i was just wondering what car would be a better to get..i live in canada and the speed is rated at like 27 thousand and the spec v is rated at 26 wit the bremo brake package i think those are the prices...im really not sure which one to get so if i could get some imput on both cars that would be great...thanks
2003.5 speed VS 04 sentra se-r spec v
- Thread starter Mr_smiley
- Start date
I think the msp looks a little better than the 02ish spec-v and way better than the 04
the ECU fix that is supposed ot be out soon should put the MSP equal with the spec-v for HP if not better than the spec-v, although that really doesnt matter since in most tests the MSP was just as quick if not a tad quicker than the spec-v in 0-60 and maybe 1/4
other than that, check out the review of srt4/svtfocus/msp/spec-v on edmunds.com and the 20k shootouut on sportcompactcarweb.com and draw your own conclusions
for the most part people on this board are gonna be biased towards the msp, myself included, so I would definitely put some weight into the comparisons that almost every magazine has done by now which always include the spec-v and msp
the ECU fix that is supposed ot be out soon should put the MSP equal with the spec-v for HP if not better than the spec-v, although that really doesnt matter since in most tests the MSP was just as quick if not a tad quicker than the spec-v in 0-60 and maybe 1/4
other than that, check out the review of srt4/svtfocus/msp/spec-v on edmunds.com and the 20k shootouut on sportcompactcarweb.com and draw your own conclusions
for the most part people on this board are gonna be biased towards the msp, myself included, so I would definitely put some weight into the comparisons that almost every magazine has done by now which always include the spec-v and msp
I traded in my Spec-V on a Protege 5. I was happy with the Spec's low end torque, but overall, not the best car.
I can say that I miss the power it had compared to the Protege5, but the looks make up for most of it.
Watch out, the seats in the Spec tend to wear very quickly, it's some sort of fish net mesh material.
I have not driven a MSP though. If you want a Factory sunroof the Spec can offer you that too. The 04 Spec is ugly!
I can say that I miss the power it had compared to the Protege5, but the looks make up for most of it.
Watch out, the seats in the Spec tend to wear very quickly, it's some sort of fish net mesh material.
I have not driven a MSP though. If you want a Factory sunroof the Spec can offer you that too. The 04 Spec is ugly!
MazdaDryvr
Member
heh, exterior appearance was the exact reason I never bothered to look at it. I have a friend who owns one and I drove it. Good power but I prefered the P5 and thank goodness the MSP came along. 
All I will say, having driven both, is that the MSP feels like a more complete car. The spec-V feels like a modded Sentra as compared to the MSP's feel of a whole new platform.
FYI- the Spec-V responds very well to mods (I/H/E will net almost 30hp due to the restrictive cats)
FYI- the Spec-V responds very well to mods (I/H/E will net almost 30hp due to the restrictive cats)
FunkyCold5
Member
- :
- 2003 Black Mica MSP
The only think I liked about the Spec V was the sunroof and the cruise control....but that's the 02-03 model. 2004 is UGLY!!! got beaten by an ugly stick in an ugly forrest. And MSP does beat the spec V 0-60 but seems to be even in the 1/4 mile. Plus a lot of people say turbo cars are easier to mod than N/A...so MSP it is for me.
just took a look at the 04 spec v and i have to say it hurt my eyes.
leave it up to nissan to screw-up a nice looking car.
obviously i am biased, but i actually considered a spec v before i bought my speed, along with a 1.8T jetta.
if you do get the spec v then i would seriously look for a leftover 03 model.
NOTE: these are personal opinions if u don't agree then that is fine
03 spec v pros:
6-speed, awesome 17in. wheels, sunroof, fog lights, available fosgate system
cons:
hard to distinguish a spec v from regular sentra, hard-to-read guages, lava interior looks good in red or black ext. color only, shift knob is too goofy looking, N/A 175hp
03.5 msp pros:
turbo I4, awesome 17in wheels, nice colors, stock kenwood system, body kit/spoiler, nice int., great suspension, ltd. edition.
cons:
5-speed, no sunroof or fogs,the hesitation that is soon-to-be-gone, not alot of aftermarket support yet.
once again i wouldn't waste my time with the 04 spec v, but it is your dough. for $1000CDN more i would go with the msp. test drive them a few times b4 u buy either one
leave it up to nissan to screw-up a nice looking car.
obviously i am biased, but i actually considered a spec v before i bought my speed, along with a 1.8T jetta.
if you do get the spec v then i would seriously look for a leftover 03 model.
