Sport vs GT

I originally intended to get the Sport model. However, I ended up with the GT. The little touches that are unique to the GT helped to dress up the car and actually make it feel more expensive than it is. Also, I have grown to love the auto headlights and wipers - they have made me even lazier than I was before.

Regarding the seats. The seating surface itself is cloth not leather. The seats hold the driver very well during cornering and when you look around, you see leather all around you. I think it is an excellent compromise. However, I don't believe that the leather on the bolsters is going to wear well - just conjecture on my part.
 
I looked at both the sport and the GT. I picked the GT... mostly because I didn't want to get yet another silver car and that was the sport. So I ended up with my GT in Black Mica. I like the HID's and the LED's. If I can buy the car with it on there the dealer will cover it if it breaks. I like the auto-wipers it one less then to have to think about. Plus it gets annoying when the intermittent wipers don't got slow enough and I have to keep adjusting the darn things. Leather is leather, if you condition it and take care of it it will wear just fine. The leather is better for my dogs, the slobber wipes right off.

Bose is just another factory stereo. I don't think it is that bad. I have certainly heard worse.
 
I would have taken either one, just so happened that I caught the dealership at the end of the month. They had a silver 08 GT (really wanted CB) with 11 miles on it. I actually was internet browsing and somehow they found out I was interested and called me. Got it for 23K. More than happy with price. They also gave me top dollar for my 07 GTI. Now that I have the GT, I am really glad I didn't go with a sport, if only for the head and taillights.
 
If youre going to do it, do it right. Get the GT.. People are very impressed when i valet my car with it. The nav, auto controls, seats, HIDs, LEDs, it really finishes this car, not to mention, gives you a better resale value. Sure, the Bose system isnt a knock out audio system but it sure beats the hell out of a lot of stock systems out there. All it needs is 2 amps, component speakers and a sub.. you would be surprised at how good it will sound.

In Dash nav rocks.


Agree'd, same reason I opted for the GT w/navi.
 
its probably not by much but i wonder if the sport is a little faster than the GT due to not haveing the added stereo stuff and whatnot?????
 
not trying to be a dick but...

If youre going to do it, do it right. Get the GT.. People are very impressed when i valet my car with it. The nav, auto controls, seats, HIDs, LEDs, it really finishes this car, not to mention, gives you a better resale value. Sure, the Bose system isnt a knock out audio system but it sure beats the hell out of a lot of stock systems out there. All it needs is 2 amps, component speakers and a sub.. you would be surprised at how good it will sound.

In Dash nav rocks.


LOL So the reason to spend an extra $1715 on a car (sorry, i don't look at it in terms of monthly payments. That's just fuzzy math to me.) is to impress the valet???

First, anyone that truly cares about their car isn't going to let some jerkoff drive/valet their car. No offense to anyone who's valeted before but, as a valet myself at a casino during college, I've witness firsthand what goes on and vowed never to put my car (assuming I care about it) into that type of situation. (examples: beating on the car, jackin up the stereo, parking it in a way that won't exactly prevent any dings, etc) That's the kind of bullshi+ I don't need so I park my own damn car.

More importantly though... who gives a flying fvck about what some valet... or for that matter, anyone thinks? Good God... I buy a car for ME not some douchebag I could give 2 $hits about. Sorry if I sound harsh but... come on!!

Perhaps even more importantly than any of that though...

Let's get real for a second people. Anyone that thinks that Bose (easily the most over-rated brand in the history of electronics) is even halfway decent is out of their mind. Do yourself a favor and compare it, not to another crappy stock system, but to a decent aftermarket system. The sound difference is astounding. Now for some, that's irrelevant. I know some people who only listen to AM talk radio in the car. Obviously the sound quality is meaningless to them. Others simply might not be an "audiophile"... For years, my wife listened to music in her car with the bass and treble turned all the way down to -6. lol I'm not even sure how that happened... I rarely ever drove her car but, when I did, I immediately noticed it and fixed it. Obviously she didn't give a $hit. Which is fine. Some people simply don't care about stuff like that. For those... adding the awesome bose stereo to the list of reasons to get a GT doesn't hold any water with me. Although Mazda didn't do us any favors by putting in the integrated HU... it's easier than you might think to replace it with a nice double-din model (perhaps an indash nav.. more on that in a sec) and obviously the speakers are pretty easy to replace. With the amount of deals that can be had online... It's pretty safe to say you can easily replace the Blose with a system that'll destroy it... for far less than the $1715... leaving plenty of $ leftover.

