FrankDiscussion
Member
I don't think you could wrong with either one. I chose the Sport as the dealer had a very limited selection. I test drove a GT as well, I liked the "bells and whistles" but didn't feel a need for them.
Sport vs GT
- Thread starter naddie
- Start date
Okaaaaay... well I'm sorry you're offended. It's nothing personal brotha!! Clearly, when it comes to audio fidelity, my standards are a bit higher. Hey, I'm not braggin! lol Me and my bank account wish it wasn't the case... believe me!
Look... maybe my "out of your mind" comment was a bit harsh. I originally said it to make a point but I can see how that might offend.
How's this? IMO, Bose as a brand is highly over-rated. Their systems do not stack up well against their competition and are often far more expensive. The system in the MS3 GT is no exception. While it's a notch above the Sport systems... it cannot compare to an even 'halfway decent' aftermarket setup. For some this isn't a big deal as it obviously works fine and does its job well enough. But for those who are interested in the GT because it has a Bose system, do yourself a favor and give it a good test spin first. Maybe it's sufficient for your needs. But if you're like me and used to high-end aftermarket systems, it'll dissapoint in every which way. All things being relative... Now I wouldn't say someone who feels this system kicks ass is 'out of their mind'. I'd merely say they may not know what a truly high quality system sounds like.
Ok, I had to put in a little jab towards the end. All in good fun! Hope there's no hard feelings. If so... you're clearly out of your F'ing mind!! haha
n|njutsu55
Member
No worries. Even though I disagree with some of your points I understand where your coming from. I've had nothing but nice systems in my cars until the speed.....I'm not disappointed....it is what it is. Naddie......test them both out and see if its worth it for you.
I would be interested in hearing what you think a quality system is comprised of, and if you say sony x-plodes I will kick you in the teeth
.LMAO nah... sony's ultra high-end. jensen makes some nice stuff. I also like bazooka subs....
Seriously though, I'm not trying to say I'm some car audio snob. Far from it really... I'm a pretty savvy shopper and am of the mind that a quality system can be had for a lot less than what most think... often for less than the added cost of the 'upgraded model' car x offers.
But if you must know... I've got the Pioneer AVIC D3 hooked up to Kicker SS65.2 SS Series 6.5's (front and rear) I've got an old Eclipse Amp powering them and nothing too fancy in the way of a sub... just an 10" MTX 9500 powered by another amp from back in the day... forgot the wattage but it's more than capable
All this stuff (plus the aforementioned ipod adapter, bluetooth kit and sirius recieiver) cost me under $1100... I already had the amps but, if I had to, I could've gotten what I needed for about $200 or so... used amps (in good condition of course) are the way to go.
So you see... if you're the type that can care less about some of the bells and whistles that come with the GT... and want a sick system.. it might be in your best interest to go aftermarket. NEVER pay retail... the deals that can be had online are ridiculous. (I can care less about the big box stores but part of me feels bad for the little guy... but hey, that's the world we live in.) Even after installation, you'll be well under the $1715... or $3715 more appropriately (since the AVIC is an indash nav and I believe Mazda's version is a mind-boggling $2k...but I could be wrong.)
Seriously though, I'm not trying to say I'm some car audio snob. Far from it really... I'm a pretty savvy shopper and am of the mind that a quality system can be had for a lot less than what most think... often for less than the added cost of the 'upgraded model' car x offers.
But if you must know... I've got the Pioneer AVIC D3 hooked up to Kicker SS65.2 SS Series 6.5's (front and rear) I've got an old Eclipse Amp powering them and nothing too fancy in the way of a sub... just an 10" MTX 9500 powered by another amp from back in the day... forgot the wattage but it's more than capable
All this stuff (plus the aforementioned ipod adapter, bluetooth kit and sirius recieiver) cost me under $1100... I already had the amps but, if I had to, I could've gotten what I needed for about $200 or so... used amps (in good condition of course) are the way to go.
