Best alternative to the MazdaSpeed 3?

[slugg]

So the MazdaSpeed 3 has _really_ impressed me. I'm practically infatuated with the car. This is good, in the sense that I like the car a lot, but it's also bad because it makes me biased.

So are there any other cars out there that you'd recommend over the MazdaSpeed 3 in the same price range? Which is the best alternative?

Yes, I could Google around... There's a reason why I'm asking people on a forum that I'm already familiar with. I'm interested in your opinions.

 

[zerocool84]

What do you want out of the car? Price/performance/looks/interior/new/used??? The new Cobalt SS is better all around performer but it's looks both interior wise and exterior wise are interesting and you either like it or you don't but like I said it performs better than the MS3 in every aspect. GTI's performance sucks in it's pricerange but people get it cus it has a nicer interior. WRX is a good alternative as well but I'm not really into the looks but they recently gave it a HUGE performance increase that it needed. There's the SRT4 but the but no one really likes the Caliber version of it even though it performs well cus it's so damn ugly.

Make sure you price out insurance rates BEFORE you check out any of these cars as they have the potential to raise your rates substantially.

 

[Jumpem]

09+ WRX is the only option.

 

[sindows]

Civic SI
Impreza WRX
Cobalt SS
Golf GTI
Sentra SE-RSpec V
Calibur SRT-4
Lancer Ralliart
Cooper S- my pick of the lot

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: sindows
Civic SI
Impreza WRX
Cobalt SS
Golf GTI
Sentra SE-RSpec V
Calibur SRT-4
Lancer Ralliart
Cooper S- my pick of the lot

i'd go ahead w/ the speed3 over any of these, or the wrx, the cooper s isn't going to be cheap.

 

[Kroze]

Originally posted by: sindows
Civic SI - Way too slow & no torque
Impreza WRX - THE ONLY REAL COMPETITOR.
Cobalt SS - Cobalt interior & no hatchback versatility
Golf GTI - Slow
Sentra SE-RSpec V - Slow
Calibur SRT-4 - Cheap interior & very cramped rear seating.
Lancer Ralliart - only a few grand less than the EVO itself.
Cooper S- too little space

 

[caspur]

Smiley faced Mazdaspeed 3?...No need to be biased...it is a great car. For cheap, affordable speed it is definitely a good choice, and its better looking than the old one.

In addition to the ones posted above, the Mustang GT is in a similar price range.

My personal top pick is the GTI, followed by the Cooper S. Drive both, if you can't tell the difference or if they are not worth the premium, buy the Mazda.

 

[Draftee]

The GTI is a beautifully refined car. Definately my pick.
Not sure when the Mk6 GTI arrives, but it's a cracker.

 

[StageLeft]

I haven't checked mileage I bet the subaru gets crap mileage. I know my mom's used to and my brother's one now drinks it like an alcoholic, neither were WRX variants. That AWD just sucks crap on mileage. They are nice cars, though from a reliability and performance standpoint.

Cooper S is small and, frankly, an embarrassment. Has the gayness of a miata without the fun and handling of a miata, I see no upside to that vehicle at all.

Don't think of a GTI unless VW quality is demonstrably better than it was a few years ago.

I would never buy a caliber or cobalt, they are throwaway cars.

 

[sindows]

Originally posted by: Kroze

Originally posted by: sindows
Civic SI - Way too slow & no torque
Impreza WRX - THE ONLY REAL COMPETITOR.
Cobalt SS - Cobalt interior & no hatchback versatility
Golf GTI - Slow
Sentra SE-RSpec V - Slow
Calibur SRT-4 - Cheap interior & very cramped rear seating.
Lancer Ralliart - only a few grand less than the EVO itself.
Cooper S- too little space

Its not all about power, some people actually care how their car feels around corners and more grip doesn't equal better handling. As far as being slow, none of these cars are "fast" in any way shape of form so I would prefer the one with the best handling.

 

[stag3]

07-09 ms3 ftw
i cant get over the looks of the new one, however the interior of the 2010 > 2007-2009 by FAR.
i am glad i have my 08 tho.

nothing is really worth it price wise, you can probably get 1k off msrp to start with
on the new ms3. who is your insurance with ? mine classifies the ms3 as a mazda3 price wise, they consider it the same cost to insure.
i would probably take a look @ the remaining 08 stock of evo's, they can be had for 26+ ttl for a base gsr. that price includes the 2k off
deal from mitsubishi if you find your own financing. i have been offered 27.9 + ttl for an evo + sss package and am debating
right now on trading my ms3 in.

the wrx is faster, but softer suspension wise
i avg 24mpg in the ms3.
if you have any questions about it, let me know
it's been 2yrs of fun so far

 

[StageLeft]

I just looked at prices of these. Crazy high. I can buy a 2009 CX-7 with the 4 cylinder turbo engine that's in the mazda 3 (putting out maybe 14 less horses) for sub $20k out the door. It may be that if you go to an actual dealership they are letting the M3s go much cheaper. Especially if the 2010 represents a new model year, the 09's should be starting to rot and you may get one at a nice cost. I would be very disappointed if you couldn't get it a good deal lower than MSRP.

mine classifies the ms3 as a mazda3 price wise, they consider it the same cost to insure.

Stupid of them, but their loss is your gain. I guarantee speed3s are being driven harder and faster than non-speed ones!

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: Skoorb


Don't think of a GTI unless VW quality is demonstrably better than it was a few years ago.

.

It is.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: Draftee
The GTI is a beautifully refined car. Definately my pick.
Not sure when the Mk6 GTI arrives, but it's a cracker.

