Mazdaspeed vs Lexus IS 300

chwood said:


(yippy)

hurray for irony

heh...

I must get a RWD car...too bad I can't sell my current car to do that...or else my parents would be pissed...since they paid for my car and all...
 
Daemos said:


heh...

I must get a RWD car...too bad I can't sell my current car to do that...or else my parents would be pissed...since they paid for my car and all...

Irony++ from the guy yellin at someone for being a momma's boy...

(wink)

RWD would be fun, but between the weather around here (esp now) and the outright cost, there is just no way for me.

And it is a woman causing the problems here too, but its a wife in my case....
 
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chwood said:


Irony++ from the guy yellin at someone for being a momma's boy...

(wink)

RWD would be fun, but between the weather around here (esp now) and the outright cost, there is just no way.

true...it's like sheer ice out right now...maybe AWD would be good.

If the AWD conversion for the sentra doesn't cost more than 10 grand...I'd probally be up for it in like the next year or 2...

But still I'd go with the RWD IS..there's just something about a RWD car that's feels more fun than a FWD (duh).

But it all depends on your prefrences. Pefromance is important to me, but having some luxerious aimaities, like a sunroof, cruse control, AC are also very important. Which is why I choose to get the Spec V, cuz it had all of those (and met the cost my parents allowed me to get), that and the fact, I Wasn't allowed to get a used car...

I almost convinced my parents to let me get an ITR, that was for sell here for a little bit cheaper than the spec...but it didn't even have AC!

I'd choose the IS300, it may not be as performance orientated...but the luxary/saftey features you get are worth it over the cost of a slight performance cost.

Lets face it, if everyone here was all into performance, the MSP wouldn't even be on the list, it would be the SRT-4 all the way, since you people seem to go buy magazine judgements, SRT-4 is the car of the year.

I'd take a civic over an SRT.

on another note...the funny thing is...the EG6 Civics was the best FWD platform ever made. Tons of aftermarket options, and the double wishbone suspension is still the best choice for suspension on any FWD car (tunablility wise).

My friend with the RX7 told me, that he couldn't relate to me with cars, because while he is pushing like 350 to the rear wheels, I'm like pushing like 145 to the front wheels. He even told me, I should just save up my money and buy a better car to mod, because an ecnobox is still an econobox no matter how much money you put into it.

now I'm just rambling on and on, and if you're still reading you're probally board to tears heh.
 
Daemos said:

now I'm just rambling on and on, and if you're still reading you're probally board to tears heh.


(yawn)

...oh, I'm sorry - what were you saying?


this is essentially the same conversation that is going on all over - weighing the "all around" qualities of the MSP against other models that beat it out in one or two categories (usually power), but lose in others (design, handling, etc.).

<shrug>

enter personal preference
 
I agree everyone has diffrent tastes.

In the end it's up to the buyer, not anyone else.

but of course if I had enough money to get an IS300, I probally would of gotten a WRX...heh.
 
Daemos said:


5th because of a broken spec.

if you look at the best numbers that SCC have ever printed about the cars.

the MSP is just slightly better in some areas.

pulling off .01 more gs in the skidpad, and 0.1 mph in the slalom.

equal in 1/4 mile, and just slighly faster for acceleration.

The Fact that it doesn't have good seats, nor side impact airbags, and below par safty ratings, no sunroof, and no cruse control, for a more expensive car, is such a waste. Performance isn't everything.

but..the potential for the Spec is still greater than the MSP. you could never turn an MSP to a AWD machine now could you?

There is already talk about someone taking their Spec V, and changing it to AWD, because cars built on the same platform use AWD :p (that will be a crazy car...)

But both the MSP and the Spec are a waste of time to even mod. They're both pathetic cars. No offence to anyone, but if you think a MSP is a good car performance wise, I feel sorry for you. I was thrilled with my spec, but I've learned, I've already found my self a project car, which I hope (if I Get enough money going) to start work on it this summer :)

The MSP, Spec, SRT-4 are nothing but econoboxes trying to be performace-edged. The fact is they arn't. The SRT-4 Probally would be the best to mod, then the Spec, then the MSP would be behind in modding capabilities, if you were just to leave the internals stock.

