2009 GTI vs. WRX vs. Mazdaspeed3

[Jhonny]

what about evo X ?

[genjy]

Too expensive. The Evo is like a $32k car.

The range was about $21k to $25k.

[battlefrog]

Genjy, did your friend get the autobahn package? I recently test drove the GTI with the autobahn package and the leather seats were awesome. I also just drove the speed3, and it is insanely powerful.... but as for the interior, it doesn't even compare to the GTI as far as I'm concerned. I also think the GTI looks nicer than the speed3. I'm really having trouble deciding.

I'm also tempted by the speed3 simply because of reliability. I hear VWs fall apart after a few years and are expensive to repair.

My speed3 test drive sort of sucked, though. Too much traffic on the freeway at the time I drove it. Also, before we got to the freeway it was pretty difficult getting used to accelerating from a stop in first. I've never driven anything this powerful, and it felt like the devil was lighting a match under my ass. 2-6th gears were easy to drive though, but I definitely think I need some practice accelerating from 1st. Once you get used to the speed3's acceleration, does city driving become easier? I dunno.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by battlefrog

Genjy, did your friend get the autobahn package? I recently test drove the GTI with the autobahn package and the leather seats were awesome. I also just drove the speed3, and it is insanely powerful.... but as for the interior, it doesn't even compare to the GTI as far as I'm concerned. I also think the GTI looks nicer than the speed3. I'm really having trouble deciding.

I'm also tempted by the speed3 simply because of reliability. I hear VWs fall apart after a few years and are expensive to repair.

My speed3 test drive sort of sucked, though. Too much traffic on the freeway at the time I drove it. Also, before we got to the freeway it was pretty difficult getting used to accelerating from a stop in first. I've never driven anything this powerful, and it felt like the devil was lighting a match under my ass. 2-6th gears were easy to drive though, but I definitely think I need some practice accelerating from 1st. Once you get used to the speed3's acceleration, does city driving become easier? I dunno.

It's just a base GTI with cloth seats.

The GTI does have a significantly better interior than the Speed3. Everything from materials, design, and fit is just better.

I have a Mazda5... and its interior is just barely passable. The plastic pieces feel durable, but they start to fade a bit and get all scratched up as they get older. Suspension quality seems to be recent Mazdas' weakpoint. A good number of people have been complaining about creaky suspensions and premature strut failures across the Mazda lineup... just a bit of FYI.

With that said, my Mazda5 has been rock-solid and very reliable. Not a single problem so far (except for a dying battery--well it does have 45k on the odometer).

I don't have any long term experience with new VWs, so I don't know how well the MKV GTI holds up. VW fans do say that the MKV is a much better car than the MKIV, though.

The Speed3 feels a lot like my Mazda5 (but much more powerful), so I have had no trouble driving one.

The GTI feels a lot like my C30... so no trouble there also.

But, I can say that the GTI is much easier to drive than the Speed3. The GTI's clutch is easier to modulate and shifter is much smoother. The GTI has significantly less turbo lag, too. The GTI's power delivery feels smoother and a bit more predicable than the Speed3's.

I would say the GTI is relatively easier to handle in stop and go traffic.

You should try test driving the 2009 WRX. It was like wrangling a beast... I did nothing smoothly in the test drive.

[battlefrog]

Thanks. Still not decided on what I'm gonna go with, but every bit of info helps.

Although I'm in CA now, I am going to be living in Maryland pretty soon, and I get the impression that the GTI would do better in the snow and ice. So that may be a factor.

Originally Posted by genjy

You should try test driving the 2009 WRX. It was like wrangling a beast... I did nothing smoothly in the test drive.

Speaking of snow and ice, I definitely want to try the WRX. The awd would be a big plus for poor weather. But since MD doesn't really get that much snow, I'm not considering it as a must have feature.

I'll test drive it next. Sounds like fun.

[Htay7500]

Originally Posted by battlefrog

Thanks. Still not decided on what I'm gonna go with, but every bit of info helps.

Although I'm in CA now, I am going to be living in Maryland pretty soon, and I get the impression that the GTI would do better in the snow and ice. So that may be a factor.



Speaking of snow and ice, I definitely want to try the WRX. The awd would be a big plus for poor weather. But since MD doesn't really get that much snow, I'm not considering it as a must have feature.

I'll test drive it next. Sounds like fun.

Where in MD are you moving to? We are getting snow by tomorrow morning (3-6 inches) then some ice but usually Jan and Feb is when we really get white stuff. And enjoy your move!

[battlefrog]

Originally Posted by Htay7500

Where in MD are you moving to? We are getting snow by tomorrow morning (3-6 inches) then some ice but usually Jan and Feb is when we really get white stuff. And enjoy your move!

