anybody race a nissan spec v in here?

[Grimace]

... For a thousand bucks it could be made to handle as well.

I'm not so sure about that. The handling could be improved, yes. But your major handicap is that rear suspension design on the Spec. Who knows though, I won't say anything definative one way or the other about that. If someone wants to give me $1000 + a new Spec, I'll see what I can do and get back to you.

turboge - thanks for the comparison, that was well written up!

 

[PortCityMP3]

basic math MSP > Spec V

 

[buster]

I would suspect that with some - camber and some grippy tires it would get pretty close. Also, maybe even 1" lower springs with a little higher rate or more progressive would do the trick as well.

 

[cjstringer]

I've raced a Spec-v, but on a course. Street racing is dumb.
On the track he got beat by the stock MP3, but just barely. And driver isn't much of an issue. He's the series past champion (8 years running). I got lucky and won the series in my first year.
Spec-v is a great car stock. So are the MP3s and MSPs. It's a preference and driver thing. I'd hav eto say the MSP and Spec-v are almost identical, and on the track, the lack of camber in the MSP would be the biggest factor.
I'm sure this debate will go on forever, but they are very comparable, and both great cars.

 

[tritonheat1]

MS-P V.S SpecV= the MS-P would rail the SpecV in the 1/4mile.


Nissan SpecV #'s: http://www.autosite.com/new/grabbag/perform/3316.asp



Now here's the MS-P #'s: http://www.autosite.com/new/grabbag/perform/3345.asp



Spec's best time was 0-60 7.23sec 1/4mile 15.44 that's there best, but by C&D 0-60 7.4sec 1/4mile 15.6sec


MS-P best time was 6.9sec 0-60 and 1/4 mile 15.4sec MS-P wins hands down.

 

[buster]

I still say it is a drivers race, especially now that they changed the 03's gearing .

 

[Lawerence]

Easy - take the 3.5L V6 that they throw into most of their cars and chop off two cylinders. Its cheap and it works. It is a bit thristy though, since its pretty big for a 4-banger.

Do you honestly believe this? I really hope not...

 

[turboge]

MS-P V.S SpecV= the MS-P would rail the SpecV in the 1/4mile.

OK, let me just quote your numbers here below. I'll even clean them up a little.

Spec V 0-60 7.23 MSP 6.9
Spec V 1/4 15.44 MSP 15.4

MS-P wins hands down.

Well, how does this win hands down? I've seen numerous posts on the B15 boards about stock 2002 and 2003 Spec V's running 15.1 and one 15.0. I do think the MSP could do a bit better in acceleration but it doesn't win hands down.

This is where the MSP wins over the Spec V, look below. This quote is from Sport Compact Car.

This is for the Spec V, 2002 model.
First, despite the varied suspension calibrations, all the cars we've driven have exhibited impressive grip. Our most recent test car produced a respectable .84g on the skidpad and zipped through the slalom at 67.6 mph--exactly the same as the last Integra Type R we tested.

As you can see, .84g on the skid pad is very respectable. But....taken from Car & Driver.

This is for the MSPThe car changes directions as suddenly as Marshall Faulk in an enemy secondary and generates a little more stick on the skidpad than the MP3 - 0.88 g.

The MSP dominates in the turns, as it should with its well developed suspension. There is no end to comparing these cars as a "Stock" setup is concerned. But with modifications both cars will be comparable in the near future.

Stop going straight, start turning! =)

 

[AGR]

The SRT-4 will go faster in a straight line, true. But in the twisties it is hard-pressed to outrun the MSP. Did you happen to read the shootout in Sport Compact Car? It took the Neon a few miles in the mountains to finally start to pull away from the MSP.

I will just say this.......The Neon SRT-4 is Butt ugly! I could care less how fast in a straight line it is. And; it sure as hell won't handle like a MSP. God! Dodge dressed up an asshole with that SRT-4. Typical American Muscle wanna be! So obvious.

Make no mistake; I fully appreciate the Viper, and have had the pleasure of driving one. Awesome! I do like some of the American metal. For $20,500, sorry; nothing built here is offered. And the quality issue comes into play too.

...just my 2 cents.

