Mazdaspeed vs. Dodge SRT-4!

[REMillers]

As mention many times in all "this vs that" threads on any board it is personal choice.
Actually alot of MSP owners do AutoX alot, and what do you do more race or just casual driving? Probably casual driving where nice stereo and everything power will come in handy.

I love the SRT and I sorta of like the MSP but purely based on different roles. They are not meant to compete together and can't really be compared expect for price.

 

[REMillers]

Sorry actually there is a common ground here other than price, we are all brothern in that they are sport compacts. Just be unitied in that respect when going out and competing againts others.

Gah I hate silly agruements like this.

 

[QwikSRT4]

Agreed...

I use mine as a daily driver during the week, and for pure racing on the weekends!!! I totally agree with the system in your Mazdas. It is nice to have some bumps while your cruising. That's why I put my system from my previous car in my SRT-4.

As for the power windows thing...really it hasn't been an issue to me. It's just the haters that point it out. There are generally only two people (my wife and I) who ride in my car, so we rarely ever roll the rears down. Also, the rear windows are the child-proof? kind that only roll 3/4 of the way down. Not much travel, so pointless to have window motors. So I could see why Dodge would ditch those to put money to make it go faster!

 

[REMillers]

Actually don't know or see to many cars with the rear windows cranked down. Also didn't think they went down very far to begin with so air flow would be very little from having them down.

Was actually looking to test drive one with my roomate but they want us to put down a deposit since it is hard to get them.

Grrrr :mad:

 

[dj5tyle5]

so how fast exactly is this thing??? When people say it can beat camaros and mustngs are we talking 13-14 second z28s and gts? Thats pretty quick straight line. How well does it compare to the evo and sti?

 

[Captain KRM P5]

This argument (if one can even dignify calling that and not a "b**** session") eats up way too much bandwidth on the board. People, be happy with what you have - is that so very hard to do, I mean really.

Facts are facts; yes, the SRT-4 is faster than the MSP. Yes, the MSP handles better than the SRT-4. And yes, the MSP is just a souped up Protege and the SRT is just a souped up Neon. There is always going to be someone faster than the other guy, just as there is always going to be someone slower than the other guy.

It seems to me that every time this argument comes up, a few of the MSP owners get themselves all in a tizzy over their car being better, like they absolutely MUST ASSERT thier superiority to a board of people who by and large ALREADY FEEL THAT WAY. If a few people want to jump ship so to speak and go buy an SRT, then let them go. The cars truly are designed for two entirely different purposes - japanese with a focus on track driving and american with a focus on freeway domination.

I could easily be just as much an ass as the people in these ridiculous b**** sessions; My car is far faster than the MSP, and probably up there with the SRT - and I have cruise control and you don't so na na na boo boo on you.

See how pointless and trivial that was - so what if what I have is different / better / worse than anyone else on this board. There's no need to mount a defense of your precious Mazdaspeed if most of the people reading the posts ALREADY LOVE YOUR CARS.

 

[PRO 5]

You got a point there Quik! I like the Protege's (MSP, MP5 , MP3, etc.) but if you say that making a car handle better cost more then making a car faster you may be a little off base. Expecially when you consider how close the two cars (SRT-4 and MSP) are in handling. The MSP just barely out handles the SRT-4 in the comparisons I've read but yet the SRT-4 totally out powers the MSP. For a MSP to make the same amount of power (boost controller, bolt ons, mild tuning) as the SRT-4 does stock will cost the same as a set of coilovers for the SRT-4. Then take into consideration if, and this is a big IF, the MSP and the SRT-4 were about equal after the above mods I mentioned all someone with a SRT-4 will have to do is put in a boost controller ($200 to $300) and you can make stupid power out of that thing!!! To make a MSP any more powerful you will have to go with forged internals and even more tuning.

I just think that everyone should just keep that "TO EACH HIS OWN" in mind and let us car enthusiast love the cars we love! Can't we all just get along! Hehehe!

Dave

 

[REMillers]

There have been times posted in the 13.9 range, though think most are running 14.2s-14.5s
Someone put intake, exhaust and think bump the Psi a bit with slicks and was running low 13s-mid 12s. I have a video of it somewhere.

As far as comparing with the EVO not really close but not far behind. EVOs can run 13.6s easily a friend with one was running 13.2s stock. But the launch off the EVO is insanely nice.
EVO is great car incorprating the best of the SRT and MSP. A car with great straight line and unbelievable handling.

 

[QwikSRT4]

The Evo and the STi will kill the SRT-4 in a line stock for stock...but as with anything great it costs more. I would rather take the $7-9K I saved and buy upgrades. I may not have the AWD holeshot, but I'll have the better top end...which is where most of my victims suffer!!! LOL!

As for 1/4 mi times...people are running anywhere from 13.8-14.3 stock. It all just comes down to the driver. I haven't raced any 5.0 Mustangs, but I've enountered more than a fair share of 4.6L GT's and they have great acceleration off the line, but their top end dies...and that's where I get 'em. I've beaten up on some LT1 Z28's, but I cannot catch the LS1's...they are just too much.

