Would you buy an MS3 over a used Evo?

[gar777]

Even though we're all Mazda fans, most people seem to agree that they'd pick a new Evo over a new MS3 (if they didn't have to pay for or insure it).

But how about a used Evo vs. a new MS3? Let's say they both cost $23K I've noticed a fair amount of Evos at or below this price (especially 2003-04 models) and this is MSRP for a Sport MS3 (which is what most people seem to be paying). What do you think?

Also, let's also say you know the history of the Evo and it was well maintained, wasn't abused, has all service records, etc. Different opinion?

 

[DeanSweet]

personally, If the Evo is still under facorty warranty, I would go with it...

 

[benben84]

I'd rather have an Sti over both and would even pay the extra 1-2k. Gotta love the boxer sound!

 

[jred321]

tough choice. my gut was ms3 because it's new and a used evo is possibly not the best idea, but if you know the evo, its history, the previous owner, etc..., then it becomes an option. it'd then boil down to what you use it for. do you need to haul stuff? evo's back seat doesn't fold down. do you drive in winter? high torque fwd car could make things tricky. do you mind a rough ride? you're going to feel every bump with the evo. how are you going to drive it? daily driver or racecar

 

[Hughes412]

As long as I could get an extended warrenty I'd take the evo.

 

[Vermilion]

I sold my 05 STi for a new MS3. The STi was fun but thats basically all it was. Stiff ass suspension made road trips a pain in the ass and back literally.
The rear seats don't fold down either.

The seats in the Evo I hear are better than the STi but its still a racing seat shell that isn't going to be comfortable for more than 15 miles. Mitsu is a bad company. They've had to get loans and such from like 3-4 BIG car manufacturers and are still needing more money to get by. I wouldn't buy any Mitsu car right now even if it was like 10000 dollars off. Even if it was free i'd sell it for something else.

A local guy in town had an Evo 8 and replaced his stock air filter with a K&N drop in and mitsu (supposedly) voided the warranty on his WHOLE car. I know that sounds like BS and it probably is but, it goes to show how much mitsu will try and get out of anything.

Only way I would drive the Evo is if I planned on keeping it bare bones stock.

I guess it comes down to whether you want a good daily driver thats still got some speed with comfortable seats, good room for transporting stuff and all that or you want a racecar with stiff suspension, (evo is stiffer than sti) shady company backing it up, etc. I would personally go with the MS3. The STi I had was fun for about a year and I couldn't see myself driving it for 5+ years like I can the MS3.

 

[jred321]

odds are in that price range for an 03-04 you're near the end of your warranty anyways, so mitsu covering it won't be an issue because they won't. i think it was only a 50k mile warranty for those model years.

fwiw, i've had my car for a year and a half and have yet to have 1 warranty issue come up

 

[dcomiskey]

I guess it depends on what you want. The Evo is a 4-door sedan, not a hatch, so that would automatically eliminate it from contention in my book at this point in my life.

 

[Evo Scooter]

Wow! this thread is right up my alley. I have both and I can tell you that so far my choice for AutoX is the Evo but as a daily driver the MS3 is far superior. I'll get more detailed tonight as I am at work and am just paying a quick visit.

 

[Alejo_NIN]

Wow! this thread is right up my alley. I have both and I can tell you that so far my choice for AutoX is the Evo but as a daily driver the MS3 is far superior. I'll get more detailed tonight as I am at work and am just paying a quick visit.

aren't you the lucky one?

damn...
gimme the evo...it is a piece of s*** car....i would have to make myself drive it...but at least you won't have to anymore

 

[1Sleepy93]

Never driven an Evo but I've always liked them and wanted one. If it was an every day car though I'd have to go for the MS3. The extra space and better ride are just more important then going like a bat out of hell. Not to say the MS3 isn't quick, just not as quick.

 

[Donas64]

Evo with MS3 Interior?

Just kidding. Even though I'd prefer the look of the Evo, I'd I'd take the MS3 for ride quality, interior, NVH. Plus that 2.3 DISI is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[JOMO]

I wouldn't get a used evo due to most of them were most likely abused. But I would save for a evo 9 over the ms3.

 

[Evo Scooter]

Evo vs MS3

Let me start by saying that my Evo is a slightly modded 2003 model. My mods include intake, Turbo-back exhaust, springs and a Custom reflash by Jestrtuning.

The Evo is a raw car in this form and is very "nervous". That is the one thing about the car that my wife does NOT like. It is fast and stable but requires that you DRIVE it to get the most out of it. It does seat 4 comfortably and has a huge trunk as far as trunks go. You could probably cram 3 dead bodies in there... The aftermarket for the Evo is also huge so you can always find the part you want if you look hard enough.

Now would I buy a used one? NO WAY!! I've seen too many people do stupid s*** to their Evos to trust anybody but myself. I'm sure people will say the same of me.

The MS3 is almost as fast. Not from a dig, the Evo will kill you there with a good driver, but from a roll. The suspension is not as abusive though. Which is good for a daily driver. Though I will not try with the MS3 what I can do with the Evo... at least not yet. Handling is only a step behind but not by too much. Also interior quality and ergonomics are much better than the Evo. Also as a trainer I usually have to carry around Laptop, LCD projector, screen, and about 10 boxes of materials. No way that will fit in an Evo but is easily put in the MS3 with the seats down.

Final analysis I would not buy a used Evo over a new MS3 with a warranty as a daily driver. I am fortunate that I don't have to choose. The MS3 is my daily driver and the Evo is my track car/daily driver in those rare times when my wife and I don't carpool (Rarely).

 

[gar777]

very good info, keep it coming. I'm hoping to test drive both cars today

 

[P5w3kids]

Neither the Evo nor the STI is suitable as a daily driver unless you care absolutely nothing about comfort. The Evo also has an interior that would look cheap in a $10k car.

The real competition for the MS3 is the regular WRX, which is far more livable than either the STI or the Evo. That's the car I'd be sure to drive before buying an MS3. Not saying which one is better, just that they're more comparable.

My comparison between the Evo and STI:

Evo vs. STI review

One qualification: I have heard that the MR has a much better ride than the regular Evo.

 

[Vermilion]

Yeh the MR is like 36-38000 dollars new aswell heh.

For that amount i'd rather get a BMW 335i twin turbo

 

[Evo Scooter]

...One qualification: I have heard that the MR has a much better ride than the regular Evo.

The MRs and the 06s all have the Bilstein shocks which soften the ride considerably and make it a good daily driver... As my Evo is lowered and the springs are stiffer it is NOT a good daily driver. But that is MY Evo. I know people with MRs that absolutely love them as DDs.

 

[SwampAss]

Yeh the MR is like 36-38000 dollars new aswell heh.

For that amount i'd rather get a BMW 335i twin turbo

no you wouldn't! They are scratching 50k. My plain leather/sunroof/Harmon Kardin 02 325i was 34k

 

[Evo Scooter]

Yeh the MR is like 36-38000 dollars new aswell heh.

For that amount i'd rather get a BMW 335i twin turbo

True, and as a daily driver I might agree with you but I believe that the 335i is also a bit more expensive and you can't beat the AWD for handling. I've driven both and the Evo still has the edge in handling and modability. Comfort and interior quality go to the BMW easily. Speed is about the same. The 335i I drove had the automatic so it was dead before 2200-2300 RPM then it took off. With a manual I would say it could do better.