Mazdaspeed 3 or Lancer GTS?
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Thanks guys for not flaming me and being really helpful! Opinions DO matter, and as for Kurt and Steevo, I appreciate you guys' input!! I know the GTS and the MS3 aren't in the same "class", I'm only comparing them by my price range, and body styling and comfort/technology. I considered a GTi at one point, but i figured insurance would be sky high for a high-performance turbocharged coupe.
And i'm with State Farm and my quote for the MS3 was in fact lower...I got quoted $934/6 months for the mazda and $984/6 mos. for the lancer... Beats me, but i'm really gunning for the MS3 right now. I don't know how to drive a stick well, but I think I can handle it. I probably won't do a whole lot of modding to it if i were to get it. Never owned a turbo car before either.
And i'm with State Farm and my quote for the MS3 was in fact lower...I got quoted $934/6 months for the mazda and $984/6 mos. for the lancer... Beats me, but i'm really gunning for the MS3 right now. I don't know how to drive a stick well, but I think I can handle it. I probably won't do a whole lot of modding to it if i were to get it. Never owned a turbo car before either.
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I live with my parents right now, i'm 23 - and im in no rush to move out just yet - so i can afford a decent car. The evo is my fav. car, but I just realllly know that either the note will kill me, or the insurance - -either or, will not look good for me, even though my driving record is clean, and this is my first accident in 5 years.
I love how so many people are telling him to either A. get the lancer (I have no idea why someone would settle for 150 hp just to "be unique" especially when the lancer isn't unique) or B. wait for the Ralliart even though no one seems to know the price for the Ralliart yet, it looks as much like the base lancer as the MS3 looks like the base 3 and it'll mean waiting for god knows how long based on a gamble. Some people told me to wait for the 08 WRX to come out before I bought mine but I'm sure as hell glad I didn't.
Why not make a list of cars and drive them to see which one fits you. Here's a short list to help you out
MS3
GTI
WRX
Lancer GTS
New Cobalt SS (looks to be a hell of a car and according to some tests it's the fastest one in the group)
Civic SI
MS3
GTI
WRX
Lancer GTS
New Cobalt SS (looks to be a hell of a car and according to some tests it's the fastest one in the group)
Civic SI
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hey ambystom01 (i believe we've talked before) you're a pretty cool dude. And i plan on possibly visiting Calgary this summer - i visited montreal back in december for the first time - ANYWAYS hah, The 4dr GTi is probably more like a 3rd choice at this point, and i've ruled out the lowsy 140ish TQ on that Si, and the cobalt is "too american" for me, plus i DESPISE the sound of a supercharger. lol
I would go for the other 4 cars on the list before I went to the lancer.
The new SS isn't supercharged, it's turbocharged and about 260 hp with built in launch control and flat-foot shifting. As far as bang for the buck goes, it's king. The interior is what you'd expect from Chevy (ie. boring and crappy) but it's fast, handles like a sports car and I would suspect is not only easy to mod, but more than capable of handling another 100 hp without any major modifications like transmission or internals.
The new SS isn't supercharged, it's turbocharged and about 260 hp with built in launch control and flat-foot shifting. As far as bang for the buck goes, it's king. The interior is what you'd expect from Chevy (ie. boring and crappy) but it's fast, handles like a sports car and I would suspect is not only easy to mod, but more than capable of handling another 100 hp without any major modifications like transmission or internals.
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Tis true but there's somethings that some people might like about the WRX over the MS3. AWD is a huge plus if you live in snowy areas and the availability of mods is nice. The major weak points for the WRX are the stock tune is crap and the stock tires are even crappier. A simple reflash and some good quality tires turns the car from a decent all-around perfomer to a real competitor.
Last edited by krapchac; Apr 1, 2008 at 04:45 PM.
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Well, I'm a freelance photographer, so I'm also concerned with space - thats why i'm wanting another 4dr. I didnt know the new SS was turbo'd, that's pretty cool. - it's still an american car, even though (ive heard) mazda is owned by Ford, and well that technically makes the mazda an american car i guess?? i dont know..
Mazda is owned by Ford and from what I remember, the chassis for the 3 is actually from a Volvo. Even the last gen SS was a great car, it regularly made top 10 lists and although it is american, it's plenty reliable and not something to simply dismiss. I came pretty close to buying one myself but ended up going a different direction.
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they look aweswome - i ain't gonna lie! Esp, that gorgeous orangeish color!! I just don;'t like a lot of the arrogance that comes w/ "most" amercian car drivers (i.e. mustangs esp., cobalts, chargers, etc) - - at least that way in the state of Alabama. These guys talk so much ****