I was riding in a friends new 08 MS3 last week and i have read all the reviews and comparisons and such that place the MS3 in the number one spot in its class even rated better that the ralli art wrx and r32...

I got to thinking.. The 09 ralli art is underpowered and heavy and has the evo 9s AWD system..

WHat if mitsu had made it:

1. FWD 2.4L (GTS engine) turbo IC 235 hp and 250 Lbs. torque
2. Offer regular auto 5 speed and a manual 6 speed and special limited edition with SST
3. Use a tight sport tuned suspension like the MS3
4. then make it available fully loaded at $25K to match the MS3! doing that would kil the WRX and the MS3!

As it is right now the MS3 is cheaper faster and handles better than the ralli art even with out the AWD! So if mazda bring a special edition AWD MS3 at a lower price than the ralli art then what?

 

I understand what you mean but... what's the point? If Mitsu had made it 400 hp and sold it for $5 at 7-11's it would be cooler. Just like Sony messed up, Mitsu is bringing out a product that although very cool, very powerful, with a good backgorund. The problem is there are cheaper products that also have a good company background and are putting out the same thing or even better for a cheaper price. We all could want the MS3 pricing and MS3 goodness, but then it wouldn't be a Mitsubishi.

 

Stop right there...<FAIL>

Are you even looking at buying an '09 RA? If not, please leave the '09 RA forum and go check out the previous generation RA forum. Your suggestion leads to...

 

I would think that the RA's main target is the WRX... so AWD is a must!

 

actually the ms3 starts at 22.9K so its still cheaper. Why not go with the ms3 then if you are thinking the ralliart is not quite your cup of tea?

 

like kidneythief said, the new ralliart is to compete with the wrx. AWD is a must to do so. in that aspect they got their head staight, but personally i dont like these new lacers,ralliarts and evos....something to them just doesnt apeal to me...maybe the body style idk. but i am glad their throwing a turbo on the ralliart. i thought they should have done that from day 1

 

I dont think his point is that the car was set to compete with the Ms3 instead of the wrx. The point is that the MS3, a lower priced car is out selling and outperforming the wrx AND the Ralliart. While the two big names are going at it head to head, the MS3 has slipped past and took the crown on the reviews. I think that's the good part of his point. The part I don't agree on is changing the Ralliart design. Make it cheaper? YES Make it more like the MS3? HECK NO.

 

Isn't the 08-09 MS3 roughly $26k when equipped with the similar options to the Ralliart?

From my perspective, I'd rather have the Ralliart with less horsepower stock, then have the parts Mazda used to increase the hp on the MS3. Same thing with Subaru, they added a larger exhaust, intercooler, and higher boost to the WRX to bring it up to 265...does that mean I want their larger stock exhaust? no. I'd rather put a nice TBE on the Ralliart aftermarket and be right back up there power wise. Can't really argue with the price comparison though, the Ralliart needs to lose about $2k off the base price to compete.

 

haha, no. The base MS3 is 22.9K, the Gran Touring model is 1K more, and NAV is another grand or so on top of that. So you can get a fully loaded MS3 for about 25K. Ralliart starts at 26.9K, no options. Also, the MS3 hasn't had the HP "increased" such as the WRX. Thats like saying the Ralliart had its HP "increased". Increased from what? A nice TBE on the mazdaspeed 3 along with intake would net you 300+hp as well. Its just a cheaper car with more bang/buck, hence why it sells so well. I think mitsu is missing a good market with the Ralliart, I think a manual version at 24K would have swayed many buyers, including me. I'd rather hop into an EVO for a bit more.

 

My point is that the MS3 is FWD and reviewers rate it as handling better than the ralli art with AWD!! So i was thinking that mitsu could has shaved alot of weight off by making it FWD but i see that the WRX is the target but that car i getting bad reviews ..

I was just thinking its not the end of the world people...

 

I find it very unacceptable that the FWD MS3 is handling better than the 2 AWD cars that cost more.. it makes no sense.

 

The pricing comparision is a mute point, for the same thing you get ALOT more tech outta the ralliart. The mazda just happens to be the baddest car you can get under 30k.


I wouldn't be getting rid of my fast ms3 for the ra if it wasn't worth it.

 

Off topic, but what did Sony mess up on? The PS3? Better check your facts there.

Anyway, FWD RA would be the dumbest thing ever!

 

So you dont mint the drop in performance as long as you can say you have the EVO 9s AWD and the SST???

 

Yeh the PS3 is cool when programmed right...LOL

What if the ralliart was FWD with the performance of the MS3 and cheaper but with the current body style!? Why would that be a bad thing?