MSp vs. SPEC-V

[blaqdragon]

Alright.....I need some help!! I got an offer of 16,089.00 for a Spec-V. I can probably get the MSP for MSRP (20,500)...which route would you guys or ladies take?....I hear both cars are pretty much even. I still can't make up my mind though...

 

[JDM Sam]

yea i raced one pretty even. m speed smoke it off the line though. spec v pulls up mid range and speed wins top when boost kicks in. winner in those races (stock) will depend on driver. but modified turbo cars will make more power and win...dude u can get the m speed for low as 19k i know a guy here got one for 19k. black one though. orange ones u can get for 19,500. i got mine for 20k.

 

[blaqdragon]

I haven't driven one yet...I'm gonna go tomorrow to drive it and to see what kinda deal i can get for it....I dunno if i wanna spen 3k more on a Speed though....i could put that towards mods on the Spec-V. I guess i'll wait till i drive it...

 

[RuggedMazda]

I think your going to really like the Spec V when you test drive it, I did. It's going to take some time to get good with the Stick so if you miss shift or something don't let that be the only reason for not getting it. Also on the Spec V forum they have been talking about a turbo kit that is giving them some crazy gains...
I Love my MSP & I'm very happy with it, I couldn't pass up on having a turbo...... Sounds sweet!!!!

 

[Dexter]

get a spec V

 

[Draghkar]

I was deciding between these two and went with the MSP for a few reasons:

1) Concerns about gear shifting and torque steer in the Spec-V. Probably nothing I couldn't live with, but I especially wanted a car that shifted nicely.

2) When you add the option package to the Spec-V (which I would have wanted) the price difference wasn't as significant.

3) The MSP is less common and in my opinion looks nicer (not that the Spec-V is bad looking, just a little on the bland side).

4) Better stereo which also plays MP3s! I know, you could always buy an aftermarket deck, but that adds cost to the Spec-V.

5) Everything I had read indicated that the MSP was a really nice car to drive. The Spec-V generally got good reports but there was definitely more variation in opinions.

Basically when I compared the features and read reviews, I decided that the MSP was worth the extra cash. Value wise I'd say they seem about the same. I have to admit that I have never driven the Spec-V, so my impressions on driving are based on professional and user reviews (check out epinions.com). If money were more of a concern I would have gone with the Spec-V.

 

[AGR]

I like Nissan. If I were spending $35,000, I would have purchased a 350Z Track Edition. I have owned (3) Nissans - great products! A year ago, I was going to buy a Sentra SE-R Spec V, and I still think I was headed that way when the MAZDASPEED was announced. I drove two SE-R Spec Vs, and really liked them.

I think the 'look' of the Nissan is now dated. It is definitely time for Nissan to address that. The Protege still looks good, especially with the MAZDASPEED appointments. I personally think it is one of the best looking sedans out there. And yeah; I love the IS300, and the Audi's, but this isn' t about those.

Yes; with the MAZDASPEED you give up Cruise Control, and the Moonroof, which are really nice. My Nissan, that I traded ('99 Sentra SE Limited) had those; as does my wife's '02 Protege ES. I will adjust.

The overall package (and this has been mentioned a 1,000 times -but worth saying again) is fantastic with the MAZDASPEED. Right down to the Kenwood Stereo System, which I think is an excellent factory installed system. I'm 48, and I listen to a lot of different music. Much of it is Jazz, but I also listen to classic rock, and other styles. You will hear arguments to this, and that's fine. I don't need BOOM-BOOM 'ricer' type sound - where sitting at a stoplight, the car sounds like it is near detonation, and the people around you are pissed off. :wtf: But hey! that's all personal choice.

The suspension is also dated in the Nissan, whereas, the MAZDASPEED is 'all about' suspension. Power wise; they are farily equal. But I will say this; now that I have owned a turbocharged car, I don't know if I will ever go back to normally aspirated. Even though, it is a small turbo; I feel, it serves the MAZDASPEED well, even if the car is left stock.

I'm at 4,600 miles now, and I cannot say enough about my MAZDASPEED. Everyone, it seems, wants something different in their car. I have added a K&N filter, but at this point, I'm not sure how much more I will do.

