handling's great ! but what can it outhandle exactly ?

[EvilMSP]

Do you mean a Ferrari F355
Edit: Im not trying to be a dick just wondering which one you meant

Here is a link to how good the MP3 did aganist some of the top exotics
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=7&article_id=225

I didn't remember exactly but now I have found the magazine. Motortrend gave the MSP a 69 mph in the slalom. THe Ferrari I meant was the 575M Maranello (it got 66.2 mph)

 

[Geo212]

The MSP can do the slalom in 71.6mph(SCC)! Saleen S7 Supercar and the new Enzo Ferrari are the only cars I know of that can post a better time. It also out slaloms the Sti and Evo.8, but it only can put down 89g of lateral grip. Doesn't the Msp stop from 60 in 112ft?

 

[OpticalElusion]

the Evo VIII posted slalom speeds of 73.1 mph and skidpad of .95 g in the August 2003 issue of SCC.

 

[Novot]

The EVO VIII is 4WD... and yes, I want one. It would look nice parked next to the MSP...

Anybody see SCC this month? The MSP was listed as one of their 8 great buys under $30K

 

[scapamouche]

well lets do a little more of a fair comparison...

an integ type r stock vs msp stock...handling wise who do u think would win? (jus say its the same driver in both cars)

This topic came up at an autox last weekend: I was working a corner with an ex-ITR driver and his assessment was that the IRT had a significant edge in power (although not in torque) but was not QUITE as good as the MSP for handling.

I have autoxed a well setup STX ITR once: it was very nice, but it wasn't a fair car to compare since it was far from stock...

I think the weight penalty of the MSP will keep it from being quite as quick as an ITR (as will the limited camber) but it will definitely be right there. I can't think of ANY other cars in the class that coulod keep up: the SRT would clobber the MSP on a straight, but lose gound in twisties, as would a WRX or an RSX or Celica...

 

[mazdaspeedpower]

that's what i'm thinking, too.

somebody said on this forum that the MSP can outhandle porsches and the like...i don't knoe who, but i'll do a search. but yeah, u think that's true ?

I don't think we handle better than the 911 turbo, but I now we can hold our own(handling wise, not power) with the 911 carrera. We do the emergency lane change at the exact same speed, and I forget the other specs, but its a little above a little below. This car does handle amazingly though, once a bit more power is added, these cars are F**king amazing

 

[daperspeed]

I can't think of ANY other cars in the class that coulod keep up: the SRT would clobber the MSP on a straight, but lose gound in twisties, as would a WRX or an RSX or Celica...

So, the MSP is better in the twisties than a WRX, RSX and Celica??

I was talking with a friend and almost everyone thinks a WRX>MSP as far as handling because the WRX is AWD. What are your thoughts?

 

[jflo]

i don't think so 'cause the AWD makes the car heavier and puts power to all the wheels. it has the grip, but the turning kinda suffers from the AWD. kinda like a SUV i think...

 

[ES2k3]

that's what i'm thinking, too.

somebody said on this forum that the MSP can outhandle porsches and the like...i don't knoe who, but i'll do a search. but yeah, u think that's true ?

hint: SLALOM. If not, switch them tires.... Aha!

 

[ES2k3]

I was talking with a friend and almost everyone thinks a WRX>MSP as far as handling because the WRX is AWD. What are your thoughts?

AWD is a must in slippy conditions (rain, dust...) BUT you gotta be able to make USE of it. For some drivers, AWD is more a handicap than a helper since you must master weight transfers and all...

 

[Drumfreak]

Stuck to the road

These cars rock when being tested. I have never driven a better handling car. AWD is misunderstood by most people. Even myself. I don't physically see how power to all 4 wheels would help it handle better. Maybe on ice or gravel. I do understand how rear wheel would help with handling but if only you're an awesome driver. I just wanna give mad props to all Miatas out there. Their handling is insane. Better than that of the MSP Protege. Don't they pull between .95 and .98 stock? And I believe the 98 or 99 was the best handling year until the MSP Miata came out. Here's my opinion of what we MSP Protege drivers could school around corners. Any Honda or Acura product. This opinion not including a NSX because I don't know anything about them. Sorry to all those Jetta, Golf, and GTI drivers too. We woop on SRT 4's, SE-R Spec v's, Focus SVT's, STI possibly cuz I think they only they pull a .88, Evo VIII's I'm not sure. I've personally seen a MSP take a Corvette ZO6 in autocrossing and an Audi TT (225 hp) as well. Anything in the Mazdaspeeds class and price range will be destroyed. My opinions are also based on real driving experiences. I live within a mile of tons of car dealerships. So I get messed with a lot. I hope my opinions aren't too cocky, but you know what I'm damn proud of my car for behaving so well on the road.

 

[jflo]

wow this thread is back from the dead...but yeah, Evo8s can handle pretty well, they posted a higher g rating than the MSP i believe in the slalom course. Audi TTs...they're just boats with 4 wheels turning. i know this is gonna sound magazine-racerish, but all of the motor magazines that tested the audi TT quattro or not, say that it's too floaty and really lacks the grip of the good AWD systems

 

[jflo]

i was just discussing w/ someone on another forum how GREAT my car is (i'm not being sarcastic). ne way, can the MSP outhandle the TSX ? and if i raced a bone-stock one, who would win ?

wow...i bragged too much...way too much pride in my car. but it is true

 

[Drumfreak]

It would be close

The TSX runs a 0 to 60 in seven seconds flat according to the figures I've seen. The MSP runs a 0 to 60 in 6.9 seconds I believe. The TSX weighs well over 3000 pounds, The MSP weighs only 2843 pounds. With only a 30 hp difference not to mention turbo cars rev way faster it wouldn't be surprising if we would waste a TSX in a straight line. My friends dad drives one. He is a pretty good driver too. Maybe I'll race him and see what the comparison is. As far as cornering goes our MSP's will rival a TSX. As far as a 0 to 60 time I layed down a 6.55 second one just the other day with a 1/4 mile of 14.98 with my GT2 Passport Timer. As soon as I saw my needle get to 60 mph I glanced at my Timer and it read 6.7 something so I believe those Passports are fairly accurate as far as timing goes. And my car is bone stock until tomorrow when I install my Corksport exhaust. I'm gonna the do some runs and use my previous numbers as a point of reference whether they are accurate or not.