keep my stage 2 speed 3 or get a 2010 STI?
 

Alright guys, whats faster a stock 2010 sti hatch or a stage 2 speed 3. i been looking at the STI and im debating on trading my speed for the sti, should i keep my speed 3 with the mods i have or get the STI?? is it a better car?

1. Don't know.
2. Depends on your financial outlook and emotional attachments.
3. Yes it is overall better from a mechanical and potential standpoint.

thats true i really like the looks and the inside of the STI and if i black it out like my speed 3 im sure it would look sick. i wish i could race one and find out but i havent seen 1 person driving that car in the city or anywhere else.... not a good sign

The speed3 should be faster from a roll-on but the STI as mentioned will have more potential and have other advantages. Personally I would wait for the 11' STI to come out latter this Aug/Sept. But if you're just looking for more power I suppose it wouldn't matter too much.

If you want one bad enough, and have the money, I say go for it.

But, prepared to get raped in the butthole on your trade-in on the speed3. And, you will have a car payment that is in a different league than what you have now.

i say wait for the sti

Where do people get thats its better form a mechanical standpoint? are there bunch of 400whp stock internals stis out there? Their turbos are about the exact same size as ours and my buddy who owns own sais you got to build after about 360-400hp. Is that not unlike our engines?

My buddy with sti can beat me form a dig I can beat him from a roll and we are simarlly modded.

As mentioned above I would wait for the '11 STIs, now you can choice from hatch or sedan. Never really liked the looks of the hatchback. Also I would think a stage 2 Speed3 would murder a stock STI, if from a roll. From a dig, the STI all the way.

Go with a '10 STI when the '11 comes out cause you might be able to cut a better deal

WELL...since you are running that poor K04 at 22psi, i say you get rid of it before it melts.

Not all enthusiasts live for max horsepower potential. It's about what the total package can accomplish at the desired task. Which is why I said the STi is better mechanically overall.

Roll racing is a good test of acceleration but ultimately holds no interest for me. I race at the track, with turns. If I wanted to roll race neither the MS3 or STI is high on my list. Just sayin'.

i would dump the speed 3 in a heartbeat if i were you.
way rather have an sti. you`ll lose to your ms3 in a straight line, to me i wouldnt care that much.. sti sounds too inviting.

I'm not so sure the 10' STI would be quicker at a race track with turns seeing as it run 3 full (3:19 vs. 3:16) seconds slower vs. the MS3 @VIR. But of course if it was raining / snowing the STI would be quicker I'm sure. The 11’ STI on the other hand should be faster either way.

^ What's the difference between the '10 and '11 aside from sedan body style?

if i could afford the sti i would drop the speed3 like a pregnant girlfriend.

i say go sti, everyones said the reasons already and personally i like the sti hatch better then ours, cant put my finger on it but i just do, good luck with your decision man

Cool data point, that's what I like.

What are the specs, stock for stock or what? Open track day, hpde, time trial, mag test? Tires?

VIR takes over 3 minutes to lap? Sheesh must be a huge and/or complex track.

3 seconds is pretty huge, but then not really since I was able to shave my best time in the MS3 from 1.33 to 1.29 on a tight 1.8 mile track here in Texas. So then that calls into question the drivers of the two cars as well. More data please, I love it :)

Why would the '11 be faster, i didn't think they were changing much.

I see what your saying. The speed also does well at autocrossing. As to weather tthe sti does better at autocrossing I don't know you may be correct.

The big wing! Duh!

It gets thoroughly revised suspension tuning amongst other things.

There are plenty of sources but here's one:

2011 Subaru WRX STI Sedan Gets its Own Promo Video : Auto News

The Wing brings the drag cof down to .35 vs. .37 BTW

Here's another:

http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1...e-wing-is-back

"The suspension tuning is borrowed from the 2010 WRX STI Special Edition, a tauter, JDM Spec C-based tune that cuts body roll and increases lateral G forces that can be held. The ride is also lower, with new pillow ball bushings up front and stiffer bushings out back to improve feel as well as changing camber and toe. Thicker anti-roll bars are also added front and rear. The new 18-inch wheels are 17.6 pounds lighter than the previous versions collectively, hugely reducing unsprung weight."

