Thinking of jumping from Si to MS3
 

Hi Everyone,

I'm currently driving a 2009 Si Coupe. I originally wanted a 4-door when I bought the car, but got a pretty good deal on the 2-door. Last weekend at an auto show, I was able to drive the MS3 and it felt awesome. Power felt so much better than my civic. It just picked up and went, and handled very well too. The seats and driving position felt really nice.

I went home and searched for MS3s that were for sale in my area, just to see. I came across a 2010 model with around 42k miles priced at 17k. Tonight I just checked on it again and the dealer dropped it to 16k. Really tempting at that price. What do ya'll think, sound too good to be true? It's being sold at a Dodge dealership.

Go give her a test drive. Look it over check for mods. Etc etc. If you like it more then you do your si get it. My personal opinion would be get it. Lol

Go take a test drive and you dump your SI in a heart beat.. :1244:

SI? FYHN

I would make the jump to the MS3 anyday from a Honda

I have EP3 and 8th gen civic as well. Speed3 is in different league.

The SI is a great car to learn stick on, and that's about it. I had a '12 SI coupe previous to the speed and there is simply no comparison.

Nah keep the si, ms3 is a pos.


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Skip the FWD BS and look for a MS6.

Your asking in a considerably biased location, sounds like you have already made up your mind and just want others to back you so you feel better about getting a different car...
Having driven both it goes like this: if you want good A to B transport that is comfortable and just a little fun stick with your SI
If you want the "because race car" feel get that Mazda and mod the shit out of it.

It seems as though you've made your mind up. Now you just need to go drive the car, and make sure it's in good shape. Sounds like the dealer is trying to get rid of the car, given the price change. I'm willing to bet if you watch the price for another week or so it will probably go down again, if that's a risk you're willing to take. I'm sure you can get them lower on the price.

I had an 04 EP3 and 97 Civic that was turbo'd and sold both to get my Speed 3 and don't regret it one bit. Speed is a much more fun and comfortable ride in my opinion and doesn't feel cheap like the Hondas. If the car checks out and you can get a good deal on it, go for it man!

paid 23 for mine from a dealer and it had 50k on it found a evo that was sick for a good price turns out it was ready to blow so id do a compression check before buying especially at that price unless it doesnt have the tech package

Did you say you bought an Evo for 23k or an ms3?

VTEC<Turbo

that is all.

Canada man.. We pay alot more.

And thats 50k kms lol not miles

Wtf is with all these honda boys jumping on Speeds now? Did they finally realize the fail?

I feel like the stance bitches
Are responsible for said honda immigrants

I ditched an appointment at a Honda dealership to buy an MS3 from a Mazda dealership right across the street from the Honda dealership that I ditched my appointment with.

Fuck Hondas.

I wanted a new car with a warranty and the 2013 speed fit what a wanted, hatchback, large aftermarket, sporty, and a good community. Honda hasn't put out anything impressive lately to make me want to stay a Honda owner anymore.

That being said OP get the speed if they are that ready to drop the price.

Sorry for hijacking this thread, but I didn't want to be rude by creating a thread on this topic...

I test drove a 2012 Mazdaspeed3 today and I was very impressed. It felt a bit more traditional and higher quality than the Focus ST, although the engine was not as impressive. The interior was brilliant. The clutch was so light and easy to push in, too, and easy to drive with. It really felt like a car I could comfortably drive every day, which is the opposite of what car reviewers have been telling me.

The only thing I noticed is that the shifter was extremely stiff feeling, especially in first and second gear. I googled and found a few forum posts mentioning it as a problem, but I wanted to make sure this was common among all Mazdaspeed3's and not a problem with the particular Mazdaspeed3 that I drove.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

The Focus ST's engine only sounds more impressive. It makes less power and doesn't make all it's power all the time. It's got shitty overboost and a shitty sound booster tube. It's a dyno queen and a fake through and through.

Speed3 all the way. Slap a short ram intake/turbo inlet pipe on it and bask in the gloriousness that is real induction noise.

zero to hero

Glad ppl start realizing the BS story with the SI. I was thinking some ppl were really out of their mind when trying to compare the SI and the Speed3.

I did a lot of research in the racing community on the MS3 before buying this car. And a lot give Mazda a Hi-five on the MS3.

