mygreenmazda

Ok the srt4 is faster but it is still a dumb-estic (domestic) and why in the in the world would somebody want a car that fast. Dont tell me that you are going to go out there on the streets and get the car to its top speed of 150mph. The protege looks better and the neon still looks like its worth 10k.

Bankie

If I go down the list the MSP will have an LSD, Kenwood, rear power windows, etc. The SRT-4 will have viper-style seats, mufflerless exhaust, etc. It's all in what you want. If you want a fast car get a SRT-4. If you want a great handling car get a MSP.

1. I agree.
2. I don't like the Kenwood. I would replace it anyway.
3. Mazda can keep the LSD and give me a sunroof and leather or 30 more hp. Anyway, GRM, SCC, MT said that the SRT doesn't *need* a LSD. They said it would help but it's not necessary.
4. I did. If you're worried about the dash buy a VW. I truthfully can't tell much of a difference in plastics quality. At an auto show the worst I could tell were the Hyundais, Kias, and the $30-$40k Saabs. Every other car seemed fine.

You haven't read many articles then. GRM, MT, SCC, all talked about how they liked the exhaust, and the things mentioned above. C&D even mentioned in their comparison that the FSVT and the SRT-4 rode better than the MSP.

And since the powertrain in the SRT-4 is totally different what makes it a POS? You're grasping at straws here. The SRT-4 honestly sounds like it has a better chance at being reliable since the whole package (engine, tranny, axles, hubs, etc.) has been redesigned to handle the turbo. It's not just a car with a stock engine and a turbo slapped on . And Dodge has a 7yr/70k mile warranty. Seems like they're pretty confident.

The MSP is an awesome car. It sounds like you like the MSP a lot (I like the MSP). That's great. But your arguments aren't. They're all biased speculation on your part.

I don't want to get into a big war. But the thread was started mainly on the subject of performance and you're flaming away with opinions on plastic quality, ride, etc. without even driving one.

Bankie

Some people like faster cars. Seriously, if that was true, why would anyone buy a MSP when they can get an ES for $8k less?

Then don't tell me that you are going to take 25mph curves in the MSP at 80mph.

That's an opinion but OK. I personally think that a MSP5 would look better than the MSP. And looks don't matter to some people. Look at how many people drive Aztecs.

leungwingkei

Haha, I don't see many people drive Aztecs.

But I agree a Mazdaspeed Protege5 will be really cool, it will make me jealous though.

Mach 1

Yeah, the Mazdaspeed is a dog. If its power your after, why buy a piece of crap chrysler product, when you can many other cars with MORE power and more refinement?

ZZOOOMM

Only number one now, but in three days some other manufacture will have a car to beat it. Who frickin cares!!!! For the money you can't beat the MSP. When calloway make the upgrade kit as well as Greddy say goodbye to the neon. Greddy has taken possesion of the MSP to make a screamin machine out of it, to include a turbo upgrade and large front mount intercooler. My dad dodge omni will smoke the Neon, WRX, EVO. Please just be patient.

Bankie

Tell me what other cars you can buy new for under $20k that runs the 1/4 in high 13s, 0-60 in the mid 5s, stops from 60-0 in 112ft, has a 7yr/70k warranty, AND has more refinement. Let me know so I can go buy it.

kc5zom

Only way it won't be is if Dodge has suddenly learned to make quality powertrains over the course of one engine. The best powertrains they have had were those they shared with Mitsubishi. Hyundai and other manufacturers have extended powertrain warranties as well. It's called "the only way we could get people to buy this domestic built piece of crap was to put a long warranty on it, lull people into a false sense of confidence, and say tough **** when it comes in with a wrecked motor and has to stay in the shop for a few weeks while we replace it." I've yet to see Chrysler build a decent FI powertrain on their own, and from what I've seen on the new C-class the quality train doesn't appear to be going from Daimler to Chrysler but the other way around.

