[solovus]

^^^correct

Even still...the MazdaSpeed 3 would never cross my mind either.

[saridi]

Originally Posted by solovus

^^^correct

Even still...the MazdaSpeed 3 would never cross my mind either.

I actually cross-shopped MazdaSpeed 3 too, while I was looking to buy my 08 STI. But I simply fall in love with the exterior style of STI, and ran into the dealership to pick up my DGM STI

FYI, I also cross-shopped Legacy GT Wagon, 535xiT, S4 Avant .....

[mofoSTI]

A lot of people have no ida of what the STI is all about so thy just know the WRX and shop for that. The big compairson is the mazda 3. To most people that dont know cars they just see it as a 4 door hatch for x amount of money. Most people know the Subaru is awd and "green" or "crunchie". I dont know a lot about the mazda, but I do know the mazdaspeed is the one to get, but its fwd. This is what I see others shopping around.

[Stedenko]

Originally Posted by mofoSTI

A lot of people have no ida of what the STI is all about so thy just know the WRX and shop for that. The big compairson is the mazda 3. To most people that dont know cars they just see it as a 4 door hatch for x amount of money. Most people know the Subaru is awd and "green" or "crunchie". I dont know a lot about the mazda, but I do know the mazdaspeed is the one to get, but its fwd. This is what I see others shopping around.

I've driven the MS3 twice now, and it was very fast. I haven't driven a 2008 STI yet, but it's a way better looking car inside and out. The AWD is a huge bonus too. The MazdaSpeed3 is a serious car though and huge fun to drive. The reviews are all really strong for that car.

In the magazines, the MS3 is compared to the WRX and wins the comparisons. It's a totally different class from the STI though.

[jmswinger]

I am not sure saying people "don't know cars" cross shop the speed3 and STi. I believe with the maturing STi you will fiind that it will attract a different type of buyer now. Some of those buyers (myself) are now looking at the STi as a very nice "family" car that our wifes let us have. I think it will just bring more people to the table that were not in the old STi market.

I know I have always wanted a STi and now with the new body it is a dream us married/family men can finally have.

Originally Posted by mofoSTI

A lot of people have no ida of what the STI is all about so thy just know the WRX and shop for that. The big compairson is the mazda 3. To most people that dont know cars they just see it as a 4 door hatch for x amount of money. Most people know the Subaru is awd and "green" or "crunchie". I dont know a lot about the mazda, but I do know the mazdaspeed is the one to get, but its fwd. This is what I see others shopping around.

[baneonrt]

Originally Posted by jmswinger

a very nice "family" car that our wifes let us have.

So very true and the only reason I'm driving one now

Steve

[hairlesswookiee]

Originally Posted by baneonrt

So very true and the only reason I'm driving one now

Steve

yup!!! i've always been a "hatch" guy. and also looking over the fence at the subaru cars. last year i decided i wanted a new car upon graduation....the time came and after seeing the STI redesign i looked into it even more when i had the money ready. i have not looked back since, nor am i really concerned about Subaru taking car of its customers. i plan on keeping tabs on this topic very closely and also plan on stopping the mods once i get to stage 2.

[Digitalfiend]

I loved having a hatchback when I had my RSX back in '02-'04. Today, at lunch, I took my bike in to have it tuned up for the upcoming good weather. I couldn't do that in my '05 sedan without some serious and potentially upholstery ripping packing. Three days prior my wife and I went shopping at the local nursery and picked up 4 or 5 plants, one of which was about 5ft long. No problem. My sedan could never do that.

On top of all the utility, I've got a better looking car (in my opinion), and this thing will still tear up a track better than most sports cars with 2 seats and near-zero practicality. This car, while more refined, still embodies the essence of what makes an STI and what I originally bought my '05 for. I'm very happy with my purchase so far.