But can anyone say SR20DET and RWD baby! ;) I just pray I got enough money this summer to start it. I got enough to get the car...but the car is useless unless if I get everything else :p

IF not...I guess I'm gonna throw all that money into the spec, to do that crazy AWD conversion...heh...then I maybe able to consider it a sports car.

Sorry guys, but after driving my Friends RX7, a 350Z, and a crazy modded 240sx, I just can't compare. No offence to anyone, but I'm like on an RWD Power addiction craze right now...hehe...

But colin since you're so immature, go suck a cock, it wasn't a debate about about the MSP vs Spec, it's a MSP vs IS300, if you're not helping, it's a waste of space. People like you are the trash of the universe. Can't say anything good about anything but your own. Which is why your mommy works for Mazdaspeed supposedly, and can get all your parts, you mommas boy, show some proof, oh wait...you can't. It's people llike you that will make this board look bad.

If gas is a concern, which I don't think they're off by that much, I'd still go with the IS300...I'll do some research into this.

In the end...findout your self what you want, it's up to you.



I'm not going to start with this, but since you are talking about the SpecV being greater and it having more potential capabilities well let me start off by saying this.

(Economy-Gas)
the MS-P gets 24/30mpg compared to the Spec's 22/28 umm MS-P wins hands down on Gas.

(handling)
umm i don't think i have to type this one at all but, to make it look better here it is" MS-P.

(Looks/style)
Well unfortunately since my friend owns a turquoise blue SpecV, he even says that the MP3 Looks way better than his car so i think the MS-P wins again, it's just a different color scheme.

(Ride/comfort)
Not to mention, C&D tested all eight cars between the MP3, specV, neon, elantra, corolla, impreza, jetta, and lancer. I think the MP3 came first in every other category except for the performance, which all that the SpecV was "just a innovative straight line sport compact sedan killer. To me i love driving my MP3 and it feels more smoother than the spec's ride.

(Performance wise)
I think that the only category that the SpecV gets to come close is in the 0-60-1/4mile times as the MS-P.

which still the MSP put's down better #'s on paper. I have always here that the SpecV is quicker than the MS-P in 0-60 and 1/4mile times, which is :bs: cause i have only seen a best time from a specV from lawerence stock is a 15.2 for the SpecV and 14.9@92.85mph in his stock MSP which he owned one of the other at the time being.

(Modding potential capabilities)

If you add a cold air intake to the specV and add a cold air intake from Injen that is" in devolpment right now the MSP will still kick the SpecV's but.

If you add a cat-back exhaust to the SpecV along With the CAI, and add a turbo exhaust to the MSP along with the CAI, the MSP would still kick the Spec's but.

If you add a header to the SpecV along with the cat-back, CAI, and add a boost controller to the MSP along with the Turbo exhaust, CAI it'll still kick the SpecV's but.

Catch my drift;) the MSP is a car that is turbocharged and by adding a performance part to a N/A car you will not gain much Hp as you will to a turbo. Now if you are putting a aftermarket turbo in a specV don't even think about comparing the 2 cause you are comparing apples-and-oranges. I could do the same and add a different aftermarket turbo to the MSP and still yield more gains than the SpecV would. Dude face it, the SpecV is a great car" but it's not nowhere in the same category as the MSP for price range. yeah the MSP might be 2-3grand more, it's because of the Suspension, Kenwood System, sparco interior, turbo.
 
note that I never said the spec v was greater, but I will not go back on tuning capabilities.

what I'm talking about for tuning capabilities, is not comparing each and every part by part, but how much power you can get before something will break.

The Protege's trannys arn't nearly as strong as a Spec's Tranny, so you can't really boost it more. The Spec wasn't ment for anymore than maybe 8 psi before the block will blow, but the tranny will still be good, so if you do every possible NA mod to the spec, then throw in a turbo at 8 psi, without changing stock internals, the spec has better. The question is, will I do it? that's under concerderation right now, if I Don't get my RWD car, I'll probally do the AWD conversion after warrenty is over. Right now, I don't care enough, cept for the ****** up ride quality, and the poor as sound system. Time to get coilovers, pedals, motormounts and some JL speakers + subs, and a alpine deck and amp :) That should keep me good for now.

