MS3 vs WRX: MS3 Wins!

[xSkyDrAx]

Here's my situation:

I'm living in socal and I'm buying a car soon. How soon is really up to the car dealership. I've been doing lots of research and had wanted a WRX.

Originally I signed up with the VIP program and waited the whole 6 months only to find out that the WRX/STi is now EXCLUDED from it D:. That was a whole lot of BS for nothing. Only good thing was that I was able to save up more money during that time.

Since i already placed an order for a WRX that I wanted only to realize that it's not included in the VIP program I fear that they'll jack up the price on me since it's limited and what not.

Luckily I only ordered about 2 weeks ago and there's still about 8-10 weeks of waiting before it arrives. Since I have no intention of waiting that long only to find out that I have to pay through the nose for it I'm heading to the dealership this weekend to see if they'll give me a good price.

During this time I was looking for another car since I may not get the WRX and I came across the MS3. I loved how it originally looked but the new ones are only okay. I know it's a beast in its own right despite being FWD. Now if Subaru gives me the deal I'm looking for I may just go ahead and wait but if not I'll just pick up the MS3 that day. Note that the MS3 is a couple thousand cheaper than what I'm expecting to pay for the WRX.

Any thoughts on the WRX vs the MS3? From a performance standpoint will the FWD vs the AWD be really that different? It'll mainly be a DD and I doubt I'll track it. Just more about the enjoyment of driving and more incentives to take the scenic routes.


Edit: Ended up with a speed3! Awesome little car. Subie wanted too much for the WRX so I just went to Mazda and picked up the MS3 after a test drive. Will update with pictures

 

[jlee]

Test drive them both. You can get a lot of power out of either one.

Having owned a quick Forester and driven an MS3, I do prefer AWD but it's really not going to make any practical difference for daily driving. Either car is going to be a lot of fun.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Wrong wheel drive vs AWD... hmm.

Why are you placing an order for a WRX? Are they hard to find or something? Christ, you live in Los Angeles, there are only like 20 Subaru dealers in the area.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

They are very hard to find at the moment. There's maybe about 1 on every lot on a good day. Most people who buy them have to place an order for them and I believe the ordering for 2012 was over shortly after I placed it.

 

[Throckmorton]

Wrong wheel drive vs AWD... hmm.

Why are you placing an order for a WRX? Are they hard to find or something? Christ, you live in Los Angeles, there are only like 20 Subaru dealers in the area.

I second this. You'll be reminded you have an overpowered FWD car every time you take a corner!

 

[Aharami]

wait a second, you don't negotiate the price before ordering one? I've never factory ordered a car...so not sure how that works. And Jules, yea WRX is hard to find now. I'm rethinking my desire for a WRX

 

[xSkyDrAx]

When you order one they just basically queue up one that has your specs and you get first dibs on it. Should you decide you don't want it it will be up for grabs.

I didn't negotiate the price at that time because I didnt have my VIP paperwork but didnt want to wait any longer but now that I realize that it doesn't even apply then I might as we get them to give me a solid number so I don't wait 2 months for them to tell me they can only sell it for MSRP or higher.

 

[JulesMaximus]

wait a second, you don't negotiate the price before ordering one? I've never factory ordered a car...so not sure how that works. And Jules, yea WRX is hard to find now. I'm rethinking my desire for a WRX

Ah, I see they are between an outgoing model year and the redesigned 2013 model.

Wait 6 months and you'll have your pick of the litter on any Subaru lot.

 

[punjabiplaya]

Own an MS3 and driven a handful of WRXs. The MS3's torque steer is exaggerated. But again, drive both and pick the one you like.

 

[theeedude]

Impreza just got redesigned, I wouldn't buy an old body style WRX now, since new one is around the corner. I would look at the non WRX new Impreza for a DD. Better mileage and new body style.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Own an MS3 and driven a handful of WRXs. The MS3's torque steer is exaggerated. But again, drive both and pick the one you like.

Given your current car I guess you liked the MS3 better? Any specific reasons?

 

[punjabiplaya]

Given your current car I guess you liked the MS3 better? Any specific reasons?

It was cheaper and slightly better gas mileage.

 

[manimal]

playing devils advocate why not buy something cash with what you have saved and drive it a year and trade that into what will make you happy in a year when you know what you want

 

[xSkyDrAx]

It's an odd spot for me really, it's a bit hard to describe but I'll try. Here's my situation with the cars (my preference for them is at a 45/55 kind of split between the MS3 and WRX respectively.

WRX

Pro:
Preferred more (slightly)
AWD
Styling

Con:
Potentially have to pay a lot more
Have to wait 8-10 weeks


Mazdaspeed3

Pro:
Cheaper (for sure I have a quoted OTD price)
More torque
Don't have to wait

Con:
FWD
Not a huge fan of the styling

What I'm guessing is this is just me trying to justify being slightly more impatient since the MS3 looks like a good car for sure but there's this nagging thing about getting another FWD car is putting me off and I'm not sure if I'm really going to be 'missing out' on a more performance oriented platform (AWD)

EDIT:

Also I was wondering if the price saving (MS3 24.7 OTD vs WRX (hopefully around 26.5 OTD) is worth the difference or is it just better to go for the AWD in that situation?

