Musings from a soon-to-be MS3 owner......

[TheDutchGun]

So I've had my MS3 reserved for about 6 weeks now and I'm 100% sure I've made a quality choice. As I was walking Near my office to grab some lunch today, there happened to be a brand new VW GTI with the 18 inch wheel package parked nearby and I was immediately forced into some serious second-guessing. As I'm sure everyone in this forum is biased toward mazda, I have to admit that VW hit the ball out of the park with that car. Design wise, it's a perfect progression for an already solid car. Just can't argue with 250+ hp though.

 

[tsunami]

the GTI is a nice car for sure.. but the mazda3 has great handling already and add the direct injection turbo charged 4 and its a no brainer... just sucks cause you have to wait is all.

 

[Antoine]

When do you expect to have it in your driveway?

 

[Rainman]

I was at Bank St. the other day and Rick was mentioning how you had yours lined up already...LOL! He was surprised when you put your deposit down right away. I will be out of town when they arrive, but I have asked him to give me a shout when they are in. I could easily deal with the Mazda dealer in London (where I will be for a year), but I have already established a relationship with Bank St. having leased three cars (2 Mazdaspeed) from them already.

If you read the recent article on Edmunds.com about the MS3 you will see that they state that the MS3 sets the new standard for hot hatches leaving even the GTI in the dust.

R

 

[Antoine]

If you read the recent article on Edmunds.com about the MS3 you will see that they state that the MS3 sets the new standard for hot hatches leaving even the GTI in the dust.

R

Haha...I was just going to post that...Check this out:

Tipping the scales at a mere 3,060 pounds, the MPS is 154 pounds lighter than the GTI, and boasts a 64-horsepower and a whopping 74 pound-feet of torque power advantage over its German rival.

I'm sure the GTI groupies at vwvortex are starting to feel a bit uneasy about the MS3...No doubt we will have some try to start flamewars here on Mazda Forums once the MS3 is out!

 

[TheDutchGun]

I was at Bank St. the other day and Rick was mentioning how you had yours lined up already...LOL! He was surprised when you put your deposit down right away. I will be out of town when they arrive, but I have asked him to give me a shout when they are in. I could easily deal with the Mazda dealer in London (where I will be for a year), but I have already established a relationship with Bank St. having leased three cars (2 Mazdaspeed) from them already.

If you read the recent article on Edmunds.com about the MS3 you will see that they state that the MS3 sets the new standard for hot hatches leaving even the GTI in the dust.

R

Well the timing was perfect as I went through some junk with chrysler so I got rid of what I had. I also am suprised that the VW is more expensive for about 60 less horses. They look gorgeous in person though. Yeah I've been calling Bank st. like once a week looking for any new info. They're probably getting annoyed.

 

[Rainman]

Well the timing was perfect as I went through some junk with chrysler so I got rid of what I had. I also am suprised that the VW is more expensive for about 60 less horses. They look gorgeous in person though. Yeah I've been calling Bank st. like once a week looking for any new info. They're probably getting annoyed.

Not annoyed, they just think it is funny that there is actually someone who wants a car more than I did. I waited for the MS6 for 12 months after ordering it unseen. That was their record...LOL! They are just hoping that the same thing doesn't happen to you...LOL!

R

 

[the tortoise]

As nice as the GTI is, 4 doors for the win!

 

[TheDutchGun]

As nice as the GTI is, 4 doors for the win!

Where in Ottawa Tortoise? Im in the West end but work downtown. It's true that 2-door cars are frustrating to carry passengers in but those GTI's look great.

 

[the tortoise]

Live in the Market, work at either the General or Civic Hospital.

I agree. The GTI's are so sweet, but I think the 2 door would be the deal killer. I'm always filling my P5 with Bikes, skis, whatever so the extra length is nice.

 

[TheDutchGun]

Live in the Market, work at either the General or Civic Hospital.

I agree. The GTI's are so sweet, but I think the 2 door would be the deal killer. I'm always filling my P5 with Bikes, skis, whatever so the extra length is nice.

Yeah I actually work on Preston st., I'm sure you've seent he glass building with xerox at the top right next to the 417. I work in that building, not for xerox though. Yeah I got all my co-workers and friends to put in a vote on which car they liked better and the Mazda won in a landslide.

 

[Rainman]

Live in the Market, work at either the General or Civic Hospital.

I agree. The GTI's are so sweet, but I think the 2 door would be the deal killer. I'm always filling my P5 with Bikes, skis, whatever so the extra length is nice.

I just finished working at the Civic July 1. Have worked at the General, the Civic, CHEO, and the Montfort.

R

 

[ChopstickHero]

MS3 > GTI

afterall GTI is a VW, it will start breaking down after your warranty is up!

 

[We Are Ninja]

The GTI has the MS3 beat aesthetically, IMO, but it's only 2 doors, it's a bit of a porker, and I'd be willing to be that it'll be alot softer and alot less tossable.

 

[TheDutchGun]

The GTI has the MS3 beat aesthetically, IMO, but it's only 2 doors, it's a bit of a porker, and I'd be willing to be that it'll be alot softer and alot less tossable.

All good points. It looks like it would handle pretty good to me but the 3 handles great too.

 

[Puckpimp71]

GTI handles okay... Has a little too much body roll for me and that weird finish VW uses on the plastic surface feels nice when you first feel it, but after a year or two traps dirt and wears off, leaving the interior looking kind of cheap. I'll gladly wait for the MS3, now lets see if we can chip our cars, like the GTI.

 

[RHAGEL]

VW answer to the MS3 is an 07 25th anniversary edition GTI with 230 hp and an LSD. Still doesn't come close but it is a nice car. I think the interior and build quality of the VW's are better than the 06 3's but we will see what happens with the 07's. Mazda is stiffening the chassis and redesigning the suspension to give a better quality ride. I think VW is going to continue to see their sales drop until they can be more cometetively priced.

 

[Mazda3]

The GTI has the MS3 beat aesthetically, IMO, but it's only 2 doors, it's a bit of a porker, and I'd be willing to be that it'll be alot softer and alot less tossable.

Aesthetic's are a personal opinion. I personally don't think VW has ever made a good looking car and find the MS3's looks light years beyond the VW. Performance wise it will eat up the VW and in Canada it will be $4k-$5k cheaper than the VW.

 

[TheDutchGun]

Aesthetic's are a personal opinion. I personally don't think VW has ever made a good looking car and find the MS3's looks light years beyond the VW. Performance wise it will eat up the VW and in Canada it will be $4k-$5k cheaper than the VW.

Well The VW comes in around $31k with 18 inch Wheels and no luxury package, whereas the MS3 is supposed to come in around $28k so you're pretty close. I'll be happy if it does come in at $28k but im willing to fork out an extra couple thousand.

 

[Insurance Guy]

Well The VW comes in around $31k with 18 inch Wheels and no luxury package, whereas the MS3 is supposed to come in around $28k so you're pretty close. I'll be happy if it does come in at $28k but im willing to fork out an extra couple thousand.

Is that $28k Canadian?