The protege's tranny is maybe good for another 3 psi, which makes it 10 psi, reliably that it'll last.

The Neon will be crazy, it's strong for everything, cept maybe the doors falling off...

When I talk modding potential, I mean everything, cept having to rebuild the engine, and tranny. If you wanted to talk about that...
The paper numbers for the Spec arn't too far off from the

MSP. .01 off in the lat grip, and .1 mph slower in the slalom. Plus you get a sunroof, better seats, and side impact airbags.

Yea, you get the kenwood system, and sparco seats. whoppdie do. the seats are still flat, and the kenwood system still doesn't impress me. The only thing about sparco that I like really are the pedals.

This again is a pointless debate, it's all about personal prefrence, and what matters most. I wanted a car with a sunroof, and some performance. I was expecting something like a honda civic with a sunroof, instead I got a Spec. It's just something I've wanted in my first car, a sunroof, because my family has never owned a car with one before...so I wanted one.

Even if I wanted an MSP, I'd never get one, there is no sign of them in my dealerships yet. I know a guy, he's been waiting a long time to EVEN see an MSP, longer than before I preordered my spec. then the price he got, was more expensive, 4 grand more than I would of paid for my spec, and I got wintertires/rims free. 4 grand may not sound like alot, espically canadian, but it is when you gotta buy 3 brand new cars (we've already bought 2 (withen one month apart) my bro will be the 3rd, and you don't want to finance or lease, so you pay by cash.

You can debate this more if you'd like, I won't ever win, because this is a MSP board. It's just like if you argued this on the sentra boards you'd never win either.

But again, I'm on a RWD craze right now, so I still stick by getting the IS300.

But then again, it's not my choice, if it was, and if those were the only two cars that I had a choice of the IS would be easy.

Still for the price...I'd rather get a WRX, or wait for the RX-8 which is rumoured to start at 36 thousand. Or even the G35 Sedan.
 
Well said daemos, i agree with you on some category's but I love the SE-R and SpecV which my brother-in-law owns a base red SE-R 5-Speed and also my friend owns a turquoise blue specV and they are both great cars. Before the MP3 and SpecV came out i wanted the Sentra SE-R/SpecV so bad but i knew somewhat i needed something more sufficient. I like both cars in every category but by far as everything goes, I'M just stating that the MP3/MSP have more to a car than just performance out there. I love both car's no matter what i say about the 2 but when everything come's down to a matter of decision of price/performance/ride/handling/interior/comfort/reliabilty it goes to the MP3/MSP. Not only just cause i have a mazda it's b/c i've had good experience with mazda's and they are reliable as any other import/domestic car can get. BTW, I love revving the engine and taking the SE-R into CVTC mode as where it kicks in at 5100rpms and pulls strong to redline. Also My buddy who owns the SpecV, he's gone through 2motors/3tranny's.(scratch) (thought) (no)
 
tritonheat1 said:
Well said daemos, i agree with you on some category's but I love the SE-R and SpecV which my brother-in-law owns a base red SE-R 5-Speed and also my friend owns a turquoise blue specV and they are both great cars. Before the MP3 and SpecV came out i wanted the Sentra SE-R/SpecV so bad but i knew somewhat i needed something more sufficient. I like both cars in every category but by far as everything goes, I'M just stating that the MP3/MSP have more to a car than just performance out there. I love both car's no matter what i say about the 2 but when everything come's down to a matter of decision of price/performance/ride/handling/interior/comfort/reliabilty it goes to the MP3/MSP. Not only just cause i have a mazda it's b/c i've had good experience with mazda's and they are reliable as any other import/domestic car can get. BTW, I love revving the engine and taking the SE-R into CVTC mode as where it kicks in at 5100rpms and pulls strong to redline. Also My buddy who owns the SpecV, he's gone through 2motors/3tranny's.(scratch) (thought) (no)

heh, those with those motor/tranny problems, were those made in the first batch. If the car was made after June-july 02, The Rings, and Pistons were all replaced with stronger, and better ones. The trannys, the 02s had alot of problems, the 03s so far are trouble free.

