DJmarkymark

iTrader: (5)

The evo is out of my price range so i was looking at the mazdaspeed 3 and the wrx tr.
Mazdaspeed 3 looks very appealing to me and pretty quick stock, but its still quite new and i dont know how it responds to mods.

The Wrx tr is already proven and there is a big market for it.

So what would you pick?

Red Falcon

After looking at Buschur's dynos, my vote is for the WRX. It's faster in the 1/4 stock for stock then the MS3 also.

jbm7777

iTrader: (7)

The mazda speed 3 is sick. My brother just bought one and its quick as hell. I know its fwd but its still hot. As far as mods, check out a mazda speed forum. Exhaust nets you like 25 whp, downpipe and intake another 25 whp. Cobb is also coming out an access port for it. Easily over 300whp with bolt ons. Crazy nice car.

4Gsixty3

iTrader: (13)

take the WRX... FWD and turbo dont mix well on the MS3...

boomn29

iTrader: (47)

AWD all the way baby. Plus it seems like the WRX has some pretty solid resale when the time comes. Mazda's (besides the RX-7) aren't known for that.

hellcat

iTrader: (4)

MS3 FTW!! It is quicker in the 1/4 than the WRX from what I have read. Not only that but the suspension is sick! I have drivin one by the way!

evrblazin

That's a no-brainer. TR WRX.

Kordwood

Mazda engineers made the transmission very sturdy. Not so for Subaru. As far as performance, I remember driving the original WRX and thought it was a joke. I thought it was a bit of a paperweight. You had to thrash it to extract the performance it was noted for. I remember thinking that my 93 Sentra SE-R actually felt faster. I haven't driven the new 2.5 litre version however. Drive them both and compare. It's the only way.

NoTec

iTrader: (4)

Sorry, I need gut wrenching traaction to go along with my power. After driving awd in slick conditions with no loss of traction while going straight, the choice is clear. The Subie all the way.

Peteypab2133

iTrader: (27)

I would take the mazda 3 personally.. lots of potential if you are looking to mod it, not to mention it is a lot more classy.

I know from reading you claim the evo is out of your price range, but in reality you could pick up a "gently used" evo for close if not the same as the price as either of them.. just have to look hard.. (i got my 2006 evo for $24,000) so im sure if you look you could find an evo used for alot less. good luck with your decision.

bluebyu36

(mazda speed 3)sport compact did a great article on the car they took it on the autobahn were he was chasind down and passing a s4 at 150,they say with intake and exhaust the the car will gain 30 horsepower with no tuning and go in the 12's the new turbo mazda is no joke,if u have a stock evo and see one moded on the road run.because he will pull on you.
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Evoryder

iTrader: (55)

seen the MS3 in person..very nice interior..great potential. Traction hmmm ...

doccommando

I own an 06 WRX wagon and an Evo IX and trust me, the WRX is the way to go. The AWD is a must, the quality is extremely high and the resale value is pretty good. The 2.5 responds very well to mods and I think it's a great looking car.

Red Falcon

Notta.

Red Falcon

Impreza:
ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve flat-4, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 150 cu in, 2457cc
Power (SAE net): 224 bhp @ 5600 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 226 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 99.4 in
Length: 175.8 in
Width: 68.5 in
Height: 56.7 in
Curb weight: 3175 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.6 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 15.8 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 36.3 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 6.8 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.3 sec @ 96 mph
Top speed (drag limited): 145 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 175 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.83 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 20/27 mpg


MS3:
ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 138 cu in, 2261cc
Power (SAE net): 263 bhp @ 5500 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 280 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 103.9 in
Length: 176.8 in
Width: 69.5 in
Height: 57.7 in
Curb weight: 3180 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.8 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 14.8 sec
Zero to 120 mph: 21.9 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 6.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.4 sec @ 99 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 167 ft
Roadholding, 200-ft-dia skidpad: 0.87 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 20/28 mpg


Also, with the Impreza when Buscher did a dyno of his stock the whp was a few above the listed bhp and tq was the same, on a mustang dyno none the less.