Finally drove an MS3

[Atty]

I now know why you are all quick to recommend it. Handled great, good power, comfortable, it checked all the right boxes (except fuel economy, as far as estimates goes.)

Do want.

 

[z1ggy]

Driven the GTI yet?

 

[Atty]

Yes, two (two door and 4 door) and a GLI (w/ stage 2 APR). Rode in my co-workers GTI with the same stage 2 tune, didn't drive it myself though.

E: And I've driven a 2.0T 2013 Genesis Coupe, FR-S, and a Fiat 500 recently.

 

[JCH13]

Approve :awe:

 

[manimal]

We put a corksport turbo back on an MS3 recently and OMG it sounded the sex. Great cars!

If I ever wanted to go back to the dark side of FWD I would consider one of these

 

[Vdubchaos]

Are we talking original or the new ugliness?



Either way, it's FWD with too much power and no equal length drive shafts (which = torque steer)

My K04 Passat (which BTW has similar turbo to MS3) has about 245hp/270ft/tq and HAS equal length drive shafts and 0 torque steer....and let me tell you, I would not want more than that on a FWD car.

 

[z1ggy]

Yes, two (two door and 4 door) and a GLI (w/ stage 2 APR). Rode in my co-workers GTI with the same stage 2 tune, didn't drive it myself though.

E: And I've driven a 2.0T 2013 Genesis Coupe, FR-S, and a Fiat 500 recently.

Very cool. I'd wait around a bit and test drive the ST (if they are even around for test drives when they come out) and a veloster turbo...Just to compare. I did love the MS3 though... the Tranny just blows my Impreza's away.

I HATE that goofy smile though. COME ON MAZDA WTF!!

 

[Atty]

I've heard the Veloster Turbo isn't too excited, great interior and cool styling (to some) but just not enough power, even with the turbo. I like the ST though.

I don't mind the styling, I loathe the red dotted interior panels though.

My problem is that everything I have looked at is just not perfect.

GTI - Not overly fond of the styling, not enough oomph. Good mileage though and great interior.

Gen Coupe 2.0T - It is a hyundai. It's also a bit heavy, a little underpowered, and doesn't handle as well as the smaller FWD cars I've driven do.

MS3 - Lots of power. Styling leaves a bit to be desired. Drives brilliantly. FWD, torque steer, ugh.

GLI - Too much money for a fatter Golf.

FR-S/BRZ - Not enough power, too much $$$, felt like I was wearing it, and the back seat doesn't exist in my driving position.

The Focus ST and WRX are also contenders but the WRX has no interior quality and the ST will be hard to get ahold of.

Someone give me a M3/5 and let me call it a day.

 

[vi edit]

Definitely would wait for the Focus ST to finally get it's ass into showrooms after teasing us for close to a year and see how it compares.

 

[Zap]

Are we talking original or the new ugliness?

Heh! Since mechanically they all seem the same, can pick up a used original with reasonable shape and miles for $13k.

 

[Vdubchaos]

My problem is that everything I have looked at is just not perfect.

No such a thing as perfect car (at any price point). Heck no such a thing as ANYTHING perfect.....EVER.

GTI - Not overly fond of the styling, not enough oomph. Good mileage though and great interior.

Gen Coupe 2.0T - It is a hyundai

This is 2012, Hyundai is a very good car. This is a great thing (if you ask me)

Someone give me a M3/5 and let me call it a day.

I suggest you keep your relationship with your wallet on the good terms.

Give me either of those 2 and they will be sold within a week.

Heh! Since mechanically they all seem the same, can pick up a used original with reasonable shape and miles for $13k.

These cars are like WRX's, VERY hard to find unmolested/un abused.

 

[JCH13]

MS3's are very abuse tolerant, from a conservative tune to a bullet proof drive train. Ask me how I know...

 

[Atty]

MS3's are very abuse tolerant, from a conservative tune to a bullet proof drive train. Ask me how I know...

How do you know?

The more I think of this car the more I want it. Today was a blast. Too bad the dealership manager was sort of a douche, otherwise I'd put more energy into buying it.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

The new styling isn't too bad. It even grows on you after a while. It looks more like >=D instead of =D (which really is what your face will be doing)

 

[xSkyDrAx]

How do you know?

The more I think of this car the more I want it. Today was a blast. Too bad the dealership manager was sort of a douche, otherwise I'd put more energy into buying it.

