Car and Driver Comparo is out
GTI really is a nice car. The engine is very smooth and has good power with both transmissions. Cars like the Ralliart and WRX don't even come close to the GTI's interior refinement.
The love the MS3 gets is a real head scratcher for me. I tested one out and it did feel quick but the engine feels more like a large N/A 4-banger than a turbo engine and the power disappears over 5000 RPM. The 6-speed felt rubbery and the interior is well laid out but I've seen from other people's regular Mazda 3's that they tend to rattle and plastics scratch very easily. It's not a bad car but it didn't put a smile on my face and since so many women drive Mazda 3's I can't help but feel like I'm in a woman's car.
The love the MS3 gets is a real head scratcher for me. I tested one out and it did feel quick but the engine feels more like a large N/A 4-banger than a turbo engine and the power disappears over 5000 RPM. The 6-speed felt rubbery and the interior is well laid out but I've seen from other people's regular Mazda 3's that they tend to rattle and plastics scratch very easily. It's not a bad car but it didn't put a smile on my face and since so many women drive Mazda 3's I can't help but feel like I'm in a woman's car.
Evolved Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 784
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From: PA
I'll back up everybody who says the GTI is a quality car. Nice layout, good seats, decent materials. The DSG 'box is good, and the engine seems like it's always on boost (full torque from 1800rpm, supposedly). I enjoyed my test drive, and though I don't intend to buy one, it left a positive impression.
Evolving Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 364
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From: Annapolis, MD
Im looking at the RA as one of the easiest to get aftermarket power. The door is wide open for low cost performance gains. Though everyone is spooling up to push the limits of the RA we do know that when you hit 350+hp/tq in an MS3 the motor rips the mounts and litteraly drops out the car.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 590
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From: Fredericton, NB, Canada
Other than the seats and navi, what changes in the interior with premium? The RA I was in was an expansive sea of black hard plastic and cheap knobs and buttons. My guess is that most of these cars in this category are like that, but I never got the impression that the RA had a great interior.
The available Premium package adds $5,000.00 and includes a 650 watt (maximum) Rockford Fosgate Punch® premium sound system with nine speakers including a 10 inch dual voice coil subwoofer, digital signal processor and speed compensated volume and equalization; and a SIRIUS® satellite radio with six months complimentary subscription.
This package also includes a 30GB HDD Navigation system with music server; single CD/MP3/DVD capable, AM/FM head unit; auxiliary audio/video input jack; power glass sunroof with sunshade; leather/fabric RECARO® seats; FAST-Key entry system; auto rain-sensing wipers; auto on/off headlamp control and a Bluetooth® hands-free phone system with voice recognition microphone.
This package also includes a 30GB HDD Navigation system with music server; single CD/MP3/DVD capable, AM/FM head unit; auxiliary audio/video input jack; power glass sunroof with sunshade; leather/fabric RECARO® seats; FAST-Key entry system; auto rain-sensing wipers; auto on/off headlamp control and a Bluetooth® hands-free phone system with voice recognition microphone.
Is it me or are these Japanese smoking something with serious second effects?
Why make a WRX that litteraly owns an STI? And why price an RA only $3,000 less than an EVO GSR, then forget about a manual tranny, and forget about adding the exact-amount of horses?
I seriously do not want to see myself get picked by a SRT4 or a Cobalt SS (two pieces of junk [respect 2 the SRT4 though]) driver and have to close up my windows lol.
Sucks bad... I'll say it again, Mitsu better add some refinement both interior and performance wise if they want my 38k for an MR (let alone 27 for an RA dog)... bring it up for next year. Subaru heard the plea of their customers, can't Mitsu do the same or is it that we're not loud enough...??
Why make a WRX that litteraly owns an STI? And why price an RA only $3,000 less than an EVO GSR, then forget about a manual tranny, and forget about adding the exact-amount of horses?
I seriously do not want to see myself get picked by a SRT4 or a Cobalt SS (two pieces of junk [respect 2 the SRT4 though]) driver and have to close up my windows lol.
Sucks bad... I'll say it again, Mitsu better add some refinement both interior and performance wise if they want my 38k for an MR (let alone 27 for an RA dog)... bring it up for next year. Subaru heard the plea of their customers, can't Mitsu do the same or is it that we're not loud enough...??
Evolving Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 282
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From: in my office
Well, obviously they didn't bother to factor in reliability of the car or stability of the auto manufacturer, because two of their top three come from companies on the brink of bankruptcy, and the other comes from a company that is consistently rated lowest in customer satisfaction. It's not until you get down to the (worthy) WRX that you find a car where both the car and its manufacturer will probably still be running fine in five years (without needing major repairs or massive restructuring). Performance alone just isn't enough -- there are plenty of people around these parts who still have interesting slabs of plastic left over from the failed Bricklin (google it).
