Please help me decide on a ms3 or 06 sti

[yenny]

I also posted this over at iwsti but i wanted to hear from mazdaspeed 3 owners as well. IF you were in my shoes...
I don't autox or drag race. I just like to drive a little quicker from light to light and turn a little faster. Nothing illegal just quicker than the average Joe. Silly? Well I don't think everyone buys ms3, sti's to autox or race. I think it's a "fun" car which is what I'm looking for. (lol2)

I'm really interested in something with torque. A car that will throw me back in the seats. I've driven an 06 Z before and realized the power band is too linear. Even though advertised at 300hp, it felt so-so in the city and only fast on the highway. I do a lot of city traveling so wanted something with the fun factor.

Reasons why I like the sti: the boxer rumble, the 6speed shifter, and even the looks. I'm in FL so awd is useful when it's wet or road's a little sandy, otherwise not really needed.BUT because of FL ,there's no hills, mountains to drive on, no curves or windy roads (sad2). Other than the curve when getting on the on ramps, I don't think the suspension will play a large role either. So a fun car for the straights with minimal turns. And it's only btw these 2 cars so no v8's

REasons for ms3: test drove it once and it felt like there's a good amount of torque. interior is nice, a lot of value for the money. Not too many issues like the new sti's. a NEW car. fold down seats, 2wd in FL shouldnt be a problem. stealth look.

I've always wanted an sti. And read a lot about them, which makes my decision hard. Anyhow, I can afford a new msp3 or 06 sti ~$25k ball park OTD. My question is do you think the msp3 will feel as fast and fun compared to an sti? Will I get bored of it and wish I had gotten an sti?

I prefer buying new with these performance cars since I want to be the one doing the abusing and maintenance and know what grade gas i'm putting in.

Oh and I have driven both during test drives...BUT I really never get a full sense of the car off of a test drive, hence my post.

Any thoughts to guide me towards one so i can drive home in something with boost (dance)


Thanks!!

 

[AAMguy]

coming from a subaru...

I personally love the ms3, its the best bang for your buck.

you can buy an 06 sti with xxxxxx number of miles on it for 25k or buy a brand new ms3 for less...with just a minimal ammount of mods the ms3 turns from a fun car to drive to a bit of a beast.

ms3 ftw

 

[MSP2024]

get the ms3, you will forget about the sti haha

 

[Renzokuken]

The MS3 will be a little more comfortable in the long run, I hate the STI's interior, but I looove the performance. if you are gonna mod, the STI will be better in the long run. Its obvious that you are looking for a daily driver with a little zip so I would say the MS3 cause you can get a new one for the price of the used STi, and it would be more of a "usefule" car.

 

[Olestra]

What about an 09 WRX?
Do the WRX's have the rumoured bad tune like the 08 STI's?

 

[AAMguy]

to soon to most likely tell

 

[stockms3]

STI's look sick.....but MS3 is simply TEH BEST!

I mean it handles well, it's fairly priced, way lower than competition, and you can fit alot of junk in it lol

 

[mr_mazda329]

The new WRX has increase power and stiffer suspension in 09.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=10&article_id=6993

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

It seems sorta useless to buy a used STI when things are so flat out in FL, with minimal dangerous weather (rain doesn't require AWD).

As much as I like the STI's, I'd still say the MS3 would be the best for the money. When you use the power band correctly on the MS3, it's a blast and can put yourself back into the seat.

I could justify an STI more in MI with winter, but I couldn't justify the extra cost, nor spending that much on a used car. I wanted the absolute most for my money, so the MS3 wins!

 

[DaleNixon]

If money isn't a consideration, this is a tough choice. Either car would be sweet as hell. If you get the STI, please get white! Those are yummy! The MS3 is yummy in any color. That is all.

I don't think it's possible to grow bored of a Mazdaspeed3 unless you are used to 400+HP cars and drive alcohol-fueled funny cars on the weekends.

 

[OhSchnapps]

My humble opinion

Florida= no snow, AWD won't be used. -1 for STI.
Also, a 6 speed can get painful in traffic. -1

Beastly sounding boxer engine. Looks just as badass as the engine sounds. +2 for STI.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Lots of room. Better interior. BRAND NEW. +3 for Ms3

I can't think of any negatives for the Ms3. But coming from experience with Mazdas here..........................make sure you get the manual.



May i make a suggestion? if you want some zip for your buck, why not go with an SRT-4? It's the "fastest car under $30,000" according to dodge. They even have a 7 minute long commercial where some kid rips a subaru up with his brother's SRT-4.

 

[F430TECH]

I wanted an STi for like ten years...ever since I saw one of these on a road in England...Ultra Rare 22B Impreza...

