Brainwashing between WRX and MS3 :/

[jmarc0s]

Hey Guys! I'm two weeks away from purchasing a new car and for some strange reason I've been starting to give particular attention to the '10 Impreza WRX 5 door.

Let me know what you think of this guy compared to the '10 MS3. I'm having trouble deciding between both. I'm particularly aiming towards the look of both. I know the WRX 5 door is an AWD and that's good but I wanna know how they compare in looks.

C ya!

[Silver Ecstasy]

The 2010 Mazdaspeed3 is a very hard bargain to pass up. Build quality, performance, comfort, handling. It doesn't really get any better than that...for the price.

However, if you live in a cold weather climate, AWD will make things that much more fun all year round. I got the chance to go for a ride in my buddy's Mazdaspeed6 last night (5* weather, Cobb AP tuned) and that car was seriously amazing. He even broke all 4 wheels loose in 1st and flat-shifted into 2nd. Even with the power stock, i've never felt like that in my car the way we were flying in his car!

Then again, the Impreza WRX has always been a car i've wanted, yet couldn't justify owning. It was just beyond what I consider "affordable".

I'd say, you're going to have to drive both and price both out to truely decide. After all, money talks. But the WRX is a helluva car and takes very well to mods. Unlike our cars and their erratic ECU's.

(And the correct term I believe you meant was "Brainstorming", not "Brainwashing")..

[speed23]

I would buy the wrx. I would have bought the wrx, but they didn't have the 265hp version in 2007 when I bought my Mazdaspeed3. Don't get me wrong, I think my mazdaspeed3 is great, but I like the 4wheel drive of the wrx.

[xcoldricex]

Originally Posted by jmarc0s I'm particularly aiming towards the look of both. I know the WRX 5 door is an AWD and that's good but I wanna know how they compare in looks. C ya!

uhhhh... look at pictures of them?

[jmarc0s]

Originally Posted by xcoldricex uhhhh... look at pictures of them?

I know that's what I'm doing. But I asked for opinons.

[NCZ13]

i think the new wrx looks better than the '10 speed3.

but is it worth the extra 4 grand or so to you?

[Cheveyboy]

I'm going to state something that doesn't matter to many people, but my WRX's resale value was far superior then any other car that I have owned. And as I'm looking to purchase a used STi at the moment, it looks like its still holding true.

Now as for my Speed3, and my wife's Mazda3. All I can say about there resale value is ouch...

[Silver Ecstasy]

Resale value (although respectable) isn't worth anything in a down economy with high used auto loan rates and a shitty market.

So what if you can ask for a higher price on the car? No ones going to buy it. Imo of course.

[JNR5005]

I saw a white '09 or '10 WRX sedan parked tonight and it looked blah. New STi hatch is sick looking but a lot of $$. The 2010 Speed3 is more exciting looking and driving for sure than the new WRX.

Speed3 isn't an all-weather performer at all, but is a better sports car. Speed3 has better interior, stereo, and options. '10 Speed3 beats '10 WRX around VIR. WRX wold destroy Speed3 in a drag race.

Easy way to decide: test drive both.

[toprock]

Well it seems like the 09+ WRX's blow up just as often as the MS3's do. So it'd be 50/50 in that regard. Links for more info:

2009 WRX engine failure VIN/build date owner list - NASIOC

2009 Impreza WRX motor issues - NASIOC

2009 WRX: Another Subaru Failure? | STi Blog - A Subaru Blog!

MotiveMag Forums: 2009 WRX: Engine failure problems!

Subaru issues "stop sale" on all models equipped with turbo'd 2.5-liter — Autoblog

[dizzin9]

things to consider:

1) price - r u rich? lol. r u willing to spend a little bit?
2) subaru vs mazda aftermarket support (yes, u will be modding your car and it doesn't matter what u think about the subject. don't call me a psychic either.). the modding potential between the two cars comes into factor here also.
3) r u seriously set on getting a turbocharged hatchback? i see a lot of people in here switching to an evo, a mustang, or a bmw a few months after buying their new ms3.

