Has the MS3 dethroned SRT4?

In the orignal SRT-4 the handling wasn't that great, but then dodge added an LSD and even came out with the ACR version which had even better handling, neither the SRT-4 or the MS3 match the MSP in the handling department, but I suspect that it's because it's really hard to maintain good balance in such powerful FWD cars. Cheapest speed is still the SRT-4, though the MS3 is really,really close (drivers race) and gives more comfort. Take that how you will, in terms of speed: 1)SRT-4 Neon 2)MS3 Handling: 1)MSP 2)Integra Type-R (for FWD cars)
 
FI_FSDE said:
In the orignal SRT-4 the handling wasn't that great, but then dodge added an LSD and even came out with the ACR version which had even better handling...
Click to expand...

I had forgotten the intial cars didn't have an LSD...
 
http://cars.ign.com/articles/730/730560p2.html

We'll start off by saying that the only other FF car we've driven at Laguna Seca was the Dodge SRT-4 ACR. That car had a nice amount of power, but with all that power being sent the front wheels, we had a hell of a time trying to get the Neon to turn where we wanted it to. Thankfully, the MazdaSpeed3 isn't plagued by copious amounts of torque-induced understeer. Thanks to the sticky tires, torque reduction system and LSD all working together, this hot hatch just corners as if it's on rails.

The steering weight of the MazdaSpeed3 is near-perfect, and the car feels pretty good when the steering is on-center, too. It is incredibly easy to throw this thing around the corners -- this car just doesn't want to break its stranglehold on the tarmac. Sure, we can get the front tires to squeal a bit when accelerating out of some of Laguna Seca's twistier bits, but overall the MazdaSpeed3 feels surprisingly neutral at the limit -- a rarity for a front-drive car.
 
We should be comparing to the next SRT-4 not the old one, granted I know why the comparison exsist, the SRT-4 is/was a great value. However reality is that it's Protege vs Neon and 3 vs Caliber.
 
FI_FSDE said:
We should be comparing to the next SRT-4 not the old one, granted I know why the comparison exsist, the SRT-4 is/was a great value. However reality is that it's Protege vs Neon and 3 vs Caliber.
Click to expand...
werd
 
I was reading through the SRT-4 forum about the MS3 and they are pretty nuts over there (I would suggest taking a look... ), and how i found this thread was, they had it posted over there, weird....

Anyways, stock, it seems like the SRT-4 compared to the MS3 is a very hefty competitor.... but i think overall, the MS3 is a pretty badass car, which could have some reall massive potential, Look at all you MS Protege owners with mods!


-Dan
 
arkitek said:
http://cars.ign.com/articles/730/730560p2.html

We'll start off by saying that the only other FF car we've driven at Laguna Seca was the Dodge SRT-4 ACR. That car had a nice amount of power, but with all that power being sent the front wheels, we had a hell of a time trying to get the Neon to turn where we wanted it to. Thankfully, the MazdaSpeed3 isn't plagued by copious amounts of torque-induced understeer. Thanks to the sticky tires, torque reduction system and LSD all working together, this hot hatch just corners as if it's on rails.

The steering weight of the MazdaSpeed3 is near-perfect, and the car feels pretty good when the steering is on-center, too. It is incredibly easy to throw this thing around the corners -- this car just doesn't want to break its stranglehold on the tarmac. Sure, we can get the front tires to squeal a bit when accelerating out of some of Laguna Seca's twistier bits, but overall the MazdaSpeed3 feels surprisingly neutral at the limit -- a rarity for a front-drive car.
Click to expand...
I think this is just another (It's just a neon) Neon hater. He says the SRT had problems turning, but if you look at the numbers they both had very simular numbers with the SRT4 actually betting the MazdaSpeed3. So I can safely say this guys statement is wrong.
 
Simpletons101 said:
I was reading through the SRT-4 forum about the MS3 and they are pretty nuts over there (I would suggest taking a look... ), and how i found this thread was, they had it posted over there, weird....

Anyways, stock, it seems like the SRT-4 compared to the MS3 is a very hefty competitor.... but i think overall, the MS3 is a pretty badass car, which could have some reall massive potential, Look at all you MS Protege owners with mods!


-Dan
Click to expand...


Sweet! My thread made it to another forum. Cross link?
 
FI_FSDE said:
We should be comparing to the next SRT-4 not the old one, granted I know why the comparison exsist, the SRT-4 is/was a great value. However reality is that it's Protege vs Neon and 3 vs Caliber.
Click to expand...
I don't think that the Caliber will be a good comparison. The Caliber is more of a SUV want-to-be and the MS3 is a sport compact. The suspension set up is going to be totally different. Yea the SRT version will have 300hp but that will be for straight line running.
 
Hughes412 said:
I think this is just another (It's just a neon) Neon hater. He says the SRT had problems turning, but if you look at the numbers they both had very simular numbers with the SRT4 actually betting the MazdaSpeed3. So I can safely say this guys statement is wrong.
Click to expand...

numbers don't tell everything. Who cares if the SRT-4 posts a better skidpad number than the MS3.. mazda is much about balanced handling. The Protege didn't have the best handling numbers in every single category and yet was able to dethrone the Integra Type-R as the best handling FWD car evAr.