So you see... if you're the type that can care less about some of the bells and whistles that come with the GT... and want a sick system.. it might be in your best interest to go aftermarket. NEVER pay retail... the deals that can be had online are ridiculous. (I can care less about the big box stores but part of me feels bad for the little guy... but hey, that's the world we live in.) Even after installation, you'll be well under the $1715... or $3715 more appropriately (since the AVIC is an indash nav and I believe Mazda's version is a mind-boggling $2k...but I could be wrong.)
HImmmm anyone who has a bit of a good taste and a sensible business mind would know that paying 1700usd over 5 or 6 years uuuhh let me think?Is it worth it? Duhhh i think so.1700usd gives you quite a few extras factory fitted.
- Automatic on/off Xenon (HID) headlights
- LED rear taillights
- unique cloth seats w/ leather bolsters
- Rain-sensing front windshield wipers
- Bose premium audio system w/ in-dash 6-disc CD changer
- Driving information system (trip computer)
- Theft-deterrent system
The ms3 isn't a luxury car. It was never meant to be. If luxury or creature comforts was my priority I'd look to the is250/350, g35 etc. I mean the only thing it has luxury wise is the leather trim and that ain't saying much. The other stuff is just minor conveniences. Couple weeks ago I sat a '08 ms3 at the dealer while waiting for service. I wanted to check it out to see if anything at all in the interior changed. Nothing at all seemed different and it was only when I got out I realized it was a GT. My point is, nothing was strikingly different about the car unless I really paid attention.
Xenon has function and it looks great but the stock lights are more than adequate. The theft deterrent is a plus but I can put that in at any time. Led tails look nicer but again, the stock tailights are bright enough. I agree it's personal preference but I would'nt call the decision to not get it, not 'sensible'.
To be truthful, that $1700 can be put towards a lot better investments over the 5 or 6 years than a car.
Eh, if I ever end up upgrading the speakers I'll go,
Focal utopia BE no.7 6.5" components x4
Phoenix gold 4 channel to power (phoenix gold's very underrated imho, the ones from a few years back, not the plastic stuff they put out now.)
Boston Acoustics G512-44 x2
Phoenix gold mono x2
That all together would be a lot more than 1100, more than 10k in fact.
Other than that, everything else is just a minor improvement. I upgraded the speakers on my old Gti, because the stock system was horrible (not loudness, I could care less about making it "thump" I like quality reproduction). I spent in the neighborhood of 2.5k for 4 focal k2's 2 Jl's, amps and wiring, caps, batteries. I can't justify spending that to replace the Bose system which has fairly good reproduction. Then again i don't crank it up.
Also be careful using burnt cd's as sometimes, depending on the encode, decode, you could end up playing some very poor quality stuff which isn't the speakers fault, and could damage your speakers. If it's not a "clean" cut, it will produce frequency distortions.
Anyone remember Oink? They had numerous comparisons (graphically) of the frequency of tracks encoded at 128, 196, 360 and FLAC lossless, that demonstrate how much data is lost or distorted...
To compare it yourself, take a purchased cd, copy it to your hard drive, burn it, then play the two side by side and see if you can't tell a difference.
-mk
Focal utopia BE no.7 6.5" components x4
Phoenix gold 4 channel to power (phoenix gold's very underrated imho, the ones from a few years back, not the plastic stuff they put out now.)
Boston Acoustics G512-44 x2
Phoenix gold mono x2
That all together would be a lot more than 1100, more than 10k in fact.
Other than that, everything else is just a minor improvement. I upgraded the speakers on my old Gti, because the stock system was horrible (not loudness, I could care less about making it "thump" I like quality reproduction). I spent in the neighborhood of 2.5k for 4 focal k2's 2 Jl's, amps and wiring, caps, batteries. I can't justify spending that to replace the Bose system which has fairly good reproduction. Then again i don't crank it up.
