Need auto-x impressions about the MSP

[hi50]

Hello All,

I am interested in buying a MSP. I just wanted some owners opinions about the car. Especially related to auto-x driving. I am an avid auto-xer and want to know how you guys are doing against the competiton.

I took a test drive recently, and it was a very impressive FF car. There were 10 MSP's on the lot, yes, you heard me 10! I am in Austin, TX, so if you need a deal, go to Premier Mazda. Anyway, the handling was very impressive. I liked the chassis dynamics, and the brakes were pretty good. Some understeer, but it is not bad. That LSD is NICE!! Every FF should come with one. Good low end torque and a great stereo. I have only 2 complaints. 1) the seats dont have enough lateral support, 2) The steering is direct, but has a very "light" feel. Does anyone else have a complaint about that? Maybe disconnecting the power steering would help????

I currently have a 01' S2000, but I am moving to Seattle soon (terrible place to have a convertible). I am also trying to get into shifter karts soon. So I need something more pratical. The MSP would be the only car I would think of right now in the $20K range, and I was so surprised that these things are not selling at all.

And yes, all my track buddies think I'm nuts giving up the S for a shifter kart and an MSP. But shifter karts is the cheapest form of real racing I know, and the MSP looks like a fun car I can still auto-x with.

So let me know how you like the handling. I am not a big straight line guy (been there, done that), but it seems for $2K, you can get an exhaust, fmic, and boost controller and it would rip.

Happy driving, and thanks for any opinions!

 

[BlackMSP]

oh god dont move to seattle I have been living here for 7 years and it sucks! OK well if you dont mind the rain and all then its actually a pretty nice place to live, and we have really nice mountains, puget sound, things like that. Seattle the city is a fun place too. BUT ME I HATE THE RAIN I would do anything to be back down surfing in LA again =[ o well anyway kinda random but ya. Check out the SRT-4's man thats another really good option and I heard the seats are AWESOME. I would honestly get one if I were just thinking about auto-x ect. The handling in my MSP is awesome. It is seriously the best in its class. If all you care about is handling get the MSP, but if want to run the 1/4 get the SRT. But if are going to use as daily driver then get MSP. SRRY IF THIS MAKES SO SENSE IM REALLY TIRED LOL...

 

[scapamouche]

I have had my MSP for about 6 weeks now, and I have two autocrosses in it so far. It is still stock, and I'm comparing it to the STS Celica I traded in to get it:

Handling:
better than the Celica was stock, but not as good as I had by the end. All in all, at autox speeds, the car has mild understeer that can be controlled by tire pressures and driving style.

Power:
Not as strong as the Celica for max power, but a wider, more usable power band. Overall, an improvement.

LSD:
I'm not really taking advantage of it yet, still driving like my old no-LSD car. There IS torque steer, but it is controllable, especially if you know it's coming.

Tires:
The RE040s are not so hot. I'm getting 225 Falken Azenis put on next week. I'll post impressions once I have them.

Steering:
It may be light, but you'll really regret disconnecting it when the torque steer hits.....

Seats:
Not so good, but better grip than the leather I used to have. A set of Schroth harnesses (one of 3 mods on my car to date) makes a huge difference. Use a harness (legal for ALL classes, even stock) and the seat is not an issue.

Headroom:
Orders of magnitude better than the old car. I can actually sit upright in the seat and reach the pedals and wheel without banging my head on the roof....

Comparison to S2K:
Sorry, but I don't think it can compare to the S2K. If you need to get away from the convertible, but really liked the handling and drive as it was, then you might be better off with a 350Z, G35 Coupe or RX8, assuming you can afford them. In my case, I was giving up a well set up car for one with similar traits, but more potentialand a LOT more comfort.

Space:
Lots of room to carry stuff in. You can't fit tires in the trunk, but the back seats should work fine, with the rest of your stuff in the trunk. I think I could get everything I'd need for a 2 day national in the car pretty easily, with only the tires showing to attract theives.

 

[hi50]

Thanks for the great replies!!

scapamouche, have you gone to Nationals before? And thanks for that great writeup. I know the MSP will be no S2K, but my main reason for getting a more pratical car, is so I can get into shifter karts. I love to DRIVE more than anything, auto-x, open track days, etc. I was going to go in w/ a friend and build a Spec Miata, but right now w/ the economy the way it is, its too expensive. I think karting would be a blast, even more so than keeping my S2K. I would miss her, but having a FR car in Seattle's rain will get old real fast.

That MSP is sure a great car though, you guys must be really happy with them. I may join the club soon.

 

[OrangeMSP]

wow there are tons of MSPs in the Austin area it looks like..sorry its off topic good luck on your purchase

 

[scapamouche]

I haven't made it to nationals: my job keeps me from having the necessary time free to go

I HAVE been to one SCCA Prosolo: Last year at Atwater, CA. I got by butt kicked in STS with my Celica. This year, I'm planning to make both the national tour and Prosolo at Atwater before I move out of CA in June...

The Spec Miata idea does sound like a blast, but having driven on Laguna Seca, and driven a Rotax kart on a local track, I'd pick the kart, too! I have never driven ANY vehicle that gave the same kind of rush that kart did! And it was NOT a shifter kart!!!! WOW!

Good luck!