[if you doubt me, then look up the many business articles that have GM restructuring down to under a hundred brick-and-mortar dealerships in the US, and then imagine trying to get service on a gas-guzzler from a company likely bent on restructuring to be more green -- Mazda's not in quite such bad shape, they may end up owned by Chery of China... bet the MS3 owners would love that]
[if you doubt me, then look up the many business articles that have GM restructuring down to under a hundred brick-and-mortar dealerships in the US, and then imagine trying to get service on a gas-guzzler from a company likely bent on restructuring to be more green -- Mazda's not in quite such bad shape, they may end up owned by Chery of China... bet the MS3 owners would love that]
Is it me or are these Japanese smoking something with serious second effects?
Why make a WRX that litteraly owns an STI? And why price an RA only $3,000 less than an EVO GSR, then forget about a manual tranny, and forget about adding the exact-amount of horses?
I seriously do not want to see myself get picked by a SRT4 or a Cobalt SS (two pieces of junk [respect 2 the SRT4 though]) driver and have to close up my windows lol.
Sucks bad... I'll say it again, Mitsu better add some refinement both interior and performance wise if they want my 38k for an MR (let alone 27 for an RA dog)... bring it up for next year. Subaru heard the plea of their customers, can't Mitsu do the same or is it that we're not loud enough...??
Why make a WRX that litteraly owns an STI? And why price an RA only $3,000 less than an EVO GSR, then forget about a manual tranny, and forget about adding the exact-amount of horses?
I seriously do not want to see myself get picked by a SRT4 or a Cobalt SS (two pieces of junk [respect 2 the SRT4 though]) driver and have to close up my windows lol.
Sucks bad... I'll say it again, Mitsu better add some refinement both interior and performance wise if they want my 38k for an MR (let alone 27 for an RA dog)... bring it up for next year. Subaru heard the plea of their customers, can't Mitsu do the same or is it that we're not loud enough...??
The WRX does not own the STI!
The WRX does not own the STI!
The WRX does not own the STI!
There is more to a performance car than just 0-60 time.
Evolved Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 1
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
You are correct but but to some people 0-60 & 1/4 mile times apparently make the car and there are threads about this at NASIOC so Subaru in their quest to make the WRX faster than the Ralliart did tread on their own toes. The only thing I can think of is that the 2010 STI will get a 20-30 HP bump or Subaru really has accomplished nothing more than cannibalizing their own STI sales.
You are correct but but to some people 0-60 & 1/4 mile times apparently make the car and there are threads about this at NASIOC so Subaru in their quest to make the WRX faster than the Ralliart did tread on their own toes. The only thing I can think of is that the 2010 STI will get a 20-30 HP bump or Subaru really has accomplished nothing more than cannibalizing their own STI sales.
Evolved Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 1
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
I suspect something big is coming for the STI given the weird fuel maps and all that jazz. Perhaps they're moving to a bigger turbo in the future. Something to keep in mind, if you want an STI, a WRX won't cut it. No one in their right mind will buy the WRX if they can afford the STI just as no one would buy the Ralliart if they could honestly afford the MR.
I think the 4B11 will eventually get direct injection as well seeing it was originally supposed to be used but probably due to money and time constraints wasn't ready to be used in the 2008 EVO X.
I wasnt talking about 04-06 RA ................... like I dont know what does a stock RA 04-06
The first number of the S T O C K 09 RA was 14.8
and now its 14.2 ... MAJOR difference
I know this is a little off topic. the 09 wrx's are pretty amazing. a stage 2 wrx is putting down 300whp and 320 torque! So it's as good as a stg 2 sti and can keep up with an evo with basic bolt-ons(Exhaust, downpipe, mbc and tune) I think Subaru had to step up there game. But Hopefully the Tranny in the wrx will actually hold now
Agreed, but on the street the feel is the same for 10k less. Same as the EVO, if you get on a track it is a different story, buy how many people actual use there cars on a track. Drag strip probably a little more. So in a round town kind of way, the WRX is stepping on the STI toes. Maybe not in terms of quality, refinement and technology, but in a straight line it is very close.
Agreed, but on the street the feel is the same for 10k less. Same as the EVO, if you get on a track it is a different story, buy how many people actual use there cars on a track. Drag strip probably a little more. So in a round town kind of way, the WRX is stepping on the STI toes. Maybe not in terms of quality, refinement and technology, but in a straight line it is very close.