Then the next year team I-moto Racing without mentioning Michael cooper in the Pirelly word challenge had a lot of success with this platform.

in one of my post in this forum I said the MS-3 belongs to a museum after they done building this car. it's an awesome race ready build car.

Also I stopped at the dealership where I bought my car the oder day and there are barely zero new MS3 on their lot. Salesman was saying good luck trying to put your hands on a used one.

To OP, I'll say if you want to keep the car for long term I'll recommend to go with a new vehicle. But if you just want to drive it for a short period of time then may be the used one you spotted is not bad at all. You just have some home work........

Welcome in the wining team :) and fuck that SI pos......

People buy hondas?

I miss my ep3, it was a good reliable car and it felt solid.

That being said, I'm happy with the switch. The speed obviously makes more power and the torque is nice.

The 2 cars are completely different platforms. I don't hate on Hondas because I was in that scene when Hondas dominated. Ricers and thieves ruined the Honda platform but the aftermarket support for Hondas is unreal. But the problem with Hondas is for every 100 civics modded, there's probably only 1 built right.

Buy the speed. Join your local Nator chapter. You'll see it's a whole different ball game.

^^ preach! lol
all true

Honestly I never found anyone that would set up install days back when I had my 07 si. Then when I had my 09 WRX there was people that would meet but most of them were oblivious to what the fuck an engine was. This is a way better and more enthusiast oriented community.

Honda has a solid platform, and you can mod them a lot cheaper than you can a Mazda. But, I think Mazda is more stylish, and is less of a cliche.

I traded my 09 si coupe last year. 2dr got old fast and I wanted something with 4 doors.

My little EP3 is lowered and sporting some gummy summer tires, so it's "fun to drive", but the reason I was lusting for an MS3 was the pronounced lack of power. My wife walked a 2010 Si in her Camry V6 so badly (with 600 lbs of passengers to boot) that any thoughts of buying a newer Si went right out the window.

I found myself beating the tar out of that little EP3 (and the subsequent test drive 2011 Si) to make it feel even pseudo-sporty. Body roll further detracts from the performance feel in the stock vehicle.

That said, my 13 MS3 is a shit eating grin factory, and feels bank vault solid compared to the light weight Hondas. My butt feels like it's at home every time the Zoom Zoom message greets me getting in the car, and I find myself taking the long way for no good reason other than to feel some boost.

I think the 6cyl Accord coupe is a more appropriate comparison - the little 2.0 - 2.4 Si just isn't a hot car.

I agree with JgamB, I was thinking about getting a Si before my MS3. I had a Celica GTS, fully bolted; and yet, I couldn't beat a dam V6 Camry and Accord these days. Back then 12 years ago my GTS was the shit (at least I thought so :biggrin: ). When I test drove my MS3 for the 1st time, I was like "WHOA"!!!! The deal is sealed!

Someone say 6 cylinder coupe. I GOT YOU NIGGA.


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just stick with your SI that car is amazingly fast, powerful, 30 MPG, and you can get all the cock you want in it.

Honda should have kept going the in direction of the Integra Type R. Instead they bloated out their cars and stuck a small SUV engine in it instead... The '13 represents a step back to the crap early 90s american coupes like the Beretta Z26 and Dodge Avenger were.

I just took my Si for a drive to knock the rust off the rotors... :pat:

It handles just as well as my MS3 (due to the mods and rubber), but it feels like 4cyl econobox vs 7cyl bank vault. I just need to tap that extra potential to make it feel like a V8.

Soon. Very soon.

Here's a pic of my 02 EP3 w/91k miles on her.

http://i.imgur.com/U2Epl4p.jpg

^^^Not a chance in hell that clown car handles as well as a MS3. Lets not kid ourselves here.

Isn't that the worst version of the si?


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After driving a 2011, I'd say no. The performance differences are negligible, with both vehicles barely clocking 90 MPH 1/4 miles. There's less HP but more torque and 250 fewer Lbs in the EP3, the 197 HP figures come with scant amounts of torque in the K20 motors.

The simple fact is none of them are impressive.

Edit: and yes, that little shitbox handles just as well as my MS3 with the tight suspension and summer tires. Blame the factory Dunlops perhaps, but I suspect neither vehicle is good for more than .92 on the skidpad. Dropping the EP3 made it shockingly capable but incredibly harsh. Remember it's 800 lbs lighter and with nearly the same contact patch, and I don't have a RSB on my MS3 just yet to balance the vehicle.