I raced a stock Ford Lightning and from 85-120 mph we were dead even. The only way he kept up so good is he kept climbing on me through my shifts. I guess that's where automatics come in handy! It was fun as hell...especially hearing his passenger screaming HOLY s*** HOLY s***...the whole way down the road!

 

[REMillers]

LOL I love passengers in cars sometimes. I dont get those "holy chit holy chit" looks when in a straight line cause honestly the P5 is a dog lol.
But around some corners I've gotten disbelive looks from people as I casual cruise around them like nothing.

Couple guys in a convt Mustang almost broke their necks turning so quickly to see me cruise around them. Then just sat there at a light with raised eye brows.

 

[boostisgood]

The reason that the back windows are crank in the neon is because of the way the back doors are deisgned. The wheel well comes in pretty deep on it, so first the window cannot go all the way down, and second, dodge saw no point in putting in power windows due to the fact that the windows only go about 1/2 way down.

I know this cause I owned a 201 es and asked a Daimler Chrysler engineer at a neon event.

 

[QwikSRT4]

Yeah I love the looks of the P5...if they just would put a little more OOMPH in their engines, I'd want one. I have a friend that has one, and I give him crap cuz his 'baby station wagon' can outhandle my Saturn through these sharp ass curves we have around here.

 

[REMillers]

LOL I'm going to start giving myself crap if my P5 doesn't do better than a 16.4 or 16.2 in the 1/4 mile. I got low 16s out of my 95 Saturn Wagon (Twin Cam) lol I'll be pissed!


Power would be great but again we get jiffed in the American market. The Famila makes 170ish in Japan and we get 130ish
Gah

 

[QwikSRT4]

The reason that the back windows are crank in the neon is because of the way the back doors are deisgned. The wheel well comes in pretty deep on it, so first the window cannot go all the way down, and second, dodge saw no point in putting in power windows due to the fact that the windows only go about 1/2 way down.

I know this cause I owned a 201 es and asked a Daimler Chrysler engineer at a neon event.

Well thanks. I had no idea why they did that. Now I know. I learn something new every day!

 

[redrims]

I would be willing to bet, judging from previous neons, that the interior will totally lack compared to the MSP.....

I've tested both and the interior of the neon looks pretty sweet. I also must add the the SRT-4 seats were more comfortable than the MSP. They both have a beautiful interior with racing/bucket seats, its just that MSP hwild colors. SRT-4 kept it simple with black and silver. I honestly like the simple look better.

from what I hear, Dodge focused on the motor only.. everything else,, is still just a neon..

Just like the MSP is just a protege...

The SRT-4 also has stiffer struts, springs, and bigger brakes. It also stops better than the MSP.


This is for all you guys who try to say the MSP will destroy the SRT-4 in the twisties. IT WON'T DESTROY IT. It has a SMALL edge and it will mainly come down to the driver.
From Sport Compact Car October 2002
Also, the SRT-4 is underrated by Dodge. I have a friend who dynoed at 224hp and there is a guy on the SRT4forums who dynoed at 227hp to the wheel.

From Sport Compact Car December 2002

SRT-4
Handling:
Lateral grip (200ft skidpad) - .85g
Slalom (700ft, six cone) - 69.0mph

Braking:
60-0 stopping distance - 119ft.

MSP
Handling:
Lateral grip (200ft skidpad) - .88g
Slalom (700ft, six cone) - 72mph

Braking:
60-0 stopping distance - 123ft.


ALL IN ALL, I like both cars and the fact is both cars are awesome. If I had my choice, it would be the SRT-4. You guys act like Mazda will hunt you down if you don't be loyal to Mazda. Each person has a right to chose what car they like. It would be horrible to see everyone driving the same car. Where's the fun and diversity in that?

 

[REMillers]

Mazda going to hunt me down!!

*looks out window*
OMG he is right!!!
(outie)


(peep)

*ssshh I'm hiding from the Boogie Mazda Reps*

 

[redrims]

Mazda going to hunt me down!!

*looks out window*
OMG he is right!!!
(outie)


(peep)

*ssshh I'm hiding from the Boogie Mazda Reps*

LOL...those smilies are funny

 

[orangezoom]

I drove both cars before getting my speed and the conclusion I came to is; The SRT-4 is fast and that is it. I think the inside of the car is no comparison, the SRT looks like a rental car inside, the main thing is the handling the SRT does not come close. Acar that comes stock with 220HP and does not have a limited slid differencial is not a well thought out car in my eyes. I bet that will be an aftermarket option. I love my Speed. Another reason is ina year you are going to see the SRT's everywhere 10000 of them being made this year. How many speeds 2000? (mspo) (crazy)

 

[QwikSRT4]

10,000? Where you getting that number? As far as I know (they haven't released an official number yet) there was only 4500 produced. There will only be one more model year, the '04, and it is rumored to have LSD. Quaife is in the process of marketing one for our "Skittles" and that should be out soon...one of my first mods.

 

[dan00k]

hey redrims i think that the ppl that make jackson superchargers dynoed an srt-4 at 232hp at the wheels and like 250lbs torque at the wheels...and they asked the ppl at chrysler about that and they just grinned and smiled they said knowing that they are underrating it a little bit