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YACT: Battle of the Sport Compacts!

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Originally posted by: vi_edit
Originally posted by: Raduque
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Originally posted by: Raduque
The WRX is considered a "compact" these days? :Q
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Uh, what else would you consider it? It's smaller than the Midsize class (Accord/Camry/Legacy).
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Actually, I do consider it a midsized. It's too big to be a "compact"; might as well throw the Lancer Evolution in there, it's about the same size!
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What you consider it to be is irrelevant. Insurance companies and Subaru itself classify it as a Compact. Along with most other cars mentioned in this thread. The Mini falls into the sub-compact class.
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Yea, its pretty small. Even the legacy is considered a compact I think, smaller then the camry/accords
 
Mazdaspeed3, eh?

Well, the British "CAR" Magazine (probably the best car mag in the world) recently had a very large test of hot hatches/sport compacts, celebrating the arrival of the new Civic Type R. The list of cars was huge - and I'll only list the ones sold in the US and currently pop to my mind:

1. BMW 130i
2. Audi S3
3. Mini Cooper S
4. Golf R32
5. New Civic Type R
6. Mazdaspeed 3
7. Volvo C30T5
8. Golf GTI

Basically they said the GTI is better than anything else, especially when the price is taken as a factor. They said they liked the Mazdaspeed 3 the LEAST of all the cars tested; Awful torque steer and very little refinement. The GTI is basically as perfect as it gets, superb balance, awesome engine (don't be fooled by the HP rating - it's smooth as silk, always has torque, very little turbo lag, economical and got a great sound), great interior, and optionally, the best transmission on sale (DSG).
However, they did say the Civic Type R gives better thrills at the moment. Other car mags thought it's disappointing.

The WRX can deliver more driving thrills but it comes at a price. You'll have a much worse car day in day out. Awful interior, especially.

I'd take the GTI without second thoughts (and about to do so, as my next car somewhere around June). I'd take a good test drive. Try to test the DSG while you're at it. Really unique experience.

BTW, don't fall for that FWD/AWD/RWD thing. It matters, but a balanced, well engineered FWD car - not just something that had a huge engine slapped on as an afterthought and understeers itself to death - could be great fun. All of these cars are huge fun, and to many people, they would be better fun than the WRX despite the alleged drivetrain disadvantage.
Compared to a AWD car, FWD is lighter, more economical and unless launching from a standing start, also quicker (less transmission losses). Even the safety advantage of AWD is marginal because of the great stability control available on every car.

Again, the GTI is great fun. Check it out.
 
The GTI is the best driving car out of the OP's choices however the WRX is pretty close to as high performance on dry roads & far better in any kind of poor traction conditions, plus its far more reliable.
 
IIRC the WRX beat the MS3 in a recent shootout in C/D or MT. nothing else comes close in terms of speed/price among the others.

out of those, i'd get the GTI with the upgraded rims.
 
Originally posted by: Xyclone
Originally posted by: zerocool84
Originally posted by: Tommouse
I vote GTI again, now if you threw in the STI ... that's a different story.
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STI is in a different category with the base price it has.

Out of all those the Mazdaspeed 3 is the best and countless comparos have proved it, but like every other car thread EVER on here, this will soon turn into a flamefest. The only competition for the Mazdaspeed 3 is WRX and that has AWD advantage.
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I don't mind if it does turn into one. Take into consideration that with a $600 ECU upgrade, the GTI will come out faster than the Mazdaspeed3. The WRX's AWD will just be wasting me gas here in Cali. 😛
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Cobalt stage 2 will be about 260hp as well.
 
I have heard nothing but bad things from owners of VW's though, mainly focusing on the electrical system failing....

Any comments?
 
My mom just told me she has a tier 1 supplier discount on Fords, Mazdas, Volvos, Jaguars, etc, and I asked the dealer about it. She said with the discount, the MS3 (sold normally at a premium) would sell for MSRP, and the MS6 would sell for invoice ($25K, which is REALLY close). I know this is not a sport compact, but MS3 performance with a more luxurious interior and AWD? Sounds awesome! See, this would all be avoided if VW's reliability standards were higher...
 
Originally posted by: Xyclone
My mom just told me she has a tier 1 supplier discount on Fords, Mazdas, Volvos, Jaguars, etc, and I asked the dealer about it. She said with the discount, the MS3 (sold normally at a premium) would sell for MSRP, and the MS6 would sell for invoice ($25K, which is REALLY close). I know this is not a sport compact, but MS3 performance with a more luxurious interior and AWD? Sounds awesome! See, this would all be avoided if VW's reliability standards were higher...
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You might be able to swing a legacy gt for 25k. I'd take that over a ms6 any dya.
 
The MINI Cooper completely owns two different SCCA autocross classes, G Stock and H Stock. The other mentioned cars aren't even close.
 
Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Originally posted by: Xyclone
My mom just told me she has a tier 1 supplier discount on Fords, Mazdas, Volvos, Jaguars, etc, and I asked the dealer about it. She said with the discount, the MS3 (sold normally at a premium) would sell for MSRP, and the MS6 would sell for invoice ($25K, which is REALLY close). I know this is not a sport compact, but MS3 performance with a more luxurious interior and AWD? Sounds awesome! See, this would all be avoided if VW's reliability standards were higher...
Click to expand...

You might be able to swing a legacy gt for 25k. I'd take that over a ms6 any dya.
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Edmunds gave the prize to the MS6 in the comparison between the two. And, I think I should look at the WRX before I look at the Legacy/MS6, since it seems like it better suits me.
 