Depending on where you live you should be able to get a great deal out of these cars.

Paid less than MSRP out the door including TTL etc which, in Cali (~9% sales tax), puts it a bit under invoice.

 

[Shawn]

Got an 08 MS3 here. Do recommend.

 

[JCH13]

How do you know?

The more I think of this car the more I want it. Today was a blast. Too bad the dealership manager was sort of a douche, otherwise I'd put more energy into buying it.

Because mine has seen some hard driven miles... really hard driven miles... and held up wonderfully. There are examples of 300+whp/360+wtq cars with only simple bolt-on mods, and 400+ and 500+ whp cars using the stock transmission and clutch.

The new styling isn't too bad. It even grows on you after a while. It looks more like >=D instead of =D (which really is what your face will be doing)

This. There's a 2nd gen that lives near me, and honestly I don't really notice the smiley face anymore. So many auto-rags took pictures to emphasize the grin, but in reality it's not so flagrant.

 

[Stryker124]

There's a 2nd gen that lives near me, and honestly I don't really notice the smiley face anymore. So many auto-rags took pictures to emphasize the grin, but in reality it's not so flagrant.

It grows on you too I think. I got mine in Black to minimize the grin, and now I don't even notice it anymore. Like someone above mentioned, it looks more like an evil grin than a goofy one haha.

I also don't think that the TQ steer is as big a problem as some folks seem to want to make it out to be...I beat on mine on a regular basis, and it really isn't difficult to control at the limit. I notice "most" of the complainers are folks that are parroting what they read somewhere...or VW owners. :sneaky: (Just teasing VW folks, nothing but love for ya!)

regardless, there are a ton of great small turbocharged options out there these days. I love my MS3, and for my money, there wasn't another option that came close for me. I'd love AWD, but couldn't see paying another 10g for an STI or Evo.

 

[vi edit]

So you MS3 owners...what kind of real world, realistic milage do you get on the highway if you aren't driving like a madman? Say cruise set at 70 for an hour of driving? What kind of mileage would that return?

 

[JCH13]

So you MS3 owners...what kind of real world, realistic milage do you get on the highway if you aren't driving like a madman? Say cruise set at 70 for an hour of driving? What kind of mileage would that return?

30+, for me I'd get 31-33 at those speeds in the hilly areas near me.

Got 32-33mpg going across Nebraska at 80, but that was flat, straight, and zero city driving. Just get to speed, set cruise control, 350 miles later stop for gas...

 

[xSkyDrAx]

30+, for me I'd get 31-33 at those speeds in the hilly areas near me.

Got 32-33mpg going across Nebraska at 80, but that was flat, straight, and zero city driving. Just get to speed, set cruise control, 350 miles later stop for gas...

This. If you're actually cruising around 70 for an hour you'll see 30+ mpg. It's quite efficient at highway speeds.

Also I swear the onboard mpg calculator lies to you. More often than not it'll give me dwindling mileage when I drive it 'normally' or, what feels to me, slowly. Now when I drive it just a bit more emphatically, i.e rev it up faster it'll give me better numbers.

It's probably just me though since I'm new to stick but the avg mpg shouldn't go up when the pedal goes down right?

 

[JCH13]

This. If you're actually cruising around 70 for an hour you'll see 30+ mpg. It's quite efficient at highway speeds.

Also I swear the onboard mpg calculator lies to you. More often than not it'll give me dwindling mileage when I drive it 'normally' or, what feels to me, slowly. Now when I drive it just a bit more emphatically, i.e rev it up faster it'll give me better numbers.

It's probably just me though since I'm new to stick but the avg mpg shouldn't go up when the pedal goes down right?

I never trust the on-board computer... with DI it's difficult to accurately measure the fuel going into the engine. I always calculate at fill-ups.

 

[ZetaEpyon]

Yeah, I get close to 30 in my 2007 without too much trouble, assuming it's just flat highway miles.
I've logged pretty much every tank of gas since I bought it, and I'm averaging 23.6 mpg over ~53,000 logged miles.

 

[Shawn]

I get 18-19 around town and 24 highway with my 08. Can probably get 25mpg with cruise control.

 

[power_hour]

I would also recommend you at least test drive the 2013 Honda Civic SI. Easy on the flaming I am out of beer.