Now as far as this popup nav system goes... I'm sorry, but after using it, it's right up (or down) there with the Bose system. Is it better than nothing? Clearly Are there units/systems out there (both standalone and indash) that slaughter it in every way... absolutely. For one... the Mazda unit isn't a touchscreen. So you have to use this awkward remote pos to fumble around with the UI. When you're pressed for time, you need a unit that's simple and easy to operate. In my oppinion, this $2k option (or whatever it costs) fails to deliver.

Depending on whether or not you're an aforementioned "audiophile" I'd recommend either a portable unit (there are some really impressive devices out for a mere $300-500) or... even better, get an indash unit like the pioneer AVIC D3 That's what I have and it's phenomenal!! Along with the bluetooth handsfree kit and ipod adapter (can't do that with the bose) the unit cost me $800 online. Through in a couple Benny Franks for installation and you're gold.

Anyways... sorry again to bash. I know it's not cool to rag on people's choices but I'm simply trying to deliver the facts. If money's no option, I think the GT is the way to go. Assuming you take care of the leather (those bolsters will have unsightly creases in them in no time if you don't) the GT clearly is the best trim. But if you're on any type of budget (and, by virtue of buying a Mazda, you clearly are) I say save that $1715 (it's not "only" an extra $30/month -for 60 months- it's a top of the line hdtv... or an Imac... or a, you get the point. That's not chump change so don't get suckered in by the whole monthly payment voodoo mind meld...

or better yet spend it on the types of things I mentioned above. As long as you can turn your own lights and wipers on (I won't even mention LED tails. They're cool as s***... for the guy behind you! lol) I think the Sport + aftermarket is the ultimate value proposition.
 
LOL So the reason to spend an extra $1715 on a car (sorry, i don't look at it in terms of monthly payments. That's just fuzzy math to me.) is to impress the valet???

First, anyone that truly cares about their car isn't going to let some jerkoff drive/valet their car. No offense to anyone who's valeted before but, as a valet myself at a casino during college, I've witness firsthand what goes on and vowed never to put my car (assuming I care about it) into that type of situation. (examples: beating on the car, jackin up the stereo, parking it in a way that won't exactly prevent any dings, etc) That's the kind of bullshi+ I don't need so I park my own damn car.

More importantly though... who gives a flying fvck about what some valet... or for that matter, anyone thinks? Good God... I buy a car for ME not some douchebag I could give 2 $hits about. Sorry if I sound harsh but... come on!!

Perhaps even more importantly than any of that though...

Let's get real for a second people. Anyone that thinks that Bose (easily the most over-rated brand in the history of electronics) is even halfway decent is out of their mind. Do yourself a favor and compare it, not to another crappy stock system, but to a decent aftermarket system. The sound difference is astounding. Now for some, that's irrelevant. I know some people who only listen to AM talk radio in the car. Obviously the sound quality is meaningless to them. Others simply might not be an "audiophile"... For years, my wife listened to music in her car with the bass and treble turned all the way down to -6. lol I'm not even sure how that happened... I rarely ever drove her car but, when I did, I immediately noticed it and fixed it. Obviously she didn't give a $hit. Which is fine. Some people simply don't care about stuff like that. For those... adding the awesome bose stereo to the list of reasons to get a GT doesn't hold any water with me. Although Mazda didn't do us any favors by putting in the integrated HU... it's easier than you might think to replace it with a nice double-din model (perhaps an indash nav.. more on that in a sec) and obviously the speakers are pretty easy to replace. With the amount of deals that can be had online... It's pretty safe to say you can easily replace the Blose with a system that'll destroy it... for far less than the $1715... leaving plenty of $ leftover.

Now as far as this popup nav system goes... I'm sorry, but after using it, it's right up (or down) there with the Bose system. Is it better than nothing? Clearly Are there units/systems out there (both standalone and indash) that slaughter it in every way... absolutely. For one... the Mazda unit isn't a touchscreen. So you have to use this awkward remote pos to fumble around with the UI. When you're pressed for time, you need a unit that's simple and easy to operate. In my oppinion, this $2k option (or whatever it costs) fails to deliver.

Depending on whether or not you're an aforementioned "audiophile" I'd recommend either a portable unit (there are some really impressive devices out for a mere $300-500) or... even better, get an indash unit like the pioneer AVIC D3 That's what I have and it's phenomenal!! Along with the bluetooth handsfree kit and ipod adapter (can't do that with the bose) the unit cost me $800 online. Through in a couple Benny Franks for installation and you're gold.

