Mazdaspeed3 vs WRX Wagon
08-10-2006 | 01:05 AM
#16
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Posts: 35
From: NW Ohio
Car Info: 2004 Nissan Sentra Spec-V
Does that Cobb II really give the WRX comparable power to the STI? Has anyone dynoed it or taken it to the track? I also wonder if the tranny can take the extra power and if there are warranty issues.
08-10-2006 | 03:31 AM
#17
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Posts: 846
From: Orange County, CA
Car Info: 08 WRX - 401whp/408wtq
comparable???? hah... last time I checked.. it actually would beat a stock STI... gobs of torque at the low end.. very usable power... about the tranny... well, be respectful to it and remember its not built too tough, you should be fine as long as you lift off the throttle between shifts, and feather off the clutch... dont dump the clutch....
warranty? well you need to change out your turbo-back, so yes, bye bye to that section of your warranty... however, if something totally unrelated goes wrong SOA should fix it at their expense... but if its something engine related, cobb IS an ecu reflash, so yes you will void anything related to the engine and possibly the drivetrain...
warranty? well you need to change out your turbo-back, so yes, bye bye to that section of your warranty... however, if something totally unrelated goes wrong SOA should fix it at their expense... but if its something engine related, cobb IS an ecu reflash, so yes you will void anything related to the engine and possibly the drivetrain...
08-10-2006 | 05:25 AM
#18
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From: The Wild Serengeti Suburbs of MAIC
Car Info: '08 WRB SG model D
Originally Posted by jdepould
Fords keeping their hands off though, its their only division that made any money last year. If Ford were trying to mettle you wouldn't see the same build quality, if anything, Mazda is bringing Ford's quality up (Euro Focus anyone?).
08-10-2006 | 05:36 AM
#19
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From: The Wild Serengeti Suburbs of MAIC
Car Info: '08 WRB SG model D
Originally Posted by Boost Addict
comparable???? hah... last time I checked.. it actually would beat a stock STI... gobs of torque at the low end.. very usable power... about the tranny... well, be respectful to it and remember its not built too tough, you should be fine as long as you lift off the throttle between shifts, and feather off the clutch... dont dump the clutch....
Originally Posted by Boost Addict
warranty? well you need to change out your turbo-back, so yes, bye bye to that section of your warranty... however, if something totally unrelated goes wrong SOA should fix it at their expense... but if its something engine related, cobb IS an ecu reflash, so yes you will void anything related to the engine and possibly the drivetrain...
If you have a problem w/ you vehicle after running COBB stage 2, just unmarry it and/or throw the stock exhaust back on. OR you could just go w/ the 3" SPT exhaust that is covered by the subaru warranty.
Last edited by SirWilliam05; 08-10-2006 at 09:03 AM.
08-10-2006 | 08:47 AM
#20
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From: Sactown
Car Info: 2006 Audi A3/2007 Civic Si
Originally Posted by Boost Addict
all valid points...
strat, i dont know how much i really care about long-term warranty.. If i get a scooby... its going the COBB stage 2 route with helix dp/borla hush exhaust, pulley, silencer delete, intercooler piping... all within the first year... my concern is the tranny.. its dated... and have been reported to have issues... however, it appears theyve gotten a lot stronger over the years, i dunno.. its still no sti 6-spd... the mazdaspeed has a 6 spd designed to handle all the power it has... i dont see myself modding ANYTHING on the mazdaspeed, unless of course racing beat puts out some irresistable goodies... exhaust, intakes, etc... even then, ehhh.... its enough power...
i just like the fact that mazda has stood by their products... hell, when the rx-8 was overrated... they even offered to BUY BACK the cars... when the speed6's were having detonation issues wth california gas and accidental fill-up of 89 octane at the boats for over half their stock, mazda issued a reflash to help alleviate these issues... (as they should) so far, the cx-7 hasnt had the same issue... i almost suspect the speed3 wont either... so i just like the way they actively stand by their car...
GTI isnt an option, quality control blows... imagine stepping into your leather interior and finding cloth headrests... and where did my side sills go? yeah, its pretty bad... also reports of people not being able to start the car, until they try it a few more times... ehhh... weird stuff...
subarus are tough cars... its still neck and neck.... the designs dated, the interior is far too basic... i dunno, its got some serious ***** though...
i hate decisions
strat, i dont know how much i really care about long-term warranty.. If i get a scooby... its going the COBB stage 2 route with helix dp/borla hush exhaust, pulley, silencer delete, intercooler piping... all within the first year... my concern is the tranny.. its dated... and have been reported to have issues... however, it appears theyve gotten a lot stronger over the years, i dunno.. its still no sti 6-spd... the mazdaspeed has a 6 spd designed to handle all the power it has... i dont see myself modding ANYTHING on the mazdaspeed, unless of course racing beat puts out some irresistable goodies... exhaust, intakes, etc... even then, ehhh.... its enough power...
i just like the fact that mazda has stood by their products... hell, when the rx-8 was overrated... they even offered to BUY BACK the cars... when the speed6's were having detonation issues wth california gas and accidental fill-up of 89 octane at the boats for over half their stock, mazda issued a reflash to help alleviate these issues... (as they should) so far, the cx-7 hasnt had the same issue... i almost suspect the speed3 wont either... so i just like the way they actively stand by their car...
