better handling ms3 or msp

[mazdaspeedster3]

Thats easy, put both of them with same amount of HP and Torque and then tell me is a close race...

Well that defeats the whole stock against stock scenerio...

 

[byau]

if we're talking just handling i would think the msp would be much better. i remember back in 03 when i was looking at one of them and reading how it handled better than a type R. obviously the ms3 makes up for it now with power/tq and other tidbits but if we're strictly talking about handling i have no doubt the msp is better.

ps: i love my ms3

 

[mr_mazda329]

When I can blow away 500hp sports cars, and get my butt handed to me by 160hp miatas, you know there is something to the whole driver skill thing.

FTW!!!

As I stated in my original post. I think it would be even on the AutoX course. Yea..the MSP is more nimble (weight factor) but times are pretty close. At my first Autox with this car, running RT-615's (stock suspension) I was only 1.3secs off a seasoned MSP driver running RE-01R's (not-stock suspension) on a 50sec course. Some of the MSP guys might know her (michelle) she's a really really good driver.

On the road courses, I know the MS3 handles high speeds very well and is manageable at the limit, enough to keep up with some ballsy cars. Both cars are very nice handling FWD cars, no doubt there. And both are made by Mazda, so instead of posting up opinions, lets see some raw facts or videos. No need to have a war.

Don't make me bust out my 165whp Miata now..lol(drive2)

 

[Knox Joe]

In the MSP you feel more "in tune" with everything. Tire grip, road surface, everything is transmitted to the driver better. It's a more "raw" feeling.

The MS3 is great and all, and it has way more HP, and I loved the way it handled, but a bolt-on MSP will out run a MS3 through the twisties. Like was said, if you give them both the same pwr/weight ratio, and both on stock suspension the MSP ends up on top.

 

[mazpro]

In the MSP you feel more "in tune" with everything. Tire grip, road surface, everything is transmitted to the driver better. It's a more "raw" feeling.

The MS3 is great and all, and it has way more HP, and I loved the way it handled, but a bolt-on MSP will out run a MS3 through the twisties. Like was said, if you give them both the same pwr/weight ratio, and both on stock suspension the MSP ends up on top.

Agreed (yes). The MSP is much more nimble around low-speed corners, where the MS3 is better at taking on high-speed corners.

 

[marashka]

I owned msp for 2 years, and have an ms3 for a year now. Can definitely say that msp felt more nimble than ms3. Quicker steering ratio on msp helped, and lower weight. Also msp feelt more firm and had less body roll. Still i would not trade msp handling for ms3 power .
Now my '93 supercharged miata would run circles around both of them in handling department.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Have to get some guys/gals down at EECMM next weekend to take some timed runs and compare...

 

[H3br3w_Ham3r]

I think the MS3 can handle certain things better...... Like walls for instance. Stronger frames and more safety equipment allow us MS3 drivers not to die when we lose control.

MSP can handle losing in drag races because they are so used to it.

Regardless we all drive Mazdas and are happy to do so because their cars are built with handling in mind. The question is...... can a Mustang or Camaro be modded enough to handle like a stock Mazda?

 

[Knox Joe]

MSP can handle losing in drag races because they are so used to it.

Uh, my MSP would smoke my MS6 and the MS6 is as fast if not faster than a MS3 in a drag race. You apparently haven't been in a modded MSP.

 

[LinuxRacr]

Well, the Protege was actually shown to be a damn safe car... It has a track-record for keeping people alive in wrecks, and crashes with multiple roll-overs.

 

[daonly1around]

Sorry to say buddy, The MSP is by far the Best handling Sport Compact car ever made by Mazda... no way in hell an MS3 will edge out an MSP Stock by Stock or Modified by modified...

you mean MP3

 

[BadBandar]

voted msp.

 

[Akaveli]

As if this was a difficult choice. LoL

 

[LinuxRacr]

you mean MP3

Actually, the MSP took it a step further...

 

[marashka]

Well, the Protege was actually shown to be a damn safe car... It has a track-record for keeping people alive in wrecks, and crashes with multiple roll-overs.

Could not agree more. Dr.Sound's orange msp comes to mind.

 

[08cosmic3]

My old 97 Probe GT felt safer on a hard curve than the Speed 3. The Probe is wider and lower and I always felt in control. The MS3 seems top heavy and has more boby lean. I've never driven a MSP.

 

[08cosmic3]

In the MSP you feel more "in tune" with everything. Tire grip, road surface, everything is transmitted to the driver better. It's a more "raw" feeling.


This exactly how I felt about going from my Probe GT to the MS3. The MS3 fills detached compared to my GT when on the twisties. The Probe was way over matched against the MS3 in the power department though. The Probe could have been a great car but Ford kept it under powered so as not to compete against it's beloved Stang.

 

[Knox Joe]

The Probe could have been a great car but Ford kept it under powered so as not to compete against it's beloved Stang.

A buddy back home in FL had a heavily modded turbo Probe that was pretty badass.

 

[BadBandar]

When i was first getting ready to purchase my car i test drove a ms3 to see how it compared. And it just seems heavy and sluggish. The power was nice but it was just weird around the turns. I bet if its modified its a lot better. The msp just feels so much more compact and hugs the curves.

 

[daonly1around]

Actually, the MSP took it a step further...

mmm. no it didn't... mp3 had a tighter steering ratio... and when car and driver did their 10 best handling cars of all time, it was the Mp3 that they used, not the msp