 

[stag3]

there's no winter in socal, so unless you go to big bear or mammoth often, you won't really need awd. i assume you're looking @ the wrx hatch?

i had the 1st gen ms3, loved it, no issues, torque steer was not bad at all, it might be for some girls or guys with girly arms LOL. i was going to trade up to the sti hatch but honestly it did not feel any faster so i passed on it. at the time all i had was the cobb intake + inlet and hks ssqv. i love the way the sti hatch looks tho.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

yeap the wrx hatch. love the styling. if the ms3 had the 2007 styling I would be all over it. the new ones look okay but more kiddish imo.

 

[Throckmorton]

Buy a Mustang or Camaro V6. Problem solved.

 

[Zap]

WRX

Pro:
AWD

...

Mazdaspeed3
...
Con:
FWD

Don't get too hung up on the AWD versus FWD. It won't matter in SoCal.

FWIW my household only has AWD, but I live in Wisconsin (when I'm not in SoCal like I am at this moment) and we can easily get a foot of snow in a day.

How about the upcoming Ford Focus ST?

How importance is highest performance for you or do you just want something sporty and peppy? What about having 4 doors or 2? Volvo C30 R-Design? It has 227bhp and a 6-speed manual, and looks pretty sporty. Also, there aren't that many out there on the road so it will be rather unique. I've test driven one (base model with manual, not R-Design) and liked it.

 

[Jumpem]

WRX by far.

 

[Jumpem]

there's no winter in socal, so unless you go to big bear or mammoth often, you won't really need awd. i assume you're looking @ the wrx hatch?

i had the 1st gen ms3, loved it, no issues, torque steer was not bad at all, it might be for some girls or guys with girly arms LOL. i was going to trade up to the sti hatch but honestly it did not feel any faster so i passed on it. at the time all i had was the cobb intake + inlet and hks ssqv. i love the way the sti hatch looks tho.

AWD is for more than just snow. Acceleration is fun.

 

[Throckmorton]

Don't get too hung up on the AWD versus FWD. It won't matter in SoCal.

FWIW my household only has AWD, but I live in Wisconsin (when I'm not in SoCal like I am at this moment) and we can easily get a foot of snow in a day.

How about the upcoming Ford Focus ST?

How importance is highest performance for you or do you just want something sporty and peppy? What about having 4 doors or 2? Volvo C30 R-Design? It has 227bhp and a 6-speed manual, and looks pretty sporty. Also, there aren't that many out there on the road so it will be rather unique. I've test driven one (base model with manual, not R-Design) and liked it.

It matters everywhere. RWD cars feel the best... rear-biased or symmetrical AWD I guess is the next best thing.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Well I guess the test drives will tell. If Subie decides to charge me more than it's worth then I will have no choice but to go for the Speed3. Either way it should be fun.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

Well I guess the test drives will tell. If Subie decides to charge me more than it's worth then I will have no choice but to go for the Speed3. Either way it should be fun.

unless you have VIP, be prepared to pay sticker cost on a wrx/sti. If you don't buy it at sticker, someone else will.

I can honestly say, having driven both, that the wrx is worth the extra couple thousand. the awd alone makes it feel more connected to the road than the fwd ms3

 

[xSkyDrAx]

unless you have VIP, be prepared to pay sticker cost on a wrx/sti. If you don't buy it at sticker, someone else will.

I can honestly say, having driven both, that the wrx is worth the extra couple thousand. the awd alone makes it feel more connected to the road than the fwd ms3

That's the thing. I thought it was covered by VIP until I received the voucher that said the BRZ, WRX, and WRX STi has been excluded this year. A 6 month wait for essentially nothing.

So this weekend I'm hitting up my dealer to see if he can give me a decent price out the door so that I'll wait otherwise I'm off to Mazda and driving it home that day. I would love the WRX too but if he's going to tell me something like 28k+ out the door then I'm more than certain that I can have as just as good a time in the MS3.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

That's the thing. I thought it was covered by VIP until I received the voucher that said the BRZ, WRX, and WRX STi has been excluded this year. A 6 month wait for essentially nothing.

So this weekend I'm hitting up my dealer to see if he can give me a decent price out the door so that I'll wait otherwise I'm off to Mazda and driving it home that day. I would love the WRX too but if he's going to tell me something like 28k+ out the door then I'm more than certain that I have as just as good a time in the MS3.

28K is pushing it, what sort of options did you get? When I looked I was able to get a base model 2012 WRX for roughly 26k. They have stopped taking orders at the subaru dealerships here though. Call subaru of america and tell them your complaint.