Speed 3GT all features minus NAV or CX9 GT ALL bells and whistles?

[ZooMIN3]

Guys, and gals;

I'm stuck between these two vehicles. I am planning on purchasing either one in about two weeks. The 08 CX 9 GT I can drive off the lot with next week. The 08 Speed3 hasn't arrived yet. My heart is with the Speed3, however I like the CX9, only not as much. I've already pre-ordered the Speed3, but if I go with the CX9, i'm going to regret with not going with the Speed3 in the end.

Can anyone please give me the ups and downs between your vehicle, and the reason why you should've gotten the other? I know its kinda early in the production for the CX9; but yeah....

Thoughts, comments?

My Thoughts:
- Both are sweet looking cars/SUV respectively.
- The colors are the ones I'm looking for, Black Mica/Sparkling Black.
- Both offer GT that I want; however one is AWD, Speed3 is FWD.
- Wife already has the Mazda 3s hatch back.
- Would like to buy a bigger car, but she doesn't like the CX9 very much.
- Eventually she'll want a truck type vehicle, but I'd miss the 3 if we trade it in. Then we'll be stuck with two gas guzzlin vehicles.
- My son likes the speed3 over the regular 3's looks. Little does he knows that the Speed3 packs more power. But he likes the compartment in the 2nd row of the CX9 becuase he wants to stow his lunchables in it. No kidding, he said that; it was hilarious! He's 5 by the way.
- We'll have two 3's of different variants.


I'm stuck between the two. Please let me know. I'm going to test drive the Speed3 today, and just so everyone knows, the CX9 is VERY similar to driving my wifes Mazda3 hatch. Very sweet indeed.



-J

 

[ALIEN3T]

id say if you knwo she is going to trade in her 3 then get the speed. But if you need the room then go with the cx-9
I knwo for us, i have the speed 3. if we can afford it in a year or so the wife wants to trade her ecplorer in for the cx-9

if its gas milage your lookign at whats the cx-9 to the ms3?
Do you need the extra room?
With the turbo car you might play alot more and gas might be used up more?
Either way both grweat cars.

 

[mazpro]

sounds like you already know what you need to buy, speed3 and once the wife wants that truck, trade in her 3.

 

[fourthmeal]

Split the difference with the CX-7. Also, I really like my Tribute.

 

[aciurczak]

Beats me. We just bought a CX-9 for the wife and a Speed3 for me. I like them both, but they are completely different vehicles.

 

[DashingMax]

With a 5 year old in the family and having a 3 hatchback, you *need* a CX-9. Unless you like to drag race at every stoplight, you don't need a pocket-rocket, especially if you already have another compact wagon.

CX-9 is a no brainer given your situation, IMHO.

 

[Hikaru9]

I would never cross-shop between an SUV and a car, but I guess everyone is different. If you need the space for a family, I'd say go for an SUV or a minivan. *^_^*

 

[ZooMIN3]

Cool beans, thanks folks; I'm going to go test drive yet again the CX9, and let the wife get behind the wheel; and I'm going to test drive the Speed3 to see the overall difference between the 3 we have now, and the Speed variant. I know there'll be a very big difference, but I want to feel it myself.

Thanks again everyone, I'll let you all know how it goes!

-J

 

[fourthmeal]

I would never cross-shop between an SUV and a car, but I guess everyone is different. If you need the space for a family, I'd say go for an SUV or a minivan. *^_^*

I agree on this one. I always called it, "Fido Barks the Numbers", which means that the decision is random, and often not very well thought out.

 

[ZooMIN3]

lol

Ok, well folks I just got back from the dealer, and the Speed3 is very fun to drive, and very tourqy, and picks up quick. But you already knew that.

As for the CX9; its luxurious, and I'm not feeling it really. It makes me feel old.... lol I'm only 25!

I've decided on the Speed3, and I realized, its going to replace the car I currently drive....01 Focus ZX3....

Thanks again folks for your comments.

-J

 

[clos561]

you would have regretted it for soo long if u didnt get the ms3

 

[MS3ICA]

now that im used to the nav in my ms3 i cant see living without it it is sooo cool you can take back roads get out of traffic, not to mention voice directions to any address in the country

 

[Loose]

I actually both both of those vehicles at the same time...the speed 3 for myself and the CX9 for the wifey...


...sorry for the bad pic.

 

[ZooMIN3]

Cool Loose... lol

So yeah, I just got back from the Subaru dealer...