[ubersoph]

Heh I'm in the same boat brother - AWD is a blast, but so is 4000 dollars in my pocket for snow tires, track tires, and track days.

The open front and rear diff on the 08+ WRXes is what gives me pause - its still kinda off at the limit compared to the 07 wrx I had for a bit.

Though I imagine dynamically its easier to just power through mistakes in the wrx than in the MS3.

[miztigerszou52]

I drove both when I got my MS3 and to tell you the truth, the MS3 looks a lot better IMO. The WRX is just a little too boxy in appearance and you will be getting a lot more (Tech package) for the the price of an MS3 as compared to a base WRX. Build quality and interior layout is a lot better in the MS3 as well.

[Dre]

I wasnt even considering getting a 2010 MS3.. the smiley face really put me off, until i saw it in black and was talked into test driving one.. i had been looking at the Genesis 3.8, and civic si.. the new WRX was just too bland looking and too big when i saw it in person.. i thought it was a freaking legacy sedan at first.. i told the salesman "WOW! this is what they did to the WRX?? Big mistake.." The Genesis was fast, thats for sure, but the interior still felt cheap.. the steering wheel was a plasticy material and the shifter reminded me of my 98 stang GT.. it definitely wasnt worth the $30k price tag to me.. The MS3 has everything to me.. Looks good in black.. handles really really well(great stock suspension).. can get decent gas mileage if you can keep it out of boost.. there arent a whole lot of people that have one (or a gen1 in my area).. and its a sleeper..

[ridenfish39]

Originally Posted by toprock Well it seems like the 09+ WRX's blow up just as often as the MS3's do. So it'd be 50/50 in that regard. Links for more info: 2009 WRX engine failure VIN/build date owner list - NASIOC 2009 Impreza WRX motor issues - NASIOC 2009 WRX: Another Subaru Failure? | STi Blog - A Subaru Blog! MotiveMag Forums: 2009 WRX: Engine failure problems! Subaru issues "stop sale" on all models equipped with turbo'd 2.5-liter — Autoblog

Holy shit!!!! These blown engine threads are way more epic than the Mazda blown engine threads.
My friend ( female, she will not mod or drive it hard) just bought a 2010 WRX wagon. Next time I see her I am gonna test drive it. I am interested in the differences between the cars.

[shook02]

imo i like the new wrx's much better. i would have loved to mod it and take it to the track. loved the awd. however i just simply couldnt afford it. i can BARELY afford my new ms3. now that i have my car tho i do love it completely and am not disappointed at all. the ms3 is simply a GREAT buy

[ubersoph]

Originally Posted by toprock Well it seems like the 09+ WRX's blow up just as often as the MS3's do. So it'd be 50/50 in that regard. Links for more info: 2009 WRX engine failure VIN/build date owner list - NASIOC 2009 Impreza WRX motor issues - NASIOC 2009 WRX: Another Subaru Failure? | STi Blog - A Subaru Blog! MotiveMag Forums: 2009 WRX: Engine failure problems! Subaru issues "stop sale" on all models equipped with turbo'd 2.5-liter — Autoblog

Just as a heads up, this only applies to the 2009 WRXes built before October. The 2010s are fine, and any cars brough in under warranty are fine.

Not that this happening in the first place is fine but they are standing behind their product.

[hyun]

Get WRX, it simply is superior car if you can get it at similar price as ms3.

[gsrtype1]

I love my speed but I wish it was awd. I have no traction until 3rd gear and if im on a soft road I have no traction till 4rth gear lol.

[jamesjjj]

It seems the best way for you to decide is to go to a dealer with both wrx and MS3 and compare the two cars side by side in person. (this is exactly what i did) Also take both for test drive and look at them again, you'd have your answer.

[jeebus]

I still can't really enjoy the new WRX styling. I really liked the old styling and thought it got way too bland in the redesign. The STi redesign looks much better. Stock vs stock, the MS3 is more fun and it's cheaper. I am not a fan of Subaru's choice in ditching the rear LSD. I also won't buy another Subaru until they get rid of that POS glass 5 spd tranny. MS3 has a nicer interior.