NOTE: these are personal opinions if u don't agree then that is fine
03 spec v pros:
6-speed, awesome 17in. wheels, sunroof, fog lights, available fosgate system
cons:
hard to distinguish a spec v from regular sentra, hard-to-read guages, lava interior looks good in red or black ext. color only, shift knob is too goofy looking, N/A 175hp
03.5 msp pros:
turbo I4, awesome 17in wheels, nice colors, stock kenwood system, body kit/spoiler, nice int., great suspension, ltd. edition.
cons:
5-speed, no sunroof or fogs,the hesitation that is soon-to-be-gone, not alot of aftermarket support yet.
once again i wouldn't waste my time with the 04 spec v, but it is your dough. for $1000CDN more i would go with the msp. test drive them a few times b4 u buy either one
CarShopper77
Member
I just purchased an MSP a few days ago, and I read the articles and cruntched the numbers on the Spec V & MSP. Both vehicles have some pros and cons, but the deciding factor for me was which vehicle better suited my needs. A few years ago I was solely interested in 0-60 times etc.., but now I brefer the twisty's on an afternoon or a day of AutoX. One thing I did notice was the quality of the interior materials and fit and finish inside the MSP was better, and I'll take a stiffer chasis with no sunroof any day of the week, just my two cents
I don't know how a five speed is a "con". I would much rather have a car I don't have to shift all the time. At the track or auto-x course...hell even the drag strip a 6spd is a disadvantage.
You may want to re-evaluate your priorities and look past the "cool, I got a six speed" factor.
You may want to re-evaluate your priorities and look past the "cool, I got a six speed" factor.
I would be leary about buying a highly produced car with Bremos. The quantity that they make for Porsche is one thing, but they will not make as many Porsches as Sentras. I know Honda/Acura suffered from jumping on the Bremo band wagon a few years back on the Integra. The Bremos ended up being poor quality becasue they don't the have the ability to produce such a high quantity in a limited time while still maintaining qualitity levels.
- :
- My Car is ORANGE POO!!!
The Sentra's turning radius bites, try doing a u-turn on your test drive.
and MSP is made in Japan (mostly), whereas Spec is made in Mexico. Spec had a problem with a leaking trunk because there was no coating in the rear wheelwell, and if you look carefully, chances are the doors are misaligned due to poor assembly quality, not to mention the really noticeable mismatched paint (at least on the yellow cars..)
and MSP is made in Japan (mostly), whereas Spec is made in Mexico. Spec had a problem with a leaking trunk because there was no coating in the rear wheelwell, and if you look carefully, chances are the doors are misaligned due to poor assembly quality, not to mention the really noticeable mismatched paint (at least on the yellow cars..)
I wanted a Spec. V for the longest time and the time came for test drives. Overall comparison with the MazdaSpeed was in favor of Mazda. The sentra offered a sunroof and 6 gears but the more I read about 6 speeds the less I wanted it. (why should I have to downshift every time I want to speed up on the interstate?) The SpecV had a really smooth ride but the interior felt way too much like a rental for some reason. Also, I wanted a 2k3 and they only had 2k4's which were slightly redesigned to be uglier.
MazdaSpeed.....high quality design on the interior, better looks outside. The added power of the turbo more than made up for the smoothness of the Nissan. The audio package and Racing Hart wheels were very big in moving my decision to the Mazda and 4 months later I'm very happy with the choice I made.
MazdaSpeed.....high quality design on the interior, better looks outside. The added power of the turbo more than made up for the smoothness of the Nissan. The audio package and Racing Hart wheels were very big in moving my decision to the Mazda and 4 months later I'm very happy with the choice I made.
Have a 2k3 MSP and a 2k2 Spec V
Here are the difference I have noticed and my opinions:
6 speed tranny - choppy, not as smooth as it should be....reverse is a bigger b**** in this car than the MSP!
turning radius - doesn't have one!!! Really is bad if you would like to do a fast u-turn...actually no U-turns only 3-point turns
mods - they are finally starting to come out with some....before a year ago....it was hell to find any!
Rims- factory are heavy as s***...heavier than MSP by at least 3 lbs each tire/rim!
doesn't look different from stock
modifications cost the same as MSP but less hp gain for the same money
annoying that the mirror adjustment button is on the dash! I just hate that - not sure if the 2004 will have that!
Torque - it is a torque monster! You could start out in 3rd no problems ever! - not that I suggest doing that!!!