Yup, you guest it; I test drove the 07Sti. It is very quick. However, I'm not too big on the interior. I like the way the suede is designed... Uncomfortable, and the dash, radio, gauges are really not looking like they are worth the 34-35 thousand price tag.

Impressions:
-It gets up and go..I'm like no s*** hold on to the Oh s*** handles, and brace yourself! haha!
- Feels like riding on bumpstops.. yeah I know, its a rally bred race car.
- Sticky tires, love it.
- Dash, radio unit, gauges...suck. Looks like driving in an 99 model honda, or possibly any honda at that!

When we first took off from the dealer lot, the old guy (60s) gunned it as soon as we were in the clear. He was literally doing 105 on a 45... I was like holy s***, we're going to get pulled over!! lol Got onto the highway, and he punched it to nearly 120.... and I'll tell you what, that Sti would've kept going faster if he didn't let off on the gas.

Turned around back to the dealer, and it drives the way it rides. The throws are almost non stop, the center console is in the way of your shifting. I think one would get tennis elbow on a 1500 mile road trip!! lol Love the way it shifts; better than the Speed3. Only because it had a short throw shifter straight from the factory. Of course I've seen them shorter than that. But nah. The Ipod hook up is in the worst place they could think of.... right in front of the shift boot to the right of the cigarette lighter. No thanks.

Other than that, I'm sticking to the Speed 3. Sexier, just as fast; and more interior refinement to my liking.

I thought I'd share it with you all since I've already told you everything else so far!

-J

 

[Loose]

Cool Loose... lol

So yeah, I just got back from the Subaru dealer...

Yup, you guest it; I test drove the 07Sti. It is very quick. However, I'm not too big on the interior. I like the way the suede is designed... Uncomfortable, and the dash, radio, gauges are really not looking like they are worth the 34-35 thousand price tag.

Impressions:
-It gets up and go..I'm like no s*** hold on to the Oh s*** handles, and brace yourself! haha!
- Feels like riding on bumpstops.. yeah I know, its a rally bred race car.
- Sticky tires, love it.
- Dash, radio unit, gauges...suck. Looks like driving in an 99 model honda, or possibly any honda at that!

When we first took off from the dealer lot, the old guy (60s) gunned it as soon as we were in the clear. He was literally doing 105 on a 45... I was like holy s***, we're going to get pulled over!! lol Got onto the highway, and he punched it to nearly 120.... and I'll tell you what, that Sti would've kept going faster if he didn't let off on the gas.

Turned around back to the dealer, and it drives the way it rides. The throws are almost non stop, the center console is in the way of your shifting. I think one would get tennis elbow on a 1500 mile road trip!! lol Love the way it shifts; better than the Speed3. Only because it had a short throw shifter straight from the factory. Of course I've seen them shorter than that. But nah. The Ipod hook up is in the worst place they could think of.... right in front of the shift boot to the right of the cigarette lighter. No thanks.

Other than that, I'm sticking to the Speed 3. Sexier, just as fast; and more interior refinement to my liking.

I thought I'd share it with you all since I've already told you everything else so far!

-J

It's not the WRX/STI , just the WRX...but if you haven't seen the video yet it's worth watching and listening to.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123679614

BTW...short shidter will soon be available for the MS3! (drive2)

 

[ZooMIN3]

It's not the WRX/STI , just the WRX...but if you haven't seen the video yet it's worth watching and listening to.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123679614

BTW...short shidter will soon be available for the MS3! (drive2)

Yeah dude; I read into that. Very interesting. Also read the issue with C&D or was it Automobile mag where the MS3 was the better out of the WRX in every category?

Anyways, Short Shiter will be available soon for the MS3? Has it really been nearly a year since the MS3 has been out that there isn't a short shifter avaiable yet?

-J

 

[Loose]

Yeah dude; I read into that. Very interesting. Also read the issue with C&D or was it Automobile mag where the MS3 was the better out of the WRX in every category?

Anyways, Short Shiter will be available soon for the MS3? Has it really been nearly a year since the MS3 has been out that there isn't a short shifter avaiable yet?

-J

TWM Performence will have one real soon, 12 day or so.... Great product!

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123678965&page=3

 

[ZooMIN3]

TWM Performence will have one real soon, 12 day or so.... Great product!

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123678965&page=3

w3rd.

I just can't believe that the 3Speedsters are driving around without the short shifter being available? well, hope this is due to R&D on this thing. MazdaSpeed doesn't even have a short shifter for the Speed3. Heh...noobs! lol

-J