How does the MSP handle compared too...

[BlueWolfCry]

Being on the board so long, I've always heard the MSP handles great. But when I go to the local boards or some other car forum, they also mention how great their car handles...so I'm just wondering how our car handles compared to the typical competitors and modded cars.

Such as:
-Newer and older gen WRX/STi's
-The new Si
-New and older GTi's
-New and older EVO's
-MS3, MS6
-TC
-S2k
-RSX
-Sentra spec v
-Focus SVT

and etc...Thanks for the info!

 

[CustomMSP]

-Newer and older gen WRX/STi's - A lot less understeer and better control than the WRX. Quicker in tight corners than the STI, but less overall grip

-The new Si - No personal experience, but I would predict that it's not as good as the MSP in tight corner situations.

-New and older GTi's - No comparison to the older GTIs at all, they're way too soft and are heavier. The new GTIs are suppose to be firmer, but are still heavier.

-New and older EVO's - Evos have a much faster steering ratio and more overall grip. The 03 Evos understeer a lot more in tight corners than the MSP. The front LSD equipped Evos and the MSP would do equally well on a tight AutoX course.

-MS3, MS6 - No personal experience, but I can predict that the MSP will definitely out handle the MS6 on an auto X course because of the weight difference. The MS3 will probably perform about the same. I'm sure the people who've owned both can say more.

-TC - no personal experience, but would imagine that the TC will have a lot more understeer

-S2k - Difficult to say. It would depend where the comparison is being done (race track, auto x course, real world) The S2k understeers from the factory until a certain point, and then it snaps to oversteer. Not a car for the novice.

-RSX - A bit heavier than the MSP. Has more understeer and less overall grip.

-Sentra spec v - Has a less rigid body, therefore the side to side maneuverability is not as good. About the same overall grip.

-Focus SVT - A good handling car, but not as firm and quick as the MSP in tight corners.

 

[BlueWolfCry]

thanks custom! That really boosts the self esteem lol. Anyone else's experiences? Also comparisons to cars not mentioned above that are sorta in the MSP class?

 

[geomatics_tech]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=221&page_number=9

They seemed to like the MP3 a lot, and said all it needed was a turbo or more power.

 

[AtenzaNY62]

the msp have different suspension set up.. right? racing beat springs with tokico shocks, racing beat front and rear sway bars, and a strut bar, mp3 have none of those

 

[BlueWolfCry]

The mp3 has the same suspension

 

[CustomMSP]

The mp3 has the same suspension

The MSP has slightly stiffer valving of the struts.

 

[slo03.5msp]

It's truly remarkable how much performance and sophistication $20,000 buys these days. Each of these hot sport-compacts offers its buyers mean-streets looks, superlative road-holding, and plenty of power to keep life from getting dull. What we have here is a choice of gnarly, gnarlier, or gnarliest.

The new-for-'03 SVT Focus five-door is just as wonderful as was last year's three-door version. But the competition's turned up the wick, especially in the power department. While we still love the SVT's spirited locomotion, hatchback functionality, world- class handling, and overall integration, newer, turbocharged entries from Mazda and Dodge offer better all-around performance for the same or slightly less money.

Mazda's first toe dipped into the sport-compact ocean is going to make a big splash and is a great taste of things to come from the talented folks at MazdaSpeed. This Protege hits a sweet spot in the market, delivering fantastic handling, spirited performance, fine balance, great audio, and that signature sport-compact look without compromising the everyday useability of the car. With a few more ponies under its turbocharged hood, the MazdaSpeed Protege would be the hands-down winner of this contest.



One trip around the block will tell you the SRT-4 is immensely more entertaining to drive than the MazdaSpeed Protege or SVT Focus. As good as the Mazda and Ford are, this unexpected entry from a carmaker with zero sport-compact presence just delivers maximum grins and giggles for minimum coin. With acceleration, braking, and handling numbers akin to a Nissan 350Z and a price close to a four-cylinder Camry, the SRT-4 brings excitement to the just-under-$20,000 hot sedan segment.

