2005 Mazda3 Sport vs 2005 Impreza RS Wagon - READ ONLY

41 messages, Last post on Dec 07, 2004 at 6:53 AM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Mazda MAZDA3

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#38 of 41 by ateixeira Dec 06, 2004 (12:24 pm)
New models have their issues, but once things settle down I bet Mazda is above average, at least slightly. -juice
#39 of 41 in my area by nippononly Dec 06, 2004 (7:55 pm)
it has been hard for a long time to find good dealer service for either Mazdas or Subarus. That is a common problem with both brands, it would seem. Luckily, we have a local Subaru guru who runs a really tight ship in a little independent shop near me, and he beats the dealer prices for almost everything by about a third. However, OEM parts for both brands are pricey. When I had my Outback Sport (previous gen Impreza with bigger tires than the rest of the line and two-tone paint), the most fun I had was driving it rally-style down dirt roads. It was an absolute blast for that due to the 50/50 AWD distribution and the extra-long suspension. If only you could try out today's Impreza RS under the same conditions, you would probably buy it on the spot, it is that much fun. On the street though, the Impreza will supply a lot more understeer than the MZ3 because of the AWD. There will also be more body roll, and an altogether less "sporty" experience. It also weighs a couple hundred pounds more than the MZ3. But just remember my little story - the Impreza is a lot of fun to throw around on the road, especially where the pavement turns to dirt, and so sure-footed it is really hard to place a tire wrong.
#40 of 41 Understeer? by billmchale Dec 07, 2004 (6:48 am)
Why would the AWD make the impreza understeer more? If anything I thought it would tend to balance a car out between understeer and oversteer? Isn't understeer generally more a characteristic of FWD more so than RWD cars?
#41 of 41 by ateixeira Dec 07, 2004 (6:53 am)
In a steady state Subies tend to understeer (same with FWD), but it's easy to get the rear end out on just about any of them except for the VDC, which has stability control. Lift the throttle or add more in that corner, you can get the tail out. If you want even more neutral handling, the SPT rear sway bar wholesales for just $78, the 18mm one. The 20mm SPT bar wholesales for just $82. And it's just 4 bolts to install them (I've installed 2 myself). Stock bars vary from 13-19mm, but it's a cheap and easy upgrade if you don't like understeer. -juice