MidnightDreamer said:
Sorry...again I'm a newbie to Mazda thanx to my wife's 3s....anyhow, I was referring to my own maxima, a 2k model (VQ30 engine puts down 222 hp stock, and about 235 with my limited mods to it). The 255 hp maxima is the 2k2-3 models with the VQ35 engine, wayyyy more torque than mine as well. As to track....you're probably right, at least stock for stock. My wife's 3 stock probably holds the road on switchbacks about as well as my maxima with RSB, FSTB, and front frame connectors, plus 235-width rubber.
The maxima is a boat with the stock suspension, but a few bolt ons and it can be tightened up big time. That said, the msp (and the3) are much lighter and therefore have less momentum to the sides in corners.
As to total track (say some switchbacks and some longer straights) I give the edge to maxima....the VQ35 have so much muscle all the way through the range it's sick. Now, on an autocross course the MSP probably has the edge bc its at slower speeds...
\BTW the 3.5 Altima has the SAME engine as the 2k2-2k4 maximas (the VQ30)...tuned down just a little. 3.5 Alti runs 10 less hp than the maxima of the same year, but is also "slightly" lighter. between the two, it's a driver's race.
Though I don't really like the Altima, I will point out that several major testing/automotive publications have rated it as the "fastest front-wheel drive production car ever built".....
so stock for stock, you can't beat it for straightline speed.
Anyways, I'm jsut trying to learn about the mazdas....besides my wife's 3s, there is s MSP, a regular protege, a Protege5, and a RX8 in my neighborhood. Plus my boss just dropped a S/C in his old Miata......
