issue with the 2007 year model. warranty has been covering them.
I sent you a pm, come drive some=)
i drove a couple 06-07 wrx wagons and i really liked the feel of them, i like their looks better than the ms3 especially the new wrx’s
or get the cheaper one and get that SGM longtube header setup for the Z 
I got a chance to drive the 08 WRX on the skidpad at VIR one weekend. Idunno, it felt sorta slushy. Seemed to lack inspiration and the feel to want to be driven hard. No way that an 06-07 wrx looks better than the MS3
If I get a new car, it will replace the Z. Owning 3 cars would just plain suck.
The mazdaspeed 3 is an AWESOME car. I’d almost sell the 7 to get one. Comparing it to a cobalt SS is silly and/or republican. It beats all the other cars in it’s class (SRT4, GTI, WRX) in handling and acceleration. And it’s definitely true, modding is a little scarce right now. But intake + exhaust alone will net you 35-40hp. With those two things-if you order new can be under warranty, mazdaspeed parts- the ms3 is a bit of an evo killer. The interior is super sick fast looking too.
Plus it beat the GTI to 120 by seven seconds.
It makes an awesome DD and if you want to autox every once in a while it’ll definitely be a strong stock competitor.
“the interior is super fast sick looking too” wtf is that suposta mean exactly?
boardjnky, you currently have a Nissan right?
Why would you want to take a step down?
The two cars are apples to oranges. It’s not a step down, just a step in a different direction.
09 wrx’s are alot different than 08 Wrx’s
09 has more hp and alot stiffer suspension. Better looks, and better tires on different wheels.
Build quality.
To compare Nissan to Mazda is to compare Honda to Hyaundai.
Not to mention driving enjoyment, Mazda :lol:
(Minus the RX7 and RX8 which I quite enjoy).
I’ve always read that the first gen. 350z were of a cheap build quality, interior materials, that sort of thing. Just from what I’ve read, owner reviews and car magazines.
also to the guy who says the mazda kills the other cars in it’s class as far as handling and not to even compare it the the cobalt, the new cobalt SS is one of the better handling cheap cars out there, I want to say they eclipse 70mph in the slalom.
Cobalt also did extremely well at VIR testing. Actually has race teams developing the car as well. No one races Mazda 3’s because they are junk.
Build quality is definitely a step down. Mazda is like the ford of japanese cars, so whatever. I know that, and am willing to accept that. I know that I can’t have my cake and eat it too.
I am open to other suggestions seriously. Got any?
I need a car that is better as a daily and a car to drive on road trips though. It must have room for 2 passengers, a 90+ lb dog, and some luggage. I do want to have some fun in it too though. I’de really like to do continue to auto-x and get myself into some HPDEs this summer.
I’ve thought about going with a used M5, but seriously, the maintenance costs scare the shit out of me.
Mechanically, the car is fairly rock solid. The interior isn’t really cheap quality, it is just a bit bland.
Your other ideas seem to fit the bill. WRX, Civic, VW.
09 are almost completely different cars than the 08 wrx’s. to the op i believe you said you looked into the 08’s if i were you id take another look at subaru everyone was so disapointed in the 08’s subaru basically went into the sti parts bin and beefd up the wrx a ton with sti suspension bits and a sti turbo charger. They said its about 30% stiffer suspension and for about 25k it does about 0-60 in 4.7 seconds because it makes ~265hp now in 09 which i think is faster than the ms3. Oh and not to mention they added the sti style grill and spoiler on the wrx to so it doesnt look like a daewoo had a orgy with a focus hatch and a toyota carolla lol.
perhaps Mazda is like the Ford of Japanese companies, because of the whole being owned by Ford thing. I don’t know.
and if the interior is bland on the Z, and you haven’t owned the mazda yet to judge it by anything other than aesthetics, how are you so sure you are taking a step down in “build quality.”
wow, I did not know any of this. I will definitely be stopping by the Subaru dealer if this is the case.
straight from subaru’s website:
2009 IMPREZA WRX
<b>Starting at $24,995*</b>
King of the concrete jungle. The new 2009 Impreza WRX has been jacked up to a turbocharged 265-hp [SUBARU BOXER® engine ](javascript:click();) and runs 0-60 mph at a blistering pace. The track-tuned suspension, increased sway bars and summer performance tires give it better handling and tighter cornering. If the hair on the back of your neck just stood up, it’s time to get one.Standard Features
- Available in 4-Door (MSRP $24,995*) and 5-Door (MSRP $25,495*)
- 265-hp intercooled, turbocharged [SUBARU BOXER® engine ](javascript:click()
- 244 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm
- [Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive ](javascript:click()
(AWD)
- MPG: (manual) 18 city / 25 highway^
- [Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) ](javascript:click()
- Double wishbone rear suspension
- 17 x 7.0-inch 10-spoke gray aluminum-alloy wheels
- [XM® ](javascript:click()
- 4-speaker audio system with single-disc in-dash CD player and MP3/WMA capability
- Auxiliary audio jack
- Leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel with cruise control buttons and red stitching
- 60/40-split flat-folding rear seats
- Available [iPod® Interface Kit ](javascript:click()
edit:
If you are planning on this as a DD and do a lot of road trips as stated, maybe the MPG would be a concern?
edit edit:
from the mazda website per speed3’s MPG:
Remarkably fuel efficient – 26 MPG Highway, 18 MPG City*.
so i guess there isn’t really much of a difference in adding the AWD feature. i say go subaru.