MSP bashing...

[Daemos]

i'll have to disagree with you a bit. especially on the handling thing. i've seen plenty number comparisons (1/4 time and slalom specifically) betwen the svt and the msp, and they are VERY close with the msp winning by tiny margins.

lets see...techincally the BEST handling FWD car stock right now is the MSP.

Then autoxing...it is assumed the MSP would be...then the ITR has been regarded as very high, but with professional drivers a auto cross course between the ITR and the Spec V, the Spec sometimes gets ahead, and sometimes loses a bit (drivers race basically)

the SVT focus, I've never seen get really really really close times in auto x (most likely a lack of a LSD, gives it a disadvantage when accelerating out of corners)

 

[muohio]

I will say that every site is misinformed about the other cars. Owning a Vibe GT I know that people here have never driven the car as most Matrix owners have never driven a MSP. I've owned the GT for a year and looking to trade it on a MSP. The Vibe GT runs the 1/4 @ 15.7 and 87mph. The handling is also in the same league as the P5. Please check out the comparison in Motortrend if you don't believe me. They asked Subaru, Toyota, and Mazda to put the highest performance parts ontheir WRX wagon, Matrix, and P5 that can be purchased with the car. You will notice that the Matrix is formable especially when you spend some money and buy a TRD strut brace. The vehicle is also a tad bit lighter than the MSP, coming in under 2800lbs. I think the vehicle looks a lot heavier than it actually is. Personally, the MSP to me is a better built car, better handler, and the same overall power. The main reason why I have a Mazda itch is after I purchased a Mazda6s.

BTW, the article also speaks of how the Matrix XRS out does the SVT in 0-60 and ties in slalom speeds and from what I've seen, the 1/4 mile time are near identical plus the Matrix weighs a little less.

 

[unwrittenLaw]

originally posted by jroof

No problem...it wasn't really directed at you, more at the topic of discussion. But just do a quick search on these cars in this forum and you'll find a bunch of threads comparing every aspect of them. Most threads are at least 2 pages plus.

its cool...sometimes I forget about the search button.

 

[aychseven]

lets see...techincally the BEST handling FWD car stock right now is the MSP.

Then autoxing...it is assumed the MSP would be...then the ITR has been regarded as very high, but with professional drivers a auto cross course between the ITR and the Spec V, the Spec sometimes gets ahead, and sometimes loses a bit (drivers race basically)

the SVT focus, I've never seen get really really really close times in auto x (most likely a lack of a LSD, gives it a disadvantage when accelerating out of corners)

i'm not arguing that the msp isn't; because it is. my point was that in the list of cars he had posted, the svt was down the list, while all the numbers I'VE seen show them (svt and msp) to be closer than that.

but when it comes to autox, i've heard the mini coopers are also a force to contend with. but then again, in autox it depends on the course with it's turns and straight aways.

 

[Daemos]

i'm not arguing that the msp isn't; because it is. my point was that in the list of cars he had posted, the svt was down the list, while all the numbers I'VE seen show them (svt and msp) to be closer than that.

but when it comes to autox, i've heard the mini coopers are also a force to contend with. but then again, in autox it depends on the course with it's turns and straight aways.

I was just listing the numbers...LSD always gives an advantage. the SVT is a great handling car don't get me wrong, yes the numbers are close to the MSP, but the Spec V/ITR numbers are still closer.

I also heard the mini cooper is a force to contend with...but that thing is expensive and marked up to hell here.