Well, I finally got rid of the X and bought a new 2010 MS3. A step down in performance yes, but I got the car otd for 23,5 with the tech package (nav, stereo, HID's, keyless entry, push button start, bluetooth, as well as leather). The car is soooooooo much more refined and right now I am averaging 29.3 mpg with city and highway with only 250 miles on the car.

I will miss the AWD, but honestly I have to say that is about the only thing I will miss. I needed a lower car payment/insurance payment and I couldn't pass the deal up.

I'll still be around because the site is cool and the people here are as well, but now you all can make fun of me for the torque steer and selling out lol!

 

Pics or it didn't happen

 

wow was your car payment and insurance that high you had to go down in car.
my total monthly payment with insurance is just over $650 with full coverage.

 

Congrats! The interior is so much more comfortable in the MS3. They can make some pretty decent power too!

 

That's too bad.

A woman at work has one of those, she hates the torque steer and how 1st gear is absolutely useless.

How are you getting 29 mpg when the EPA-estimated fuel economy is 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined?

 

I've done the same thing several times: convinced myself I didn't need the AWD, etc. Then that one rainy day comes when you're trying to cross a busy street in 1st gear and you wash out, as the oncoming headlights get closer... and closer...

MS3 looks like crap IMO but it is a good performer. Hope you like it!

 

Just rationalizing the choice of selling the Evo. ))))))))))

 

Dang, there are some haters in this thread. Congrats on the purchase glad you like the car, what color did you get?

 

You should have gotten the previous gen speed3. The front of the new ones makes me want to vomit.

 

I don't understand this at all. I've driven RWD, FWD, and AWD in rain , sleet, ice, and snow and I honestly can't tell THAT much difference between FWD and AWD with all seasons (you recover better with AWD but still slide). I've seldon had problems even in relatively deep snow with FWD, and of course 1/2 the problem in bad weather is stopping. I'm not saying that overall AWD is not a little safer and better in bad weather, but the thought that other platforms are undrivable just seems crazy to me. I'd hazard a guess that RWD = winter tires is = or > than AWD plus performance all seasons.

Fortunately without the conventional knowledge that you can't drive a RWD car in bad weather I used to drive a RWD Supra with near bald tires in rain and snow all the time.

I bet on average your typical EVO or STI driver wrecks more in the snow than the general population due to the fact they think AWD is an invincibility force field. Also, I suspect there are enough of the same that leave summer tires on all year thinking they have a good handling winter car.

 

You're also going to need to hand over your man card along with the evo please. Mazda's are for women.

 

Best of luck, M4u. Congrats on the car.

 

smart decision...not