another new guy

[08.MS3]

whats up all.. me and my wife picked up a 08 MS3 in sept last year. it is her daily driver. just found this forum and joined to get some ideas and help on mods.. i am a STi driver myself, but enjoy the Mazda as well.

james

[Speeed3]

Welcome! How do you like the MS3 after owning a STI?

[USMCEvan]

Hey man, welcome to the board!! Do you anre your wife ever race? :)

[08.MS3]

Welcome! How do you like the MS3 after owning a STI?
Not really a fan of FWD, and the shifter is really sloppy compared to my STi.

As far as do me and my wife ever race, we havent yet, but im trying to convince her to do some track days and autocrosses..

[turbobst]

Welcome to the boards!!!

[SharkDiver]

As far as do me and my wife ever race, we havent yet, but im trying to convince her to do some track days and autocrosses..

Welcome to the boards.Tell your wife its in the contract that you signed at the dealer.

[08.MS3]

Ill have to try that...

[LazerBlueP5]

Welcome 08.MS3! As a previous owner of an STi you nailed the two biggest shortcomings of the MS3. FWD and the shifter.

The shifter isn't that difficult to fix- a rear motor mount and TWM short-shifter w/ bushings really sharpens things up. I drove BuiltHatche's MS3 and he has these three mods and the shifter feel is even better than on my 05 STi's OEM short-throw.

Regarding FWD, yes the MS3 is quite the traction challenged vehicle. The one benefit however, that is often not discussed, is it's ability to make use of the power on the highway. With just a $175 mod (Cobb SRI) my MS3 feels faster than my STi on highway pulls. Once I went to Cobb Stage 2 the STi really woke up on the high end, probably much faster than my current MS3, but I'm impressed with it's performance, even more so when I get the payment each month. My STi was close to $700/month factoring insurance in NJ.

Another benefit is you aren't going to blow your transmition or burn your clutch during launches like you will on the STi. All the extra power is released in wheel spin keeping expensive components safe, albiet burning tires and keeping you at a standstill at the green light like scooby-do running from a ghost.

[Speeed3]

albiet burning tires and keeping you at a standstill at the green light like scooby-do running from a ghost.

Or like Wile E. Coyote trying to run from a falling boulder! (drive2)

[08.MS3]

Welcome 08.MS3! As a previous owner of an STi you nailed the two biggest shortcomings of the MS3. FWD and the shifter.

The shifter isn't that difficult to fix- a rear motor mount and TWM short-shifter w/ bushings really sharpens things up. I drove BuiltHatche's MS3 and he has these three mods and the shifter feel is even better than on my 05 STi's OEM short-throw.

Regarding FWD, yes the MS3 is quite the traction challenged vehicle. The one benefit however, that is often not discussed, is it's ability to make use of the power on the highway. With just a $175 mod (Cobb SRI) my MS3 feels faster than my STi on highway pulls. Once I went to Cobb Stage 2 the STi really woke up on the high end, probably much faster than my current MS3, but I'm impressed with it's performance, even more so when I get the payment each month. My STi was close to $700/month factoring insurance in NJ.

Another benefit is you aren't going to blow your transmition or burn your clutch during launches like you will on the STi. All the extra power is released in wheel spin keeping expensive components safe, albiet burning tires and keeping you at a standstill at the green light like scooby-do running from a ghost.

so would u recommend a SRI over a CAI? im sure this is highly debatable. but just asking your personal opinion.

[ericrapp]

Welcome to the boards.Tell your wife its in the contract that you signed at the dealer.

SCCA up this way does a great beginner program, I've seen all kinds of folk first timing out there. you guys might enjoy the education and family fun. I'm signing all my kids up come spring to use one of my cars for autocross. Welcome to boards and yes it's in the contract. It's a fact.