2008 STI vs. 2008 Mazdaspeed3 - Page 6

Stedenko · 04-30-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hef

anyone who would do a comparo btwn the sti and mazdaspeed 3, should buy the mazdaspeed 3.

I respectfully disagree. The MS3 was a really great car, and I bet a lot of people who buy the STI could be happy with the MS3. It's a good comparison because the MS3, at least here in Canada, is $20k cheaper. Same in the US I think.

Those who are interested, you should drive the Mazda just to see. I think you'll be really surprised at how well it pulls in 1st and 2nd and how little torque steer there is.

I compared them, considered the MS3, and ended up going with the STI. I'm glad I did, but $20k is a lot of cash.

Controlo · 04-30-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stedenko

I respectfully disagree. The MS3 was a really great car, and I bet a lot of people who buy the STI could be happy with the MS3. It's a good comparison because the MS3, at least here in Canada, is $20k cheaper. Same in the US I think.

Those who are interested, you should drive the Mazda just to see. I think you'll be really surprised at how well it pulls in 1st and 2nd and how little torque steer there is.

I compared them, considered the MS3, and ended up going with the STI. I'm glad I did, but $20k is a lot of cash.

good point.

if i could afford an STI, i'd love to have one.

having said that, i love my mazdaspeed3. it was $23k and runs low 13's with bolt ons. i know it's FWD but for those of us who can't afford AWD, it's the next best thing.

also, i have absolutely no problems with traction and there is very little torque steer. although torque steer might be dangerous to a new driver, the car does have DSC and Traction Control. i actually test drove a sentra spec-v a few years ago that had more torque steer than my car.

i also think that if you buy an STI, you'd better use that expensive AWD tranny. for people in the snow, i'm sure it's a no brainer, if they have the money.

kpnorton · 06-29-2008, 10:32 PM

My brother has a 07 MS3 and I have an 07 STi. Last weekend we installed springs and a SR Intake on his car. He has helped me work on mine as well and we are both "bright green shadetree mechanics".

Build quality is good on the MS3, though fits are sloppier than the STi. The MS3 pulls pretty hard (the intake added a noticable improvement), however a stage 2 STi has a 50+ wHP advantage. Neither of us have tracked (yet) so I can't speak to that point. The interiors are comperable and a matter of taste.

The MS3 looks sweet. My bros looks especially good on Cobb sport springs and 18" Rays MS6 wheels.

JuggernautTCW · 06-30-2008, 05:10 AM

ms3 vs srt-4 is prob a better thread? and dont they both have way over 300 whp on stage3 setup?... thats a lot more than stage2 08 sti at $10k discount.

gnarf · 06-30-2008, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pisymbol

The problem is FWD. I agree that with mods, the MS3 is as fast as the STI stock. I was told (read can't tell which) that Mazda detuned the motor because it was FWD to begin with....

I don't agree that the MS3 handles as well as the STI (again FWD has its limitations). I think in terms of performance there is no car under 30k that is as nice as the MS3.

the new 2008 cobalt ss is supposedly faster and is about the same level of handling as the ms3...i think the ss is also the fastest fwd car and fastest car under 25k..if im not mistaken..it set the fastest fwd time for the nurburgring too

GunKata · 06-30-2008, 06:04 AM

Even with fwd, don't underestimate the MS3. I just drove one about a week after driving the new '08 STI and have to say they both put

on my face. For the money I don't think you get a better all around package of speed, mpg, space, and handling.

kpnorton · 06-30-2008, 07:33 AM

a couple weeks ago I was driving home at night on the canyon road between Orange and Irvine when group of teenagers in a Cobalt SS rolled up on me an started throwing revs. I figured I show these punks what was up, so I dropped 3rd and put the hammer down and rowed through the gears. To my suprise I could still see them in the rear view mirror after a mile or so. I slowed to let them pull up/by and asked what kind of car it was (I was guessing some new SRT4 at this point). Pretty quick little car, and at sub 25K, priced right for the inexperienced driver.

agreed though, MS3 and Cobalt SS are a better comparison.

COCO25 · 06-30-2008, 09:33 AM

The cobalt ss is a bargin, it's quicker then the evo and sti by 2 seconds on the nurburgring in germany.

solovus · 06-30-2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COCO25

The cobalt ss is a bargin, it's quicker then the evo and sti by 2 seconds on the nurburgring in germany.

From Wikipedia:

8:22* Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2008 2.0 Turbo

*manufacturer claim.
I'll wait for some official (third party) numbers before I am all like WTF!?!

Manufacturers have too much incentive to misreport results like this.

chargedvette02 · 06-30-2008, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COCO25

The cobalt ss is a bargin, it's quicker then the evo and sti by 2 seconds on the nurburgring in germany.

