BUYER'S GUIDE: SRT-4 VS MSP.

[AustinG]

!DAMN Talk ABOUT EVO VII !(omg)

Evo VII RS Evo VII GSR
Traction Permanent 4 x 4 Permanent 4 x 4
Engine 2000 16-valves DOHCIntercooler Turbo 2000 16-valves DOHCIntercooler Turbo

Transmission Manual transmission 5 speed Manual transmission
5 speed

Dimensions & Weight *
Length (mm) 4455 4455
Width (mm) 1770 1770
Height (mm) 1450 1450
Wheelbase (mm) 2625 2625
Front Track (mm) 1500 1515
Rear Track (mm) 1500 1515
Min. Height (mm) 140 140
Inside length (mm) 1880 1880
Inside Width (mm) 1425 1425
Inside height (mm) 1185 1185
No. of passengers 5 5
Kerb weight (kg) 1320 1380

Engine *
Type 2.0 litre 16 valve DOHC
intercooled with turbocharger 2.0 litre 16 valve DOHC
intercooled with turbocharger
No. of cylinders 4 4
Cylinder position Inline Inline
Valves 16 16
Camshafts (Position) 2 (DOHC) 2 (DOHC)
Turbo Material Titanium - Aluminium Alloy Titanium - Aluminium Alloy
Bore x stroke (mm) 85.0 x 88.0 85.0 x 88.0
Cylinder cc (cm3) 1997 1997
Compression Ratio 8.8:1 8.8:1
Max. power (PS/rpm) 280 / 6 280 / 6
Max. torque (kg-m/rpm) 39.0 / 3.500 39.0 / 3.500
Carburation Multi-point Electronic Injection
ECI-MULTI Multi-point Electronic Injection
ECI-MULTI
Octane fuel 97 or higher. Unleaded 97 or higher. Unleaded
Fuel tank capacity (l) 48 48

Transmission*
Type 5 Speed Manual 5 Speed Manual
Gear Ratios
1 a 2.785 2.785
2 a 1.950 1.950
3 a 1.444 1.407
4 a 1.096 1.031
5 a 0.825 0.720
M.A 3.416 3.416
Final Gear 4.529 4.529
Front Differential Limited slip differential (LSD) Standard
Rear Differential Limited slip differential (LSD) Active (electronic control)
Stability Program
(Anti Yaw Control) - Standard

Steering
Type Rack & pinion. Power assisted Rack & pinion. Power assisted

Suspension
Front McPherson strut with
inverted-type shock absorbers; McPherson strut with
inverted-type shock absorbers;
Rear Multi-link with stabiliser
bar; aluminium suspension arms Multi-link with stabiliser
bar; aluminium suspension arms

Brakes *
Front 276mm Ventilated discs.
2 pot calipers 320mm Brembo Ventilated discs.
4 pot Aluminium calipers
Rear 284mm Ventilated discs 300mm Brembo Ventilated discs.
2 pot Aluminium calipers
ABS - Sports ABS

Wheels *
Rims front & rear 15" steel 17" x 8JJ alloy
Tyres front & rear 205 / 65R15 235 / 45ZR17

 

[AustinG]

BUT THE ONLY THING IT"S 30,000
:'(

 

[Captain KRM P5]

About the engine in the Neon SRT4....it's the same one in the Chrysler PT Cruiser GT, turbo and all. It runs 14 PSI and you get a "whopping" 215hp. The BEGI kit runs 8 PSI and you can well exceed or match that on such an equipped Protege. The 0-60 times on the PT Turbo and SRT4 are between 7.5 - 8.0 seconds. That's not too much faster than a stock MP3. (Source: Car and Driver, Motor Trend)

Looks like Chrysler found a use for all those leftover Mitsubishi Eclipse spoilers from pre-2000 models too I bet that non-functional hood scoop really adds to the car too.

A Dodge salesman described the Neon to me as "blessed by God if it makes 60,000 miles". For an SRT4 expect to pay $23,000 (the $20,000 msrp is a joke - the dealers WILL mark this up) plus for a car with a rattly engine, fisher-price interior and the crash test rating of paper mache hitting a brick wall. The Mazdaspeed will perform similarly speedwise, outcorner and outhandle, look and feel better inside and out, and without a doubt rate superior in quality in every respect.

As for the styling, nice and round, bulbous and ball like, I had a friend refer to it as a rolling "cum bubble"....for whatever it is worth....

 

[jhatfi]

Please. Who really cares about some of this crap. For $20 large you are getting a lot of car with either the Mazdaspeed Protege or the 'so ugly it is almost not' SRT4. I bet the speed and acceleration difference will be minimumal between the two, but the Mazda should offer superior reliability, resale and handling.

And just for the record. I used to own a 2000 Dodge Dakota 4x4 club cab with the 4.7L V8. Awesome truck. Never had one problem in over 50,000 miles. Yes it was a Dodge. Would I buy a Dodge car....probably not, but to be honest I think that most american car suck ass. My fiance has a neon (I tried to reason with her into getting something else) and it has been trouble free since she bought it. As a matter of fact, it has less annoying door and dash rattles than my new protege.

