MS3 is fun to drive with the following mods.

[hyperpm]

Well after a year and a half of owning this car and 28k miles later, I must say that this car is a blast to drive. It's my daily for work which is about 70 miles a day. Only thing was it wasn't until I did my 2 recent mods the past 2 months until I started really liking this car. K&N SRI and 225/40 summer tires. K&N moved powerband up and torque more linear and not all down low. 225/40 summer tires also made turn in more crisp and felt more of what the car was doing during turns. Stock intake had a really short powerband and Cobb SRI I had prior to K&N had too much torque down low that it was really useless for FWD platform especially during turns/canyon runs. For folks that go straight all the time or drag, it's probably not an issue. Stock 215/45 tire felt vague compared to 225/40 even though rubber was pretty good. Suspension quite good stock, just have to trust it sticks after car wiggles a bit before it compresses midturn. Clutch engagement still tricky once in awhile but other than that, overall package is awesome and AS much fun to drive as my S2K. Roomy and comfortable daily that packs a punch.

 

[ElGaspo]

AS much fun to drive as my S2K. Roomy and comfortable daily that packs a punch.

I'd say that's good praise indeed coming from a Honda S2000 owner. (yippy)

 

[ohioan]

Whenever I get back on my feet, the first thing I'm going to buy is the k&n. I found it for 260!

 

[60181]

Whenever I get back on my feet, the first thing I'm going to buy is the k&n. I found it for 260!

Add in shifter bushings and a motor mount and you'll love it even more. Coming from an S2000 myself, I'd agree it's a lot of fun. However, there's no replacement for the Honda tranny and RWD.

 

[vtakk]

s2k and ms3 are from diff Worlds.

 

[essejkcamraw]

get a turbo inlet and finish off your intake and you'll love your car even more!

 

[shaftwagon]

What model summer tires do you have in the 225/40/18 size? Are you running them on the stock rims without any adjustments?

I've got 10k on my original rubber and I foresee needing new ones in a few months...

 

[drledford93]

You really want to make this car move in the twisty bits? Get a rear sway bar. It eliminated 90% (no exaggeration) of the understeer I was seeing. Great, great thing. I bought the Cobb and went to the stiffest setting. You can rotate this car very, very quickly now, which may not be suitable for all driving styles (but it is for me!).

Daniel

 

[pup73]

my ms3 is a blast to drive, but i'd take my s2000, top down, rwd and slick gearbox over it (at least for pure driving excitement).

that being said, i love the practicality AND fun factor of the ms3.

-c

 

[ElGaspo]

pup73, not to thread hijack, but sweet car collection there! what kind of #s are you running in the Nissan TT? always had a soft spot for those...

 

[MSP300]

You really want to make this car move in the twisty bits? Get a rear sway bar. It eliminated 90% (no exaggeration) of the understeer I was seeing. Great, great thing. I bought the Cobb and went to the stiffest setting. You can rotate this car very, very quickly now, which may not be suitable for all driving styles (but it is for me!).

Daniel

on a stock suspension?

 

[8.5MS3]

on a stock suspension?

yes. if you really wanna go nuts get the hotchkis set. i have em with the stiffest setting in the rear (about 50% stiffer than cobbs stiffest setting) and i can do crazy things at my local autox. i however, do not recommend just the rear on the stiffest setting, the car will oversteer every chance it gets

 

[Vord]

Well after a year and a half of owning this car and 28k miles later, I must say that this car is a blast to drive. It's my daily for work which is about 70 miles a day. Only thing was it wasn't until I did my 2 recent mods the past 2 months until I started really liking this car. K&N SRI and 225/40 summer tires. K&N moved powerband up and torque more linear and not all down low. 225/40 summer tires also made turn in more crisp and felt more of what the car was doing during turns. Stock intake had a really short powerband and Cobb SRI I had prior to K&N had too much torque down low that it was really useless for FWD platform especially during turns/canyon runs. For folks that go straight all the time or drag, it's probably not an issue. Stock 215/45 tire felt vague compared to 225/40 even though rubber was pretty good. Suspension quite good stock, just have to trust it sticks after car wiggles a bit before it compresses midturn. Clutch engagement still tricky once in awhile but other than that, overall package is awesome and AS much fun to drive as my S2K. Roomy and comfortable daily that packs a punch.

I am in the same boat as you to some extent. I did no preformance mods until about 28k miles. I had some new tires at 21k (dunlop Drizzea star spec 225/40). I noticed a big difference between tires, but its not until I got an intake & turbo inlet pipe that It really brought the car out.

if you want my suggestion, get the motor mount & transmission mount and the car will feel spectacular when you are shifting. its such a better feel, I can't believe I ever liked it before.