This fall. I'd put off any purchase till this fall and test drive the Mk6...it is not the same as the Mazdaspeed 3 from a performance perspective...but it is still a blast to drive...and much more "refined" (at least the Mk5 felt that way...and the Mk6 is supposed to be even more impressive in this regard).

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Cooper S is small and, frankly, an embarrassment. Has the gayness of a miata without the fun and handling of a miata, I see no upside to that vehicle at all.

Obviously you haven't driven one. They are remarkable handlers, to the extent that they can hang with much more powerful cars. I was at a BMW club event a couple of months ago and rode with an instructor in a first-gen Cooper S on the short track at Brainerd International Raceway. His only mods were a slight lowering and an air intake. The handling was really a revelation - that thing could corner harder and faster than my instructor's TC Kline-suspended 330i ZHP, and hence we passed him in the Cooper. I was blown away by the car. (For reference purposes I own a 2006 330i Sport, and have driven cars up to and including an M6).

I agree SOME Coopers are feminine, but not all. It's easy to build a masculine Cooper S, and I would argue that, say, a pewter and black Cooper S is much less feminine than a Miata. In doing so, you'd be getting an ultra-fun car that yields amazing mileage and is endless fun to drive.

 

[Kroze]

I'd wait for the 2010 Mazdaspeed3 due to all the upgrades they have.

 

[mc866]

I'm biased as a MS3 owner, have an 07 GT, still upset the new interior in the GT didn't come out till the '08.5's but it was what I could afford at the time.

I think you need to get out and drive a few different options, the speed3 has a very nice bang for the buck price point, but doesn't match up exactly to many other vehicles. Once you do some test drives you can see what YOU like the best. Personally I really liked the MS3 because it was a hatch/wagon, it was a bit quicker stock than the WRX 05-08 models, had 6 speeds stock, and comes stock with aux jack. With a wagon in mind here are the cars I looked in comparision 05-07 wrx wagons, a few volvo V70R's, I've driven a few STI's in the past, but that wasn't really on the list, the very hard to find Saabaru 9-2X aero, oh and I drove a few Dodge Magnum RT's for good measure.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: sindowsIts not all about power, some people actually care how their car feels around corners and more grip doesn't equal better handling. As far as being slow, none of these cars are "fast" in any way shape of form so I would prefer the one with the best handling.

Low/mid 14 second cars are slow? Well, maybe I guess since a lot of family sedans can run 14's these days.

The Cobalt SS is the sleeper of the group. Too bad its discontinued next year.

Personally, I still think the higher HP cars of the group need something more than FWD with a fancy diff/computer. But then again I'm a bit biased.

 

[NaOH]

It really depends on what you're going for. All out power, handling or a nice blend of both, a refined interior...etc. If I were to base it all on performance and speed, I'd prob get a MS3. But I just loooove having a nice interior. To me, I'd rather drive a car that feels good sitting in it, and having all the buttons and controls feel solid/well laid out first and foremost. Secondly, would be the handling and then just raw power.

I'm not a track star, so I don't want my car to feel like one everyday (ie barebones like evo, srt4, etc).

BTW, I'm not saying the MS3 interior is bad. It's actually pretty decent. I just prefer a German interior if given an option.

 

[thomsbrain]

At that price point there are some pretty attractive lightly used sports-oriented cars, too. You're looking at barely broken-in 350Zs, S2000s, etc.

The MS3 does offer a great combo of performance and practicality, but I think I'd prefer the WRX for a new car at that price point.

 

[exar333]

Get the MS3.

/thread

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Honestly - only 2 other cars belong with the MS3.

Cobalt SS - cheap interior but also cheap price. More power, better handling, easier to modify. Coupe or sedan
WRX - standard AWD but steep price tag. Easy to modify and very quick. Sedan or 5-door hatch.

Best buy is the Cobalt SS as it outhandles and outpowers the MS3. Dealer discounts make it even cheaper.

* If you are willing to go RWD, get a leftover 2009 Mustang GT for $22K.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Kroze

Originally posted by: sindows
Civic SI - Way too slow & no torque
Impreza WRX - THE ONLY REAL COMPETITOR.
Cobalt SS - Cobalt interior & no hatchback versatility
Golf GTI - Slow
Sentra SE-RSpec V - Slow
Calibur SRT-4 - Cheap interior & very cramped rear seating.
Lancer Ralliart - only a few grand less than the EVO itself.
Cooper S- too little space

Ralliart and WRX probably have the highest performance ceiling of this group, but it comes with mods Ralliart has the EVO motor, with smaller turbos.

Cobalt SS for some reason dominates stock for stock though.

 

[theeedude]

Mazda 3s + $$$$ in pocket.
This is just comparing to 2009 to 2009, since 2010 Mazdaspeed3 is not out yet.
200 lbs lighter + 5 mpg better fuel economy + takes regular fuel and with manual it has all the power you can reasonably use on public roads (2010 has more power and one extra gear)
I am admittedly biased since I got a 2006 Mazda 3s touring hatchback. I love that car. I only paid 16,500 for it too

 

[exar333]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Mazda 3s + $$$$ in pocket.
This is just comparing to 2009 to 2009, since 2010 Mazdaspeed3 is not out yet.
200 lbs lighter + 5 mpg better fuel economy + takes regular fuel and with manual it has all the power you can reasonably use on public roads (2010 has more power and one extra gear)
I am admittedly biased since I got a 2006 Mazda 3s touring hatchback. I love that car. I only paid 16,500 for it too

167 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque; I am calling shenanigans on this.