It boils down to this: The world-class at-the-limit handling of the MazdaSpeed Protege isn't something you're likely to use often in everyday traffic, while the unexpectedly delicious power of the Dodge SRT-4 is a force you'll have a hard time resisting time and again. Game, point, match: Dodge--at least for now.


http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0306_compact_sport_sedan_comparison/verdict.html

 

[mazdaspeedson]

i would say custom is good for most of what he said except in a couple areas which is the ms3 and ms6 to start the ms6 is all wheel drive so road grip is better i have never drove one but i have been in one and most all wheel drive cars will out handle fwd as for the ms3 my friend has one and i was honestly dissapointed with the suspension and he has the dealer upgrade it is set up a little soft and it weighs a little more than our car but other then that the msp is probably stock to stock one of the best handleing cars ever produced of course in its class its not a high performance ferrari

 

[CustomMSP]

i would say custom is good for most of what he said except in a couple areas which is the ms3 and ms6 to start the ms6 is all wheel drive so road grip is better i have never drove one but i have been in one and most all wheel drive cars will out handle fwd as for the ms3 my friend has one and i was honestly dissapointed with the suspension and he has the dealer upgrade it is set up a little soft and it weighs a little more than our car but other then that the msp is probably stock to stock one of the best handleing cars ever produced of course in its class its not a high performance ferrari

You have to keep in mind that AWD doesn't mean better handling. All AWD is good for is straight line traction. Don't get me wrong, the MS6 is a good handling car, but not better than the Msp.

 

[deVic]

-Newer and older gen WRX/STi's - Personal Experience - I felt that I could turn into a corner alot faster with my msp, and the sti understeered hard then could power out hard. I dunno I felt comfier with my msp than an sti. believe me ive pushed the sti hard

-The new Si - No personal experience, but i know this car killed the new gti in every aspect. all this car needs is stickier tires

-New and older GTi's - junk

-New and older EVO's - never got to drive in one, but everyone loves the damn things.

-MS3, MS6 - I've driven the ms3 and that thing is a beast. I'd say the cornering is even with the msp. I've never tested the 6 though.

-TC - TC has more body roll

-S2k - Another car that handles on rails, learn to perfect this car and its dead on. It's hard to compare to the msp, this car has the perfect turn in and out and being rwd is truly nice.

-RSX - Nice cornering but doesnt have lsd, the new si can outperform because it is lighter and has lsd.

-Sentra spec v - HA, this was my last car. The car has excellent grip once the suspension settles but holy s*** this car has so much body roll. this car is notorious for understeer too. You cannot flick this car, this is a car that you must tame and learn to easily settle the suspension, then the car gripped. Overall, msp kills the spec v.

-Focus SVT - never drove it, its a ford id suspect it to suck

 

[kura808]

awesome article!! even though the mp3 came in last, it is still considered one of the better handling cars which makes it rank up their wit the higher end cars. what makes it even kooler is that its the only FWD car hehe.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=221&page_number=9

They seemed to like the MP3 a lot, and said all it needed was a turbo or more power.

 

[Stormtrooper77]

Here you go:

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/features/0210scc_2003_mazdaspeed_protege/index.html

 

[newmie46]

umm i disagree with the rsx is heavier thing cuz i know for a fact the weight is 2506 curb and ours is 2800 or so.and tha rsx handles like its on rails oh and i wish our car went to 9500k that also makes it amazing so don't dis the rsx

 

[SpcyOrngMSP]

well i can tell you that i took an outrageous s-turn doing 110mph once and i'm still alive so...

 

[ItsSlow]

umm i disagree with the rsx is heavier thing cuz i know for a fact the weight is 2506 curb and ours is 2800 or so.and tha rsx handles like its on rails oh and i wish our car went to 9500k that also makes it amazing so don't dis the rsx

Dont know what the hell you were smoking, but RSX's dont have a 2500lb curb weight..

 

[Swerny]

MSP > all

 

[We Are Ninja]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=221&page_number=9

They seemed to like the MP3 a lot, and said all it needed was a turbo or more power.

I remember reading that article. The fact that a FWD rental-fleet econobox even made the list against a group of cars that amazing/legendary is amazing. (omg) Protege FTW.

 

[deadstock]

i was kind of curious why the original Integra Type R wasn't on that list, I'm sure the MSP had better handling than that, right?

 

[Geezer000]

i was kind of curious why the original Integra Type R wasn't on that list, I'm sure the MSP had better handling than that, right?

Depends on what you consider better handling......
If you want something that handles great if you now how to drive it or understeers like crazy if you don't, ya then pick the Type R.
But personally I like the neutral handling of the MSP.