LMAO (clown car) !!!! cant stop laffin

OK from my experiance, I have never seen a fast honda on the road but I am aware that the various series of motors (k and B) can be pretty hardcore, if put in wrench time as with any other engine. Im going to tell you right now brother the civic from the factory does not and will not handle as well as a MS3, (I know a set of coil overs can change that, and slix too). With that being said I Freaking love my MZR DISI motor over any honda series motor, that's just me though i really enjoy the amount of torque these disi motors make.
Now im not saying the Civic SI is a bad car at all but if you want more of a driving experiance i suggest pulling the trigger on the MS3. If you want something to get you from A-B i suggest you keep the civilized civic and don't move to a race car. It is in my opinion that Mazda created the speed3 to not compete with the competition but KILL the competition and I would not trade my speed3 for any other FWD vehicle (cept a focus RS fucking britts have em and mexico).

I've seen a 700 HP Honda on the dyno at TrackMasters - you can go apeshit with them just like any other car. The premise though is the MS3 is already factory prepped for significant power, and the Honda is $6k away from even putting it's nose in the competition.

I hate to say this after driving the Honda for several years, but I'd rate the build quality just above a Neon. Sure, the fitment is tighter and the mechanicals are more reliable, but it's still the same barely-meets-tolerances type of structure.

If you're fortunate enough to have a reputable Honda tuner in your area and the funds to burn playing catch-up, go right ahead. I decided to buy the MS3 because it's great fun as-is and communities like MSF can get you to proven and reliable extra power.

my ep3 handled very well. Relatively light and 225 tires on it made it very competent even on stock suspension. I'd buy another ep3 as a daily.

Lol at you fags talking like the ms3 is some race prepped shit from the factory.

Guyz, a base model mustang that costs $20k makes more power and is as fast.

Shit my accord has 10 more hp.


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Previous ep3 owner as well here. I miss the dash shifter position the most. Traded it in on a genwon and just picked up a 2013 MS3 tonight. Love these cars. Ditch the Si.

hey

if your trying to impress high school chicks im sure the honda is the shit, if you want a big boy car get a speed6 and join us in awd traction land, or you could get an ms3, atleast you could blend in and be cool with that stance crowd.

Guyz, A base model stang has 323 gears and is not as fast.

Your shit accord has 10 more hp.....sweet!

I know you still come here because lets face it......you miss your GenPu. Hugz n kissez!

The Mustang was one of the least impressive cars I have driven so far. It was very slow and the interior was very lackluster.

I have to say now having driven the WRX and BRZ the MS3 still sounds like a good value. I'm not sure which car I will buy but I like the overall package of the Mazda. The BRZ really lived up to the hype but the lack of power is still there. The question is, is it safe to get a preowned MS3? They're a lot cheaper.

I myself went from 07 fg2 ( intake exhaust headers flashpro) to a 08 speed3 (injen CAI , stage 1 cobb AP)
All i gotta say is....UPGRADE!! The drive is a lot better, and the hatchyness is beastmode

My stage 1 mazdaspeed will walk any mustang other than boss as well as a stupid accord handles fairly good, a 2010 civic si keeps up with me hondas are all about the driver so dont let that ypour wife beat one get you down he didnt know how to drive mazda is same as honda but honda is na either buy a ms3 or keep and mod your honda mustangs are a joke

Yea its safe to buy preowned just have to know what to look for. There is a thread in here somewhere that tells you everything to look for. Try and find one not molested to bad.
If its a gen 1 and its anywhere close to 70k miles make sure the VVT has been replaced, if it hasnt i would try and find one that has had it replaced. If your VVT goes out after the 70k extended warrenty for that issue then it is going to suck for you. The only other big issue is a smoky turbo that is also warrentied out to 70k but if that goes, just rebuild the k04, or go BT

LOL at stage 1. there are not such things as stages people really need to learn this already. Also if you are running a stage 1 OTS cobb tune, go get a real tune already. they OTS tunes arnt bad but a tune from one of the many tuners on here will really wake up your car

dafuq did you say? Punctuation please, it does a sentence wonders.

Did you fall off the short bus on the way to school this morning?


