Which one?

[sammm]

Pick one...

1:


2:

[tailchaser]

The deuce

[MoonieGT]

I'm not super excited about the gill grill on the newer one, but I think the enhancements to the second gen may be worth it if you are going to ax/track it. Otherwise the first gen is more reserved inside and out.

[POS Racing]

#3 bmw m3!

[sammm]

I'm not super excited about the gill grill on the newer one

Me neither. It probably is a better car than the first gen, but I'm having trouble getting past those funky body lines and
giant hood scoop. The 1st gen is much more of a sleeper hot hatch.

[sammm]

#3 bmw m3!

You first.

[MoonieGT]

I test drove a 2012 Speed3 when I was shopping a year ago. It drove around town fine at slow speeds with no torque steer. The first time I gave it the business I had one hand on the wheel and one on the shifter as I had just downshifted... Mistake. The wheel cranked hard and violently to the side. Caught me off guard as there had been no hint of that while taking it easy. The result of that test drive is that I'm now a happy owner of a 2012 WRX hatch. It cost a bit more than the 3, but I like everything about it more. No torque steer, love the seats, love the power, love the utility. I can put both car seats in the back and still have plenty of space for me and the commander (wife). I'd recommend a test drive. YMMV

[EricJ]

#1 is more stealthy. The cop (and everyone else) has to look twice to see that it's not the stock version. It doesn't scream mid-life crisis quite as much.

Also, in the later models, they use the ECU to tune down the torque steer by limiting the HP to 150 when the steering angle is more than 3 degrees off center. (source either a Car and Driver or Motor Trend review).

Don't fear the torque steer, it's much more fun to get used to a car with too much power than not enough.

[sammm]

It doesn't scream mid-life crisis quite as much.

Agreed!

[CosmosMpower]

FWD FTL. But #2, newer more refined version.

[altiain]

FWD FTL. But #2, newer more refined version.

More refined? Have you seen the interior of a 2nd gen MS3?



The exterior of the 2nd gen MS3 is tough to stomach, but the interior is even worse, imho. That "magma cloth" or whatever they call it is hideous, and the quality of the interior plastics certainly didn't improve from gen 1 to gen 2.

Drivetrain refinements be damned, the 1st gen MS3 is a much better looking car both inside and out. That's what I'd pick, preferably in white or Metropolitan Mica with the GT package (sunroof, HIDs, etc.)

[sammm]

Drivetrain refinements be damned, the 1st gen MS3 is a much better looking car both inside and out. That's what I'd pick, preferably in white

Agreed! SWMBO warned me no white this time! The cosmic blue sparkly mica fajizzle has really grown on me.

[redmenace]

Gets my vote.

[sammm]

^That's it! Yours?

[redmenace]

That would be too weird. I'll PM you the VIN.

[CosmosMpower]

More refined? Have you seen the interior of a 2nd gen MS3?



The exterior of the 2nd gen MS3 is tough to stomach, but the interior is even worse, imho. That "magma cloth" or whatever they call it is hideous, and the quality of the interior plastics certainly didn't improve from gen 1 to gen 2.

Drivetrain refinements be damned, the 1st gen MS3 is a much better looking car both inside and out. That's what I'd pick, preferably in white or Metropolitan Mica with the GT package (sunroof, HIDs, etc.)

I wasn't talking about the interior, moreso the drivetrain and suspension..

[OZMDD]

Not sure if you're shopping new or used. How about this:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/3602468950.html

[sammm]

^Not bad...but no hatch and high miles for an '09. I don't need/want the giant hood scoop either.

[EricJ]

1st gen MS3... with the GT package (sunroof, HIDs, etc.)

Mazda did not offer a sunroof on the MS3, too much weight, too high.

[Davidss]

I hate that front end: