MS3 vs. WRX

[freddyboi]

yes you can get the wrx numbers close to sti numbers, but you can actually drive hard with those numbers. Tranny wont hold. My buddy has a wrx, thats tuned, putting 275 at the wheels. No smashing gears or anything, since the wrx tranny is fragile.

And in my opinion 2 modded cars, i think a cop would get the subaru before the speed 3. Not to be bias or anything, cause i love the subby as well, but just because my friend would get pulled over before i would in my modded 3.

 

[AbsoluteSwed]

Yes true, but the ms still has major problems and even stories that ppl are blowing their fully stock engines. As with the rx-7 comment, I would rather look at mazads more recent work (the ms) then what they did with the rx-7's. Do a seach and you will find plenty of problems the ms owners are having. The turbo seems find but you cant just slap on a turbo and your set. The cx-7's are brand new and customers are alrady having to go back to the dealer to fix issues with CEL and other problems.

 

[dread]

that is expected with any new car. As for mazdaspeed having problems I am on these forums everyday and I have not heard of any turbocharger related issues with mazdaspeed vehicles. If you are so convinced mazda can't turbocharge a car, what are you doing in this forum?

 

[mountjonas]

^^^ been to the mazdaspeed protege sub-forums lately?

 

[jersey_emt]

Most problems with the MSP were due to user error, i.e. unsafe power mods and/or boosting hard in higher gears.

A stock MSP is quite reliable. Of course, some people have had problems even when stock, but that is to be expected; every car cannot be flawless.

Mazda has done a very nice job with the Mazdaspeed MX-5 and the Mazdaspeed6 and I expect the Mazdaspeed3 to be of equal quality.

 

[mirt]

that is expected with any new car. As for mazdaspeed having problems I am on these forums everyday and I have not heard of any turbocharger related issues with mazdaspeed vehicles. If you are so convinced mazda can't turbocharge a car, what are you doing in this forum?

Well, I would only buy a ms new, just because I think a former owner of a used speed (wrx, or whatever) would have redlined the engine, pounded the tranny, etc. Now I know no-ones trying to break things, but people seem to try to match 1/4 mile specs etc. over and over, and this will obviously take it's toll on the components over time. As far as new car "bugs' I'm sure everyone's aware of the 1st year production "risk" that buyers undertake by purchasing a 1st yr production auto. Sometimes it's wiser to wait for the 2nd or 3d yr version, so these "bugs" can be worked out. Then you also have the benefit of historical reviews by owners and magazines to gauge reliabiltiy issues against. But mazda, for some reason, seems to produce "speed" versions for one year only at a time (why? I don't know), so you don't have the choice of waiting. My $.02 Oh...and as you can see in my profile, I don't own any 1st year production mazda's. But that's just me

 

[jtom]

I think it would be cool if mazda kept their mazdaspeed models for many years, they will sell well. They should keep the ms3 as the high end 3 model until the 3 is redesigned.

 

[Rainman]

Most problems with the MSP were due to user error, i.e. unsafe power mods and/or boosting hard in higher gears.

A stock MSP is quite reliable. Of course, some people have had problems even when stock, but that is to be expected; every car cannot be flawless.

Mazda has done a very nice job with the Mazdaspeed MX-5 and the Mazdaspeed6 and I expect the Mazdaspeed3 to be of equal quality.

Good call J_e!

R

 

[Jeph]

I've been debating this too. The WRX is a solid performer, but the MS3 has more power, and without AWD there is less drivetrain loss.

I think the MS3 could potentially be a very solid performer even with FWD.

I would get a MS3

 

[ZoomVT]

Yeah people always mention the 1st year model issue. But i bought the 1st year model mazda 3. and i have not had a single problem with it. Actually all my friends and family are very suprised that there are no bugs in my car being a first year model.
booo naysayers. Hooray Mazda.

