kitab

I'm shopping for a new car and the top 2 on my list are the Mazda 3 hatchback and the Subaru WRX sport wagon. The WRX wins on HP, speed and 4WD but the Mazda wins on price (about $5k difference) and appearance.

Can anyone on this board chime in on why I should choose one or the other?

kbow

the subie man, to me 5k is worth it.

Roddimus Prime

it all depends on what you want.

Of course on this forum we're going to say the Mazda3, but on a wrx forum they'll all say the Wrx.

something to keep in mind though is that AWD is really only helpful from a stop. I've beaten several wrx's from a roll in my 170hp MSP...the mazda 3S is 160hp without the turbo.

Also Mazda's just have a much nicer fit and finish than the subaru. They are more of an upscale sporty cruiser than a street-rally car.

Cost is a big factor also. I know WRX's here start at $23K...

WRX - $23K - Base, 5spd, turbo, awd, cd player, 16" wheels

m3S - $23K - loaded, automatic, sunroof, leather, cruise, 17" wheels 160hp, side airbags, 6-disk cd changer, Navigation, xenon HID's, tire pressure monitoring system, audio controls on the steering wheel.

of course if performance is your thing you could get the 5-spd and shave off another $900. You could also ditch the "bling-only" navigation and save another $1200.

for instance I got a new 3S with 2.3L Hatchback, 17" wheels, leather, sunroof, 6-disk cd changer, front/side/side curtain airbags, ABS+ebd, xenon, and automatic and it was only $17,800......then I put $7K down and got a VERY nice car for less than $200/month. Can't do that with the subbie.

M3

yeah thats right i think you should buy an m3 and put a custom turbo and it will beat the crap out of the subbie and it will be a lot cheaper

Katonk

I imagine the insurance for the WRX would be higher, too. Maybe not enough to be a "deal breaker," but I'd at least get a quote for both just to make sure.

M3

thats very true like i said my advide to buy the m3 and buy the turbo that would give you like 60 hp so it would be 220 if you want you could buy and intake and the catback ex a total of no more than 3000 G and it would be like 240 hp and a lower insurance

hughes412

Two things, Matty you suck sometimes! (joking) I wish I could get a deal like that on a new 3.

I was watching motor week or something like that and I heard that the WRX had problems with the drive train after awhile. Now I cant remimber the hole thing so I wont guess, but I would do some checking into it if I were you. Those cars are not cheap to fix.

Jackelope

My neighbor has a WRX, his insurance is seriously high (~$2500/year if i remember right), of course he has all kinds of mods on it.

TeamPlayers

IMO two totally diffetent cars Cant really compare them. What it really boils down to is what you are going do with the car. FWD and AWD are different animals. I got a P5 and an EVO. My EVO will walk all over my P5, but if I put about 3,5k into it it will keep up with the Evo. But it still wont out handle my Evo. Yeah maintenence is more for AWD but you really cant beat it. I got over 50k miles on my Evo and no probs yet. If you act stupid and launch it all the time it no **** it will blow on you. If you got a family or plannng to have a family get the M3, other wise I say go with the WRX.

FLAME ON

Roddimus Prime

just fyi, Hiboost's new turbo kit isn't even finalized yet or tuned and it made 245whp on 7psi.....compared to a WRX's 180whp.... I think Hiboosted M3's will outrun Evo's from a roll. I've seen a few 220whp S2000's pull them.

BadAzLava3

Ahh grasshopper you forget.....

You break motor....

Hi Boost....you pay for it.
Subie....Warranty pays for it.

Check the insurance cost numbers too.
Should be able to get a free online quote or two for that.

Roddimus Prime

yeah, we all know how well manufacturers warranty their turbo cars sold to young males in the "tuner" scene.....

swamp

I'd say the WRX except for one thing. To me, the Subaru is an uncomfortable car on the inside. If you want a daily driver, I'd have to say go for the Mazda just based on comfort. If you've rode in both or even sat in them, you will probably see what I mean.

Just my opinion though, good luck to you!

Also, I don't know how safe the WRX is, but the Mazda is one of the safest (if not THE safest) in it's class if that's important to you.

TeamPlayers

Rod I see your point about the rolling start, cause I too have been burned (all I will say is Volvo).

But that is where you realy have to think about what kinda car you want. Do you want a ride that is factory turbo'd ,fast, handles excellently, but could could use a little help from a role. Or a ride that is N/A quick, handles pretty good, and takes mods very well.

I still would choose the WRX due to my driving style. I try to fix everything with more throttle. A 250whp FWD car is a handfull for me to drive. Dont forget that the market for the WRX is just as big as the M3. I dont know much about WRX's but I know with an intake, MBC, and a Flash I have seen Evos put down pretty good #'s.

I got nothing for the whole insurance thing. I pay out the AZZ for both my whips. Either way you cant go wrong with either car.

LEADfoot

two uncompairable vehicles
well they both have 5 doors and a hood

drive them ...drive them a ton ...flog them with the salesman in the car
till he is scared out of his mind...make a ridiculous offer on the sticker price
...even say you have your own financing and no down payment

the one that gets you the biggest rush.....

thats the one to buy