Hughes have you checked out a caliber in person? They are much less SUV-like than the pictures suggest. They are Pontiac Vibe-esque. So yeah, the Caliber SRT-4 <--> MS3 comparison is much like a Vibe <--> Protege5 comparison, which I'd say is pretty fair. The Caliber is just a bit less low-slung, with a higher beltline and lots of headroom.
 
FI_FSDE said:
We should be comparing to the next SRT-4 not the old one, granted I know why the comparison exsist, the SRT-4 is/was a great value. However reality is that it's Protege vs Neon and 3 vs Caliber.
Click to expand...

Look man, I'm sure everyone understands that and when the caliber SRT4 is released, I'm sure we will revisit the issue. But unless I'm mistaken, you can't walk onto a dodge dealer lot and buy an SRT4 Caliber so the closest thing we have in comparison powerwise and drivetrain wise is the Neon SRT4. Stop raining on the parade.
 
Kansei said:
...Hughes have you checked out a caliber in person? They are much less SUV-like than the pictures suggest. They are Pontiac Vibe-esque...
Click to expand...
True enough, but they aren't very sport-compact-y either. The new SRT-4, thus far, is an odd little bastard in it's hybrid crossover-ness.

Oh, and Dodge wants you to know that it's not cute.
 
hmmmm....... I have info to contribute but Im somewhat afraid.... at around 1 today i test drove the ms3 today and i have a son with an srt4(04) that i have driven many many times. I have to say that these cars are different. While the srt4 may have good handling, its not as good as the ms3 IMO because its more difficult to do in the srt4. throwing the ms3 around in the corners almost seems like second nature. and yes i did really really drive it because the dealer is a family friend. the srt4 does win in acceleration but dont get my wrong any small slip going through the gears and the ms3 will win in a race. This car is fast no doubts about and the interior is gorgeous. Im proud to say that ill be purchasing one over an srt4 which has been the debate ive been going through in my head for quite some time... Dont shoot the messanger
 
Rennoc said:
hmmmm....... I have info to contribute but Im somewhat afraid.... at around 1 today i test drove the ms3 today and i have a son with an srt4(04) that i have driven many many times. I have to say that these cars are different. While the srt4 may have good handling, its not as good as the ms3 IMO because its more difficult to do in the srt4. throwing the ms3 around in the corners almost seems like second nature. and yes i did really really drive it because the dealer is a family friend. the srt4 does win in acceleration but dont get my wrong any small slip going through the gears and the ms3 will win in a race. This car is fast no doubts about and the interior is gorgeous. Im proud to say that ill be purchasing one over an srt4 which has been the debate ive been going through in my head for quite some time... Dont shoot the messanger
Click to expand...

I think it would be a drivers race if you raced one against the other. In other words my friend, your butt dyno could be off either way. We won't know until we get some fair test comparison, ie, dyno's under same conditions or 1/4 times and same track, same conditions.
 
Rennoc said:
hmmmm....... I have info to contribute but Im somewhat afraid.... at around 1 today i test drove the ms3 today and i have a son with an srt4(04) that i have driven many many times. I have to say that these cars are different. While the srt4 may have good handling, its not as good as the ms3 IMO because its more difficult to do in the srt4. throwing the ms3 around in the corners almost seems like second nature. and yes i did really really drive it because the dealer is a family friend. the srt4 does win in acceleration but dont get my wrong any small slip going through the gears and the ms3 will win in a race. This car is fast no doubts about and the interior is gorgeous. Im proud to say that ill be purchasing one over an srt4 which has been the debate ive been going through in my head for quite some time... Dont shoot the messanger
Click to expand...

Good Observations. I don't doubt the MS3 handles better but I'm gunna say something thats gunna get me flamed: I think the SRT 4 is the better looking car...THERE, I said it! Maybe its the menacing FMIC or the Bazooka tailpipes. It just looks like it means business. I know the MS3 is more understated, mature and stealthy but even in overall shape for me the SRT4 is more pleasing to the eye. Now as for interiors, its a TKO agains the NEON. The MS3's interior just looks so much better than anything else in it's class.
 
Kansei said:
numbers don't tell everything. Who cares if the SRT-4 posts a better skidpad number than the MS3.. mazda is much about balanced handling. The Protege didn't have the best handling numbers in every single category and yet was able to dethrone the Integra Type-R as the best handling FWD car evAr.

Hughes have you checked out a caliber in person? They are much less SUV-like than the pictures suggest. They are Pontiac Vibe-esque. So yeah, the Caliber SRT-4 <--> MS3 comparison is much like a Vibe <--> Protege5 comparison, which I'd say is pretty fair. The Caliber is just a bit less low-slung, with a higher beltline and lots of headroom.
Click to expand...
I checked out the caliber. I was actually thinking of trading in the pro for a magnum. The Caliber is more SUV than a car. It's got a of ground clearance and the overall height is just to tall for me. I wouldn't mind getting the SRT if it came with AWD, but they said that wont happen.
 
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