Also be careful using burnt cd's as sometimes, depending on the encode, decode, you could end up playing some very poor quality stuff which isn't the speakers fault, and could damage your speakers. If it's not a "clean" cut, it will produce frequency distortions.
Anyone remember Oink? They had numerous comparisons (graphically) of the frequency of tracks encoded at 128, 196, 360 and FLAC lossless, that demonstrate how much data is lost or distorted...
To compare it yourself, take a purchased cd, copy it to your hard drive, burn it, then play the two side by side and see if you can't tell a difference
.-mk
To be honest my fatal error was the NAV unit.The thing is not many dealership had them if any.Infact around the time i was buying none in South FLorida, in any dealership so you never got to see or test one in the show room.It turns out to be a disaster for 1750usd,so much that i wrote a letter of complaint to NAVTEQ USA and asked for a refund or a major firmware update.Even the Hyundai navigation and 100-150usd Tom Tom is more user friendly and has more functions.The other guys who co make the hardware etc are i think DENSO USA,however the maps and firmware is from NAVTEQ who make for alot car manufacturers.I can`t really change it because even the auto xenon (HID) is linked to the NAV screen through sensors that DENSO group makes.Though it looks nice and enhances the appearance ,functionality and value wise is a piece of crapp in my opinion,though everyone has different tastes to be honest.I am willing to sell it for 1350 with everything.Any offers PM me.
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I hope I'm reading this wrong. Cuz it sounds like you're saying the ONLY way to get a MAJOR improvement soundwise is to spend 10 grand on a sound system. afterall... everything else is merely a "minor improvement". lol again... hope I'm wrong. If not... that's just INFUCKINSANEDUDE!!! I'm not even going to get into why... cuz, again, I'm hoping I read it wrong...
and for the record, that $1100 is easily double that retail. like I said... I'm all about the deals.
I had an extremly good system in my car that would smoke any stock and MANY aftermarket systems out there all for around 2000bucks sure a lot of it was my step fathers stuff who is a huge audiophile and turned me into one. but the real truth is i had very very nice speakers a very good headunit, and two really nice subs on two amps (granted one was lousy) it was better than any of the ricer boys that rolled up to me and while it didnt make near the bass of some(the ones you can hear for a mile or so) but it was clear as a bell and the sound quality was amazing. So for 2k you too can have a great sounding stereo just make sure to buy the right stuff.
Heres what i was running
Infinity mains two 6 1/2s in the front, and two 6X9s in the back they were reference series. I had two Premier 12'' subs in the back. The head unit is where it all comes together though, Its an Alpine 9833 so its getting old but it has a high cd clairty rating and allows for x over and Equilizing settings meaning i can set the different levels of frequencies and i can determine when each speaker gets to be "fired" so closer to you like the drivers side door is slowest to fire to the rear right speaker cause its all about the sound getting to you at the same time to make it sound right. I had a JVC amp running only 75 watts a channel running my mains not much but it was enough to get loud since they were on high pass, and some off brand german amp running the subs it was not to good but i ran out of money(hey i got paid 7 bucks an hour). all in all it was pretty damn nice. Then someone hit me head on and totalled the car.
Heres what i was running
Infinity mains two 6 1/2s in the front, and two 6X9s in the back they were reference series. I had two Premier 12'' subs in the back. The head unit is where it all comes together though, Its an Alpine 9833 so its getting old but it has a high cd clairty rating and allows for x over and Equilizing settings meaning i can set the different levels of frequencies and i can determine when each speaker gets to be "fired" so closer to you like the drivers side door is slowest to fire to the rear right speaker cause its all about the sound getting to you at the same time to make it sound right. I had a JVC amp running only 75 watts a channel running my mains not much but it was enough to get loud since they were on high pass, and some off brand german amp running the subs it was not to good but i ran out of money(hey i got paid 7 bucks an hour). all in all it was pretty damn nice. Then someone hit me head on and totalled the car.