I drove the 08(sucks) and drove plenty of 06's and 07's and was convinced I would buy an STi as soon as I graduated college and started making better money....

Then I drove the Mazdaspeed 3...granted I traded in a Mazdaspeed Protege on it which was a great car and very fun to drive (so I may of been a little Biased)...but one drive is all it took. I bought the Speed 3 the next month and have had not a single regret since...

The Mazdaspeed has a six speed too don't forget

 

[Je5ter]

Ummm MS3 is a 6 speed as well...

 

[AAMguy]

Ummm MS3 is a 6 speed as well...

haha i was confused by his statement about that as well. he may be talking about the actual tranny itself, considering it is one of the best in the market...imo of course

 

[Alexsered]

I also posted this over at iwsti but i wanted to hear from mazdaspeed 3 owners as well. IF you were in my shoes...
I don't autox or drag race. I just like to drive a little quicker from light to light and turn a little faster. Nothing illegal just quicker than the average Joe. Silly? Well I don't think everyone buys ms3, sti's to autox or race. I think it's a "fun" car which is what I'm looking for. (lol2)

I'm really interested in something with torque. A car that will throw me back in the seats. I've driven an 06 Z before and realized the power band is too linear. Even though advertised at 300hp, it felt so-so in the city and only fast on the highway. I do a lot of city traveling so wanted something with the fun factor.

Reasons why I like the sti: the boxer rumble, the 6speed shifter, and even the looks. I'm in FL so awd is useful when it's wet or road's a little sandy, otherwise not really needed.BUT because of FL ,there's no hills, mountains to drive on, no curves or windy roads (sad2). Other than the curve when getting on the on ramps, I don't think the suspension will play a large role either. So a fun car for the straights with minimal turns. And it's only btw these 2 cars so no v8's

REasons for ms3: test drove it once and it felt like there's a good amount of torque. interior is nice, a lot of value for the money. Not too many issues like the new sti's. a NEW car. fold down seats, 2wd in FL shouldnt be a problem. stealth look.

I've always wanted an sti. And read a lot about them, which makes my decision hard. Anyhow, I can afford a new msp3 or 06 sti ~$25k ball park OTD. My question is do you think the msp3 will feel as fast and fun compared to an sti? Will I get bored of it and wish I had gotten an sti?

I prefer buying new with these performance cars since I want to be the one doing the abusing and maintenance and know what grade gas i'm putting in.

Oh and I have driven both during test drives...BUT I really never get a full sense of the car off of a test drive, hence my post.

Any thoughts to guide me towards one so i can drive home in something with boost (dance)


Thanks!!

Well, since you wont be drag racing, or autocross or anything like that, and you are in florida, where it never snows, I would go with the MS3. The MS3 is quicker than the sti except for launches, but since you wont be drag racing that really wont matter. I would go with a car with the new warrenty and you were the only person you are going to be driving

BUT, if you do get an STI, please oh please get the one without the retarded spoiler, or if you do get that spoiler, PLEASE take it off. It looks so retarded and I feel like throwing up when I see them.(pukey)

 

[AAMguy]

the sti wing is not nearly as bad as half the stuff people do to the ms3.

plus the wing actually works....

 

[Nismothecat]

the sti wing is not nearly as bad as half the stuff people do to the ms3.

plus the wing actually works....

the wing is bad, plus they look sooo much better without it.

but i would get an MS3, i wouldnt want to get a used STi who knows how it was treated by the first person.

 

[Alexsered]

the sti wing is not nearly as bad as half the stuff people do to the ms3.

plus the wing actually works....

I know you are going to argue that it's all about opinion, but what is one thing that one person has done to their ms3 that looks HALF as bad as that wing? I don't care if it is functional, we are not rally racing over here, and a normal person will not feel a difference. Seriously, that wing looks so retarded, why do you think people are putting those wings on honda accords? First they are retarded, and second the wing is pure rice. I think the STI looks a million times better without it. Subie even came out with a stealth STI that didn't come with the wing, that thing looks hwat.

 

[AAMguy]

the wing is part of the history of the car. sure it looks better without it, but dont say the wing is "bad"...it serves a purpose, granted most of the KIDS that buy them dont ever go that fast to where the wing is used.

 

[AAMguy]

I know you are going to argue that it's all about opinion, but what is one thing that one person has done to their ms3 that looks HALF as bad as that wing? I don't care if it is functional, we are not rally racing over here, and a normal person will not feel a difference. Seriously, that wing looks so retarded, why do you think people are putting those wings on honda accords? First they are retarded, and second the wing is pure rice. I think the STI looks a million times better without it. Subie even came out with a stealth STI that didn't come with the wing, that thing looks hwat.

do you really want me to go through the appearance thread and pull up all the pictures i have seen of horrid ms3's???