Wait, are you trying to be serious?

chargedvette02 · 06-30-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GunKata

Even with fwd, don't underestimate the MS3. I just drove one about a week after driving the new '08 STI and have to say they both put

on my face. For the money I don't think you get a better all around package of speed, mpg, space, and handling.

2 weeks ago at the track the best ms3 that was stock I saw run was a 15 flat. Stock STI's up here run high 13's, MS3 is a great car but not in the same league.

SirMattieP · 06-30-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chargedvette02

2 weeks ago at the track the best ms3 that was stock I saw run was a 15 flat. Stock STI's up here run high 13's, MS3 is a great car but not in the same league.

Yeah what he said...

My coworker has a buddy who has an MS3 with an intake on it, and my coworker has a stage 2 Scion TC and he told me that he kept up with him all through the gears... And i raced the Scion TC on Stage 1 and raped his ARSE!! By like 7 8 car lengths

SirMattieP · 06-30-2008, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chargedvette02

2 weeks ago at the track the best ms3 that was stock I saw run was a 15 flat. Stock STI's up here run high 13's, MS3 is a great car but not in the same league.

Yeah what he said...

My coworker has a buddy who has an MS3 with an intake on it, and my coworker has a stage 2 Scion TC and he told me that he kept up with him all through the gears... And i raced the Scion TC on Stage 1 and raped his ARSE!! By like 7 8 car lengths

STI ftw!!!

WRXGuyInUSA · 06-30-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chargedvette02

Wait, are you trying to be serious?

inpuressa · 06-30-2008, 10:53 AM

I thought this thread died a long time ago. Stop comparing apples to oranges.

06-29-2008, 10:32 PM	#78
kpnorton Amateur STI Driver Car: 2007 OBP STi Fav Mod: shifter bezel red Sharpee STi logo Location: OC, CA Posts: 46 Join Date: Jun 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 2008 STI vs. 2008 Mazdaspeed3 My brother has a 07 MS3 and I have an 07 STi. Last weekend we installed springs and a SR Intake on his car. He has helped me work on mine as well and we are both "bright green shadetree mechanics". Build quality is good on the MS3, though fits are sloppier than the STi. The MS3 pulls pretty hard (the intake added a noticable improvement), however a stage 2 STi has a 50+ wHP advantage. Neither of us have tracked (yet) so I can't speak to that point. The interiors are comperable and a matter of taste. The MS3 looks sweet. My bros looks especially good on Cobb sport springs and 18" Rays MS6 wheels.

06-30-2008, 05:10 AM	#79
JuggernautTCW Senior STI Driver Car: Silver 05 WRX Sedan Fav Mod: Stage 2 w/ Uppipe Location: Newton, MA Posts: 303 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 2008 STI vs. 2008 Mazdaspeed3 ms3 vs srt-4 is prob a better thread? and dont they both have way over 300 whp on stage3 setup?... thats a lot more than stage2 08 sti at $10k discount.

06-30-2008, 06:04 AM	#81
GunKata Junior STI Driver Car: '08 STI Silver Location: Lombard, IL Posts: 103 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 2008 STI vs. 2008 Mazdaspeed3 Even with fwd, don't underestimate the MS3. I just drove one about a week after driving the new '08 STI and have to say they both put on my face. For the money I don't think you get a better all around package of speed, mpg, space, and handling.

06-30-2008, 07:33 AM	#82
kpnorton Amateur STI Driver Car: 2007 OBP STi Fav Mod: shifter bezel red Sharpee STi logo Location: OC, CA Posts: 46 Join Date: Jun 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 2008 STI vs. 2008 Mazdaspeed3 a couple weeks ago I was driving home at night on the canyon road between Orange and Irvine when group of teenagers in a Cobalt SS rolled up on me an started throwing revs. I figured I show these punks what was up, so I dropped 3rd and put the hammer down and rowed through the gears. To my suprise I could still see them in the rear view mirror after a mile or so. I slowed to let them pull up/by and asked what kind of car it was (I was guessing some new SRT4 at this point). Pretty quick little car, and at sub 25K, priced right for the inexperienced driver. agreed though, MS3 and Cobalt SS are a better comparison.

06-30-2008, 09:33 AM	#83
COCO25 Amateur STI Driver Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 8 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 2008 STI vs. 2008 Mazdaspeed3 The cobalt ss is a bargin, it's quicker then the evo and sti by 2 seconds on the nurburgring in germany.

06-30-2008, 10:53 AM	#90
inpuressa STI Driver Car: 08 STi SSM Fav Mod: Cobb AP Posts: 257 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 2008 STI vs. 2008 Mazdaspeed3 I thought this thread died a long time ago. Stop comparing apples to oranges. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.