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- :
- 2011 Mustang GT
Hate to remind you guys, but the topic is "Sport vs. GT", not "what kind of system I have".
Thread topics tend to... evolve... don't they?
OP here. I think I read enough opinions here to make my decision. I already put down a deposit for the Sport (waiting for the 8.5 Gray Mica). But after a month later, I was wondering if I should just have gone all out and get the GT instead. I can afford the extra $1750, but not sure if any of the extra stuff is worth it.
I guess it's a toss up still - if the deal goes through and they don't jack up the price last minute (or if I find a better deal elsewhere), I'll just go with it. Right now, as it sits, none of the dealers here in Chicago are interested in moving their MS3s.
As for the stereo (which is what the topic seem to... evolved to...), as long as it sounds good, I don't really care. I think I'll probably be happy with the stock HU with after market speakers. I just wish the Sport would get the 6-CD changer (just imagine 6-CDs all filled with MP3s!).
On my previous car, I upgraded the HU only because I wanted MP3/WMA playback. I was hoping to upgrade the speakers one day, but have put it off for so long that I ended up selling the car with the speakers untouched (anyone want a turboed 2000 Nissan Sentra SE? )
Not sure how good the halogen lights are compared to the HIDs. The dealers only had GTs to test drive, so I never really saw a Sport first hand, which makes buying a Sport a blind purchase. But if the Sport isn't too much different from the GT (how it drives and feels, and majority of the interior is the same), I think the Sport (for me) is the better choice.
The GT do have things I like though. HIDs are "cool" but not really needed (how much better do you see, anyways?), I like the 6-CD changer (Bose or not, but of course, the 6-CD changer is only on the Bose so I get no choice), and the auto-sensing wipers would have been nice because I hate re-adjusting the intermittent timing on the wipers as the rate of rain fall and vehicle splash is never consistent. I'd be using the "auto wipers" as a hybrid - manaully turned off all the time except when it's raining, snowing, or drizzling - a good replacement for the "dumb" intermittent setting of "truly manual" wipers.
I could care less about the LED tail lights (I personally hate LED tail lights on other people's cars - too bright and distracting in heavy traffic! I get it!!! You're braking!). I hate full leather seats, but the leather inserts seem to be an excellent compromise - leather surfaces with cloth's grippy attributes.
So out of GT's features, I think I'd only use a handful:
-HID (only sometimes - I drive mostly in the city, so streets are usually lit well, but for those rare tromp in the back roads at night)
-6-CD changer (6 CDs with MP3s is like having a 4.2GB MP3 player built-in - and I hate iPods, so I'll never buy one).
-Auto Wipers (not really using as a fully auto system for the lazy - will be using it as a "smart" intermittent wiper - will be fully off until I turn it on myself).
Is it worth $1750 for just using those 3 features? I guess probably not. I'll probably end up getting a HDD MP3 player and use the AUX input. I just don't like the non-integrated nature of navigating the controls (can't use the buttons on the wheel or use the HU's dash controls - will have to reach into the center storage box for the MP3 player while driving).
Sorry for the long post (in contrast to my very short original post). It was short to elicit the kinds of posts I read up to now (thanks everyone!). This long post is my thought process in regards to my own internal conflict on deciding between Sport vs GT.
OP here. I think I read enough opinions here to make my decision. I already put down a deposit for the Sport (waiting for the 8.5 Gray Mica). But after a month later, I was wondering if I should just have gone all out and get the GT instead. I can afford the extra $1750, but not sure if any of the extra stuff is worth it.
I guess it's a toss up still - if the deal goes through and they don't jack up the price last minute (or if I find a better deal elsewhere), I'll just go with it. Right now, as it sits, none of the dealers here in Chicago are interested in moving their MS3s.
As for the stereo (which is what the topic seem to... evolved to...), as long as it sounds good, I don't really care. I think I'll probably be happy with the stock HU with after market speakers. I just wish the Sport would get the 6-CD changer (just imagine 6-CDs all filled with MP3s!).