GTI isnt an option, quality control blows... imagine stepping into your leather interior and finding cloth headrests... and where did my side sills go? yeah, its pretty bad... also reports of people not being able to start the car, until they try it a few more times... ehhh... weird stuff...
subarus are tough cars... its still neck and neck.... the designs dated, the interior is far too basic... i dunno, its got some serious ***** though...
i hate decisions
The GTI issues with starting has been resolved with a new flash from the dealer. The only thing I have a little bit of a problem on is the thing just spins it's tires really easily with max torque coming in at 1800 rpm. You have to be really gentle on 1st with the DSG. I hear chipping the car actually help cure the problem plus you get 250 HP and about 280 - 300 tq with just the chip and exhaust. Those things are no slouches that's for sure.
Here's a good read on the 3:
http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-review/1893377.aspx
Last edited by -j-; 08-10-2006 at 08:59 AM.
08-10-2006 | 10:07 AM
#21
Originally Posted by SirWilliam05
Uh, hello? The Mazda 3, the Volvo S40, and the Ford focus all come off the same assembly line/platform. They all share parts, even if it is Mazdaspeed.
08-10-2006 | 11:39 AM
#22
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From: The Wild Serengeti Suburbs of MAIC
Car Info: '08 WRB SG model D
Originally Posted by jdepould
Originally Posted by SirWilliam05
Originally Posted by jdepould
Fords keeping their hands off though, its their only division that made any money last year. If Ford were trying to mettle you wouldn't see the same build quality, if anything, Mazda is bringing Ford's quality up (Euro Focus anyone?).
Uh, hello? The Mazda 3, the Volvo S40, and the Ford focus all come off the same assembly line/platform. They all share parts, even if it is Mazdaspeed.
Yeah, that was my point.
Now, I am confused.
You were stating that Ford is keeping their hands off and not meddling but I am telling you that Ford does account for some parts of the Mazda 3 and does account for some development.
So how is that the same point? Mazda is tainted by Ford...very hard to get that kind of stink off ya.
08-10-2006 | 12:43 PM
#23
Originally Posted by SirWilliam05
Now, I am confused.
You were stating that Ford is keeping their hands off and not meddling but I am telling you that Ford does account for some parts of the Mazda 3 and does account for some development.
So how is that the same point? Mazda is tainted by Ford...very hard to get that kind of stink off ya.
You were stating that Ford is keeping their hands off and not meddling but I am telling you that Ford does account for some parts of the Mazda 3 and does account for some development.
So how is that the same point? Mazda is tainted by Ford...very hard to get that kind of stink off ya.
08-10-2006 | 01:21 PM
#24
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From: The Wild Serengeti Suburbs of MAIC
Car Info: '08 WRB SG model D
Originally Posted by jdepould
You're backwards, Ford is using parts developed by Mazda and Volvo to bring up the quality of their own products.
Engineers from Ford, Mazda, and Volvo collaborated on the C1 platform, contributing to and drawing from the development pool. The fruits of this labor came to be known as “global shared technologies,” or the basic components—underbody, suspension layout, steering, etc.—utilized by the three brands.
08-10-2006 | 02:35 PM
#25
Originally Posted by SirWilliam05
Actually, I am not. Here is a nice quote stating that all 3 car companies joined forces to share parts in all 3 vehicles that come off the same platform:
Engineers from Ford, Mazda, and Volvo collaborated on the C1 platform, contributing to and drawing from the development pool. The fruits of this labor came to be known as “global shared technologies,” or the basic components—underbody, suspension layout, steering, etc.—utilized by the three brands.
Engineers from Ford, Mazda, and Volvo collaborated on the C1 platform, contributing to and drawing from the development pool. The fruits of this labor came to be known as “global shared technologies,” or the basic components—underbody, suspension layout, steering, etc.—utilized by the three brands.
08-10-2006 | 03:06 PM
#27
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From: The Wild Serengeti Suburbs of MAIC
Car Info: '08 WRB SG model D
Originally Posted by jdepould
That's nice. It doesn't change the fact that Mazda posted profits, Ford isn't going to mess with the only part of their company that's making money. They're letting them do what they want.
08-10-2006 | 03:36 PM
#29
i am also very interested to see the outcome of this car, but am impressed so far. i currently auto-x and track my 2004 wrx wagon, so it puts me in a similar position as you, but i will probably keep both cars, as well as my 2005 legacy. My heart remains w/ subaru, and it would be really hard to get rid of either of my subies. I would have liked the AWD platform, but may settle for FWD if it's the only option.
08-10-2006 | 03:42 PM
#30
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From: Orange County, CA
Car Info: 08 WRX - 401whp/408wtq
i'm sorry... regarding the cobb stage II performance, I was referring to the 06 model WRXs... comparing dynos is really the best way to see this... besides the 06 wrx is extremely overrated... just look at the wheel numbers from cobb...
Stage II 06 WRX
hp 224.8 @ 5400
tq 271.1 @ 3000
Stock 04 STI
hp 238.0 @ 5300
tq 248.2 @ 4500
given the fact that the WRX is a 5 speed, i dont see why it WOULDNT take an STI in a sprint to 60... i would suspect it to run along side an STI to 1320... thereafter though, i can see how an STI may slowly walk away from it...
I dunno, just makes sense to me.. with all that usable torque and less gears to row... acceleration like that is almost expected
Stage II 06 WRX
hp 224.8 @ 5400
tq 271.1 @ 3000
Stock 04 STI
hp 238.0 @ 5300
tq 248.2 @ 4500
given the fact that the WRX is a 5 speed, i dont see why it WOULDNT take an STI in a sprint to 60... i would suspect it to run along side an STI to 1320... thereafter though, i can see how an STI may slowly walk away from it...
I dunno, just makes sense to me.. with all that usable torque and less gears to row... acceleration like that is almost expected