3-6 inches is quite a bit for MD, isn't it? I've lived all my life in CA, but I did spend the last 3 winters in Chicago for school, so I'll probably think MD is warm by comparison.

I'll be in Germantown, btw. Moving next week!

[m2e2d2]

I am in the same boat at looking at either the WRX or the Speed3. I have had difficulties with VW before so I am not really to interested in having another one. I have looked at the Ralliart and it really isn't what I was looking for.

I too live in MD and I know that we have mild winters, so I am not too concerend about the AWD. I think I am leaning towards the WRX but am concerend even though we have mild winters the WRX comes with Slicks. I have no where to store winter or summer tires and dont know if it would be worth it to purchase winter tires.

It seems like you get a little more for your buck when you are looking at Speed3 Grand Touring than the WRX Premium Package.

Any more thoughts from you guys would be helpful.

[1BadPig]

I just bought a 2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3 GT about a month ago. While I didn't consider the VW GTI, I was turned off by the new Subie design direction. To me the MS3 was the best choice from price, practicality, and fun perspectives.

[JBsZ06]

Originally Posted by 1BadPig

I just bought a 2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3 GT about a month ago. While I didn't consider the VW GTI, I was turned off by the new Subie design direction. To me the MS3 was the best choice from price, practicality, and fun perspectives.

the mazda 3 speeds a cool ride. Congrats..

As far as the looks of the new WRX...I have a problem with it....

Its not attractive to me at all... The previous generation was kind of cool in a young racer look....but the new one? I don't know what it is..

Good performance though..

The GTI I drove was a nice car. I was concentrating on the benefits of the DSG transmission rather than the car itself...but it was a nice car.

I just saw the new model GTI thats about to release in europe and its a nice evolution.

The GTi for sale in the USA is a cool car too..

For the money though? and I realize its a different class of vehicles...but as a GM fan I'd probably opt for the low mileage G8 GT at 23 grand...over any of the cars being discussed here...

At 49 years old though I realize my opinion is biased both as a GM fan and a fan of a larger sports sedan over a HOT HATCH (which is a nice vehicle too)

[Htay7500]

Originally Posted by battlefrog

3-6 inches is quite a bit for MD, isn't it? I've lived all my life in CA, but I did spend the last 3 winters in Chicago for school, so I'll probably think MD is warm by comparison.

I'll be in Germantown, btw. Moving next week!

Well, you're going to miss our 1st snowstorm (1st?) of the winter. Actually for MoCo, we are getting 2-4 in total but far north and west (Germantown, Gaithersburg, etc) will probably get more. And theres no school for me!!


Thats a pretty wealthy area (unlike parts of Gaithersburg, where gangs are likely to be there) though I haven't been there in a while, What in Germantown will you be doing? US dept of energy? (Most people relocate there as far as I know). Good luck on the move.

[Htay7500]

Originally Posted by m2e2d2

I am in the same boat at looking at either the WRX or the Speed3. I have had difficulties with VW before so I am not really to interested in having another one. I have looked at the Ralliart and it really isn't what I was looking for.

I too live in MD and I know that we have mild winters, so I am not too concerend about the AWD. I think I am leaning towards the WRX but am concerend even though we have mild winters the WRX comes with Slicks. I have no where to store winter or summer tires and dont know if it would be worth it to purchase winter tires.

It seems like you get a little more for your buck when you are looking at Speed3 Grand Touring than the WRX Premium Package.

Any more thoughts from you guys would be helpful.

It is pretty much up to you. If you live in an area where its pretty sparse and the roads can be crap, then it would be the WRX. If you live in a place like Rockville, then it would be the Mazda. Its snowing right now, and if you're driving on a hill, you have got to be extra careful. There will be ice overnight too. Many people prefer awd (other than getting around snow and horrible roads) for its performance benefits, and the WRX has a scene around MD, you could always check the mid-atlantic impreza club on NASIOC.com

[m2e2d2]

Hey Thanks for the feedback. I do live in Rockville and I never trust the weatherman.

[Htay7500]

Certainly, oh and we're getting about a 1/10 in of ice btw, so I'm guessing school will be closed for me. And we couldn't drive anywhere further than N. Bethesda because of all the crapiness on 355.

[battlefrog]

Thats a pretty wealthy area (unlike parts of Gaithersburg, where gangs are likely to be there) though I haven't been there in a while, What in Germantown will you be doing? US dept of energy? (Most people relocate there as far as I know).

No, not the dept of energy. I'll be working as a software engineer for a private company. And yeah, Germantown is pretty expensive. But coming from the SF Bay area, it's actually a little cheaper, if you can believe it!

Good luck on the move.

Thanks!