Bankie

That's true, something better/faster/nicer will come along eventually. But the other sport compacts are already in the price range of the SRT-4. Add a couple thousand to a MSP and you can buy a WRX.

Are these kits going to be under Mazda's warranty? How much cost will they add? How much HP? I can't see it adding enough hp to compete in a straight line with a stock SRT-4 for under $24k (total with car) while keeping the warranty and not grenading the tranny. Modded vs. Stock isn't a very valid comparison anyway. The SRT-4 with just a MBC is pushing 257.8fwhp and 294fwtq. That's a HUGE power deficit for the MSP. The MSP is going to need a boost of over 100fwhp and 150fwtq to compete in a straight line with a barely modified SRT-4.

I don't understand why you guys are trying to argue this. Does it really hurt your ego to know that there are faster cars for the price? The MSP is a great handling car. The SRT-4 is a great accelerating car. There's no point in bashing either car. Why don't you accept them both for what they are and be happy that you have what you like?

Bankie

No matter what you say about a long warranty, it's always a good thing.

As I recall, Mazda didn't have very good reliability with the old turbo rotary in the RX-7. Does that mean that every engine Mazda builds is crap? It doesn't even look like Mazda will be building their own powertrains for much longer. How much longer will it be before every Mazda is using a Zetec or the nasty Duratec? Mazda seems to be going the Lincoln/Mercury direction and just placing their own body on a Ford chassis/powertrain. Will Mazda still be better and more reliable than domestic Ford because it has the Mazda badge?

Unfortunately you seem to take the typical Honda boy stance of 'I own an import therefore all domestics are crap'.

Mach 1

Actually, he took the correct stance that chryslers are junk. The reason being is that they actually are junk. Buy one and find out for yourself if you must.

later

Bankie

I guess you haven't read my sig. 170k abused miles and counting on my 1st gen neon. Headgasket went at 125k and that's it. My 87 Sundance had 165k when I traded it in. The guy that bought it had 210k on it when I met him a few years ago.

Maybe I just have good luck with Chrysler's. I'm good friends with 6 people that own Neons. 1 person needed a headgasket, everyone else had no problems. I know 2 people with Mazdas. 1 has a (late 90s) 626 with 70k and a near dead tranny. The other one has a 94 Pro that's fine.

This thread really is going nowhere. You're not going to convince me that Chrysler vehicles are crap. I'm not going to convince you that they aren't. I suggest that you just keep hoping that the SRT-4 is junk when it pulls up next to you at a light.

Mach 1

2 headgaskets out of 7 neons is a pretty bad record of reliability.

My experiences with chyrslers have proven to me that they are junk.

If you like them, good for you. Your right, arguing about it is pointless.

About as pointless as your comment about me worrying about a Neon pulling up next to me at a light. I dont race my protege, I know its a slow car. If I was looking for a powerful car, I wouldnt have bought a protege, just like I wouldnt buy a Neon Srt either. A neon Srt is a SLOW car to me. I have had very fast cars for a long time, then I had a family and had to get practical, so I bought a Protege.

If a Neon is fast to you, get one. Ill pass.

fossil boy

Wow, sorta like their MoPar truck commercial, as of late....
"Hey dude, does that thing have a Hemi?"

hahahaha

Bankie

Those headgasket problems were with 1st generation Neons only. Which doesn't share a single part with the SRT-4. I know 4 Impreza drivers, 2 of them have killed the clutch at 40k & 45k. That's a bad record too. I guess 1 626 tranny out of 1 is REALLY bad.

I agree that the SRT-4 isn't fast when compared to Cobras or the like. The guys on the www.srtforums.com are running 12.9s and low 13s with just a MBC, exhaust mods, and slicks. That's pretty quick for a 4 door FWD econobox.

Like I said above. Show me a new car that has 4 doors, runs the 1/4 in the high 13s, 60-0 in 112ft, costs under $20k, and does this all stock.