browntrout

I think the main point people are saying are that a relativly underpowered 4 cyl will not stand to much of a chance against most 3L and up 6 cyl. Depending on how crappy the V6 engine is or the auto tranny, you might beat a few cars out there but who really cares if you can beat a Taurus or an Oldsmobile. How many people do you think buy a Taurus so they can drag race it!

Straight line performance is so over rated! My GMC Savannah work van with it's 5.7 V8 hauling around 5000lbs will roast my Protege in a straight line but I still prefer driving my Protege.

There are not alot of drag races that our beloved Protege will come out on top unfortunatly. Civic, Elantra, Corolla, SE-R, Neon, and probably even Cav/Sunfire are all faster in a straight line. Who gives a rats ***!

P5er

you may have to wait for new mazda3 and it's 2.3l to smoke that GTP ,in handling and straight line as well.
GTP is a terrible handling car. P5 handles very well.
2.0 liter in P5 is a old lazy dog, it's noisy, harsh and offers poor fuel economy, it's by far the weakest part of overall very good P5.

keyserscott

heres the straight poop

i have both a GTP and a MP5. The GTP will absolutley destroy a protege in any speed match, it'll peel out for the first 30yds. BUT....in the twisties, a MP5 will win. My GTP will do under 7 in a 0-60. My MP5 will do about 8, with intake exhaust ets etc. You'll need turbo, exhaust, tires etc etc if you ever think youll take a GTP. It's (GTP) probably one of the most underrated cars as far as speed and power. But, I'm selling the GTP...too expensive. Now you know.

lxpony

Dont dog that 3.8L gm engine, it is an absolute bullit proof engine that has been around GM for EVER. I just hope my 2.0 mazda tin can will be as reliable as those GM engines........

nate0123

First of all I didn't see anyone "*******" the 3.8 engine. We all agreed that, due to that engine, it would be near impossible to beat one stock-to-stock.

Hmm, let's find out.

Therein lies the problem. It's ancient technology that lacks refinement.

JustinMP3

on the V6 note, my stock MP3 has taken many V6 mustangs. now for a GT mustang ummm lets not talk about that

Installshield

Why does everyone always say how slow a P5 or ES is???? They are competitive in the compact segment. It isn't the slowest and its not the fastest. In numerous tests the Protege comes out on top for its acceptable acceleration for the class, and it unbelievable handling for the class...(This was only said for a latter post, about Civics, Corrollas, etc.etc. being faster)

So who ******* cares about a Pontiac, its not even in a similar class. If this was a WRX forum, we would all be laughing at a stupid sub 7 sec. Pontiac. Its not "amazingly fast", its a typical American car with too much power for its suspension and chassis.

JustinMP3

crayz_d

I had a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GT, it would blow the doors off of a STOCK Protege/MP3/Protege5. The Mazdaspeed could probably give it a run for it's money. As far as handling, the Grand Prix is fast but has body roll in corners out the azz. I used to race Corvettes and Firebirds in it. Also it runs a 15.9 second 1/4 mile (I can show timeslips if needed) and that is bone stock with and automatic. Anyway just thought I would throw in my $.02.

Installshield

Corvettes and Firebirds?????

Also if you ran a 15.9 1/4 mile, you would not "blow the doors off of a Protege/MP3/5". There have been guys on this forum that have achieved sub 16sec .25miles stock Protege's (the dude I recall did it in a P5). Find a 3rd gen with a good driver and he will be right beside you the whole way....

nate0123

Maybe Corvettes up through the early 80s and V6 firebirds...

crayz_d

I don't have the car anymore, traded it for my 2 Protege5's, yes I bought 2 of them. By the way, I said I raced them, not that I beat them. The Corvette I raced was a new one, bright yellow, and the Grand Prix kept up with him until he shifted into 4th gear and then he was gone. The Firebird was a New Trans Am (V8) and I beat him by a bumper. I have also owned a 1992 Honda Prelude Si, 2.3L 4cyl (non-vtec), and that one ran on my best run, a 16.1 sec 1/4 mile and it has 40 less hp than a Grand Prix. Grand Prix GT: 200Hp, Prelude SI: 160Hp. I know the Proteges can be tuned to run into the 14's and 15's, heck the stock Mazdaspeed can run a 14.9s with a good driver. I love my Mazdas more than any car I have ever owned. I am just saying that the stock MP5 is 100hp and 108tq at the wheel (rated at 130 at the crank). You can check out http://www.flyinmiata.com/protege/tech/dyno.asp for the actual dyno sheets. Don't flame me guys please I am just telling you my experiance, sorry if I made anybody mad. When I take my MP5 down to Firebird Int'l Raceway to do some runs I will know how the MP5 compares to the other 2 cars I have run down there.

Installshield

Pointing out that this is completely wrong is not flaming, sorry if it sounds that way. There is no way that your Pontiac hung with a vette "until" he shifted to 4th. C5 do 0-60 in less than 5 sec. and your Pontiac does not. By the time he shifted to 3rd he would be approaching (or over, not sure of the ratios) 75mph, during which your and your GT would not be seen. Same for the firebird, he would of roasted you as well.

I am not trying to be an *******, I am only saying that maybe these sports car owners were not racing at all. Not many of these type of people drive around looking for mid sized sedans and coupes to race (although maybe the Firebird dude would). If the vette started in 3rd gear it might have been close, like you said, until he hit 4th. Otherwise this info is false...

Installshield

That would make the situation a little more believable...

crayz_d

Maybe it was when he shifted into 3rd that he took off. I don't really remember because it was a while back. And the guy almost dropped his tranny in 1st and 2nd. His car was lurching like no other. I believe I was at about 45-50 when he took off. I gave chase and ran my Grand Prix up to about 90mph and he was still pulling away from me. The guy in the firebird was cool, the only reason I beat him was because the light turned red and we had to stop. He looked over to me and said, "Nice!." I turned and he took off in a cloud of tire smoke. Both of these guys looked like they were in their 30's at the most. Anyway this really doesn't matter at all. I was just trying to say that it was that fast. I will tell you that in Phoenix around where I live there are a lot of rich punks who drive fancy sports cars and act like punks. You can have all the power and speed in the world and if you don't know how to drive you will not run the car "0-60 in less than 5 sec". Anyway, the Grand Prix is an Ok car but the proteges are way better in all respects. I may be "completely wrong" in ideal conditions which I admit those two cars could eat a Grand Prix for breakfast with the right driver. Specs don't mean a lot in the real world under real conditions.