I just wanted to add that I started out looking for a Mazdaspeed3 to buy and went to a few mazda dealerships to buy one and they either didn't have the color i wanted or the package, so I ended up doing some research on the MS3's competitors and when i read the reviews of the new GTI, it seemed like a good fit for me. So, i went and test drove the GTI in a manual 6 speed and liked it so much i bouht it after my first test drive.
Mazdaspeed3 has no option for a sunroof!!!!! OMG... so my GTI with the sunroof and 18" wheels is essentially a slower mazdaspeed3 but better in almost every single category aside from possibly handling... on the skid pag the mazdaspeed3 did like a .86g or something... braking also is pretty solid on the MS3... so we might lose in handling, braking, acceleration, top speed, and stereo system... the GTI wins in Exterior styling, interior styling, interior functionality, imo seats, transmission bost the GTI 6 speed and the DSG are head and shoulders above the MS3, tuning options, factory options, ride quality, interior volume noise, much nicer steering wheel, nicer pedals, did i mention interior and exterior styling? Also, the MS3 already had a recall for engine mounts and has had some other dependability issues.
Anyway, I'd like to hear more about chipped GTI's vs the MS3... I'd guess that a turbo back exhaust system, intake, and Stage 2 chip MKV GTI would beat an MS3. I think the MS3 is even faster than it's numbers indicate, i know it can only get to 58MPH in 2nd gear, so it's 0-60 times suffer... I've seen that it's faster to 100mph than an '07 WRX, but loses in the 0-60.
Anyway, just wanted to hear some other thoughts on the GTI vs MS3 match-up...
tested 5.8 to 60 mph...car and driver says "It'll run off a GTI and slap a Civic Si silly" :'( and C&D's Tony Swan says "How do you say GTI in Japanese?"