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the maturity level in this thread just tanked. Its always disappointing to hear how one car is better than the other. It truly comes down to the driver. Ive seen showroom stock sedans outhandle and produce better numbers around a solo2 course than cars prepped with expensive suspensions and power adders.

Is it so hard to offer the OP quality information?

ya cobb maps dont work in alberta, dyno tuned at lightspeed making 287hp and 355 tq with intake and cat/res delete lol. sorry didnt know we couldnt read.. and wtf? i was telling him that hondas are as fast as ms3 they just need more mods and not to let speed be a decision maker if your gonna mod anyway.:wink1:

What does a Mustang have to do with anything? Comparing a Civic Si and an MS3 makes sense - they're direct competitors. Who the hell says "Yeah, so my choice is between a base model V6 Mustang and a Civic Si/ MS3"? No one.




... I laughed. Thanks.


Beyond that, to the OP -- The MS3 has a more solid stock-ride, and as a general rule the tuning communities offer more. Respect to anyone that puts in wrench time, and cares for their ride. After having owned more than a handful of modified vehicles, I'd say the MS3 platform is one of the better ones out there.

Sorry but the SI and ms3 are no where close to direct competitors. The MS3 is in a whole other class. Currently the direct competition to the MS3 is the focus ST, Cobalt ss/tc, caliber srt4, gti. And I'm sure I'm missing a couple but the SI is defently not in the same category

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I came from a 11 si sedan last night. Do it. Ms3 is a way better car

I'm saying the way some of you talk, you would think the ms3 is a Ferrari for $24k.


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it's just the best car out there for the money there's no question in that. And my buddy had a 2012 si and we were side by side he was asian and never showed me under the hood lol. but i couldnt get more than a car on him its all about the driver.

Yea and you need a driver mod bad if u can't pull away from an si. Yea driver mode helps but not much driver mod involved in a sushi roll. Flat foot shift and brake boost

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lol, dont tell me i need a driver mod ill rape a SI just saying his was fast as fuck, i couldnt pull on him. point being if you spend enough time and money on a car it will be fast regardless of the platform you start with. And respect to anyone who puts in the wrench time.

Stock, Si vs MS3 is only about the driver if you're doing something horribly wrong. I think that is what the OP was asking about.

When I did the research to turbo my Si, it was going to cost in the neighborhood of 6k unless I wanted to go all E-bay and drive a time bomb. That wasn't an exciting prospect - hence the new MS3.

It's not a Ferrari by any stretch, but it's also not going to get left in the dust by your average V6 family truckster like the Civic.

I agree to a point. They compete from the standpoint that both are sub 25k vehicles aimed at a 18-35 male demographic. The speed just happens to be the love child of the tuning arm of Mazda.

The Si has gotten pudgy and soft in the middle, where as the competition has been beefing up all summer, bigger power, better handling, more tech. Having spent a bit of time on earth and having owned a gti, si, gen1 and gen2 speed. I can say they all very capable in their own right.

To the OP, the practicality of the speed along with its decent fuel economy make it a great car. The only downside may be resale in a couple of years, where Honda seems to always do better.

According to KBB the resale values taper from 4% better at 3 years to 6% better at 5 years for the Si. That equates to a few hundred bucks, and there's no way in hell I'd go back to the lawnmower torque for that amount of cash.

Lol I had all but forgotten what it was like having to drop two gears in order to get passing power. On the right track the Si can truly shine, but it really needs running room. That should all be fixed once Honda goes turbo within the next couple of years.

Nice name lol


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Also a former EP3 owner and they do not compare to the MS3. IMO, switch

Same to you Sir, a tip of the hat! :You_Rock_Emoticon:

I'm steering towards a certified preowned genpu at this point. The 10 year/100k powertrain warranty is attractive. I know the gen1 has a better reputation compared to the genpu, but I think the interior of the pu is better and from reading online, it appears that it would be more slightly reliable than a gen1. Trashed cars are easy for me to spot, so I'm not worried about that.

As for the OP's topic, I really don't consider the Mazdaspeed3 and Civic Si to be in the same league regardless of the pricing. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the Civic Si isn't a huge upgrade from the regular Civic. The Mazdaspeed3, you can't possibly confuse it with the regular Mazda3. The Si's K24 has reasonable power, but that's about all you get for your money. The MS3 isn't much more and leaves the Si in the dust on many fronts.