 

[dread]

I have first year mazda 3 with countless problems. It sucks my car is in the shop every other week for waranty service

 

[mirt]

I have first year mazda 3 with countless problems. It sucks my car is in the shop every other week for waranty service

That DOES suck. I hope they're not major problems, not that minor ones are OK or anything... Just make sure you keep all of the warranty receipts to document your problems

 

[MPSpeedSeraph]

Well there are bound to be a few lemons in the bunch. That's life. And that's with ANY automaker. I don't care what name you throw out there. Mercedes? Has lemons. BMW? Has lemons. Toyota/Lexus? Has lemons. Honda/Acura? Has lemons. So my apologies to you all that had a lemon out of the bunch, I personally have dealt with the same. But it's no reason to throw an automaker under the bus entirely. I mean when you're making thousands of the same vehicle on end you have to expect there are gonna be some **** ups. I mean it's just like the human race... even god slipped one through here and there that didn't quite make it to every part of the production line... and can we really blame him? I mean come on... he's too busy to worry about a few lemons, let darwinism take care of those few.

Whatever the case back to the topic. I think the MS3 will honestly take the cake compared to a WRX. Now compared to an STi I think is more of a feasible option although the edge goes to the STi; And with good reason.

The MS3 will have amazing fit and finish. Will be more driver oriented and will be easier to live with on a daily basis. I mean think about it. Gas mileage will be better, insurance rates will most likely be better (subjective). The daily driveability will most likely be more livable. And it will be an overall more comfortable car.

The WRX/STi are amazing vehicles don't get me wrong I love them both in their own right. But after owning a WRX it's easy to say the car really shows it's intentions. The car is okay on a daily basis but you really compromise a lot compared to a car like the MS3. The stereo system is so-so. The comfort level is great if you're a purist. And the ergonomics are non-existant.

As for the MS3 it offers a plethora of options that really appeal to anyone. Looking for an out of the box warranty covered track fighter? You got it. Looking for a gas sipping, cargo carrying, people toting wagon with some spunk? It's all there for you. Do you care about comfort? Do you plan to make any long trips in this vehicle? Do you want a decent sound system, great ergonomics, good build quality, upscale options (Navigation, Xenon's, etc.). It's all there in black and blue.

Whatever the case you CAN'T go wrong with either vehicle. I'm sure mazda has a smash hit on their hands with the MS3. But I'm only echoing what everyone else has already said. The aftermarket will most likely jump on the MS3 quick but it still won't catch up to the WRX/STi market. At least not anytime soon.

Personally I would get an MS3. Enjoy it SLIGHTLY stock for a while with the comfort of knowing I have a valid warranty. And then later on after I've really gotten the feel for the car start looking into the aftermarket after giving it some time to develop for this car.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

 

[dread]

I am not trashing mazda, infact my brother and cousin both have the same 2004 3s and do not have any problems, but my car has been nothing but problems. I wish mazda would do something about it. Any suggestions on how to get mazda usa to pay up or at least give me a rebate on a speed 3.

 

[1ofdfew323]

O man. I have not read the entire post just some. I like the first gen mazda and have no problem with it. I actually love this cars. Mitsubishi, MAzda, hyundai etc...those cars have 100k miles warranty for a reason. Toyota, honda, nissan? don't well, I guess thats because they dont need it. About the new car having problems. Somebody said that its expected. Well, NO not really. I dont want to buy a car that I know its gonna break, if I know this then I might as well stick with my old car. New cars is not suppose to break but unfortunately some do but its not suppose to.

I like the interior, power and I bet its gonna have a great handling on the new mazda3 but of course there's gonna be a catch on this car. I think blown engine with stock spec is what it is. I plan on buying this car next year but I'm scared now. I think, I'll just wait and see what people would say about this car.