It is a rare car, and that is cool. It certainly shouldn't be the reason one chooses a MAZDASPEED, but it is nice having something this unique. And yeah; it turns a few heads!

When I bought mine, I could have bought the Nissan SE-R Spec V for about $4,000 less. I have no regrets. None!

I don't think you will go wrong with either car. I would drive them both, give it some thought, and maybe drive them again, before deciding.

 

[mspeedpro]

Just check out the article in sport compact car... i think its called a tough crowd or crowded sumthing... we have all seen it and agree with every word (mostly.) Maybe if u are new to this forum u havent seen it but it could give u the best possible unbiased feel of the two cars.... i think the spec v was in the comparison??

 

[Daemos]

If you want a true turbo car (like not saying the MSP isn't a real turbo car...but it's not like most factory turbo cars, where they build up the engine/tranny to support more boost) get a used car...you won't find any new cars that are true turbos but the SRT-4.

The MSP unlike say an SR20DET equipped or say the Neon SRT-4, are not just stock (in this case proteges) engines + trannys with a turbo bolted on. You can do that with any car. The Neon has a beefy tranny and beefed up engine internals the way a stock turbo car should be. The MSP wouldn't beable to take any more boost than it currently has.

The audio systems depending on who you are (me in my case) I find they're both bleh, and I'd be replacing both of them anyways. MSP has no sunroof/cruise control/side impact airbags, but it probally has better build quality over the Spec (yea my car is made by mexicans)

For a Spec I wouldn't pay more than sticker for it, it's REALLY easy to get them down to invoice, just annoy them enough and they'll do it.

the SCC's comparision was biased, since the Spec V's tranny was ******, and the engine was one of the ones burning oil, people on the sentra boards have emailed SCC, and SCC didn't even respond. (read it, "the tranny was full of crunch, and the engine was full of ping") and they were comparing an 2002 (which had ALOT of problems) instead of a 2003.

it all depends what you want in the end. I'm personally gonna save up money, by the time christmas rolls around, I'm probally gonna trade in the Spec for an STi (yes I'll have all the money to pay off the diffrence with cash ) (of course..it all depends on my parents who bought my car...)

Again it all depends what you want...when I first bought this car (and if I end up keeping it) I wanna push atleast 280 to the wheels as a daily driver, and I'm gonna beef up the suspension.

For me the MSP didn't cut it, just because I'm addicted to a sunroof (the STi hopefully has an option...or I'm gonna need to get aftermarket) in canadian funds I saved like 7 grand...and the tranny will blow out at like 220-240 whp, which is below my target. The MSP though I like the looks of it (don't get a 2003.5, I def like the 2003s better) Just drive them, like a test drive should last a min of an hour, take them both out to your fav stretch of pavement on a nice sunny day, and just drive drive drive til you decide.

oh yea AGR#7 why didn't you just build up the SR20 in the SE? that thing can like take 400whp on stock internals, and the SR20 tranny is a beast as well. and Suspension is easily remidied by JIC coilovers, anti roll bars, wheels/tires. and SR20 engine is like one of the if not the most overly built 4 banger engines ever made. One guy on the sentra forums is like runing mid-high 12s on an SE, on stock internals (which is scary)

 

[RuggedMazda]

The MSP wouldn't beable to take any more boost than it currently has.

That's not true..... It can take more, with only a boost controller you can safely go with 8 or 9psi...... There are people right now who are running more boost. I'm sure in the future there will be someone who finds a way to safely run more.....

and the tranny will blow out at like 220-240 whp, which is below my target. The MSP though I like the looks of it (don't get a 2003.5, I def like the 2003s better) Just drive them, like a test drive should last a min of an hour, take them both out to your fav stretch of pavement on a nice sunny day, and just drive drive drive til you decide.

Have you seen one blow up, or is this just what you hear????
Cause I haven't, if things are done right & you know what your doing when it comes to tuning your car, you should be fine with more boost & power.... I just don't see why you have to tell this person that it will blow up at 220-240.