 

[V Man]

Dude, no offense to anyone on here, but you guys drive Proteges. Just like I drive a Sentra. How can you sit there and say things like, "its a Dodge", or "its a neon"?!? Like our cars are Bentley's compared to Neons. Please...Yes, american cars have been known for not so great build quality and whatnot, but any car is capable of being a lemon or turning into a POS if not properly maintained. I just think it's lame to sit there and bash on a car that none of you have even seen yet!! I think the NA version of the Protege and teh Mazdaspeed are great looking cars (and the Mazdaspeed is a very competitive race for a Spec V), but I just found it amazing that you guys were saying some of the things you were. Sorry for bitching, carry on!! (nuts)

 

[tritonheat1]

Originally posted by V Man I think the NA version of the Protege and teh Mazdaspeed are great looking cars (and the Mazdaspeed is a very competitive race for a Spec V), [/B]

not dissing the SpecV's, cause i like them and their good cars and my bro has one, But i don't think the SpecV will come to the territory of the Mazdaspeed. I own a 91 Mazda MX-6 Turbo GT 5-speed, and my bro can't even keep keep up after 2nd gear. I'm always beating him by 1car length to 2car lengths. Plus the specs on my MX-6 are:
2.2l SOHC 12-valve Turbocharged and intercooled, boost is set at either 5-8psi all (STOCK)
145hp@4300rpms
190lb-fts@3500rpms
curb weight:....2755lbs.

Sentra SpecV
2.5l DOHC 16-valve Cvtc
175hp@6000rpms
180lb-fts@4000rpms
curb weight:....2743lbs

Plus my bro has added the Injen CAI, Spintech Exhaust, and dropt it 2"inches with Eibach springs.

 

[V Man]

A 15.3 E.T to a 15.4 E.T seems close enough to boil down to driver skill. Sounds like your brother hasn't gotten the hang of driving the Spec V yet. Have either of you taken it to the track? I average a .562 R/T with a 2.1xx 60 ft. time, and based on the numbers I have read in numerous publications, that is really close, if not better than the Mazdaspeed's 60-ft and 1/8 mile E.T. I rarely lose the "off the line" battle to anything in my car's class (Civic Si, Prelude, Teggy Type R and GSR, etc.). Not taking anything away from your brother, but I think I would give you a run for your money and I onlu have an AEM. Where did he pick up the SpinTech exhaust? Is it a cat-back kit, or a universal muffler? I have come across numerous Spec V owners with universal mufflers that hinder their 1320 times, instead of help. And does he post on www.thevboard.com? It is a forum like this dedicated to the Spec V and SE-R...Peace out...

 

[tritonheat1]

the Spintech exhaust he picked up is a universal exhaust and he had it full piping to cat-back and he is way better than he was before. Wanna hear something sad, One night he raced his friends 96 Integra LS with intake, and exhaust. His car was stock, he lost to the LS by 1.5car lenghs. So we switched i raced and smoked the Integ by 2 car lenghs. Now that shows how sucky that he was before like 4-5months ago. But now with the mods and improved driving skills he takes GS-R's and Civic SI's with no problem but can't take me with my GT Turbo even though his car has more Hp. So i'm pretty sure that the specV would come close to the Mazdaspeed seeing that:

C&D results:

0-60mph.. 6.9sec
1/4mile.....15.4sec@91mph

SCC results:

0-60mph.. 7.1sec
1/4mile.....15.3sec@93mph

Supposely MT results:

0-60mph.. 6.5sec
1/4mile..... 14.9sec@93.8mph

Plus the car is still spankin brand new and not even broken in yet.

Plus specV' only run 15.5sec 1/4mile times by experienced drivers, check this out
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2121.shtml

 

[V Man]

So we are comparing the worst times stock for the Spec V and the best times for the Mazdaspeed... That seems fair...:bs: I know a few members of my forum running 15 flat with just cold air intakes. Unfortunately, there are no cat-back kits available yet (worth the money) teh I would invest in. Like I said before the Spec V (let alone all Nissans) do not react well to universal or custom stuff. Read the new SCC about modding the new 350Z. It lost hp due to a custom built exhaust system...Again, I have seen anywhere from 14.9 (very hard to believe considering the hp and torque) from C&D to a 15.3 from SCC who I trust a bit more with import compacts. They (C&D) tested the Spec V and could barely pull a 15.8 stock when I hit a 15.6 the first day I had it and the first manual I ever drove...I am not trying to start a "who's cock is bigger match," I just think it's funny how little respect the Spec V gets for what it's worth. Throw a turbo on a Protege and it's the sh!t...PLEASE!! I think it's a sharp car, but I would have to see a 14.9 with my own eyes in order for me to believe it. Hell, I know Scoobey owners who are still stuck in the 15's because they can't figure out the launching. I would assume the Mazdaspeed will be the same way as far as spooling up the turbo off the line is concerned.