Originally posted by: Minjin
The MINI Cooper completely owns two different SCCA autocross classes, G Stock and H Stock. The other mentioned cars aren't even close.
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This won't be a sole track car, I don't really like the Mini's interior, and it's a bit underpowered, but I'm still considering it.
 
Originally posted by: SamurAchzar
Mazdaspeed3, eh?

Well, the British "CAR" Magazine (probably the best car mag in the world) recently had a very large test of hot hatches/sport compacts, celebrating the arrival of the new Civic Type R. The list of cars was huge - and I'll only list the ones sold in the US and currently pop to my mind:

1. BMW 130i
2. Audi S3
3. Mini Cooper S
4. Golf R32
5. New Civic Type R
6. Mazdaspeed 3
7. Volvo C30T5
8. Golf GTI

Basically they said the GTI is better than anything else, especially when the price is taken as a factor. They said they liked the Mazdaspeed 3 the LEAST of all the cars tested; Awful torque steer and very little refinement. The GTI is basically as perfect as it gets, superb balance, awesome engine (don't be fooled by the HP rating - it's smooth as silk, always has torque, very little turbo lag, economical and got a great sound), great interior, and optionally, the best transmission on sale (DSG).
However, they did say the Civic Type R gives better thrills at the moment. Other car mags thought it's disappointing.

The WRX can deliver more driving thrills but it comes at a price. You'll have a much worse car day in day out. Awful interior, especially.

I'd take the GTI without second thoughts (and about to do so, as my next car somewhere around June). I'd take a good test drive. Try to test the DSG while you're at it. Really unique experience.

BTW, don't fall for that FWD/AWD/RWD thing. It matters, but a balanced, well engineered FWD car - not just something that had a huge engine slapped on as an afterthought and understeers itself to death - could be great fun. All of these cars are huge fun, and to many people, they would be better fun than the WRX despite the alleged drivetrain disadvantage.
Compared to a AWD car, FWD is lighter, more economical and unless launching from a standing start, also quicker (less transmission losses). Even the safety advantage of AWD is marginal because of the great stability control available on every car.

Again, the GTI is great fun. Check it out.
Click to expand...

Can't get a Civic Type R here, sadly, closest thing we've got is the Si.

I posted GTI when you made the thread, and I'll post it again. Get a GTI because 1. the DSG is flippin awesome and 2. it's basically a budget A3, what's there to not like?

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Originally posted by: Xyclone
My mom just told me she has a tier 1 supplier discount on Fords, Mazdas, Volvos, Jaguars, etc, and I asked the dealer about it. She said with the discount, the MS3 (sold normally at a premium) would sell for MSRP, and the MS6 would sell for invoice ($25K, which is REALLY close). I know this is not a sport compact, but MS3 performance with a more luxurious interior and AWD? Sounds awesome! See, this would all be avoided if VW's reliability standards were higher...
Click to expand...

You might be able to swing a legacy gt for 25k. I'd take that over a ms6 any dya.
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I'd take a Legacy GT over an MS6 too, but I don't think he'll be able to get one for 25k. It'll be a tough buy.

Originally posted by: Tyrant222
Please take a look at the new sentra se-r specv

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=119877

quicker to 60 and .2 faster in the quarter than the civic si.

interior is a complete upgrade. throw all your previous thoughts about sentra out the window when looking at this model year.
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The new Sentra is definitely nicer than the old one. And even though all the Sentra owners I know insist it's ugly, I think it looks like a baby Maxima, which is cool.
 
Originally posted by: Xyclone
Originally posted by: Tommouse
Originally posted by: zerocool84
Originally posted by: Tommouse
I vote GTI again, now if you threw in the STI ... that's a different story.
Click to expand...

STI is in a different category with the base price it has.

Out of all those the Mazdaspeed 3 is the best and countless comparos have proved it, but like every other car thread EVER on here, this will soon turn into a flamefest. The only competition for the Mazdaspeed 3 is WRX and that has AWD advantage.
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You never set a limit on price 😉, it's still a sport compact albeit a more expensive one 🙂.

I'm with Xyclone in flashing the ECU in the GTI would tighten up the race a great deal. I don't know about ECU's for the Mazda or Scooby. My understanding is that the Mazda is about at the limit of their engine, and you wouldn't be able to get much more out of it. The WRX I expect has plenty left in it (assuming same engine & turbo combo as the STI) so perhaps the WRX with a chip could run away with this.
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I am now curious to see if a WRX can be flashed to STi speeds. :Q
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Easily. http://www.pdxtuning.com/
 
Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: Xyclone
Originally posted by: zerocool84
Originally posted by: Tommouse
I vote GTI again, now if you threw in the STI ... that's a different story.
Click to expand...

STI is in a different category with the base price it has.

Out of all those the Mazdaspeed 3 is the best and countless comparos have proved it, but like every other car thread EVER on here, this will soon turn into a flamefest. The only competition for the Mazdaspeed 3 is WRX and that has AWD advantage.
Click to expand...

I don't mind if it does turn into one. Take into consideration that with a $600 ECU upgrade, the GTI will come out faster than the Mazdaspeed3. The WRX's AWD will just be wasting me gas here in Cali. 😛
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uhh, so what's stopping anyone from reflashing the mazda, they are both turbo.
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Mazda ECUs are infamously difficult to hack.
 
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