 

[Dexter]

The tranny wont blow at 220-240whp

 

[MikeyG_U2]

Here's the way I see it. The Spec-V is great if you want to continue tuning the car. There are a lot of them compared to our MSP's, so parts will be more plentiful. Plus, Nissan is realeasing their own aftermarket parts for it in a month or two (under the NISMO brand name) that if used will preserve your warranty.

The MSP is awesome, and I believe better right out of the box, but unless you feeling like playing with boost levels and jeapordizing the integrity of your engine (afterall, it's limited to 6.9psi for a reason) the Spec-V will probalby be more tunable in the long run.

It's up to you, I bought the MSP because I was spending too much money 'upgrading' my previous car, I wanted something i was happy with out of the box that didn't need upgrades.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on the subject, both cars are great, you will be happy with either, and if you get a sunroof in the Spec-V I'll hate you for life.

 

[RuggedMazda]

So do you agree with him dex?
See I own this car & I just hate to see or think that I have a
car that can't be modded up.... It's just how I feel, I have a big list
of things I want to do.

 

[Dexter]

So do you agree with him dex?
See I own this car & I just hate to see or think that I have a
car that can't be modded up.... It's just how I feel, I have a big list
of things I want to do.

no, i dont agree with him.

im agreeing with you.

 

[RuggedMazda]

Oh, sorry man, I didn't get the
all is good.....

 

[BerettaSpeed]

Just check out the article in sport compact car... i think its called a tough crowd or crowded sumthing... we have all seen it and agree with every word (mostly.) Maybe if u are new to this forum u havent seen it but it could give u the best possible unbiased feel of the two cars.... i think the spec v was in the comparison??

The article...
http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/features/0301scc_under20gs/

 

[psifactor]

msp vs. spec v

mazdaspeed 97% japan parts.
Assembled in japan as well

The MSP was co-engineered with Callaway Cars. The nissan was made just by nissan. The spec V has a large 4cyl which is a 2.5L that does not have the volumetric effiency as the turbo 2.0L. The turbo 2.0L in the Mazdaspeed has the power of a larger engine without ruining your gas milage.

The nissan has been rated to ONLY 140whp. The MSP has 151whp. So that means that the nissan was over-rated from the factory or it has a very inefficient drive train. Besides if "there is no replacement for displacement" then why dosent the larger nissan motor have more power.

Where did the limited slip go in the Nissan? Mazda did not forget that. At least the MS will take off when its supposed to instead of doing a peg leg burn-out! (making you looking like a retard) the MSP uses a Tochigi Fuji Sangyo KK super Limited-slip differential.

Suspension
Mazdaspeed.
Racing Beat-tuned Independent strut-Type with front Suspension-Tower Brace, Coil Srpings with increased Spring Rates, Tokico Shock Absorbers, and Large 920mm) Stabilized bar.

The rear suspension of the mazdaspeed has a Independent Twin Trapezodial Link with a Stabilizer Bar.
The nissan does not have a independent rear suspension.

The MSP has ABS standard...the nissan its a option on. the MSP has Electronic Brakeforce Distribution which the nissan does not have.

Alarm is standard on the MSP. Only a package option on the nissan.

The mazdaspeed has a 60/40 split Fold-down rear seatback..nissan does not.

Turning Diameter
MSP 34.1
Nissan 38.4
The MSP has a 14.5 gal fuel tank. Spec V has a 13.2 gal fuel tank..and its .5L bigger engine. So you can go longer between fill ups.
MSP maxium Driving range= 435 miles
nissan maxium driving range= 370 miles

MSP 0-60 (sec) 6.9
Sentra 0-60 (sec) 7.3

MSP TURBO
Nissan= no turbo

The mazdaspeed has a MP3 player....Nissan does not.

WARRANTY
Basic Warranty Coverage
MSP 48-month/50,000-mile
Nissan 36-month/36,000-mile
Road side Assisatnce MSP has...nissan does not
Warranty Service Loaner Car MSP has...nissan does not


The MSP has a limited production. there will only be 1100 black and 600 orange. I rather have a rare car than a common car.

