F$%$ing mind though.
As for the ride, its not bad at all. I drive 84 miles a day, 80 of which are highway. Its great, not bad at all and the handling and peformance are exceptional in my opinion. Im usually to busy giggling like a school child as I punch the gas to get around people to notice any discomfort in the ride. Most of the reviews say the ride is decent considering how stiff the suspension is.
The AWD factor of the WRX is nice, but I live in Worcester MA. We just got a 3 day snow storm, and my MS3 with no name snow tires was fine. I was going up and down giant hills, through snow banks and down streets where the snow was higher then the bottom of the car. I didnt get stuck once. For most weather and daily driving, AWD is not needed. If you do a lot of highway driving, the AWD is going to kill you on gas millage. On flat ground at 65mph in my MS3 I average 33.4 miles per gallon. My over all average is 27.6 mpg, and thats calculated out buy hand, as well as by the trip computer. And I can use whatever gas I want, 87,89, 91, 93 octane with not issues. I have run 87 in it several times and never seen a noticable dip in performance or millage.
Subaru is rated as a better car company by consummer reports, but Mazda isn't bad. Don't worry about the resale value of the car, both are an enthusiasts car, both hold value pretty well. I know this from talking a bit with my insurance company. I totaled my first one in a flood with 5k miles on it. The insurance company paid out the value of the car which was enough to clear my $19k loan, and leave me with some extra $$, and that was on the sport model, not the GT. I have also seen a few used ones sell for as high as $19-20k. And they actually sold for those prices.
Either car will be a good choice, but the MS3 is kinda the bad-boy of sport compacts at the moment. I would avoid the cobalt and SRT4 (or whatever its called).
Clearly I favor the MS3 for the reasons above. I did A TON of research on both cars. It was hard for me to say no to my dream of owning a WRX, but it just didn't move or impress me like I wanted it to. My MS3 is my new dream car!
Your are doing your research, that is good. My parting advice; Don't buy the WRX without test driving the MS3, cause in the end it will be what YOU like the most!
Read the reviews. Most of the ones I read rated the MS3 a little bit better then the WRX. Don't get me wrong, I have wanted a WRX since they first hit the States. It was my dream car for almost 6 years. But when I test drove the 08, I was saddened by the changes Subaru had made. Longer wheel base, cushier suspension. I had more then one dealer tell me Subaru was trying to appeal to a slightly older, wealthier crowd with the new changes. Subaru sort of turned their back on their loyal fans is you ask me. Christ look at the STI, can't get in a new one for less than 36k.
Anyhow the WRX is still a nice fast car. It does beat the MS3 0-60 time by about 0.1-0.2 seconds from what I have read. (Without a stop watch the human body can't tell the difference between 5.9 and 5.8 or 5.7 seconds.) But the MS3 beats the WRX in the quarter mile, slalom, and on the skid pad. On top of that I felt you got more vaule from the MS3 GT, then from a base line WRX, and the baseline WRX was about 2K more when I looked.
Personally, when I got into the WRX I didn't think it lived up to its name. The MS3 blew my F$%$ing mind though.
As for the ride, its not bad at all. I drive 84 miles a day, 80 of which are highway. Its great, not bad at all and the handling and peformance are exceptional in my opinion. Im usually to busy giggling like a school child as I punch the gas to get around people to notice any discomfort in the ride. Most of the reviews say the ride is decent considering how stiff the suspension is.
The AWD factor of the WRX is nice, but I live in Worcester MA. We just got a 3 day snow storm, and my MS3 with no name snow tires was fine. I was going up and down giant hills, through snow banks and down streets where the snow was higher then the bottom of the car. I didnt get stuck once. For most weather and daily driving, AWD is not needed. If you do a lot of highway driving, the AWD is going to kill you on gas millage. On flat ground at 65mph in my MS3 I average 33.4 miles per gallon. My over all average is 27.6 mpg, and thats calculated out buy hand, as well as by the trip computer. And I can use whatever gas I want, 87,89, 91, 93 octane with not issues. I have run 87 in it several times and never seen a noticable dip in performance or millage.
Subaru is rated as a better car company by consummer reports, but Mazda isn't bad. Don't worry about the resale value of the car, both are an enthusiasts car, both hold value pretty well. I know this from talking a bit with my insurance company. I totaled my first one in a flood with 5k miles on it. The insurance company paid out the value of the car which was enough to clear my $19k loan, and leave me with some extra $$, and that was on the sport model, not the GT. I have also seen a few used ones sell for as high as $19-20k. And they actually sold for those prices.
Either car will be a good choice, but the MS3 is kinda the bad-boy of sport compacts at the moment. I would avoid the cobalt and SRT4 (or whatever its called).
Clearly I favor the MS3 for the reasons above. I did A TON of research on both cars. It was hard for me to say no to my dream of owning a WRX, but it just didn't move or impress me like I wanted it to. My MS3 is my new dream car!
Your are doing your research, that is good. My parting advice; Don't buy the WRX without test driving the MS3, cause in the end it will be what YOU like the most!
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I got my 08 Speed3(sport) for $500 under invoice. I paid $21,300 for it. I was looking at an 09 cobalt SS a few months ago when GM had their employee pricing, and almost got one, but even with that pricing it was $22,800. I had looked at a Speed3, and the sticker was almost 24k. I decided to test drive one, and I'm glad I did. When I got back to the dealer we were talking, and I told him I was looking at the cobalt SS. He asked me what the price was, and smoothly said I can do better then that. I think the Speed3 rides pretty good for the performance it has. I have never driven a wrx, but I had always heard that they were expensive. Ultimately you'll have to drive both, and decide which one you like better. Everyone has their own opinion. I love setting at a light, and looking over at the putz in his lexus, and then stomping his ass when the light turns green, and knowing I paid $10,000 less for my car then he did. priceless !!
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- 09 mazdaspeed 3
sucks that the new wrx's are so ugly. and honestly. the only thing they have over the speed is awd. from a launch its quick. else where.....uhhh no. 09 wrx same hp as the speed and 40lbs less torque than the speed not the mention heavier....hmm...(jerkit)
I take 500 mile trips once a month or so and honestly, even with cruise control, I'm not a happy camper after the ride. The suspension and the seat (yeah, i know) are not the best for comfy road tripping.
Even my old 5 speed Jetta without cruise control used to be more comfy while doing the exact same trip.
Even my old 5 speed Jetta without cruise control used to be more comfy while doing the exact same trip.