Essentially, I wouldn't go Subbie unless it was STi. But then the price starts creeping up near $40k! For $40k I'd rather drive a 135i.

[Dre]

mmmmmm.. 135i would be soo tasty.... mmmmm like biting into an uncut loaf of poundcake... goddamn..

[shook02]

mmmm poundcake..

[jmarc0s]

Originally Posted by jeebus I still can't really enjoy the new WRX styling. I really liked the old styling and thought it got way too bland in the redesign. The STi redesign looks much better. Stock vs stock, the MS3 is more fun and it's cheaper. I am not a fan of Subaru's choice in ditching the rear LSD. I also won't buy another Subaru until they get rid of that POS glass 5 spd tranny. MS3 has a nicer interior. Essentially, I wouldn't go Subbie unless it was STi. But then the price starts creeping up near $40k! For $40k I'd rather drive a 135i.

Yeah! I was thinking the same thing. If I go with an Impreza I think it's better to have an Sti. but again you got it right with the 135i.

[silversurfer3]

If you're going to leave it stock get the ms3 if you are even thinking of putting a knn drop in filter on it then go with the wrx.
2007-2010 mazdaSPEED3 is super phail waiting to happen
with little to no mods
WRX is win with awd!!!

[ms3077]

Originally Posted by silversurfer3 If you're going to leave it stock get the ms3 if you are even thinking of putting a knn drop in filter on it then go with the wrx. 2007-2010 mazdaSPEED3 is super phail waiting to happen with little to no mods WRX is win with awd!!!

I think this statement is a bit far fetched. Granted people have had reliability issues but they’re plenty that are running just fine with or without modifications. I for example have 42k very hard driven miles and hardly any real issues and when I’ve had a problem it was fix under warranty. Plenty more can say the same and to higher degree.

The 09WRX isn’t bad but like others have stated; its reliability seems to me not much better than the Mazdaspeed 3s. I’m not sure if the 09WRX has a stronger transmission but if it’s anything like the older models it won’t take much to give. Is it quick? Yes, but a lot of it has to due with doing an extremely abusive red line clutch drop.

So unless you’re stop light racing all the time and don’t mind taking the risk of the transmission holding up it’s not all that quick. It’s certainly not “slow” but the MS3 is quicker once the launch is out of the equation. The 09WRX has roughly the same power to weight ratio as the MS3 but loses A LOT more power thru the drive train (AWD vs. FWD)

Then there are other aspects like handling for instance. I’ve read probably every review out there and MOST say the MS3 handles better despite being FWD. It has a faster slalom and gripper skip pad # as well. With the money you saved not buying a WRX you can get a set of coil over suspension and better tires and absolutely destroy the WRX around any race track. Hell, if I’m not mistaken the MS3 is quicker around most tracks vs. even the new STI.

Things like exterior / interior styling are subjective but again I’d give the nod to the MS3.Personally, Id just save a bit more cash and buy an EVO X GSR for about 2-3 k more. Then you’d have a way better handling car with a stout transmission amongst other things.

[xezerax]

I would go for the wrx. Hard to go wrong with awd.

[atenza_freak]

WRX awd is so much funner than fwd, but not as fun as rwd i must say.

[JNR5005]

A former Porsche Salesperson, and Cayman S owner drove my car and said "no Porsche is as much fun as this!". Then offered me like $18k for my car. He was a manic, and is now in prison...

My point is- both WRX and Speed3 are sick. Buy the MS3 if you want crazy excitement, and the WRX if you want a fantastic AWD.

[liquoredonlife]

Test drive them both. Who knows, maybe both cars aren't right for you.

You're asking for an objective opinion on appearance? Good luck. You get to make that decision for yourself, not us.

[Postulio4joo]

after i bought my ms3 i was happy then a friend brought up that the 2009+ wrx are what 1k-1.5k more then msrp of the WRX and where i bought my ms3 they wanted a 3k markup. At the end of the day i was a scooby fan and if i park next to one i get a tad bit jealous but the ms3 still gives me kicks and giggles.