Anyways... sorry again to bash. I know it's not cool to rag on people's choices but I'm simply trying to deliver the facts. If money's no option, I think the GT is the way to go. Assuming you take care of the leather (those bolsters will have unsightly creases in them in no time if you don't) the GT clearly is the best trim. But if you're on any type of budget (and, by virtue of buying a Mazda, you clearly are) I say save that $1715 (it's not "only" an extra $30/month -for 60 months- it's a top of the line hdtv... or an Imac... or a, you get the point. That's not chump change so don't get suckered in by the whole monthly payment voodoo mind meld...

or better yet spend it on the types of things I mentioned above. As long as you can turn your own lights and wipers on (I won't even mention LED tails. They're cool as s***... for the guy behind you! lol) I think the Sport + aftermarket is the ultimate value proposition.

You truly are an idiot and didnt comprehend a thing i said. Im on a budget because i bought a mazda? I could of purchased an M3, 335i, anything i wanted. I tested 41 cars before i made this purchase and nothing i drove gave me the satisfaction this little car did. I was expecting to be buying something in the $45K to $65K range when i ran across this car.
 
i got the GT because OE HID are supreme, the LED tail lights are supreme (sounds silly, but they are, and considering the idiots who drive behind me...ok) and the leather appointments give it a nice touch. While i wholeheartedly agree that the bose system is just "ok", i'd say the majority of people would like it more than the 'other' system. good 6.5" component set, pdx 4.150, a 10 or 12 in the back, and an mtx re-q will make the bose system really shine...but i digress....

it's like any 'option', hence it being an option. different strokes. for the payment difference, i'd never NOT get the stuff i did in the GT.
 
I'm out of my mind for thinking the Bose system is halfway decent. If one plans on replacing the system then theres no need to opt for the Bose. Those like myself who weren't looking to upgrade anytime soon might be satisfied. I installed car audio professionally for a long while. I know my way around audio and I'm happy with the Bose. Why would I compare it with after market systems?I also wasn't on a budget when I bought the car. Point is .....if You don't need the extra stuff...your not gonna opt for it which is fine but everyone prefers different things. My payments might be 18 bucks or so a month as compared to the sport....for me not a big deal. To me thats worth the cost of the little extra comforts. Don't call guys like me "out of your mind" because we're happy with our cars.
 
Well, after driving both of them and seriously considering them, I can only say that it really depends on your budget. I could have had either one easily, with the GT coming in around the same price as my MS6, but I can tell you that I would have got the GT over the sport for the following reasons.

1 - Bose stereo. Granted, it's not an aftermarket system, and I know as bad as it tries to be, its not. What it is is a higher end OEM system that is a good starting point for people. I had an Alpine/Oz Audio setup in my Protege, but vowed that instead of spending over $1200 on a stereo (w/o subs) that I would much rather dump that money into the engine/suspension/wheels/tires/etc. of the car over the stereo. If it sounds half decent and I can hear it when I drive everyday then I'm happy.

2 - The little things. Sure, LED tails and HIDs are things that noone needs. It's not like the car doesn't come with headlights or taillights if you don't get the nice ones, but they do give the car a little more distinction than the other comparable cars they have to battle. SRT-4s don't come with LED tails or HIDs, do they? It's more a matter of distinction. I personally like the HIDs alot, and from here on out, will get them on every car I own.

In the end, it's whatever makes you happy. If you're a simple pleasure type of person, the sport will probably work for you. If you like the sense of dabbling into the more upscale stuff, then the GT is the route I would go.
 
I really don't think the bose are all that bad...

I'm not a super audiophile or try to act cool and pretend to be, but I've had K2's and Kappa Perfect components in previous cars. I like the bose setup, it isn't too bad for a factory system. Setup a 2 fade to the rear, -1 on bass and -2 on treble and it sounds pretty good imho. It doesn't have astounding clarity, but you can still hear pick scratches on acoustic guitars. Maybe it's just the type of music I listen to? I usually listen to simple music, less production more acoustic/ single instrumental stuff, (damien rice, tiger army, amy winehouse, bob dylan, a fine frenzy and dire straits in there now).

Rarely play it above 22, unless on the highway with the windows down and i'll peak at 24. Usually cruise with windows down and play at 16-18.

Maybe I haven't pushed it yet. I find that my console and dash creaks are much more distracting than poor sound quality; however the new white stripes album didn't play well at all, couldn't make it through 3 songs, idk if it was at a weird frequency or something, but I got really harsh vibrations.

If you want a perfect system free from any type of distortion, buy some nice headphones and sit in a dark room.

Can't wait to pick up the new Thriller 25th anniversary and Ryan Adams...