If it was my choice I would go with the MSP It has a turbo kit that comes with the car. Normal cost for a turbo kit is around $3000.00 to $4000.00 and thats just for the hardware. then you will need $1000 just for engine management.

HANDS DOWN
the mazdaspeed is more of a tuners car right out of the box. It all ready comes with just about anything a aftermarket tuner would want...(and its covered under warranty)

For instance:
1. Kenwood in dash mp3 player
2. Custom Seats.
3. Racing shift knob and short throw shifter
4. Custom Guage faces
5. Sparco Aluminum racing petals
6. Strut Tower brace
7. Heave-duth Clutch Disc an Pressure plete
8. LSD
9. Upgraded Sway Bars
10. Tochigi Shocks
11. Racing beat Springs
12. Adjustable pillow ball mounts
13. Z rated tires
14. Ventilated front and rear rotors (standard brakes include solid rear rotors.)
15. Garrett T25 Ball bearing Turbo
16. FMIC
17. Racing Hart 17" wheels
18. Front chin Spoiler
19. Big Rear WING
20. Mono Chromatic Tail Lights
21. Mazdaspeed Muffler
22. Projector headlights with black backgrounds.
If you wanted to put all of that on your Spec-V it would cost you a Fortune


I say Mazdaspeed Protege All the way. Now untill Nissan comes out with a Nismo ser spec-v Mazdaspeed is the way to go!

 

[Daemos]

heh...for all the stuff I'd want to put on the MSP...to make it to what I want to make my spec v I'd be spending more money. (aftermarket sunroof, adding cruise control, side impact airbags are costly as well...not to mention redoing the whole audio system cuz I just don't like kenwood stuff...just a personal thing)

the HLSD on the spec, doesn't prevent burnouts...no HLSD will.

And the dude bought a spec v in the end. He just joined the sentra boards to say that.

the spec DOES have a 60/40 fold down seat, well I have one.

your turbo still doesn't mean too much...turbo car making the same amount of power...and it can't take boosting well...turbo means like oldschool SR20DET style or oldschool eclipse...where those engines were overly made to take care of anything.

the spec V has a easy way to gain 9 whp, balance shaft removal (***** your warrenty) but it's acctually better for the car in the long run.

Independant vs non-indepedant...the Nissan's Multi link bar is the closest thing you can get to having an independant suspension...it basically takes the key benifits of both worlds...but not excelling in either.

also, if you DON't stay in boost you got great fuel economy, but if you do stay in boost it goes down.

the Spec V is pretty rare...not many magazines/automotive journals give it too much attention...and the MSP isn't just 2000 anymore...

not bashing it...if I wanted to keep my car nearly completely stock...I'd probally go with the MSP and add an aftermarket sunroof, and redo the whole sound system.

I don't plan to keep my car stock...I plan to be making either 280-300 to the wheels, or stepping up to an STi within a year or 2.

Also it's alot easier to build up an engine than a tranny.

oh yea

For instance:
1. Kenwood in dash mp3 player (I hate kenwood)
2. Custom Seats. (seats still don't grip as well as the Spec's nor do they have side impact airbags)
3. Racing shift knob and short throw shifter (ditto)
4. Custom Guage faces (I like my guages)
5. Sparco Aluminum racing petals (unless if they're sparco grips, I'm not intrested)
6. Strut Tower brace (got that)
7. Heave-duth Clutch Disc an Pressure plete (it's plate..and got that as well)
8. LSD (yep)
9. Upgraded Sway Bars (yep) (and that's over the stock protege)
10. Tochigi Shocks (yes the spec v shocks/dampeners SUCK to hell)
11. Racing beat Springs (our springs are pretty stiff)
12. Adjustable pillow ball mounts (hmm...didn't know the MSP got that)
13. Z rated tires (got those)
14. Ventilated front and rear rotors (standard brakes include solid rear rotors.) (got that...)
15. Garrett T25 Ball bearing Turbo (and you got a tranny that can't make the most of it)
16. FMIC (that's needed for a turbo)
17. Racing Hart 17" wheels (they still weigh like 25 lbs)
18. Front chin Spoiler (ooooo you make it sound so fancy...)
19. Big Rear WING (not really....)
20. Mono Chromatic Tail Lights (ummm sure...I can do that with the spec by using red vinal tape)
21. Mazdaspeed Muffler (yes...a restrictive muffler that says mazdaspeed)
22. Projector headlights with black backgrounds. (ummm yea same, unless you are taking HIDs here)

