oh my god this thread just went down the tubes!!!! you are obviously not cut out for a semi serious performance car, u sound more like the bling type. get yourself an automatic and call it a day. you will be smoked by ALL mazda 3 hatches INCLUDING non turbo versions

the ms3 clutch does take a little getting used to at first, but it is a great stock clutch.

 

Then the MS3 is not for you. Most people think it is just another Mazda 3 5door. Which is fine by me.

 

I have to agree, the MS3's interior is very nice but I would never say the MS3 is a better car because it has better climate control knobs and cruise control. My 05 will hands down spank an MS3 (including yours) in every performance test you could think of. For me, that makes it a better car. If you're looking for a slower, less performance-oriented car, sure that MS3 is great. I've taken very good care of my car too thank you very much. Having owned countless Mazdas over the years (I own one now), their quality is no better than my Evo. Literally I've had nothing wrong with the car except the rear wing being replaced under warranty. The car has been absolutely bulletproof.

 

I wouldn't say the MS3 is a "less performance-oriented car". Sure it is not the same beast the EVO is, but the car performs quiet well considering it has a FWD handicap.

 

I don't disagree with you. Yes, it's a great car for the money and I almost purchased one a while back. But it isn't an Evo and there's really no comparison from a sheer, all-around performance standpoint. My advice to the guy who started this thread is to get the less powerful car if gas, commuting and his job are bigger issues than performance. Heck, he should get a Civic or Altima Coupe 2.5 as opposed to the MS3 or GTS. But there isn't much to be gained going with an MS3 over a used Evo in terms of gas mileage (they're about the same on the highway) and both can use 91 octane.

 

Which would you rather drive, a car with lackluster performance that gets noticed or a fast car that flies under everyone's radar? That right there should tell you what's right for you. I don't think I would consider the 08 lancer a noticeable car but if you went with that you could buy some bling mods (rims, kit, etc.) with the money you saved.

 

Older Mazda quality- good as Evo. New Mazda quality- definitely better. I also have owned an 05 Mazda 6s which was traded it for a 07 Mazda CX7. Both of these, including my 08 Mazdaspeed3 make my sister's 94 Mazda Protege feel like a piece of crap.

That isn't saying much that the Evo's quality is better than a Mazda RX7 that is 10 years older than it.

As far as performance AWD>FWD. BUT, the MS3 has a lot of performance and does very well for itself with other FWD performers.

 

Don't get me wrong, i like speed. I like torque and acceleration - I don't like having to think "can i pass this person or not"...but (imo) the lancer has better styling and cooler options plus the warranty seems much better. It's funny cause when i first knew I'd have to buy another car, I was gungho about the MS3, and then my parents said I'd like the lancer better , and i was like ' no way, i want that power'...but i drove the lancer and liked it. Damn parents, why are they consistancy right?

 

If you plan on modding, the warranty is useless anyways. If you think you'll get bored with the power, you'll end up modding the lancer to try to compensate and just flush that 5 year warranty down the drain.

 

I don't know man, I think with the bad test drive (bad luck and inexperienced) your just trying to over compensate the lancer for it. The mazdaspeed3 is just a beast of a car, perfect for modding with the factory turbo. Honestly in that price range there is just no car to compete with it yet. but good luck with the lancer

 

I feel like once you learn how to drive the Mazda you'll over look what you like in the Lancer for the pure rush you feel in the more powerful car

 

I'll use the comparo of an SRT4 to my lancer...(big difference compared to new lancer vs mazda) But the pure rush I got from driving a modded srt4 made me totally forget how bad the car looked and the interior of it... The Mazda is actually a good looking car with an awesome interior... I can see it only being more exciting because you'll get the rush, plus the styling...

 

Just get the MS3. You will not regret it.

 

This is the mentality I'm talking about. I know my car isn't exactly good looking, the front looks awkward at times and the fender flares look thrown on after the fact but I still get a smile everyday I drive it even though I've owned it for a year now.

 

Best point so far!