Hmmm, downsides... With the MSP you'll miss the trunk space of the SHO, since we lose some space to the sub. Interior space is smaller. Seats are better by a bit, overall build quality is night and day better. Said it before, say it again, the only other car as fun to drive and direct is a Mini S, but then only barely, and they're tiny. NVH is no real issue for me, but I'm also thinking of dynamatting. Above comments on the "Z" probably relate to the difference betw. RWD and FWD, I can get a great 4 wheel drift out of mine but only at sick-insane speeds or in the wet. It'll be like "rails" compared to the SHO, even with SHO mods, mostly due to weight. MSP even has decent ground and chin spoiler clearance for a car that appears "lowered", and corners flat. I've never had a car as good at lateral movement as this one, and that includes several well modified A2 VW's (16VGTI, GLI). Enjoy - and good color choice. Check other pro/con threads ,there have been plenty.
Comparing the Mazdaspeed to?
- Thread starter Puckpimp71
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computerGeek
Banned
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- Your Mom
long story!!!!
Hypnotized
Member
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- 03.5 MS Protege-Gone 07 MS3
Get the speed. I love this car more everday . The handling is far better than any other car you will see for this price and even the more expensive ones .
hmmm
this is coming from someone who owns both a 350z and a msp.
in my estimation there is hardly any difference in handling.
the msp feels a bit better in corners in stock trim than the Z though, mainly because you can definitely tell the car is lighter and the steering is way lighter.
but anyone who knows what they are doing in a Z could eat an msp's lunch just due to the gobs and gobs of power available.
my Z doesnt have any understeer problems, neither does it have any body roll to speak of.. its just a wider, flatter, heavier feeling car. but it still carves the mountain roads up
ive driven the Z a lot more in the twisties than I have my msp, so there's still some "testing" to be done (laugh)
but i think all in all the Z is a better all around sports car. cant beat the power.
but i can carry 5x the stuff my wife can in her Z, and my stereo walks all over her Blose, i mean Bose unit.
stock Z vs. stock MSP, if its REALLY twisty (dragon's tail kind of twisty, for those who know what that is) then there's virtually no difference, and a good driver could probably beat a Z. give it a short straightaway and the Z burns it up.
i love my cars
this is coming from someone who owns both a 350z and a msp.
in my estimation there is hardly any difference in handling.
the msp feels a bit better in corners in stock trim than the Z though, mainly because you can definitely tell the car is lighter and the steering is way lighter.
but anyone who knows what they are doing in a Z could eat an msp's lunch just due to the gobs and gobs of power available.
my Z doesnt have any understeer problems, neither does it have any body roll to speak of.. its just a wider, flatter, heavier feeling car. but it still carves the mountain roads up
ive driven the Z a lot more in the twisties than I have my msp, so there's still some "testing" to be done (laugh)
but i think all in all the Z is a better all around sports car. cant beat the power.
but i can carry 5x the stuff my wife can in her Z, and my stereo walks all over her Blose, i mean Bose unit.
stock Z vs. stock MSP, if its REALLY twisty (dragon's tail kind of twisty, for those who know what that is) then there's virtually no difference, and a good driver could probably beat a Z. give it a short straightaway and the Z burns it up.
i love my cars
jersey_emt
Member
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- 04 MSM #1089
Around sharp curves on good roads I've gotten continuous g's of > 0.85 (continuous meaning more than 3 seconds)
The stock tires broke loose at an instaneous 1.08 g's and gave a bit of oversteer.
Warm weather (65-70 degrees)
The stock tires broke loose at an instaneous 1.08 g's and gave a bit of oversteer.
Warm weather (65-70 degrees)
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jersey_emt
Member
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- 04 MSM #1089
Skidpad measurement is continous g's...and the MSP is supposed to give 0.89 G on the skid pad.
My accelerometer tests are right in line with that...skidpad measurements are usually higher than what you see in real life because the pavement condition on a skidpad is usually perfect.
My accelerometer tests are right in line with that...skidpad measurements are usually higher than what you see in real life because the pavement condition on a skidpad is usually perfect.
My MSP has a lot of body roll. The car is not that good of a handler for me. I had a 85mr2 that i was much more comfterable driving on curvy roads than this car. Maybe its just my car that drives this way. I will be going to my first Auto x in Msp in a week so I can see what it can do on the track, but I have a fealling that it will be slower than my 2.
jersey_emt
Member
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- 04 MSM #1089
Yes...my MSP has barely ANY noticeable body roll. Maybe you get it checked out.
NJMAZDASPEED
Member
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- 2003.5 Blue Mica Mazdaspeed
I dont know how you see any body roll...none here. I think your just feelin yourself slidin out of the almost non-bolstered seats.Artur1976 said:
Body roll... When are we talking about this happening? When you drive on the streets and you feel body roll? Or are you at the track and feel body roll? Because there is a BIG difference. Everyday roads are not enginered for banked turns. This is what causes most of your body roll in everyday driving. The turns are banked in the wrong direction or flat or banked not enough for high speeds. At the tracks turns are banked with the turns in most cases. It is impossible to really judge the handling of your car on everyday roads. In the US the roads are made to fit were the space is availible. Then you need to look at how your susp was made. Mazda put soft springs with large anti-roll bars in the front and back. This gives you are car that will handle well under loads but without the discomfort of a harsh ride. Not saying that the ride in a MSP is great but most of the road bumps are felt due to the tires and the damping of the struts. I dont think I have driven a car that handle as well as my msp. My probe was a great handling car and I had almost every susp mod on it and the msp is a better handler just in every day car.
computerGeek
Banned
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- Your Mom
I take back what i said about the handling. It was mind over matter. Its the damn Seats. They suck compared to my Z. Those Z Seats just hugged you, made you feel all warm and fuzzy while taking highspeed turns. MSP... better than regular seats but are not true bucket seats. Im happy with the seats but not happy enough, now i have to drop like 1400 on new seats. grrr. Oh well after the Turbo uprade i guess! This is actually not a bad lil car especially for the price. I have to say we definately got bang for the buck!!!
