New MS3 owner

[bast525]

Just checking in. Got my MS3 this past Saturday. True Red GT with the only the aluminum fuel filler door option (least optioned MS I've seen yet...). So far just over 300 miles on it.

Traded in a red Dodge SRT-4 for it... been looking at getting something more versatile and crash worthy since me and my wife found out we are having a baby (due in early Nov.). MS was the closest thing to the SRT's performance in my price range, was considering the WRX wagon but overall the MS3 was nicer and cheaper with about the same performance.

And please don't hate on the Dodge, it was a great car for the two years I had it, an amazing bargain at $20,000 out the door, considering how quick it was. The MS is nicer in a lot of ways but does give up a small amount of speed... hopefully I will fix that soon enough with the MS CAI and some other bits

Anyways, I'm in Chesapeake VA, and have seen a couple other MS's around. Hope to run into some of you guys at the Haygood shopping center (Jenro's) on Saturdays.

 

[tsunami]

welcome to the boards man... grats on the purchase what kinda mods you runnin on the srt? pics?

 

[CTGrey02]

Congrats on the baby to you and your wife as well as on the upgrade. Thinking about kids was one of the reasons I looked at this car. 4 doors is a nice thing to have.

 

[bast525]

My SRT was only basic mods, Mopar Stage 1 ECU, K&N drop in filter, short shifter, motor mounts, catch can, wing removed.

I still couldn't believe how quick it was and how well it handled and stopped for only spending $20,000 out the door brand spankin new. I mean... the MS3 is a bargain but it's an all around bargain... you get good performance but you get other nice stuff too. The SRT was a bit more bare bones but man the performance was just great. People think they can't handle but I can tell you, I have this little two mile long curvy back road I hit almost on a daily basis on my way too and from work. I've been pushing HARD in the MS3 and find I run it at the same speed I ran it in the SRT which is right where the car feels like it's at it's limit and wants to start understeering.

The MS does feel like it has more grip but at the same time it feels like the MS leans over more on the suspension in the hard turns... the SRT was higher but didn't really feel like it rolled at all. My wife and a friend of mine from work who have ridden in both, both felt the same way.