What was the OP's question again?
Check out a GTI too. They are not as fast but quick and very nice and quiet inside, the interior is nice. You can buy a tune to bring the power close to the MS3, but then you can probably do the same with the MS3 to get it quicker too.
I really am not a fan of FWD and I hate torque steer but I wanted a hatch that would get 30+ mpg hwy, which ruled out the MS3 and WRX. I found when I had my Z4M I could rarely use the 330hp just driving around town. I do believe in the saying, it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. Probably why the miata is fun too. If someone would make a RWD hatch with 200-300hp I would be all over it.
All are fun cars, just depends what you want of course.
Last edited by jbh; 10-13-2011 at 09:53 PM.
VW Bug in running shoes
M Porcupine sedan
M Porcupine coupe
Crusty old e46 beater
Battery Powered appliance car
If someone would make a RWD hatch with 200-300hp I would be all over it.
Polished Turd Racing
Mick wrote: "I think Jerrett is the best autocrosser I have ever seen naked."
30 mph! Slow down son! What's your hurry?Originally Posted by jbh
Last edited by altiain; 10-13-2011 at 02:27 PM.
Iain
"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
'99 Emerald Green - 2015 NASA Texas TTE Season Champion (showing up is really 100% of it)
Nah, bought the Stook to learn how to drive a manual transmission, RWD sports car. That and the whole more exciting, fun, faster, classed competitively thing.
Random observation - my parents are in town this week and they have a '11 Mazda3 rental car. It's not the Mazdaspeed, but damn if this car doesn't have one of the cheapest, shitty interiors ive seen in a while. It's like nine different colors and textures of crappy hard plastic, none of which compliment each other.
I've driven several first gen Mazdaspeed3s (and base models as well), and I don't remember them having such a craptastic interior. They're no Lexus, but I was genuinely surprised at how bad the interior is on the new 3.
Iain
"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Late to the game, here. Sorry about that.
I've admired the Gen 1 Speed3 for quite some time. When a buddy at work bought a new '08 model, he let me drive it around on a lunch break.In stock form, the earlier versions are very fun on the streets and highway. Oddly enough, they are also extremely practical. Both of these things are, I imagine, pretty dang obvious.
My only issues with the car were a somewhat vague shifter, soft springs, and body roll that I really didn't care for at all. Granted, this is coming from a guy who drives a Miata, so the shifter and suspension stuff is almost a given with lots of typical cars.
Soon after, said friend dropped in a Cobb shifter (sadly now discontinued), a big rear bar, stiffer springs, lighter wheels and better tires. He let me drive it again while on break. What an amazing vehicle! I simply can't test drive one now, as I'll need to have one (and I've been shopping the pricing on them recently...dammit). He's been taking the car out to MSR now & again over the last couple of years and apparently doing pretty well.
With just a couple of aftermarket tweaks, these cars are real gems. Even in stock form, hey, they can be wonderful.
I have no comments on the interior, really. It's fine by me. I'm not used to really nice interiors, so unless I'm in a Caddy or something, I really don't notice. The 3 in general suits all of my needs. Give it 250+ ponies at the wheels, and I'm totally sold. The gf has a 1st gen base 3 sedan, and it's a wonderful commuter. The seats are even pretty comfy.
If you're looking for a white version of the Gen 1 ilk (just like me) as I hear, CarMax has a few nationally. One is fairly low miles, coming in at about 24k. Pricing is right around $18k for that example...plus a small transfer fee to get it here from Kansas or something.
You're keeping the truck, though, right?
'90 "LE" available for purchase soon
2008.5 CWP MS3: JBR 70d trilogy engine mounts, short throw shifter & shift plate bushings; AST 4100 w/ 400lb springs f/r; JRZ camber plates