That is my unbias thoughts to both vehicles.
No matter which car you get, it’s a good buy.

i currently own a mazdaspeed3! i previously owned a vw jetta gli vr6. i looooved my dub and decided to test drive the GTI. then i made the mistake of test driving the MS3! mazdaspeed3 will spank the GTI end of story! consumers report voted excellent! most reliable!

lol gti is to over priced. asking $400 a month. it ant a porsche. ms3 kicks the shit out of it and the r32 read a magazine. speed is the fastest fwd car in production. and people talk drop an intake and chip it lol ya a chip is like $700 and an intake is $300 ok take that G and drop an exhaust in the speed. im kicking the shit out of gt mustangs im coming for M3 next lol. week ass gti. u people r on some crack if u think the gti or the r32 is a better car lol im dying right now! i dont even consider the gti in the same class as the speed i dont even consider the r32 in the same class. lol

I test drove both three times. The steering isn’t as sharp and precise in the GTI as it is in the MS3. Also, the interior in the GTI is actually overrated. It’s OKAY, just like the MS3’s — lets be real, we’re talking about low-to-mid 20K priced cars here. And no the MS3 powerplant is not completely tapped. Please don’t spread false information (and no, I’m not a MS3 fanboy). An intake gives anywhere from 11-20 whp gains, and an ecu chip/flash can yield similar (i.e. Cobb) or even greater gains (i.e. CPE, Piasini, and upcoming Unichip). Driving wise, it comes down to which you prefer more: a heavier/planted driving feel (which is typical of German cars) or a slightly lighter car feel. For me, the MS3 was already heavy enough (at ~3150 lbs). I followed and researched the GTI for two years but in the end, can you guess which car I chose? Yep. The overall, better (for me) one.

I test drove both three times. The steering isn’t as sharp and precise in the GTI as it is in the MS3. Also, the interior in the GTI is actually overrated. It’s OKAY, just like the MS3’s — lets be real, we’re talking about mid-20K priced cars. And no the MS3 powerplant is not completely tapped. Please don’t spread false information (and no, I’m not a MS3 fanboy). Intake gives anywhere from 11-20 whp gains, and an ecu chip/flash (Cobb) will yield similar if not greater (CPE, Piasini, and upcoming Unichip) gains.

to eric: get a grasp on reality and actually drive one before talking about subjects you have no clue about. “Why the fuck would someone buy a GTI over a Mazdaspeed3?” How about because its a nicer car to start with and is almost as fast an MS3 after adding only an intake and a chip. MS3 power plant is completely tapped to start with.

You fan boys make me sick. Drive one before you open your mouth.

I was in the market for a new car a couple months ago and I really had my heart set on the Mazdaspeed3. I had driven a couple of them and I fell in love with the ride. Extremely fast, quick through the turns and it was just a great car. I thought for sure that would be my next car, until I drove the 2008 GTI. True, it’s not as fast at the MS3 but its miles above the ms3 in terms of refinement and style. I love both cars but I ultimately purchased a 2008 GTI and I couldn’t be happier with it.

+ It only take a small amount of cake to bring it right up there for performance.

Well i am in the process of buying a new car, all i can say is that i test drove the Speed 3 and what a car, it handles like an M3, is quick as a cobra and it doesnt look half that bad. the interior is very comfortable and stylish. hands down the speed 3 might be a better choice for the younger crowd, i would buy a gti if i was 50 and cared about reliability and interior looks. dont talk nonsense unil you drive one and feel the car out.

I drove both and bought the Mazda Speed3, The Gti felt cheap and the interior is ugly! Gti drivers..Do not run a Mazda Speed3, you will get your feelings hurt!

okay, so its up ~60hp, but the interior is garbage. the ms3 just cant compare to the gti, its just a different league.. i’d rather be a tad bit slower, and have a quality car with the technology and features offered with a gti.

the mazda is butt ass ugly too imo