It sounds like the 2011 is going to have the 2010 SE suspension... Which is a good thing for sure.

Being a Valet i drive the 2010 STI's pretty regularly and my input is go with it. I drive a MS6 and the security of AWD cant be beat. The STI's are great cars and if you are a fan of a hatch (you have a MS3 so i assume you are) then i would go for it. Also you are running 21 LBS through the KO4 (i assume stock because your sig does not say otherwise) and that is going to turn in to a black hole in to which you throw money. I would part out, sell the mazda, and go STI. Go out and test drive one, thats what made me chose between my car and others. (AWD>>>>>>FWD,,, By the way)

Strange that on a Mazda forum, most people here are advocating to jump ship. For a car that's close to 10 grand more. Then again looking at your mods, maybe you already did dump that much. Just seems weird that you spent that much money on the MS3 when you could have gotten an STi from the get go. It's like buying a WRX and trying to match its older brother.

Anyways, it's not even a fair comparison since your current car is already heavily modified anyways. What's your plan with the STi if you do get it? Leave it stock? Mod it? Chase after 1/4 miles? Or tracking? Gotta be more specific in what you want. "Better" is far too subjective but if you wanted to just racing from a dig, then STi is "better".

The sti has a turbo just about the same size the speed, its apples to apples with everything except awd. The evo is a different story it comes with a much larger turbo and a 5-600hp block...

http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezfl...befb8e5cd2.xls

The Lightning Lap, 2008 - Feature - Auto Reviews - Car and Driver

Mazdaspeed 3 03:16.0 LL1 2007 $24,650 $24,650 263 6-sp man 3075 122.6 5/2/2007
Dodge Challenger SRT8 03:16.3 LL2 2008 $41,746 $43,086 425 5-sp auto 4146 129.4 7/24/2008
Lotus Elise SC 03:16.6 LL2 2008 $55,425 $58,020 218 6-sp man 2029 124.1 7/24/2008
Infiniti G37S 03:17.5 LL2 2008 $37,015 $42,415 330 6-sp man 3723 123.0 7/24/2008
Dodge Charger SRT8 03:18.2 LL2 2006 $38,095 $43,505 425 5-sp auto 4241 128.6 8/9/2006
Mazda RX-8 03:19.0 LL1 2006 $26,995 $31,505 232 6-sp man 3040 116.4 8/9/2006
Subaru Impreza WRX STI 03:19.0 LL2 2008 $35,640 $35,878 305 6-sp man 3388 123.7 7/24/2008

Too bad the clutch and transmission is still a 400hp unit.

Our transmissions have a very low failure rate what are you referring to? My buddies clutch with similar mods to mine just had to be replace at 29k. Please elaborate.

trade the speed before it goes boom! lol

Tell that to him lol

http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/foru...y-hello-24881/

lulz at the STi being 'same' as the MS3 minus AWD...

...how about the ability to make 500+ hp and still be DD (or make 500whp at all).
...how about the huge competitively priced aftermarket support
...how about a national network of tuners that have nearly 10 years of experience
...how about stand alone EMS options
...more than 1 manufacturer that can build a part that fits the first time
...vendors that can stay in business without resorting to broken promises and thievery..


hmmm should I go on...?

we all know that the MS3/6 is not a big power platform...if you want big power go w/ the STI or better yet the Evo.

...how about the ability to make 500+ hp and still be DD (or make 500whp at all)?

we are getting there with Cp-e its new technology disi

...how about the huge competitively priced aftermarket support?

ok not enough to make me switch.

...how about a national network of tuners that have nearly 10 years of experience?

No need got CP-E


hmmm should I go on...?

SURE I would love to see your evidence proof?

lulz too as I have a good friend with an sti I see the truth there cars are in the same situation our cars are in for the most part. 350-400 stock block etc. Its not an evo.