 

[buster]

That's nice for you, now keep in mind I don't really care if you think it is ugly, looks are a personal thing.
The SRT4 has 205/50zr tires with a 220 treadwear rating.
The MSP has 215/45zr with a 140 treadwear rating.
If you put those same tires from the MSP on the SRT4 I would guarantee that it's slalom and skidpad ratings would be very similar to the MSP. Also, with a rear strut tower bar and maybe even -.5 to -1 camber it would be jumping all over the MSP.
Also, the quality thing, you obviously are not aware of the quality of the 2nd gen Neon, as it rates higher than most cars in it's category including the Protege in JD power ratings. Also, the PT cruiser which is built on a Neon platform and using some parts as well has been getting VERy good quality and reliability ratings on some long term test. Check out the latest R&T if you don't beleive me.
Now, I am NOT slagging the MSP here!! I give Mazda full marks and the MSP tons of respect. It is a great car and it is good to see companies being aggressive with this segment. Don't hate just for the sake of hating.

 

[Grimace]

Do you honestly believe this? I really hope not...

LOL, sorry, I was being a little tongue-in-cheek there.
I did mean the last bit about it being thirsty for a 4-cylinder. I know it does ok in goverment testing, but I've seen several threads on the Sentra forum about "real-world" fuel consumption being a bit high.

 

[turboge]

The SRT4 has 205/50zr tires with a 220 treadwear rating.
The MSP has 215/45zr with a 140 treadwear rating.
If you put those same tires from the MSP on the SRT4 I would guarantee that it's slalom and skidpad ratings would be very similar to the MSP.

Right, I'm sure that makes all the difference right there.

Also, with a rear strut tower bar and maybe even -.5 to -1 camber it would be jumping all over the MSP.

Have you looked at the suspension? It's not even going to be close. Again, this is modification, if the factory did things right in the first place you wouldn't have to think about this.

Another thing, did you forget that the SRT-4 is equipped with an OPEN diff, you try out-handling a MSP while spinning that inside tire.... don't think it's going to be much of a match. The only thing the SRT-4 carries is straight-line acceleration, after that its just another American Muscle car aimed towards a younger market.

 

[Grimace]

Just to add: treadwear ratings are assigned by the tire manufacturers, not the government as commonly believed, and there is NO STANDARD TEST (!) to determine the ratings.

 

[Stealth5]

e, you wouldnt believe it, a base SeR pulled up next to me doin 40 and we both punched it and it was pretty even up to 60 when he backed off

 

[tritonheat1]

OK, let me just quote your numbers here below. I'll even clean them up a little.

Spec V 0-60 7.23 MSP 6.9
Spec V 1/4 15.44 MSP 15.4



Well, how does this win hands down? I've seen numerous posts on the B15 boards about stock 2002 and 2003 Spec V's running 15.1 and one 15.0. I do think the MSP could do a bit better in acceleration but it doesn't win hands down.

This is where the MSP wins over the Spec V, look below. This quote is from Sport Compact Car.



As you can see, .84g on the skid pad is very respectable. But....taken from Car & Driver.



The MSP dominates in the turns, as it should with its well developed suspension. There is no end to comparing these cars as a "Stock" setup is concerned. But with modifications both cars will be comparable in the near future.

Stop going straight, start turning! =)

ya you know what bro your right in some categories. Let me see if you remember the 2 guys that went to that protegeclub meet up in Ventura CA. Do u remember one guy name Jose in a turquoise blue SpecV and a another guy name Jaime in a 93 Protege LX, they went down over to the Protege meet and told me there were a grip of protege's PR-5 and 2 Blue Mica MP3's, And also the main guy name Braiden who owned a black SpecV. I'm guessing it is u, well the person he told either u or somebody else that he has a friend down in Hanford with a Blue MP3 it's me, but i had to work on that saturday. Anyways back on topic, the point i'm trying to make is you know for a fact that"that" guy owns a SpecV, I also own a 91 MX-6 GT with a factory turbo of like 4-5psi at 145hp and 190lb-fts of torque. I smoke his SpecV by 2car lenghs even with his car modded with eibach springs, Injen CAI, and exhaust. The reason i'm bringing this up is cause the MS-P should be no different than my MX-6 GT, maybe the MS-P should be alittle quicker but in the same categories. i think u know those 2 guys though(scratch) (thought)

 

[AGR]

Cheers!