As for the GT vs Sport:

The Xenons are great, the auto wipers are nice and I really like the LED tails. It makes it fun to lock my car just to see the leds flash their beams on the pavement, had the car for nearly a year and it still makes me smile. In the end all that matters is that your happy. I personally like the leather, Especially the full leather backseats (does the sport have leather in the back or is it all cloth?) I like spending Saturday mornings working oil into the seats when I'm waiting for a wax coat to set. Would I have been as happy with a Sport? I honestly don't think so, that isn't to say those with sports would be happier with a gt, but for me the gt was the better option. This was the first new car I have ever owned (first car with less than 130k miles when I bought it) and I wanted "Best Of" that might be silly to some, but to me it was important (didn't get nav though, couldn't justify it based on my driving habits, didn't have any on the lot for me to look at). When I bought my Speed last summer they were selling before they were off the trucks, so it was pretty much what the dealer had is what you bought, luckily for me they had a GT in the fastest, bestest color.
 
You truly are an idiot and didnt comprehend a thing i said. Im on a budget because i bought a mazda? I could of purchased an M3, 335i, anything i wanted. I tested 41 cars before i made this purchase and nothing i drove gave me the satisfaction this little car did. I was expecting to be buying something in the $45K to $65K range when i ran across this car.

Umm... thanks for the compliment. Being called an idiot is probably the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me.

As far as your financial situation goes... congrats! I'm glad you can afford a $65k car. But do you honestly think the majority of MS3 owners can as well? Cuz... I wasn't talking about YOU... I was talking about the MAJORITY of MS3 owners.

LOL If you do then... well, maybe I need to compliment you as well!
 
I'm out of my mind for thinking the Bose system is halfway decent. If one plans on replacing the system then theres no need to opt for the Bose. Those like myself who weren't looking to upgrade anytime soon might be satisfied. I installed car audio professionally for a long while. I know my way around audio and I'm happy with the Bose. Why would I compare it with after market systems?I also wasn't on a budget when I bought the car. Point is .....if You don't need the extra stuff...your not gonna opt for it which is fine but everyone prefers different things. My payments might be 18 bucks or so a month as compared to the sport....for me not a big deal. To me thats worth the cost of the little extra comforts. Don't call guys like me "out of your mind" because we're happy with our cars.


LOL with all due respect... Don't misinterpret what I said. I never said people who are happy with their GTs are out of their mind! What I REALLY said was anyone (with a discerning ear) that thinks the Bose system is "halfway decent" IS out of their mind. I stand by that statement because I... HAVE a discerning ear and know good sound quality when I hear it. I realize not everyone falls into this category... is a huge music buff... or simply cares! I can respect that... but please don't misrepresent what I said. that... I can't respect.
 
Umm... thanks for the compliment. Being called an idiot is probably the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me.

As far as your financial situation goes... congrats! I'm glad you can afford a $65k car. But do you honestly think the majority of MS3 owners can as well? Cuz... I wasn't talking about YOU... I was talking about the MAJORITY of MS3 owners.

LOL If you do then... well, maybe I need to compliment you as well!

Well believe me, i could of called you worse but youre reasoning was definately idiotic.

Its like those who think they are going to be king s*** when they buy their BMW 135i's.. Talk about the base or all base model cars with no room to even fart.
 
I went for the Sport. None of the GT features impressed me enough to spend the extra money.
 
LOL with all due respect... Don't misinterpret what I said. I never said people who are happy with their GTs are out of their mind! What I REALLY said was anyone (with a discerning ear) that thinks the Bose system is "halfway decent" IS out of their mind. I stand by that statement because I... HAVE a discerning ear and know good sound quality when I hear it. I realize not everyone falls into this category... is a huge music buff... or simply cares! I can respect that... but please don't misrepresent what I said. that... I can't respect.

I don't think I misinterpreted you. You once again just said I was out of my mind. I've been in the music industry for about 5 years now. I have 2 discerning ears. I don't think the system is top notch but I'm satisfied with it for what it is......a stock system. You've once again managed to s*** on my opinion. I don't want to argue with anyone. A question was asked and people are free to give there opinion but don't crap on someone else's.
 
If you care to debate any of my logic... feel free to cite some specifics. Simply saying my "reasoning was definately idiotic" is... well, idiotic!

As far as your inability to fart comment goes... yeah, that one went completely over my head. probably better that way.

Look... in all seriousness, there's nothing more to debate here. The OP's question has been addressed so he clearly has all the information he needs to make a good decision. While some (perhaps even you) may think the debate that ensued was over which trim was best. ("my trim's better than your trim!!") In all actuality, it was simply about educating and figuring out what's REALLY most important to people. When the salesman says it's "only an extra $30/month for the GT" he's looking out for his own best interest, not yours. Maybe to some (who, like the OP, are on the fence about which one to get) they could better spend that $1800 elsewhere. Still, others may either realize or further solidify their stance on why the GT is their best choice.

Either way you look at it... you can't go wrong with either. In the end, you still have the best-of-breed at (even at sticker) one hell of a pricepoint. You can't go wrong either way... but that doesn't mean you should throw money away.

I'm done
 
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