First off...........................OP........Have you driven the 2010 STI??? I would decent amount of time behind the wheel before you make any decisions. Also..is it correct that you run 22 psi on stock turbo?...No meth right?....No dis-respect..but that is not inteligent..properly tuned this car makes peak power 17-19 psi..after that its just blowing hot air....

OK heres my 2 cents....The STi is a better car than the ms3 in all-around performance, and if both were the same price, Id get the STI..but sadly thats not true...Also...gsrtype1 is correct on the 2.5 Sti boxer engine..its typical in the STI market that after 350 whp its highly suggested that you build the motor...once you do however..watchout..theres plenty of build longblocks that can take 6-700 hp punishment..but stock vs stock? I would say there evenly matched in terms of power threshhold...The STI tranny is golden and is rated to around 600 hp.

Okies..one last thing..regarding the EVO tranny-clutch...Now I dont know how strong the Evo X stuff is, But I know with the older gens..the evo 5 speed tranny is fuckin stout!!!..its the clutch thats been weak..and Mitsubishi did that on purpose to save wear&tear on the tranny, But the tranny will hold very well..alot of people who buy EVO's who know a thing or 2..will buy a higher stage clutch before anything else..cause its just accepted as the norm..though with responsible driving and care, the stock clutch will hold pretty good.

Last but not least..get the car that you will enjoy the most and can still afford. The 2011 STI looks promising, I dont think its gonna be incredibly faster than the current one,better suspension and lighter wheels will help no doubt..dont know the gear ratio is changed, and we all know it will be the same engine..But yes the STI is an amazing car..its a strong performer..but you just have to understand that there no in the same catagory..the ms3 competes against the Wrx..so for 10 grand more, the STI better be nicer car..thats my 2cents..Good luck with whateverr decision you make..but if you keep the ms3...dial down that boost my friend :)

i say buy one and hurry up so this thread ceases quickly.

Get a 2011 WRX hatch and save yourself $8k. STI's are overrated anyways since the new body style came out

no matter what you do, you are never going to be happy with what you got, then when you get rid of it, you're gonna miss it and wish that you never got rid of it. Keep what you got and go finance a brand spanking new ride. don't perpetrate! J/P, If you can afford it then do so. A mans gotta do what a mans gotta do! MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND!!!

I own both, an '06 Speed6 and an '06 STi.
The Sti motor is a lot sturdier than the Speed motors.
Mods are of abundance from numerous upon numerous of companies for the subies.

But you gotta drive and see which one you like more.
I like my Speed6, because it has less cop attention and is a lot more comfortable for daily driving. But as far as modding goes, the STi is a better car to mod, by far.

If you have any questions feel free to pm me.

I have to respectfully disagree with your comment regarding that a STI motor is alot more sturdier than the speed motors... Ive never owned a STI, but have decent amount of drive time in a 05 and 07 and Im a STi fan!, so I do alot of research, and conversations with STI owners. The STI motor on the "average" is considered safe and reliable to around 350-375 whp. After that, its a great idea to upgrade the internals,specialy the pistons. As we speak there has been numerous threads on piston and ringland prabs on 08+ STI's both stock and modded.....I surely hope your not making this judgement based apon the blown engine threads on the mazda forums. I really honestly think, that these are rare occations,considering how many speeds have been produced....also while some stock cars have been blown, alot of these cars were modded and not properly tuned and or maintained. Right now the tuning is getting better, people are making better decisions on how to tune this car, that the stock k04 turbo is not the best choice for this 2.3 DISI. Brian is running good with a 3076 stock internals..so is speedskates among others..when this car is properly tuned, I believe 350 whp range is just fine..maybe more. The mazda ecu along with the fueling issues in this car I think is more of a setback than the actrual motor itself. Yes the Subaru is better for modding, theres more support for it..and its overall a better car..you get NO ARGUMENT from me regarding that...none whatsoever..I love the STI!!...but stock vs stock the whp capability are on par with each other, Its all a matter of more carefull tuning and planing of mods for the speed, basicly the threadhold is the same,but you jump through more hoops to make power on the Mazda.

i'd say, fuck the Sti and get yourself an Evo

get a zx6 or zx10 and wipe the floor with both the speed and the sti...for half the price too