MazdaSpeed Protege vs. Standard Mazda 3

[hornsfan10609]

I don't know what a stock 3 weighs but an MSP weighs 2800 lbs and an MS3 weighs 3100 lbs so I highly doubt a 3 is a "couple hundred" pounds lighter. And turbo lag? On a stock turbo? Yeah don't think so.

 

[Tuners and Rods]

The 3 launches harder. Stock MSP weight is 3600lbs just looked at the sticker earlier today. It weighs more than my El Camino. The bottom end, on mine at least, is horrendous. The WRX has never really impressed me I used to outrun them in my truck all the time. Maybe it's just here but There are only a few really modded ones that are fast. Then again this is a town where if you wait you can easily find a few 911s and a Lambo or two to run against. Against them everything else seems a little on the slow side.

 

[Perro del Sol]

The 3 launches harder. Stock MSP weight is 3600lbs just looked at the sticker earlier today. It weighs more than my El Camino. The bottom end, on mine at least, is horrendous. The WRX has never really impressed me I used to outrun them in my truck all the time. Maybe it's just here but There are only a few really modded ones that are fast. Then again this is a town where if you wait you can easily find a few 911s and a Lambo or two to run against. Against them everything else seems a little on the slow side.

The Stock MSP weighs 2843 pounds.......in that case my Mazda 6 Wagon is lighter that a 3, no way in hell!! Re-check your sticker and your facts.

 

[shane02pro5]

LOL 3600lbs is not the curbweight of the car dude!

 

[Tuners and Rods]

Still lighter at a whopping 2780 for the 3i sport which has some extra features but no performance adders.

 

[destineal]

Msp over stock mazda3

 

[RicoP5]

man easier way to go is get a bike lol jk. but nah i would get a msp

 

[lizardman743]

Stock MSP weight is 3600lbs just looked at the sticker earlier today.

With 5 adult males in it maybe.

 

[hornsfan10609]

Someone that doesn't know the difference between GVWR and Curb weight would think an MSP weighs more than a new Mustang. Sorry dude but you are wrong, MSPs easily outrun MZ3s, im sorry your car is so slow.

 

[sm76]

Still lighter at a whopping 2780 for the 3i sport which has some extra features but no performance adders.

60 pounds lighter with a 50 horsepower deficit. You are smoking crack if you think a 3i is faster than an MSP (which isn't fast car anyway).
Just let the people who know enough about the subject matter to understand the difference between curb weight and GVWR discuss from now on ok. The original poster deserves well reasoned responses.

 

[Tuners and Rods]

60 pounds lighter with a 50 horsepower deficit. You are smoking crack if you think a 3i is faster than an MSP (which isn't fast car anyway).
Just let the people who know enough about the subject matter to understand the difference between curb weight and GVWR discuss from now on ok. The original poster deserves well reasoned responses.

Well seasoned responses.....I do cars for a living, GVW is used to determine most aspects of vehicle performance such as brakes and suspension needs. That aside my original point of the 3 being lighter still stands, maybe not a couple hundred but enough for most racers to take seriously for a good 10th. Only 60 lbs lighter with only a 22 hp (mazda 3i 2.0L makes 148, MSP 2.0l makes 170 on average since not all engines respond the same to turbocharging), and as you stated the MSP is not a fast car anyway. You say nay I say yay and the facts say maybe.

 

[sm76]

The 3 launches harder. Stock MSP weight is 3600lbs just looked at the sticker earlier today. It weighs more than my El Camino.

Well seasoned responses.....I do cars for a living, GVW is used to determine most aspects of vehicle performance such as brakes and suspension needs. That aside my original point of the 3 being lighter still stands, maybe not a couple hundred but enough for most racers to take seriously for a good 10th. Only 60 lbs lighter with only a 22 hp (mazda 3i 2.0L makes 148, MSP 2.0l makes 170 on average since not all engines respond the same to turbocharging), and as you stated the MSP is not a fast car anyway. You say nay I say yay and the facts say maybe.

Since you do cars for a living, I'm sure you realize that the MSP has a lot more torque than the normally aspirated engine of the 3 as well right? 160 to 135.

Here is a comparison of a Mazda 3i and a Mazda 3s. The 3s is 160 lbs heavier and has 19 more horsepower. Which one wins, the lighter one or the one with more hp and torque: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests...uring_vs_2011_mazda3_grand_touring/specs.html

Notice how both are significantly slower than the MSP. Let me qualify my earlier statement: The MSP is not a fast car, unless the comparison is to a 3i....

 

[kamon8404]

Maybe he just doesn't know how to drive? Usually the driver is the most effective mod.

 

[sm76]

I fall back on my original statement on the topic. Drive both and see which one is right for you.

 

[Tuners and Rods]

Ah yes I remember it being said by Kamon earlier that he stayed up with a WRX that produces 217-235 ft/lbs depending on year. So by SM76's reasoning you should have seen taillights as soon as you left the line. And since it's only 300 lbs heavier than the MSP the power ratio is still in the STIs favor. Maybe that subie needs a new driver...

 

[Tuners and Rods]

I fall back on my original statement on the topic. Drive both and see which one is right for you.

Indeed I'm torn and like both apologies to the OP for the threadjack

 

[kamon8404]

First of all, I said WRX, not STI. Not to mention I said I had an SSAFC.

 

[Tuners and Rods]

First of all, I said WRX, not STI. Not to mention I said I had an SSAFC.

And I repeat myself again 217-235 ft/lbs based on year. So just an SSAFC adds between 50 and 80 ft/lbs? if it dies I'm buying as soon as mines paid off...

 

[kamon8404]

Well the wrx is a lot heavier than the msp, so msp doesn't need an extra 50 to 80 ft/lbs to keep up with it.

 

[ttbennett14]

I think we all should just enjoy driving our cars? Minor differences in weight and torque and horsepower, aside. I don't think it should matter THAT much to just everyday drivers; whereas if you wanted to take your car to the track, then you should go deep into the technicality. Just go with whatever feels right, whichever you like better, and reliability, of course. I'm not trying to sound ignorant or prove anyone wrong/right, it's just my two cents! Goodluck with the decision! Personally, I'm looking for an MSP because I like the body style more and if something does go wrong, I want to be able to work on it myself.