MS3 Highway Ride

K

kbrennan

Member
Hello all,

I'm seriously considering an 09 WRX or an 09 Speed3. I was able to test drive the WRX (awesome launches!) but unfortunately the local dealer doesn't carry the speed3 for some odd reason. Nearest speed3 is 70 miles away. My driving consists of mostly highway driving.. of that a good portion (15 miles) is older poorly maintained concrete (Highway 99 in Kern county between Bakersfield and hwy 46 for the locals).

So my question is this: Am I going to dread the stiff suspension of the MS3 or does it handle small imperfections in the road well?

Thanks for any input,

Keith
 
My Ms3 isn't the smoothest ride but honestly, my old '02 WRX and my wife's '07 wrx aren't much better. I do mostly highway driving, too and feeling the imperfections in the road can be annoying, but its a small price to pay for the awesome power and handling on the highway. Good luck!
 
Comfort/speed.

It is difficult to find a vehicle that will do both very well. However, the killer gas mileage/performance I get with my Speed3 would cause me to immediately replace my Speed with another one if something was to happen to it.
 
A CL 65 AMG does speed and comfort very well. I mean come on its only $175,000 more than a speed 3 and you get 600hp and massage seats up front =)

cl65_v1_1280x1024.jpg


But seriously, the speed 3 wont be the most comfortable ride on the road, but it makes up for comfort in speedyness. Good luck with your choice.
 
I've got eibach springs on mine and drive some of the shittiest michigan roads there are, its not too horrible. I'm not much to complain about the ride quality, I know its not a luxury car but its really not that bad and any other car ive been in on similar roads arent any better.
 
I live in Pennsylvania, which has won it's fair share of annual awards from truckers as having the worst roads in the US. I do mostly highway driving too and am approaching 4k on the odo. The ride is better than I expected, considering the handling capabilities. The biggest complaint I have is on the rebound control, which I see in other posts is attributed to the flaccid stock dampers. Awesome highway car though. It's just sick to have a passenger in the car, point to a car 50 yards ahead, and do the now-you-see-it-now-you-don't trick. Good luck with your choice.
 
I test drove the 09 WRX and was just amazed at how smooth it was and how well I fit in the car compared to the Speed3. If I was looking for a car right now, it'd probably be the WRX. If you can wait, you might see what the 2010 Speed3 will be. Probably 300 hp or so and possibly AWD.
 
Not the best ride for highway (even a relatively new interstate). A thousand-mile weekend trip was a bit bothersome and it was all interstate. The next road trip will be either my Ram or the 300C.
 
ms3 ride quality is the worst car i have ever owned. Cheap suspension parts on the car. Plus the value of the car. Mazda has a really bad resale value. If i were you i would buy the wrx. Don't make a mistake and buy a ms3. Wrx is faster and much more after market support. Coming from a 2006 wrx, It rides 10 times better than speed3. It is horrible driving the speed3 on uneven roads. The car looses control when you go over a bump.Plus the wrx got AWD and much much better resale value than a ms3.
 
mattj3636 said:
my 08 with 9000 miles, i was offered 14 from a dealer when i payed 25 about 1 year ago.. haha
Click to expand...

their you go man. Just the real facts. This is bs. You worked hard for the 25k and you can only get 15k.


If you go on cars.com
Their are ms3 selling for low as $13,979 from a dealership. It is 2007 with 36,000 miles for $13,979.
 
^^^not exactly sure what he's(Niz55) talking about w/ the bad resale value, because I've been to a dealers auto action recently and seen an 07 go for 19,000. And I know you could street sale it for more, but whatever. As far as the highway goes, I don't think its bad. Of course my last car was an RX8 w/ springs/shocks. Like they said the rebound could be better, but thats very fixable w/ just some shocks, and those aren't to terribly expensive. Plus the speed3 is faster than the WRX...that and the WRX has the worst transmission.
 
biggin55 said:
^^^not exactly sure what he's(Niz55) talking about w/ the bad resale value, because I've been to a dealers auto action recently and seen an 07 go for 19,000. And I know you could street sale it for more, but whatever. As far as the highway goes, I don't think its bad. Of course my last car was an RX8 w/ springs/shocks. Like they said the rebound could be better, but thats very fixable w/ just some shocks, and those aren't to terribly expensive. Plus the speed3 is faster than the WRX...that and the WRX has the worst transmission.
Click to expand...

sure keep lying to yourself. Have you ever owned a wrx? Let me tell you that i have. stg3 vf39 protuned with 274whp and 312tq. I had the car for 48,000 miles and never ever had problem with the tranny. It is the people who don't know how to drive the car that have problems.

You have 4 total Posts here. ....

You have seen the car go for 19,000, But have you seen the car sell for more than 19,000 at their dealership? Get your facts right before you come up here and make a fool out of yourself.
 
Last edited:
niz55 said:
ms3 ride quality is the worst car i have ever owned. Cheap suspension parts on the car. Plus the value of the car. Mazda has a really bad resale value. If i were you i would buy the wrx. Don't make a mistake and buy a ms3. Wrx is faster and much more after market support. Coming from a 2006 wrx, It rides 10 times better than speed3. It is horrible driving the speed3 on uneven roads. The car looses control when you go over a bump.Plus the wrx got AWD and much much better resale value than a ms3.
Click to expand...

Hello troll.
 
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