Should I buy a MS3, STI, or????

[voodoolord]

Im trying to decide on our second car. I have a Forged internal Forester thats going to run 350+ HP and am looking for a daily driver for the wife. I like all wheel drive so Im a little hesitant with FWD only and Ive seen alot about torque steer. Other than that how is the overall quality of the car compared with Subaru's or anything for that matter in the $20K range? Would you guys buy another one or go with something else? I have not had my butt in one yet so I really only know what ive seen in reviews. Thanks for any input.

[Croxley611]

focus st for sure do it. now.

[voodoolord]

Also I forgot that the car were going to look at has 22K miles and they are asking $20K. Most of the driving will be 70 miles a day on the freeway. Is it pretty good at 70 MPH? What are the RPM's at at 70 and 80?

Originally Posted by Croxley611 focus st for sure do it. now.

Now thats one I hadn't thought of.

[Neverlift]

Test drive it and find out. If your budget is 20k, and you think a STi can be found in that price range worth purchasing, by all means, continue with your comparison. I highly doubt you want a 30k Focus... though it would be a decent car for the wife.

Good luck and let us know which way you go.

[ANITIX87]

Dude, seriously. There are so many problems with this post.

1) READ BEFORE POSTING. There is a shit-load of information about reliability, the torque steer issue (which isn't an issue), etc.

2) You came to a MAZDASPEED forum to ask if you should buy this car or another? What kind of answers do you expect to get? Do you go to a Nike store and ask if the latest Adidas shoe is any good? Common sense, man. This website wouldn't have the members it does if we didn't like our own cars.

3) You admitted you've never sat in one and you want objective opinions? What if the seat is crazy comfy for someone else, but it turns out you hate it? Do test-drives before asking these questions.

Now that I've sufficiently welcomed you, let me be at least a little bit helpful. Here's the deal. The STI can't compare to the MS3. It's AWD and costs twice as much. The MS3's competitors are the GTI, Focus ST, and WRX.

0-60 Times:
WRX -> MS3 -> ST -> GTI

From 40MPH:
MS3 -> WRX -> ST -> GTI

In terms of Interior:
GTI -> ST -> MS3 -> every other car -> WRX

So pick which matters to you. And stop being a complete noob.

Originally Posted by voodoolord Is it pretty good at 70 MPH? What are the RPM's at at 70 and 80?

Don't buy for gas mileage (though it will be better than the STI). Highway MPG for the Speed3 is rated at 25 (since you clearly didn't read shit, you probably didn't know that). Revs at 75mph in 6th gear will be around 3200 (actually my only complaint about the car is that 6th gear isn't a true over-drive gear).

Search, read, donate. And buy a Speed3.

TIS

[Mauro_Penguin]

LOL, beware you will be flamed for this thread! But ill give you my .02 cents. I don't understand why you would go from AWD to FWD, if you read enough on the forum you will see that people do the opposite, they go from a speed3 to sti's, but mainly evo's. Maybe there's a slight less drivetrain loss but that also depends which subie diff's your comparing it to. A speed3 is a fast, fun and relatively cheap car. The torque steer is not bad, but can be fixed with stiffer motor mounts (see james barone racing). Its made fairly well, and so long as you don't drive it like an idiot can last a bit too. Go to a dealer and drive one, that's the only way you'll know what to get.

[manila]

In my opinion I think you should test drive the cars you have in mind and go from there. The MS3 is a great car, don't let the torque steer scare you away. With a good winter wheel setup the MS3 does a great job in the snow, of course it won't be as superior as an AWD car, but you get the idea.

[LumberJack]

MS3 all the way, I've owned an 04 wrx, and a built 06 STI! Both were fun, but for the money and value I absolutely love my 13' MS3. I bought it brand new cheaper then you can (Generally) find a lower mileage 06/07 sti!

[voodoolord]

Originally Posted by ANITIX87 Dude, seriously. There are so many problems with this post. 1) READ BEFORE POSTING. There is a shit-load of information about reliability, the torque steer issue (which isn't an issue), etc. 2) You came to a MAZDASPEED forum to ask if you should buy this car or another? What kind of answers do you expect to get? Do you go to a Nike store and ask if the latest Adidas shoe is any good? Common sense, man. This website wouldn't have the members it does if we didn't like our own cars. 3) You admitted you've never sat in one and you want objective opinions? What if the seat is crazy comfy for someone else, but it turns out you hate it? Do test-drives before asking these questions. Now that I've sufficiently welcomed you, let me be at least a little bit helpful. Here's the deal. The STI can't compare to the MS3. It's AWD and costs twice as much. The MS3's competitors are the GTI, Focus ST, and WRX. 0-60 Times: WRX -> MS3 -> ST -> GTI From 40MPH: MS3 -> WRX -> ST -> GTI In terms of Interior: GTI -> ST -> MS3 -> every other car -> WRX So pick which matters to you. And stop being a complete noob. Don't buy for gas mileage (though it will be better than the STI). Highway MPG for the Speed3 is rated at 25 (since you clearly didn't read shit, you probably didn't know that). Revs at 75mph in 6th gear will be around 3200 (actually my only complaint about the car is that 6th gear isn't a true over-drive gear). Search, read, donate. And buy a Speed3. TIS

