MS3 Or STI?

[LEXi73]

Hey all,
I had the great pleasure of getting to drive a MS3 on Friday and I am in thinking of getting a new car come spring or summer. I currently own a MSP and love the car but am nervous about several issues with the car that I will most likely experience in the near feature. I would love to keep it but I think that the money to fix it could be better spent on a new more reliable car. I think I have narrowed down to a Brand new black MS3 gt or a used Subaru STI that is at or about the same price. under 25k! I know that this is a Mazda forum so the results might be a little bias but please let me know what you would choose and why you think it is the better choice!

Some facts:

MS3
Pros: Brand new, nice car, smooth ride, Quiet interior...
Cons: Hatch "Daddy" style, A little cramped....

STI
Pros: My dream car, AWD, Boxer engine, Amazing machine (havent drove a sti yet so not sure on things like road noise, ride quality etc...)....
Cons: Probly more to insure, Gas mileage little worse than MS3....

OR
Keep MSP
Pros: Love the car, Power is fine with me, handles great, awesome styling, dont owe anything on it, Great MPG at an average of 30 or so
Cons: Possibility of LSD issues and engine Problems, Already has almost 50k and soon to be out of warranty



Edit: More info.. I would need to get a loan but should only be for about $7k (give or take a few) so i would plan on paying this off in under 1 year..

 

[vcinsanity1523]

I say MS3 just because its fast has amazing potential and you won't see them hardly even when driving around lol

 

[jersey_emt]

How many miles on the STi? Is it modded?

I'd hesitate on buying a used STi because the previous owner might have beaten on it to all hell. Especially if it's modded.

 

[LEXi73]

Yes i am worried about this aswell. I think i would look for something near stock. At the $25k and under range i would have to look for something most likely a 2003 or 2004 and as low miles as possible but seems that the median to low range is around 30k.

How many miles on the STi? Is it modded?

I'd hesitate on buying a used STi because the previous owner might have beaten on it to all hell. Especially if it's modded.

 

[bigj884]

if you owe nothing on your MSP...i would just keep the MSP...the money you would spend on a monthly car payment...you could save and fix your LSD issue and also save to go forged with you internals....so you dont have any engine blowing issues...

plus the MSP is a rare commadity.....the STI is not and soon the MS3 will not be.

but in the end your decsion...cuzz its your money

 

[jtom]

I am in a similar situation. I have an 03 protege ES and want either an sti or MS3. For me I would have to know more about the sti first. If it was a new sti then I would definetly say the sti but since its used I would need more info.

If I was you, I would either get the MS3 or stay with what you got now. The sti is really nice but I dont usually buy used cars. You never know how the previous owner drove the car.

In terms of the abundance of sti's on the road I would say that I only occasionally see an sti. The MS3's will be rarer but I consider the sti's to be on the rare side as well.

I am not really into my protege either. The door panels, center console and basically all plastic parts in the car rattle incredibly bad. Also the bestbuy guy who installed my after market stereo managed to totally destroy my factory wiring so my stereo hasnt worked in over three months. Then to top it all off my car doesnt start most of the time when its cold out. I bought my car to three different mechanics and they say my car is fine but for some reason it doesnt like starting in the cold weather.

 

[JDM Sam]

STI just make sure you fully inspect it, or build your MSP block and tranny if you think you'd be serious about keeping it. Stuff will break over time in either car so it's not like you will be able to avoid it.

 

[Nickd]

Sti!!!!

 

[LEXi73]

I don't see mant sti's and have never seen a MS3 around my area and rarity is not that big of an issue. I would also be skeptical on a used sti but would definetly look around and not just settle. I like that fact that the MS3 would be mine from the get go so i know the whole history of the car. I was also reading some reports on the poor safety rating on the Mazda 3. any more thoughts

 

[jheer]

I don't see mant sti's and have never seen a MS3 around my area and rarity is not that big of an issue. I would also be skeptical on a used sti but would definetly look around and not just settle. I like that fact that the MS3 would be mine from the get go so i know the whole history of the car. I was also reading some reports on the poor safety rating on the Mazda 3. any more thoughts

I just went through a similar decision with a different old car. I have driven my Sentra SE-R as a daily driver for almost 16 years. I just love the thing. But the nagging little older car issues became too much. I started looking at the MS3, or a used WRX wagon/STi and EVO. I went with the MS3 because I liked the ride better than the other candidates, and it was brand new/rare. Brand new, I could get better financing on it, and my monthly payment was just a little bit more than it would have been for a used WRX and less than for a used EVO. Insurance is cheaper for the MS3 by quite a bit.

