Mitsubishi lancer ralliart OR Mazda 3 MPS?

[derick77]

Hello all! Trying to decide which car to get next, previously had a REV1 MR2 Turbo running 256bhp 265ft/lb at the engine but basically I want something newer with the same OOomph in the outcome.

The reason I've narrowed it down to these two cars is because I think both look a bit in your face for a hatchback especially when in white with black wheels, both are turbo-charged (Never not having a turbo on a car again!), both a fairly quick in stcok form (It wouldn't stay stock for long) and both are bang in my budget between £10k - £13k

Now before you say it, not after a focus RS or ST, Golf GTi, R33 GTR, Supra or even an Evo X etc etc. It will be the Mazda or Mitsu as just overall running costs are low for me, but would love some input between the two.

IDEALLY I need to test drive both as I might hate the Twin clutch in the Lancer OR I might hate the FWD'ness of the Mazda, been thinking about benefits of both cars but its such a hard decision!

Bare in mind, whichever car I end up with, it will NOT be staying in stock form, a cat-back exhaust, panel filter, fuel pump, injectors and a re-map/ECU will be done as standard, as well as handling mods such as adjustable sway bars and a decent and correctly set up coilovers, OH! and some decent wheels and rubber! won't be touching the turbo just let as I think 300-320bhp is plenty for the road.
So ...

- Lancer has AWD, Mazda only has FWD.
- Mazda has 256bhp 280ft/lb (Remap could see 290-310bhp, 350-370ft/lb), Lancer 'Only' has 237bhp 253ft/lb (Remap could see 270-290bhp 280-300 ft/lb)
- Mazda is a manual ... where as the Lancer is a SST twin clutch system (Could this lead to problems when modding? will it be a costly expense if it fails on me??)
- Mazda seems to have the upper hand when it comes to the interior and equipment.

I could go on but there's no point me going in circles! What do you people reckon? any feedback/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers all.

[nottyash]

Mazda 6 MPS, as its 4wd.

[AndySpecD]

The Lancer Ralliart felt very 'soft' when I drove it, and a Mazda?

[woody2846]

I would go for a Scooby WRX-S personally.

[LouD86]

The Raliart is a cracking car, the 4wd works well, and the gearbox is quite pleasant, I used to sell them new, and had an Orange Demo for a few months. Loved it, but juicy.

My friend has a 1st Gen MPS, and loves it. It feels more viscious than the Ralliart, although his is modded a fair bit. He almost purchased a Ralliart off myself, but felt it was a little numb to the mazda, although the grip he said was amazing.

I think its drive both, I think my money would go on the Mazda though

[GTRmad]

MPS. Better on fuel, An absolute rocket
These cars are very underrated
They have a great gearbox and clutch feels up to the job
As you say remapped even better,Something like EcuTek will give a big boost to power and torque.

[maxdb]

MPS as it should be cheaper to run and service. They make great sleepers too

[derick77]

Definitely leaning towards an MPS, would be the 2nd gen

[Pugland53]

Neither really appeal to me but two of my friends have the Mazda 3 mps and both are mapped to 300bhp. I can say they are very fast in a straight line!

[vz-r_dave]

From what I have seen, the MPS with a little fettling will destroy the aforementioned cars if you are in it for HP and all out speed.

I would also say that the fact that it is FWD does not make it less fun to drive than the others. It is not as if they are RWD and my assumption would be that they are fwd biased anyway.

MPS

[derick77]

Bagged myself a white mazda 3 MPS Gen 2 and love it only stayed standard for 2 days :P

Got it remapped using Ecutek software at my local dyno place, achieved 312.3 bhp and a whopping 382.4 ft/lb! has a high flow cat leading to a full stainless system, drop-in K&N filter, High flow fuel pump and a 50/50 recirculating BOV for now.

When it comes on boost it's fantastic! has a nice throaty roar which isn't overly loud

Overall its a bloody brilliant car! very underestimated car! was going to go down the route of a better turbo matched to a built motor but this thing is fast ... very fast for me.

Cheers all!