Well I will admit that I have not read enough and thats because the dealer is planning on bringing down the one I was interested in thats about 100 miles away and I wanted to get some info from current owners before I waste the dealers money transporting it. I am kind of short on time in that respect. I do appreciate the info you posted especially about that 6th not being an overdrive which is one of my major bitches with Subaru. As far as Im concerned if I had a pair of Nike's and someone asked me what I thought of them I would give them a straight answer. It should be no different whether its shoes or cars. while I may be a "noob" on the MS3 Im at least not a noob in life experience and general decency on an enthusiast forum.

[ANITIX87]

Originally Posted by voodoolord general decency on an enthusiast forum.

If you're looking for general decency, you've come to the wrong place. We're a bunch of sick, angry, mean pieces of shit, but the knowledge about the platform on here is extraordinary if you have thick skin and can dish out what you get thrown at you.

Now, meet us in-person, and it's a different game altogether. Become a member here, be accepted as one of the family, and it's amazing what you'll get out of your time at MSF. I've only been here just longer than a year and I've already fallen in with some great people.

You've got to get through your trial by fire if you're going to last.

TIS

[voodoolord]

Originally Posted by Mauro_Penguin LOL, beware you will be flamed for this thread! But ill give you my .02 cents. I don't understand why you would go from AWD to FWD, if you read enough on the forum you will see that people do the opposite, they go from a speed3 to sti's, but mainly evo's. Maybe there's a slight less drivetrain loss but that also depends which subie diff's your comparing it to. A speed3 is a fast, fun and relatively cheap car. The torque steer is not bad, but can be fixed with stiffer motor mounts (see james barone racing). Its made fairly well, and so long as you don't drive it like an idiot can last a bit too. Go to a dealer and drive one, that's the only way you'll know what to get.

Originally Posted by manilaMS12 In my opinion I think you should test drive the cars you have in mind and go from there. The MS3 is a great car, don't let the torque steer scare you away. With a good winter wheel setup the MS3 does a great job in the snow, of course it won't be as superior as an AWD car, but you get the idea.

Originally Posted by bryces_speed3 MS3 all the way, I've owned an 04 wrx, and a built 06 STI! Both were fun, but for the money and value I absolutely love my 13' MS3. I bought it brand new cheaper then you can (Generally) find a lower mileage 06/07 sti!

That is exactly the type of information I was looking for. Thank you. Its nice there is intelligent life on this board. I dont mind flamers they just confirm their juvenile thought process and insecurities by cussing and ranting. Makes me laugh really.

[LumberJack]

Originally Posted by voodoolord That is exactly the type of information I was looking for. Thank you. Its nice there is intelligent life on this board. I dont mind flamers they just confirm their juvenile thought process and insecurities by cussing and ranting. Makes me laugh really.

If your budget of 20k can be extended a bit more, I talked my local Mazda dealer down to 23750 out the door for my speed3. It doesn't have the tech package, but they come very well equipped for the pricing and being a "base" model!

[voodoolord]

Originally Posted by bryces_speed3 If your budget of 20k can be extended a bit more, I talked my local Mazda dealer down to 23750 out the door for my speed3. It doesn't have the tech package, but they come very well equipped for the pricing and being a "base" model!

Ya the one Im looking at isn't the Tech model either. They are asking $19,900 for it. Thanks for the input.

[MazdaBoy2.3]

Originally Posted by voodoolord Ya the one Im looking at isn't the Tech model either. They are asking $19,900 for it. Thanks for the input.

what year is it?

[voodoolord]

2010

[surebOOst]

Get an evo or an MS3.

I had a gen2 MS3 and would def buy another one

[dsb_chicago]

i KNOW most of us will tell you mazda SpEED!!



i have owned a 06 and liked it, bought a new white genpu and LOVE IT!!!

the interiors not bad for base model IMO.

[voodoolord]

Originally Posted by surebOOst Get an evo or an MS3. I had a gen2 MS3 and would def buy another one

I can get a JDM 03 Evo with 50K at the same dealer for the same price. 7 years older and the wife isn't fond of it. Thats the problem.

Originally Posted by dsb_chicago i KNOW most of us will tell you mazda SpEED!! i have owned a 06 and liked it, bought a new white genpu and LOVE IT!!! the interiors not bad for base model IMO.

Would you take your genpu over a 03 Evo?