So basically the only thing...the MSP has over the spec is the turbo...and if I was seriously building a turbo system...that's the only part I'd keep of the whole MSP's turbo system, thus it's like building a whole new turbo kit...and JWT is making a turbo kit, WITH full internals for the spec for around 5K estimated to put 280 to the wheels, that includes a new ECU for management...how much will it cost to make the MSP handle that power reliabliy? You'd basically need to replace everything on that stock turbo kit, cept for the turbo, and you probally will need to reinforce the tranny abit, probally ain't cheap either.

Both are great cars, he made his choice already....if it sounds like I'm in a b****y mood I am, my work didn't approve my time off for finals...and basically they said "do you want to work here, or go to school?" and it's not some crummy job either, for an 18 year old, getting paid 4 bucks above min wage, have full medical coverage, and get paid to do jack squat...that's good...but 1600 employees...they can't make an exception for the 6 students that got ****** over.

Then I went to exchange my GBA SP (cuz I have a dead pixel) and the only one working in a store is some punk tranee, basically said I'm ******, come talk to my manager on monday when he's back from his party. Who he said probally won't allow me to exchange it because a dead pixel isn't a good enough reason to exchange... He had a snot nose attitude too, and all his gay friends were there playing magic cards, and pokemon card games. I wanted to beat his punk ass...

sorry to vent my anger here. I've just been having a rough day.

 

[JDM Sam]

MSP maxium Driving range= 435 miles

dude i get max 300 miles before having to fill up again in my MSPEED. Maybe if youre shifting at 1500 rpm every time.

The nissan has been rated to ONLY 140whp. The MSP has 151whp. So that means that the nissan was over-rated from the factory or it has a very inefficient drive train. Besides if "there is no replacement for displacement" then why dosent the larger nissan motor have more power.

Dude I raced a SPEC V they are pretty fast and it was right next to me for most the race and past me at one point and then I pulled on him. They have Torque and weigh about 150 less.
And they wont have heat soak problems unlike us with the turbos which will hinder our performance a little after driving a long time.

The MSP has a limited production. there will only be 1100 black and 600 orange. I rather have a rare car than a common car.

1150 black
1750 for N. america
250 for Canada

16. FMIC

A way small one thats not barely visible you can to look into the grill to see it.

Where did the limited slip go in the Nissan?

They have a helical one. Havent launched a SER but i raced one who did and i tore him up off the line! have a video but hard to see if i record it on my comp. beat it 1st gear he pulls on 2nd and 3rd. i pull back and win in 4th. rolling start its really close
i stay ahead the whole time but he pulls even at some point.


but anyway hes right for the most part.

Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V got 5th outta 8th place in a sport compact car review. Its not slow as sport compact makes it sound but it is very close to our Mazdaspeed. i pulled a 15.5 in the mazdaspeed down here in dallas, tx so i pretty match their time in sport compact and the SE-R spec V can run 15.5 according to the magazine with a better running engine which they tested a bad one. All in all handling mazdaspeed wins. Power its even. Looks wise i like the Mazdaspeed better. Tunability. Add 3 bolt ons to each. Mazdaspeed will make more power. However you could boost the Spec V but how many PSI safely is the question.
Female attraction. Mazdaspeed wins at least from the girls I asked. Fun Factor. Turbo spool enough said. Cost. Sentra wins. Not limited production. No Mark up. However I know a mazdaspeed selling for low as 19,100. You can talk your way out a dealer mark up from 2 or 3 grand off and going under the sticker. I got my orange for 500 under sticker. I later had a offer for 1000 off somewhere else. but it was a black one which i wanted an orange. oh well they got one 1 month later but too late! you snooze you lose. Oh well youre buying the car think hard about it.