Need advice: 09MS3 or 09WRX?

[BlueWagon]

Hi guys,

I've wanted an MS3 since they first came out and I've finally saved enough for a downpayment about 10,000. However, went to my local Subaru dealer to just a look and heard that the 09 Wrx 5-door is offered at 0% for 60 months while there is no financing avail from Mazda and the lowest rate I could find was 4%. Granted the Wrx cost 4000 more. Locally Mazda dealer offer me for GT 22,200+tax etc. while the Subaru dealer says 26,000+ tax etc. for car with premium options like sunroof, better radio etc. Without premium pkg it prob. would have been like 24,000 + tax? Anyways for those who haven't bought a MS3 yet, what would you do? or for those who have bought an MS3, would you still take the MS3 over the WRX. I know this is an Mazda forum so the answers may be biased, but thats ok...

 

[Kain]

I would flog both the WRX and MS3 and judge it by the driving feel since the prices and amenities are fairly similar.

 

[GoFast]

I would go with whichever dealer/manufacturer is willing to work with you on prices and financing. Secondly, go with the one that feels the best to you. If I had to re-do it, I still would have gotten the MS3 over the WRX because I like the way it feels over the WRX.

 

[judman13]

Just remember, that dealers are hurting to make sales right now so haggles those prices like crazy!!

And let them know you that have other things in mind. Play those dealers like there is no tomorrow and you can get some awesome deals.

 

[BlueWagon]

Thanks guys, I will go flog each one and go with what feels the best. They are very similar cars IMHO. I like the hatch look on both. Both have their shares of problems, both can be modded, both are fast enough for me. Interior wise goes to MS3 though.

 

[GoFast]

Interior wise goes to MS3 though.

and that is where you spend most of the time.....

 

[DaViper]

I agree about the interior. The interior was very important to me, and the MS3's is great. Driving impressions aside (since that part and looks are so personal), I don't think the wrx has anything major over the MS3 besides the AWD. Depends on where you live and your preferences for that.

 

[Nismothecat]

I just picked up a brand new 08 Evo X for 28k+ tax. they also had 0% interest for 60 months if you had 750 or higher credit rating. i would look into that.

 

[tozfeekum]

i had the same dilemma about a month ago, i chose the MS3 for a couple reasons:

1. price (i didn't feel the difference in price was warranted)
2. interior of the ms3 is nicer.
3. i'm not sure about the wrx's looks.
4. It's annoying to know there's an STI out there that's the same car just faster.

 

[djthom]

can i suggest staying away from both and going with a GTI?

 

[Breeegz]

can i suggest staying away from both and going with a GTI?

no.

 

[tozfeekum]

can i suggest staying away from both and going with a GTI?

the 2010 gti looks pretty hot, but they're still using the same 200hp engine

 

[Sp33dFr33k]

I personally went with the MS3 and would do it again. Of course try em both and see what you like. If you check any of the comparisons in the past however they all pick the MS3 over the WRX. At least the ones I saw when trying to pick.

 

[jred321]

i'd go with the wrx for the awd and the aftermarket support. being able to put down all of your power in any condition even after modding is a great thing. everything else that distinguishes the cars is pretty much a wash or boils down to preference

 

[hugador]

Well, we are talking about cars so IMO I think performance comes first. I can give a damn about the interior quality or how good you look in one, cuz you don't lol. If the car perform better in handling, power or what ever, then thats the car i want. But thats just me. Either one you get (ms3, wrx) it's a win.

 

[Sergius64]

Aren't 09 WRX's getting spun bearings in their engines left and right?

Here: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1648372

They've got 132 pages of people complaining, I think there was even a link in there somewhere to a spreadsheet of documented failures. It seemed WRXes built between 07/08 to 09/08 were the ones with the problem. So if you do decide on WRX, make sure it wasn't built in that time period.

 

[jred321]

Aren't 09 WRX's getting spun bearings in their engines left and right?

probably about as frequently as MS3s are blowing turbos or as frequently as they were having their engines fall out. it's a wash and the reason for a warranty

 

[I`m Batman]

I'd go with performace and bang for the buck... after a good amount of research, MS3 is for me. Nothing in it's class can touch it ever since it came out.

I was going to get an EVO but it's way too expensive. I am totally happy with my MS3 and still have at least $10k more in my pocket.

But either car would be great. I wouldn't want to pay the extra money for the WRX though.

 

[Breeegz]

But either car would be great. I wouldn't want to pay the extra money for the WRX though.

My thoughts exactly.

However I think the STI is sexy... I would pay x-tra fer dat.

 

[Sergius64]

probably about as frequently as MS3s are blowing turbos or as frequently as they were having their engines fall out. it's a wash and the reason for a warranty

I haven't heard of Speed3's blowing their motors at 150 miles.


Here's a quote from one of the guys on WRX forum that really scared me:

I stopped by the dealer to pick up my Chevy Cobalt rental from Enterprise. I asked for an update of all they knew. Here is what they told me:

The tech dropped the pan and said the oil was black and there was metal shavings in it. He said in his 20+ years he had never seen oil that black on a car with 3000 miles. The ASM also said that the #1 rod was the cause and that is what was causing the problems, he said prolonged driving on it could have caused me to fire a rod through the block (this I knew) He stated that the car was hooked up to the computer and the info sent to SoA. SoA then called back and said to replace the motor. Along with the long block, he said that there was a list of parts that were ordered for the car and it was the first one they had seen with the problem. I asked what Subaru looks for when the ECU info is submited and he said that a lot of time it is the maximum RPM achived. Estimated turn around time, 2 weeks. I told them to go ahead and fix my scoop insert at the same time. ( Insert was painted poorly and looked like there was pin stripe flames under the paint. Dealer ordered replacement at time of purchase)

I will keep this update with more info when I get it.

Also here's that spreadsheet:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1695936

As you can see all the failures happened between 150-13198 miles. The average milage for a failed engine is between 3.5k-4.5k miles. Thats a LOT worse then what I'm hearing for speed3's.