JasonH said:Car & Driver doesn't even do a slalom test. Lateral acceleration numbers are not the same as slalom speeds. What was the slalom speed from SCC? Can you scan the whole article? What did they say about it? Did it knock the Mazdaspeed Protege off the top of the hill?
That will totaly depend on if SCC will actauly use the MSP as the bench mark or not. Over a year ago they said the MP3 beat the type R Integra in handling yet when the MSP was tested they once again said that it beat the best handler they've tested being the Type R again. If they had half a memory the artical would have said the MSP beat the MP3 for the best handling fwd car.
I personaly think they have given the handling award away alot and always retain the type R as the champ for future comparisions to keep the Honda Rice readers happy.
Altho given a choice I'd personally take the MSP too(I prefer the looks, build quality, sound system etc), I have to say that even if it is "just" a Neon, it's a damn impressive one that ups the ante.
Compared to just a short few years ago, the entire sport compact market is very exciting right now with so many tuned cars coming out from the different car companies, it can only mean increased competition amongst them which leads to better cars for all of us.
Compared to just a short few years ago, the entire sport compact market is very exciting right now with so many tuned cars coming out from the different car companies, it can only mean increased competition amongst them which leads to better cars for all of us.
so ugly, so cheap, so poor quality, UGH!
I looked at that dyno and went to the dodge site to see if there was any possible way that when i saw someone driving one of these on the road i wouldnt say "what a POS"...........no beans. The ass end looks like its 9 inches off the ground, hideous IMO.......interior is plain jane...........typical american car, slam a ton of hp into it and sell it for 20 bucks
MSP = attention to detail
I looked at that dyno and went to the dodge site to see if there was any possible way that when i saw someone driving one of these on the road i wouldnt say "what a POS"...........no beans. The ass end looks like its 9 inches off the ground, hideous IMO.......interior is plain jane...........typical american car, slam a ton of hp into it and sell it for 20 bucks
MSP = attention to detail
I like protege's as much as the next guy but I hate to say it, I hope you don't dislike the look of the rearend of the neon too much because 99.9% of us will be looking at it if you ever ran into a race with one! I would have to bring my A game if I wanted to take on one of these bad boys. And even then I think I would get my ass handed to me. Don't flame me on this one guys but some times the truth hurts!!
Dave
Dave
How's that important at all? Whoever has faster vehicle will be faster. So what? I ride Yamaha FZ-1, and you'd have to bring one hell of a Ferrari to have any chance against me. So what? I ride or drive for my pleasure, not to embarass other drivers.
I like MSP, 'cause it seems it's gonna have awesome handling, and be balanced package, all <100K$ cars are underpowered anyway...
I like MSP, 'cause it seems it's gonna have awesome handling, and be balanced package, all <100K$ cars are underpowered anyway...
PRO 5 said:
a couple things come to mind....first of all, yea i do dislike the rear end of the neon. quite a bit actually. in fact, i may get sick to my stomach if i ever have to follow one in traffic....
and as for racing one? HAH......i dont care WHAT kind of car im driving, i wouldnt race a neon. Its not about winning or losing, its a matter of respect, and i have none for neons. I was thinking in fact, of making a sign that said ( Hi. ) so i could hold it up at any SRT-4 who wants to race my MSP.......just so they know exactly how cool i think their car is..
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Why are all the RSX onwers on this board so intressed in proving that there is some car in the world that is faster??? You guys are hating on the MSP and you should stop it. I knew about that car a while ago. It still the fact that the MSP is the best all around Sport compact car for the money. end of story.
Hi all,slug420 said:
Although I am a new 'poster', I have been coming to this forum for quite a few months now. I drive a 2000 Ford Escort Zx2 S/R (go ahead and make your jokes)
, and my ex-girlfriend has a 2001 Protege ES.As far as the above comments go (by the way slug420, I am not trying to flame you, infact I always get a kick out of your posts {telling unscrupulous salesmen where they can go, sharing your pain about how how long you have to wait for your MSP to come out etc.}) a couple of things that struck me as odd with the Pro compared to my Scort was that:
1)Power lock button is only on the driver side and not on passenger side (I have never seen this before)
2)No variable intermittent winshield wiper speed (only three speeds)
3)Cup holders are only deep enough to support the tiniest beverage size as anything larger will probably tip over in spirited driving (by the way what is the best stain remover you guys know of)
4)Can you say rattle? Are there "Cracker Jack" type surprises hidden throughout the body panels and dash of the Protege?
5)Why is every scheduled maintenance considerably more expensive with the Protege, than with my Zx2? $190.00 for the 24k inspection:wtf: ; Tire rotation $20:wtf:
6)Although this one isn't that big, how come there is no trunk release on the keyless entry?
Although the above points are not catastrophic and the Protege is still a wonderful car (and at the time we chose it, it was the best value for the money), these are points that do not really show that the Protege hence MSP = attention to detail.
I knew that people were going to take what I stated out of contest. I know that the protege is worlds apart better looking then the neon and can out handle a neon but all I am saying is that we should not dis a car on looks alone. We talk about respect, it is a two way street. I give much props to all of the protege's out there but I also give much props to all the other "BANG FOR YOU BUCK" cars out there too! That is all I was saying. Sorry if I ruffled some feathers but just stating my opinion as much as anyone else on this board. Peace!
Dave
Dave
I dunno what you guys are talking about. I personally think that the SRT-4 is pretty decent looking. It needs to get that ass end lowered, but overall is a aggressive looking car that I would not mind owning at all.
Overall I think that the MS Protege is the better machine, just as the regular protege sedan is better than the regular neon, but I am sure that Dodge has put some work into the SRT4 to make it a fun and fast car worthy of it's sub-$20k price.
And for the record, my fiance ownes a 00' neon. She keeps stealing my 02' Protege ES all the time because it is so much more "fun to drive", but I disagree with the Dodge reliability issues though. In the late 80's and early 90's I would not touch a Dodge...or any other american car for that matter. Still do not like most any American made car actually as most are ugly, soft, questionable and drive like boats. But my fiance's neon has been a great car for the $11k we bought it for and my 00' Dodge Dakota SLT 4x4 ran perfect before I traded it in on my Protege (financial reasons). I loved that truck.
Don't hate. Appreciate the fact that the hp bar has been raised. It will mean more fun and better cars down the road!
Overall I think that the MS Protege is the better machine, just as the regular protege sedan is better than the regular neon, but I am sure that Dodge has put some work into the SRT4 to make it a fun and fast car worthy of it's sub-$20k price.
And for the record, my fiance ownes a 00' neon. She keeps stealing my 02' Protege ES all the time because it is so much more "fun to drive", but I disagree with the Dodge reliability issues though. In the late 80's and early 90's I would not touch a Dodge...or any other american car for that matter. Still do not like most any American made car actually as most are ugly, soft, questionable and drive like boats. But my fiance's neon has been a great car for the $11k we bought it for and my 00' Dodge Dakota SLT 4x4 ran perfect before I traded it in on my Protege (financial reasons). I loved that truck.
Don't hate. Appreciate the fact that the hp bar has been raised. It will mean more fun and better cars down the road!