[GeorgeWrx]

While this thread is going a bit off subject (sorry I'm not helping) I always thought if Subaru ever made a wagon version of the STI I would buy...they did and I bought. This car does everything: a practical 4-door wagon with fantastic handling and power that is somewhat stealth. Just thinking that now it may be worth buying the extended warranty (even with a DP and reflash planned).

[mofoSTI]

Originally Posted by GeorgeWrx

While this thread is going a bit off subject (sorry I'm not helping) I always thought if Subaru ever made a wagon version of the STI I would buy...they did and I bought. This car does everything: a practical 4-door wagon with fantastic handling and power that is somewhat stealth. Just thinking that now it may be worth buying the extended warranty (even with a DP and reflash planned).

Its alot of car for the money and trumps a lot more expensive cars at the track.

[twigg107]

Originally Posted by Digitalfiend

I loved having a hatchback when I had my RSX back in '02-'04. Today, at lunch, I took my bike in to have it tuned up for the upcoming good weather. I couldn't do that in my '05 sedan without some serious and potentially upholstery ripping packing. Three days prior my wife and I went shopping at the local nursery and picked up 4 or 5 plants, one of which was about 5ft long. No problem. My sedan could never do that.

On top of all the utility, I've got a better looking car (in my opinion), and this thing will still tear up a track better than most sports cars with 2 seats and near-zero practicality. This car, while more refined, still embodies the essence of what makes an STI and what I originally bought my '05 for. I'm very happy with my purchase so far.

spot on!!!

[ericm]

I'm another one who is considering both the Mazdaspeed3 and the STI. I want something that's fast and handles, and I need a car that I can put bicycles in. Other than that, it's up to me- my wife will never drive it, she's got her own car.

To bring this back to some sort of relevance- MS3s also had some "issues"- the factory didn't tighten a number of bolts correctly, so some cars' engines were falling off the mounts, and rear suspensions were coming undone. Mazda didn't do a stop sale on those, they just fixed them as they broke. They did do a stop sale on the Mazdaspeed CAI, for sucking water and hydrolocking engines. I've had other vehicles with issues too, and I've dealt with the other side of fixing issues in a non-automotive field. There's always issues with any complex product, and it looks like Subaru's handing this one well so far.

I was going to go test drive an STI but since I'll want to wait until this piston ring issue is dealt with, I'm in no hurry now. I may just wait till the 2009s are in. The '09 Mitsubishi Ralliart Sportback is also on my list, if it ever comes out.

[IceAgeTLC]

Originally Posted by ericm

I'm another one who is considering both the Mazdaspeed3 and the STI. I want something that's fast and handles, and I need a car that I can put bicycles in. Other than that, it's up to me- my wife will never drive it, she's got her own car.

To bring this back to some sort of relevance- MS3s also had some "issues"- the factory didn't tighten a number of bolts correctly, so some cars' engines were falling off the mounts, and rear suspensions were coming undone. Mazda didn't do a stop sale on those, they just fixed them as they broke. They did do a stop sale on the Mazdaspeed CAI, for sucking water and hydrolocking engines. I've had other vehicles with issues too, and I've dealt with the other side of fixing issues in a non-automotive field. There's always issues with any complex product, and it looks like Subaru's handing this one well so far.

I was going to go test drive an STI but since I'll want to wait until this piston ring issue is dealt with, I'm in no hurry now. I may just wait till the 2009s are in. The '09 Mitsubishi Ralliart Sportback is also on my list, if it ever comes out.

Is that what it is confirmed as the problem?

[paikman]

I don't understand how you can really cross-shop the two..its a pretty glaring $10,000 gap.

[Digitalfiend]

For some people though, $10K means more to them in their pocket (or a smaller payment) than the extras you get with the STI. It's not like the MS3 is a slouch or something. It offers similar top end speed as the STI, handles nicely, takes to mods OK, nice interior, and has some pretty decent brakes. The STI buys you bigger wheels, better safety, a better track car in general, AWD, and overall more tunability. The biggest drawback of the MS3 is it being FWD with a large amount of torque.