 

[AGR]

That's nice for you, now keep in mind I don't really care if you think it is ugly, looks are a personal thing.
The SRT4 has 205/50zr tires with a 220 treadwear rating.
The MSP has 215/45zr with a 140 treadwear rating.
If you put those same tires from the MSP on the SRT4 I would guarantee that it's slalom and skidpad ratings would be very similar to the MSP. Also, with a rear strut tower bar and maybe even -.5 to -1 camber it would be jumping all over the MSP.
Also, the quality thing, you obviously are not aware of the quality of the 2nd gen Neon, as it rates higher than most cars in it's category including the Protege in JD power ratings. Also, the PT cruiser which is built on a Neon platform and using some parts as well has been getting VERy good quality and reliability ratings on some long term test. Check out the latest R&T if you don't beleive me.
Now, I am NOT slagging the MSP here!! I give Mazda full marks and the MSP tons of respect. It is a great car and it is good to see companies being aggressive with this segment. Don't hate just for the sake of hating.

You know what? You're right. I was a bit over zealous. I apologize, sincerely. It's really not like me to bash other products. To each his own. We are all here to have fun, no matter what type 'compact rocket' is our pleasure.

Cheers!

 

[buster]

Right, I'm sure that makes all the difference right there.



Have you looked at the suspension? It's not even going to be close. Again, this is modification, if the factory did things right in the first place you wouldn't have to think about this.

Another thing, did you forget that the SRT-4 is equipped with an OPEN diff, you try out-handling a MSP while spinning that inside tire.... don't think it's going to be much of a match. The only thing the SRT-4 carries is straight-line acceleration, after that its just another American Muscle car aimed towards a younger market.

I am not saying that it makes all the difference, but you can not tell me that it doesn't matter quite a bit. Ask anyone who has spent a good chunk of time in autoX how much tires can make up.
Have you looked at the suspension? The Neon suspension has always been awesome. I am not saying the SRT4 suspension couldn't be better from the factory, but look at the motor! For the same price as the MSP you get tons of motor and some small needed upgrades for the suspension. The MSP is all suspension, not that the motor sucks, but it could use a little more juice and I don't think it is going to easy to upgrade power levels. If the factory did this in the first place.....

Do you ever read Grassroots Motorsports? I know most people respect their views and reviews a lot more than other mags because they are so into autoX and racing. It is a racing mag. I have a review that I am going to post in a minute.

 

[SpicyMSP]

ya you know what bro your right in some categories. Let me see if you remember the 2 guys that went to that protegeclub meet up in Ventura CA. Do u remember one guy name Jose in a turquoise blue SpecV and a another guy name Jaime in a 93 Protege LX, they went down over to the Protege meet and told me there were a grip of protege's PR-5 and 2 Blue Mica MP3's, And also the main guy name Braiden who owned a black SpecV. I'm guessing it is u, well the person he told either u or somebody else that he has a friend down in Hanford with a Blue MP3 it's me, but i had to work on that saturday. Anyways back on topic, the point i'm trying to make is you know for a fact that"that" guy owns a SpecV, I also own a 91 MX-6 GT with a factory turbo of like 4-5psi at 145hp and 190lb-fts of torque. I smoke his SpecV by 2car lenghs even with his car modded with eibach springs, Injen CAI, and exhaust. The reason i'm bringing this up is cause the MS-P should be no different than my MX-6 GT, maybe the MS-P should be alittle quicker but in the same categories. i think u know those 2 guys though(scratch) (thought)

WTF are you trying to say? If you are trying to make a legitimate point you
have failed miserably. It looks to me like you put all the words you were trying to say in a hat, mixed them up , drew them one at a time, and posted them in that order. Im not going to even try to argue in this post about the SRT Vs the MSP because quite honestly I dont know much about comparing the two. I also , am not a english teacher, but I graduated from highschool, and have learned how to put sentances together so they make sence. Allright Bro .

 

[tritonheat1]

WTF are you trying to say? If you are trying to make a legitimate point you
have failed miserably. It looks to me like you put all the words you were trying to say in a hat, mixed them up , drew them one at a time, and posted them in that order. Im not going to even try to argue in this post about the SRT Vs the Neon, because quite honestly I dont know much about comparing the two. I also , am not a english teacher, but I graduated from highschool, and have learned how to put sentances together so they make sence. Allright Bro .

MAN BRO before you get all up in the koolaid make sure you know the (FLAVOR). And what's up with the sentence you quote SRT-4 V.S. the Neon, the SRT-4 is the neon and i never posted about the neon, so before you graduate from highschool make sure your english literature knows that you don't know how to pronounce words, and the fact that you can't comprehend anything, also make sure your teacher doesn't know your also illiterate.:'(