But yea, I Think the thing that kills the spec's performance is such a weak redline. Everyone agrees if the redline was 6500 rpm, it would be better. I mean stock the low redline is fine, but even adding just an intake, it still wants to pull at 6200 rpm.
 
btw i thought the new is300s should break in low 6s rite now.. consider they r now 5 speed with 6 cyl and RWD.... compare MSP is still at high 6s
 
Daemos said:

The Protege's trannys arn't nearly as strong as a Spec's Tranny, so you can't really boost it more.

....1 mph slower in the slalom.

Still for the price...I'd rather get a WRX, or wait for the RX-8 which is rumoured to start at 36 thousand. Or even the G35 Sedan.

MSP = weak(er) tranny? This is a claim I hadn't heard made b4 - anyone care to comment on this either way? It would be...curious, esp since there are guys on this very board running their MSP at elevated boost already.

Shoot, if you're going to start talking about RX8/G35/IS300 prices, hold your horses and pick up an STI or Lancer Evo next year and be done with comparing these two guys!

(rockon)
 
(and met the cost my parents allowed me to get), that and the fact, I Wasn't allowed to get a used car...

Let me guess this straight...they won't let you get a more $$$ car to begin with...which is just funny in it's own way, but your saying that if the AWD conversion is less then 10k, you'll get this? Alrighty then.

Man, listen. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of the same arguement over and over and over and over. You've made your point. Some of which good, some of which bad. Get over it everyone! for christs sake stop giving this guys something else to b**** about. I'm sick of this Spev V vs MSP BS. I don't get pissed at anyone here very often, heck I don't think I ever have, but enough is enough....get over it, and talk about something else. Damn what I wouldn't do for a kill filter here.

lets move on shall we? Wasn't this about an Is300?


And Daemos, if I hear you say

"well my friend with a Rx 7 said...." one more f'n time...

Or read another sentence comparing comparing another car to something that doesn't even exist yet ( AWD Sentra ) I'm going to personally hunt you down and whoop some ass :)

I'm done. Have a nice day.
 
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it was about an IS300...some of us got off track, and I aplogize.

I've never driven an IS300, the best I've had was a passenger side ride.

the luxury of the car pulled me in, that's what I would go for at that price point, luxery and a bit of performance.

it's all up to what's important to you.

Too bad you can't custom order cars, like you can houses and computers to match what you want, and what you don't want eh.
 
I am taking the IS300 out for another spin on the weekend, so I may be driving one next week...I am tired of waiting for the MSP...the other side of this is of course I have waited close to a year for the MSP and what's another month.

The thing about the IS300 that bugs me is the clutch with the traction control...very odd to use as it does not engage and work like a normal clutch...it has a flat spot from when you start moving until you have the clutch all the way out...the traction control is the culprit I think...will know better on the weekend.

Thanks everyone for thier opinions
 
Oliver, your going to be happy either way. Both are really nice cars, heck I'd be driving a IS300 too if i could afford it.
 
Vicocola said:
btw i thought the new is300s should break in low 6s rite now.. consider they r now 5 speed with 6 cyl and RWD.... compare MSP is still at high 6s


The MSP breaks in the 60's in just 6.5-6.9sec. Not bad for a 170hp car huh. Also the IS300 Only best a 6.8sec 0-60 with the 5-speed it's just cause the car either weigh's to much, or it has no mad power. But performance wise there still right around each other.(bicker)
 
Well sitting here having coffee and I have a noon apoinment to drive the IS300 and the phone rings....my MSP is at the dealer and waiting to be picked up....How is that for timing...
 
Been there, done that. I have owned both. Lexus is giving the IS300 away. You can deal hardcore. I read 2.9% Lexus needs to get into the game with a new, upgraded engine that can compete. Just look at the new ES330. Now the IS300 is the least powerful in the lineup. Of course I would never trade a V6 for that sweet Inline-6 in the IS300. If you get the IS300 get the Swift Racing Technology intake. I would still have my IS300 if it were not for the "slushbox" that was offered in 2001. No manual in 2001. Now it is different. If you feel a lag it is probably not the traction control and it is the ecu. The IS300 has a learning ecu. This is a common "problem" for the IS300. They are plagued with that off the line lag. The 5-speeds are better for cancelling out this problem. One more thing, do not even attempt to put CDR's into the Lexus disc changer. They will be eaten.
 
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