And as far as the Mazdaspeed being new, so is the Spec V that they have tested. Many members of my forum are experiencing faster times after 6,000 to 8,000 miles due to break in too! Again, not taking anything away from the Mazdaspeed, I just think we should compare apples to apples...

 

[MP3skaterNC]

Hey, I slide through corners all the time in my MP3

and right into curbs! hehe sorry apexi i had to do it

 

[APEXistud]

and right into curbs! hehe sorry apexi i had to do it

Ouch..... That was a cheap shot(nuts) (sad2) I learned my lesson there though, I've gotten better a sliding

 

[Dexter]

Dodge Neon SRT-4 Vs. Mazdaspeed Protege

im pissed off! everyone keeps saying OMG TEH LEETS NEON SRT4 OMG IT PWNS THE MAZDASPEED CUZ ITS FASTER 0-60. big s*** i mean, i know im posting this as a mazda board, so ill probably have your support, but everyone on this other board i post at is like "mazda just threw a turbo on there without doing anything else" and im like HUH LSD? what? better handling?...ok im sorry its not a ******* dodge neon with 2049343093 lbs of torque, ok? and they are all saying that the mazda is at max tuning because of whole "6.9psi so they wouldnt have to forge the internals". arent you people with mp3s and begi kits and what not running 7-8 PSI? and they keep saying OMG TEH TORQUE STEER...wtf!? and then they are ripping on our torque stats "mazda's honda-like 160lbs/ft of torque"

FINE hate the protege, **** dodge, at least im sure ill be getting a nice msp.

<end rant>

 

[JasonH]

The bulls*** stops when the green flag drops.

We'll just have to wait and see who owns who.

 

[colin949]

no neon will beat me in my mazdaspeed

 

[slug420]

( Hi. )

 

[Kooldino]

What does the Neon get in 0-60 and the 1/4?

 

[enry]

I'm sorry if I urk anyone here but a neon to me is like vw beetle, like the pt cruiser, like the ass-tek. It is not a serious looking car. If these cars sold for 500$, I would buy them as toys.
I mean.. it looks like something from a cheap science fiction movie. No matter how many body kids mods skirts new front grill spoiler you add, I will always think of the x files and alien abductions...

On a less subjective side, my sister drives a Neon... 1995. And I think the only reason the thing is still running I think is because it only has 50,000km on it. The other recent american car we had was a taurus. That thing had 60,000km and was the biggest lemon ever. I had to replace the gear / shaft going from the distr. cap into the engine TWICE in 30,000km because the gear on the shaft was made of a weaker metal than that of the shaft. Bad design. Terrible service. Now they haev a civic... so far so good. And as for the mp3, every issue I've had with the car was related to my driving like an idiot.. not the car's design.

So I'm sorry.. if a car is dodge/chrylser/ford I'm afraid it's off my list--despite ford's ownership of mazda.

 

[JasonH]

Heh. I knew I recognized it from somewhere...

Take one cab from The Fifth Element...

...add one cab from Judge Dredd...

And you end up with one of these!

 

[tritonheat1]

The Neon SR-T Vs. Mazdaspeed Protege is not even a comparison in looks, Style, Ride, handling, and Reliability. but the performance is a different subject. But mazda wins overallexcept kinda of the performance

take a look

2003 Dodge Neon SR-T
Supercharged,
208Hp@
220lb-fts@

0-60mph in just barely 6.0sec as claimed, and i think that's Protoytype not sure.

2003 Mazdaspeed Protege
Turbocharged
170Hp@
160lb-fts@

0-60mph tested Independent stats returned 6.5-6.8sec and quarter mile times at 14.9@93.18mph.- 15.3@93mph


208
-170
=38 more horses Neon has advantage over the MSP

220
-160
=60 lb-fts more torque than the MSP and take a look at the #'s


Neon 0-60....6.0sec
MSP 0-60....6.5-6.8sec

All that hp and torque and this is the numbers that give the SR-T over the MSP that's pretty damm Shi**y for the SR-T and if you take a look at the Civic Si Vs. Protege MP3

Civic SI
160HP VTEC
111lb-fts

Protege MP3
140hp
142lb-fts

Civic Si 0-60mph in 7.2sec
Protege Mp3 0-60mph....8.3sec that gives the Si a 1.1 sec faster to 60mph over the MP3 and the SRT neon only gets a .5-.8sec faster to 60 over the MSP plus the Civic Si only has 20more horses than the MP3 and -31 lb-fts than the MP3. So i say that the MSP has a chance against the Neon SRT in performance wise, but overall the MSP wins hands Down(boobs)


Dodge Neon SRT(piss)
Mazdaspeed Protege(drinks)

 

[tritonheat1]

Plus here's the Neon's tech data and the Civic Si's tech data

http://www.motortrend.com/april00/neonsrt/neonsrt_f.html
http;//www.motortrend.com/april99/civic/civic_f.html