SeanMSIII
10-18-2006, 10:14 PM
Alright, I finally picked it up. Nice and shiny and new. Pix to follow tomorrow. No problems at the dealership. The F&I guy was a motorcyle-riding MS6/DSM (450 hp) guy from SoCal. We talked for awhile about whether or not to use synthetic oil, wives who like/dislike motorcylces, and the potential MS3 aftermarket. Then he made one pitch for a service program which I rejected. I handed over checks and we were done.
First impression while heading home was that the acceleration is less visceral than the MS6. (Sorry, I can't help but make this an MS6/3 comparo, since I've been driving the 6 for 10 months now.) This makes no sense since the MS3 has a lower lbs/hp ratio. It must be the AWD or something. Or maybe with the extra weight it's just more of a production to get the MS6 going. I don't know. Of course, since it's brand new, I really only goosed it once or twice (had to pass truck to get to the entrance of Starbucks) and it did scoot right along. The acceleration is just somehow stealthier and I found myself going much faster than I thought I was going. Clutch is not a problem, maybe just a touch high. Torque steer is far from a problem, more like a fun little quirk than cause for concern. The steering feel seems heavier than in the MS6. Maybe the heavier steering feel is designed to reduce the sense of torque steer? Anyway, after 20 or so miles I'm used to it already. Road noise is a little higher than the MS6 also, but not bad. Engine/turbo sounds are much more prevalent than in the MS6. I think they are just about right for me. More noise would be annoying, especially on the highway. Around town it's nice and rumbly, let's you and others know you're driving a sports cars even though it happens to have 5 doors. This is a little bit of a dillemma for me b/c I want more power and acceleration. But if 30 more hp from intake/exhaust mods comes at the cost of much more noise, I don't know if I want it. I'll wait and see what other people's experiences are with the noise levels generated by intake/exhaust mods.
Interior is good IMO. Exact same level of fit and finish as the MS6. Little less room in back, but that just makes the kids easier to reach when meting out rewards/punishment or helping them out with this or that. Of course, I always pull off to the side of the road b/f doing anything that will take my attention off the road, such as talking on the phone, drinking, eating, etc. Unh, huh. Took out the rear compartment cover to get a little more sense of space back there. Stereo is better than I thought it was. I suppose it might not sound that great at high volume, but I hardly ever play it loud anyway. I like the gauges and the fact that they have marks at 5 mph intervals. The MS6 omits these for some stupid reason and I never got used to trying to tell if I was exactly 1/2 way between the 10 mph marks when trying to stay just under the unofficial speed limit in a 25/35/45/55/65/75 mph zone.
Handling is very good. As I noted in another thread, it is much more confidence inspriring for me, at least, than the MS6. Losing 400 lbs. and the shorter wheelbase make it much more flickable. I think it slides easier, though I have only 2-3 high speed corners under my belt in this short time. The MS6 seemed like it was on rails going round a corner at high speed. It hardly ever broke traction, but I was always worried that it would and do so suddenly. Again, it's too early to say, and I could just be channeling the SCC review, but my impression is that this car is more predictable. It feels like I will be able to tell when it's nearing the edge of its ability to hold the road. After break-in I'll have to take it out to a certain well-known twisty road and see how it does. I also have some good twisties in my daily drive but there's usually too much traffic for pushing the limits.
I am very happy with my new car and about my decision to switch from the MS6. For me, this will be a much more involved and fun car to drive. I'm also looking forward to autocrossing it. My autocross experience in the MS6 was a blast, but I think with better course visibility, lighter weight, and shorter wheelbase I'll be able to go faster easier in the MS3. As for the "younger" image of the MS3 which MS6 owners like to talk about, I'm not driving a car to make me look older or younger, I'm driving it to do what I need to do and have fun doing it. The MS3 does that better for me. Amen.
First impression while heading home was that the acceleration is less visceral than the MS6. (Sorry, I can't help but make this an MS6/3 comparo, since I've been driving the 6 for 10 months now.) This makes no sense since the MS3 has a lower lbs/hp ratio. It must be the AWD or something. Or maybe with the extra weight it's just more of a production to get the MS6 going. I don't know. Of course, since it's brand new, I really only goosed it once or twice (had to pass truck to get to the entrance of Starbucks) and it did scoot right along. The acceleration is just somehow stealthier and I found myself going much faster than I thought I was going. Clutch is not a problem, maybe just a touch high. Torque steer is far from a problem, more like a fun little quirk than cause for concern. The steering feel seems heavier than in the MS6. Maybe the heavier steering feel is designed to reduce the sense of torque steer? Anyway, after 20 or so miles I'm used to it already. Road noise is a little higher than the MS6 also, but not bad. Engine/turbo sounds are much more prevalent than in the MS6. I think they are just about right for me. More noise would be annoying, especially on the highway. Around town it's nice and rumbly, let's you and others know you're driving a sports cars even though it happens to have 5 doors. This is a little bit of a dillemma for me b/c I want more power and acceleration. But if 30 more hp from intake/exhaust mods comes at the cost of much more noise, I don't know if I want it. I'll wait and see what other people's experiences are with the noise levels generated by intake/exhaust mods.
Interior is good IMO. Exact same level of fit and finish as the MS6. Little less room in back, but that just makes the kids easier to reach when meting out rewards/punishment or helping them out with this or that. Of course, I always pull off to the side of the road b/f doing anything that will take my attention off the road, such as talking on the phone, drinking, eating, etc. Unh, huh. Took out the rear compartment cover to get a little more sense of space back there. Stereo is better than I thought it was. I suppose it might not sound that great at high volume, but I hardly ever play it loud anyway. I like the gauges and the fact that they have marks at 5 mph intervals. The MS6 omits these for some stupid reason and I never got used to trying to tell if I was exactly 1/2 way between the 10 mph marks when trying to stay just under the unofficial speed limit in a 25/35/45/55/65/75 mph zone.
Handling is very good. As I noted in another thread, it is much more confidence inspriring for me, at least, than the MS6. Losing 400 lbs. and the shorter wheelbase make it much more flickable. I think it slides easier, though I have only 2-3 high speed corners under my belt in this short time. The MS6 seemed like it was on rails going round a corner at high speed. It hardly ever broke traction, but I was always worried that it would and do so suddenly. Again, it's too early to say, and I could just be channeling the SCC review, but my impression is that this car is more predictable. It feels like I will be able to tell when it's nearing the edge of its ability to hold the road. After break-in I'll have to take it out to a certain well-known twisty road and see how it does. I also have some good twisties in my daily drive but there's usually too much traffic for pushing the limits.
I am very happy with my new car and about my decision to switch from the MS6. For me, this will be a much more involved and fun car to drive. I'm also looking forward to autocrossing it. My autocross experience in the MS6 was a blast, but I think with better course visibility, lighter weight, and shorter wheelbase I'll be able to go faster easier in the MS3. As for the "younger" image of the MS3 which MS6 owners like to talk about, I'm not driving a car to make me look older or younger, I'm driving it to do what I need to do and have fun doing it. The MS3 does that better for me. Amen.