 

[Rio Racer]

OOoooooOOOO older wrx has 170 whp? Hmm that means I can beat it in my tib!! YAY!!! (at least from a roll) (AWD-ownz fwd from a dig)... I would def take the MS3 over the WRX because it's a much newer design. But if it was a comparo between the MS3 and evo I think I would have a harder decision to make. MS3- awesome interior and great handling, decent styling, fast. EVO- Horrendous interior, awesome handling, awd, more aftermarket, love the styling.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Well there are bound to be a few lemons in the bunch. That's life. And that's with ANY automaker. I don't care what name you throw out there. Mercedes? Has lemons. BMW? Has lemons. Toyota/Lexus? Has lemons. Honda/Acura? Has lemons. So my apologies to you all that had a lemon out of the bunch, I personally have dealt with the same. But it's no reason to throw an automaker under the bus entirely. I mean when you're making thousands of the same vehicle on end you have to expect there are gonna be some **** ups. I mean it's just like the human race... even god slipped one through here and there that didn't quite make it to every part of the production line... and can we really blame him? I mean come on... he's too busy to worry about a few lemons, let darwinism take care of those few.

Whatever the case back to the topic. I think the MS3 will honestly take the cake compared to a WRX. Now compared to an STi I think is more of a feasible option although the edge goes to the STi; And with good reason.

The MS3 will have amazing fit and finish. Will be more driver oriented and will be easier to live with on a daily basis. I mean think about it. Gas mileage will be better, insurance rates will most likely be better (subjective). The daily driveability will most likely be more livable. And it will be an overall more comfortable car.

The WRX/STi are amazing vehicles don't get me wrong I love them both in their own right. But after owning a WRX it's easy to say the car really shows it's intentions. The car is okay on a daily basis but you really compromise a lot compared to a car like the MS3. The stereo system is so-so. The comfort level is great if you're a purist. And the ergonomics are non-existant.

As for the MS3 it offers a plethora of options that really appeal to anyone. Looking for an out of the box warranty covered track fighter? You got it. Looking for a gas sipping, cargo carrying, people toting wagon with some spunk? It's all there for you. Do you care about comfort? Do you plan to make any long trips in this vehicle? Do you want a decent sound system, great ergonomics, good build quality, upscale options (Navigation, Xenon's, etc.). It's all there in black and blue.

Whatever the case you CAN'T go wrong with either vehicle. I'm sure mazda has a smash hit on their hands with the MS3. But I'm only echoing what everyone else has already said. The aftermarket will most likely jump on the MS3 quick but it still won't catch up to the WRX/STi market. At least not anytime soon.

Personally I would get an MS3. Enjoy it SLIGHTLY stock for a while with the comfort of knowing I have a valid warranty. And then later on after I've really gotten the feel for the car start looking into the aftermarket after giving it some time to develop for this car.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

I have a first year 3 as well and have only had to deal with common TSB's. Other than that it's been a rock. I've had the same experience with my other 5 Mazdas. Never any Major issues. Just annoying bugs that got fixed by a great dealer.

 

[Jeph]

OOoooooOOOO older wrx has 170 whp? Hmm that means I can beat it in my tib!! YAY!!! (at least from a roll) (AWD-ownz fwd from a dig)... I would def take the MS3 over the WRX because it's a much newer design. But if it was a comparo between the MS3 and evo I think I would have a harder decision to make. MS3- awesome interior and great handling, decent styling, fast. EVO- Horrendous interior, awesome handling, awd, more aftermarket, love the styling.

But then you have DSM reliability to factor in to that too

 

[Rio Racer]

But then you have DSM reliability to factor in to that too

I have a kia rio cinco beater. So I can still get errands done when the DSM explodes lol.

 

[8cd03gro]

Ive driven both cars my man. Im pretty sure mazda knows what they are doing. The MS3 owns a stock wrx, hands down. As for mazda not knowing anything about turbocharging, are you forgetting a certain car called the rx-7? I think mazda has a pretty decent idea on how to turbo charge a car.

the new wrx can run low 14's easy with a decent driver...i wouldn't say the ms3 can own that.