Stereo - stock sucks! I mean really sucks!
Not as insolated as the MSP
Seats just aren't comfortable to me!
Not as nice a ride as the MSP and I mean ride as far as going over bumps!
Moonroof....sweet!!!!
Pockets and compartments - also sweet.
Husband swears by the cruise control!!!
Timing Chain! Very very nice!
Not easily upgradable to make it a Turbo - in fact it has been highly highly warned against by some people I know....haven't researched it a lot....
Now for the MSP
smooth shifting, great turning radius, pretty fun car, not too out there in looks, pretty good power, no moonroof, no timing chain, easily modded, nice ride, squeeks out the ass!, not enough compartments, seats could hold ya in better, no cruise control, not a lot of companies that do mods, etc
Pretty much I love my MSP vs. the Spec V. I, too, am biased, but I know that my husband always has a big smile on his face when he drives my car!
Here are the difference I have noticed and my opinions:
6 speed tranny - choppy, not as smooth as it should be....reverse is a bigger b**** in this car than the MSP!
turning radius - doesn't have one!!! Really is bad if you would like to do a fast u-turn...actually no U-turns only 3-point turns
mods - they are finally starting to come out with some....before a year ago....it was hell to find any!
Rims- factory are heavy as s***...heavier than MSP by at least 3 lbs each tire/rim!
doesn't look different from stock
modifications cost the same as MSP but less hp gain for the same money
annoying that the mirror adjustment button is on the dash! I just hate that - not sure if the 2004 will have that!
Torque - it is a torque monster! You could start out in 3rd no problems ever! - not that I suggest doing that!!!
Stereo - stock sucks! I mean really sucks!
Not as insolated as the MSP
Seats just aren't comfortable to me!
Not as nice a ride as the MSP and I mean ride as far as going over bumps!
Moonroof....sweet!!!!
Pockets and compartments - also sweet.
Husband swears by the cruise control!!!
Timing Chain! Very very nice!
Not easily upgradable to make it a Turbo - in fact it has been highly highly warned against by some people I know....haven't researched it a lot....
Now for the MSP
smooth shifting, great turning radius, pretty fun car, not too out there in looks, pretty good power, no moonroof, no timing chain, easily modded, nice ride, squeeks out the ass!, not enough compartments, seats could hold ya in better, no cruise control, not a lot of companies that do mods, etc
Pretty much I love my MSP vs. the Spec V. I, too, am biased, but I know that my husband always has a big smile on his face when he drives my car!
ricenudles
Member
- :
- 03 ti msp
before my 03.5 msp, i had an 02 spec v and let me tell u that the spec v is one torquey monster. definitely the spec v pulls harder in any gear as opposed to the msp...and the pros end there.
that car was a major POS from beginning to end. very f*ckin clunky, no smoothness whatsoever, a very weak tranny, and quality that im sure hot wheels can beat. Yeah there are no such things as "u-turns" in that car. If u want a car to bash go buy that car. BTW the MSP has infintely more potential than a spec-v. the engine of the spec v is very limited.
and no, I'm not a sentra hater. I'm acutally a pretty big Nissan fan. but I'm definitely not a Nissan of North America fan.
Be glad u got the msp.
that car was a major POS from beginning to end. very f*ckin clunky, no smoothness whatsoever, a very weak tranny, and quality that im sure hot wheels can beat. Yeah there are no such things as "u-turns" in that car. If u want a car to bash go buy that car. BTW the MSP has infintely more potential than a spec-v. the engine of the spec v is very limited.
and no, I'm not a sentra hater. I'm acutally a pretty big Nissan fan. but I'm definitely not a Nissan of North America fan.
Be glad u got the msp.
Glowmunkey
Member
nrcooled said:
I agree... I drove a bunch of Spec-Vs while deciding on a car to buy. Six speeds doesn't equal faster acceleration, remember, you're putting 0 hp to the wheels while the clutch pedal is depressed...
I also really felt that the Spec V really ran out of power at the top of the rev range. Great midrange punch, and the differential is very smooth, but overall I (obviously) liked the MSP better.
If you're really considering both cars, I hope you're asking people on a Sentra forum too... we're all obviously very biased.
DiscreetSpeed
Member
- :
- 03 MSP
haha a spec v haha
whats to like about them when you compare one to a MSP....?
i dont see a damn thing better...
whats to like about them when you compare one to a MSP....?
i dont see a damn thing better...