In the end, which car do you like to drive more? I knew I would enjoy the driving experience more in the MS3 than in my old SE-R or the other newer candidates.

 

[LEXi73]

well i am thinking on either a new MS3 come spring/summer (if still available) or just keeping my MSP. If i do keep the MSP she's with me till the end... I would just hate the idea of buying a STI at 30k that someone has already had their fun with for the same price of a MS3 that is brand new. And being a STI that has most likely happened... Any more input??

 

[Alejo_NIN]

you just finished payments on your car and you are already thinking about another one?
sucks dude..
just mod the s*** out of the protege and enjoy it
STI are expensive, so are the performance parts for it...unless you have the money...but even if you did...then you most likely would had bought it NEW or an EVO, which takes me to the next point...
mod your MSP and make it as quick as an STI, you don't need no 10-second card...just something that handles, looks and runs good...and if you think about it...it is already parked in your driveway

 

[m1ndless]

Get an Sti, the AWD is a blast.

 

[highwaypizza]

I don't see mant sti's and have never seen a MS3 around my area and rarity is not that big of an issue. I would also be skeptical on a used sti but would definetly look around and not just settle. I like that fact that the MS3 would be mine from the get go so i know the whole history of the car. I was also reading some reports on the poor safety rating on the Mazda 3. any more thoughts

There have only been 2 MS3's delivered in Madison. I have one of them. Those poor reports must be for without the side and curtain airbags, which the MS3 has..

 

[LEXi73]

alejo_nin - I bought the msp outright so i have never had a payment on it. If i did keep the msp i would not be doing much modding at all to it. just upkeep and thats about all. I love my car but sometimes i think that the money could be better spent on a new car that is a little more reliable.

highwaypizza - yes i did hear that the report was WITHOUT the side airbags. MS3 is good to go. What color did u get?? how u like it so far? I had to drive to Fon Du Lac to test drive one.

 

[highwaypizza]

highwaypizza - yes i did hear that the report was WITHOUT the side airbags. MS3 is good to go. What color did u get?? how u like it so far? I had to drive to Fon Du Lac to test drive one.

I got the Black Mica GT. So far I have ahd absolutely no problems with it. I love this car, it has the power and handling to do anthing that I ask it to do.

 

[Sveivo]

I would keep you current car and fix things as they break (if they break at all). Much cheaper in the long run...

 

[VermZ06]

If the sti is your dream car than you should go with your dream. Don't get me wrong the ms3 is the greatest car in its category for current fwd platforms. Looks great, interior is plush, great handling, plus it will have factory mazdaspeed support and that means mazda warranty on mods!!

However, I've driven the Evo and the MS3. I know the evo isn't the same as the sti but i'm sure they're pretty close in terms of performance and grip. The evo is absolutely the better performance car hands down, so i think it's safe to say that the sti is a much better performer than the ms3. I also didn't care for the torque limiter in 1st and 2nd gear on the ms3. I just wanted to keep the car in 3rd gear the whole time, because that's when the car really started to haul.

The ms3 was a VERY quick car, but not blistering quick like the scooby or the evo. The ms3 has a very good seating position and you can't really compare interiors, ms3 has 'em all beat. The ms3 also has a softer ride on the road that won't beat you up commuting.

I've been considering an ms3 for a very long time, however, there's just that part of me that knows how great the performance of the mitsu and the scooby are. I'm more performance minded and don't care so much about everyday comforts, so i'd feel just a tad unfullfilled with the ms3.

 

[xollins]

You may want to also consider the WRX Limited as a "middle ground" should you decide to go w/ a new car. Road and Track had a good "shoot out" article: http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=2&article_id=4178

As for new vs. used, I am a fan of buying used, but it does have somewhat higher risk since you have to try to discern how honest the seller is -- if they volunteer the issues they have had and anything that they do not like about the car, that is a good sign. A used STi would be beautiful (and is my "dream car" as well), but buying one used is more risky than with most cars for reasons already mentioned.

Financially, keeping the MSP is probably the way to go, but when you are an auto enthusiast, financial prudence is not always the highest priority. But, if your MSP is still running great and is paid for... I say you keep it and do some basic mods here and there.

 

[LEXi73]

thanks for all the info. Still not 100% sure on what to do.