[faeker]

Get a mini cooper S. It suites you.

[voodoolord]

Originally Posted by faeker Get a mini cooper S. It suites you.

Funny

Just found out that the EVO sold and hour ago. Oh well.

[yurples]

get a pontiac aztek, you can carry sodas in the middle console, and take it out its essentially a cooler. its sooo coool.

[MazdaBoy2.3]

Originally Posted by voodoolord 2010

Doesn't seem like a terrible price, but I think most people will tell you to buy new. For reference though I paid $20,300 for mine with just under 30k on it. (Grant it that was almost a year ago now, and they offered me a really good price on my trade in).

[voodoolord]

Yay the flamers must have got off the school bus. Should be interesting now.

[faeker]

The wheels on the bus go beep beep beep.

tappy-tap-tappytalk

[voodoolord]

Originally Posted by MazdaBoy2.3 Doesn't seem like a terrible price, but I think most people will tell you to buy new. For reference though I paid $20,300 for mine with just under 30k on it. (Grant it that was almost a year ago now, and they offered me a really good price on my trade in).

I wont ever pay for the depreciation off the lot on a new rig. Its just not necessary. If whoever owned it before went through the proper break in procedure then at 20K its just finding its legs.

[MazdaBoy2.3]

Originally Posted by voodoolord I wont ever pay for the depreciation off the lot on a new rig. Its just not necessary. If whoever owned it before went through the proper break in procedure then at 20K its just finding its legs.

1. Offer $19k.
2. Get the car.
3. Donate
4. Have fun!

All lined up for ya.

[voodoolord]

[QUOTE=faeker;1858391]The wheels on the bus go beep beep beep.

Oiteh cabron vuestros ruedas están destrozadas

[The Nut]

Gotta disagree with Anitix87's interior assessment. I'd put the Focus ST 1st, and the GTI among the worst interiors ever put into a vehicle. EVER!

[voodoolord]

So the Focus interior is pretty nice huh? Im still researching them. Thats one thing I overlooked when we paid 23K for our Forester. It seemed that for that much money we got jipped in the comfort dept. I dont want to make the same mistake which is why Im hitting the forums. Thanks for the input.

[Sweetsandman]

See my sig? Yeah...that should tell you how I felt about the Scooby...owned it for about 5 months. Loved my old Cobalt SS though.

[Alexander]

Let's see, you ask this on a forum full of ms3 owners.....get a Tiburon.

[faeker]

[quote=voodoolord;1858446]

Originally Posted by faeker The wheels on the bus go beep beep beep. Oiteh cabron vuestros ruedas están destrozadas

so, you call people immature about swearing and here you are calling me an asshole. methinks you'll get treated appropriately here. Now I think you'd be better off in a Fiat.

[voodoolord]

[quote=faeker;1858570]

Originally Posted by voodoolord so, you call people immature about swearing and here you are calling me an asshole. methinks you'll get treated appropriately here. Now I think you'd be better off in a Fiat.

LOL! at least you read spanish, I think. Love the Fiat comment.

Originally Posted by Alexander Let's see, you ask this on a forum full of ms3 owners.....get a Tiburon.

Well I guess I could have asked a bunch of Hyundai owners what they think about their MS3. That makes alot of sense huh.

[voodoolord]

Honestly the Focus ST looks pretty bad ass. I had not even heard of it until today. I appreciate the tips for sure.

[faeker]

meds kicked in; being nice for a moment.

there's a sister forum connected to this one dedicated to the ST platform.

[voodoolord]

Originally Posted by faeker meds kicked in; being nice for a moment. there's a sister forum connected to this one dedicated to the ST platform.

Ha! your empathy and respect is kicking in. Thanks!

[KusteLokal]

Originally Posted by voodoolord Ha! your empathy and respect is kicking in. Thanks!

Shut your whore mouth and buy a MS3

Sent from GalaxyS3

[voodoolord]

Originally Posted by KusteLokal Shut your whore mouth and buy a MS3 Sent from GalaxyS3

Why do the guys from the North east seem to have the worst attitudes? Here in Oregon we have lots of guns. Maybe thats why were more laid back?

Probably too provocative and off topic. I used to live in Queens so I do know the attitude. To be honest part of my decision is based on how well the community relationship is on the forums. As good as nasioc is for information theres alot of immature users and that gives it a bad rep. forester.org has alot of really knowledgeable people and no flaming therefore a great rep as a valuable forum. Your forum represents your car and probably visa versa. so far have 15 positive and 7 negative responses not counting mine. oops make that 15 and 9.

[Neverlift]

Originally Posted by voodoolord Ha! your empathy and respect is kicking in. Thanks!

I am confused, I thought respect was earned. Maybe I am a bigger faggot than OP.

[ms3rick]

who drives a speed any more.... get a Prius