Face-Off Tournament: Finalists Announced
Here is the final bracket for the Face-Off Hot Hatch Tournament. For the second time in a row, the Volkswagen GTI squeaked into the next round by a slim two-vote margin (as of votes closing at 3 p.m. Tuesday). And before you cry foul, both myself and John DiPietro did recounts to assure we didn't have any funny business going on. There was a pregnant chad attached to dougtheeng's ballot, but we counted it nonetheless.
The Face-Off Tournament final will be Monday morning at 9 a.m. between the GTI and the Mazdaspeed 3. The winner will be crowned the following Thursday and will receive the mighty Travolta-Cage Face-Off Cup.
James Riswick, Face-Off Ayatollah
Well once again I must mention I own a GTI and did the very same face off. Both cars are quite practical, the Mazda's interior quality is only a smidge off, the Mazda obliterates the GTI in performance, but the GTI is more comfortable and still plenty capable. Add to this the fact that many people are downsizing from luxury brands to VW and you see the VW wins no matter what.
I'll predict that the winner will be MazdaSpeed 3, but my vote will always go to the GTi. Yes, the Mazda is the better hot hatch, but the GTi is the better car. Its level of completeness reminds me more of a sport sedan than a pumped-up economy car. DSG is a plus too.
Haven't driven the MS3. Which car has the better manual transmission? Anyone who has driven both care to weigh in?
I'm going with the Mazda this time around.
Styling-wise, I think the GTI is better looking (I didn't really like the MS3 styling changes over the regular 3), but with the MS3 having the LSD (and I would imagine it would have a better transmission, since the GTI's could use some work). I also think the MS3 would have better brake feel (if not better overall braking) than the GTI as well. The performance goodies are enough for me to side with the Mazda. I feel sort of guilty voting for it even though I've never driven it, but I think the character is more suited to me than the GTI.
::puts on flame-proof suit::
My vote goes to the GTI. Yes, I am an owner of one. And yes, I test drove the MS3 prior to buying my GTI.
What made me choose the GTI over the MS3 was the superior ride quality, refinement, and looks. The only thing the MS3 has over the GTI, in my opinion, is power and that is easily remedied by chipping the GTI. I found the ride in the MS3 to be way too stiff and tolerable for a long commute (which I have). Honestly, the GTI keeps me smiling everyday of the week.
@gongal
I found the shifter feel in the MS3 to be a rubbery feeling. The GTI, while having longer throws, is light and precise.
pregnant chad? I'm going to have to go back and recall what I wrote...
ah i see. lol thanks google.
WRX!
"I feel the need...the need for speed!"
If the WRX can't win, I'll vote for the MS3.
Please keep in mind that you guys will need to vote again. I'm not counting these ones.
these ones?
MS3. It was tuned on the Nurburgring to blow the doors off the GTI, and that's exactly what it accomplishes. It's also as refined as a comparably priced GTI.
You might argue that the GTI with DSG is a better daily driver, but any auto-shifting car would be easier to commute with than a 6 speed. People in the market for either the MS3 or GTI are looking for something that goes fast, handles well, has the necessary creature comforts, and is affordable. Mazda beats the VW quite easily.
Mazdaspeed 3 all the way!!!
Mazdaspeed 3 would be my vote.
Of course, some may consider me biased as my wife has a Mazda 3 :)
This is simple, all you have to remember is that performance wise the MS3 will walk the R32. The MS3 isn't just a little faster, it's astronomically faster than the GTI, and chipping the GTI won't fix that. Interior is nice on both, externally the GTI is more reserved than the MS3, but neither of them really shout look at me in the parking lot.
So basically, if you want a slow car with a nice interior that no one will notice as you commute to work, buy a civic, if you want a hot hatch, performance for a bargain that can still get you to your 9-5, get an MS3. Either way, why choose a GTI?