On my previous car, I upgraded the HU only because I wanted MP3/WMA playback. I was hoping to upgrade the speakers one day, but have put it off for so long that I ended up selling the car with the speakers untouched (anyone want a turboed 2000 Nissan Sentra SE?
)Not sure how good the halogen lights are compared to the HIDs. The dealers only had GTs to test drive, so I never really saw a Sport first hand, which makes buying a Sport a blind purchase. But if the Sport isn't too much different from the GT (how it drives and feels, and majority of the interior is the same), I think the Sport (for me) is the better choice.
The GT do have things I like though. HIDs are "cool" but not really needed (how much better do you see, anyways?), I like the 6-CD changer (Bose or not, but of course, the 6-CD changer is only on the Bose so I get no choice), and the auto-sensing wipers would have been nice because I hate re-adjusting the intermittent timing on the wipers as the rate of rain fall and vehicle splash is never consistent. I'd be using the "auto wipers" as a hybrid - manaully turned off all the time except when it's raining, snowing, or drizzling - a good replacement for the "dumb" intermittent setting of "truly manual" wipers.
I could care less about the LED tail lights (I personally hate LED tail lights on other people's cars - too bright and distracting in heavy traffic! I get it!!! You're braking!). I hate full leather seats, but the leather inserts seem to be an excellent compromise - leather surfaces with cloth's grippy attributes.
So out of GT's features, I think I'd only use a handful:
-HID (only sometimes - I drive mostly in the city, so streets are usually lit well, but for those rare tromp in the back roads at night)
-6-CD changer (6 CDs with MP3s is like having a 4.2GB MP3 player built-in - and I hate iPods, so I'll never buy one).
-Auto Wipers (not really using as a fully auto system for the lazy - will be using it as a "smart" intermittent wiper - will be fully off until I turn it on myself).
Is it worth $1750 for just using those 3 features? I guess probably not. I'll probably end up getting a HDD MP3 player and use the AUX input. I just don't like the non-integrated nature of navigating the controls (can't use the buttons on the wheel or use the HU's dash controls - will have to reach into the center storage box for the MP3 player while driving).
Sorry for the long post (in contrast to my very short original post). It was short to elicit the kinds of posts I read up to now (thanks everyone!). This long post is my thought process in regards to my own internal conflict on deciding between Sport vs GT.
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well then i will put it into context lol sorry i got off on that one.
I was just trying to back up the point that aftermarket isnt that expensive especially if you arent afraid to get your hands dirty and instal yourself. So if big sound and such isnt your thing and you just want a comfy car with nice options and a nice stereo to listen to the the GT is probably the way to go it wont blow out your windows sound wise and its got a nice little option set for under 2k so thats not that bad. However if you want that loud ass music and you dont give a damn about auto headlights the replacing the stock non Bose stereo is gonna be easier and you can do it with the savings over the GT!!!!
I was just trying to back up the point that aftermarket isnt that expensive especially if you arent afraid to get your hands dirty and instal yourself. So if big sound and such isnt your thing and you just want a comfy car with nice options and a nice stereo to listen to the the GT is probably the way to go it wont blow out your windows sound wise and its got a nice little option set for under 2k so thats not that bad. However if you want that loud ass music and you dont give a damn about auto headlights the replacing the stock non Bose stereo is gonna be easier and you can do it with the savings over the GT!!!!
Silver Ecstasy
Member
- :
- 11 MS3 Sport
I just wanted to say thanks for this thread, because I'm shopping for a MS3 and couldn't necessarily decide. I've always wanted factory HID's so that alone may actually end up pushing me into GT territory.
I had a question regarding the "Mazda remote keyless entry with answer back". What the hell is Answer Back mean? Just the horn honk letting you know you locked it??
I had a question regarding the "Mazda remote keyless entry with answer back". What the hell is Answer Back mean? Just the horn honk letting you know you locked it??
