Three years latter the MSP still stacks up

[Rotary_Powered]

Hey guys,

I just did a quick fun write up to compare The MSP to the more recent sport compacts. It's pleseant to find that for the most part the MSP is still competitive. And for the price it's still the best value.

HP, Weight, Tranny, Power:Wieght

1) Mazdaspeed Protege (2003.5) 170, 2843, 5-sp, 16.72

2) Scion tC TRD Supercharged (2006) 200, 2945, 5-sp, 14.73

3) Toyota Corolla XRS (2006) 164, 2670, 6-sp, 16.28

4) Honda Civic Si (2006) 197, 2877, 6-sp, 14.60

5) Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec 5 (2005) 175, 2710, 6-sp, 15.48

6) Mitsubishi Eclipse GT (2006) 263, 3472 6-sp, 13.2

7) Hyundai Tiburon GT (2006) 175, 2986, 6-sp, 17.34

8) Volkswagen GTI (2006) 200, 3308, 6-sp, 16.54

9) Chevy CobaltSS Supercharged (2006) 205, 2991, 5-sp, 14.59

10)Dodge Neon SRT-4 (2005) 230, 2900, 5-sp, 12.60

[Tengo]

long live the MSP!!!!!!!!!

[onequickmsp]

long live the MSP!!!!!!!!!

I second that!

The Eclipse makes some crazy horsepower!!

[CitizenPro]

The Eclipse makes some crazy horsepower!!

Yea, nice horsepower outta that Big V6......but shes a fat bitch.

[Alejo_NIN]

the eclipse is fukcing ugly, case closed

[Rotary_Powered]

Yea, nice horsepower outta that Big V6......but shes a fat bitch.
No kidding 3472 lbs. is no joke, I sure it's fast. But how's she turn. IMO they're not ugly. But I'd take the Protege and the 3 over it any day! (especially the MSP,MS3 and MP3.)

BTW the Mini S, and old celica GTS are also in the same league

MINI S (2006) 168, 2679, 5/6-sp, 15.95
Toyota Celica GT-S (2005) 180, 2425, 6-sp, 13.47

Notice how close the GTS is in p/w to the eclipse GT the Celica, handles much better weighing about a thousand pounds less! MSP's can still take both cars though. The celica would be tough to beat but the mini's pretty close.

[_MSprotegy]

hell yess msp's will nevar die!!

[jeffmsp]

an escort gt with a stock gtx would pwn the group for like no money if it was done right. sorta unimpresses me when i think about how if i spent a G on my winter beater escort I could beat my mint MSP..

[J dragon]

when the MS3 comes out...you guys will forget the MSP ever existed (glare)

[CitizenPro]

when the MS3 comes out...you guys will forget the MSP ever existed (glare)

Sheeeeeet.....u betta watch yo mouth boi (spank)

I cant wait for the day an MS3 tries rollin up on me (glare) hes gonna realize where he comes from....

[Alejo_NIN]

hahahya, right on

MSP lives forever..

ain't no pos ms3 gonna walk up to me tellin me "that thing moves?"

[Rotary_Powered]

when the MS3 comes out...you guys will forget the MSP ever existed (glare)
No way, I know I'll love the MS3 but I can't afford it. The MSP (and MP3) on the other hand are well within my price range.(glare) The MSP is the original.

[Donas64]

Sheeeeeet.....u betta watch yo mouth boi (spank)

I cant wait for the day an MS3 tries rollin up on me (glare) hes gonna realize where he comes from....

Yeah! He comes from the land of 280 Ib feet of torque!

MSP = OWNED!!!

But for real at least you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you MSP looks much better than the MS3

[CitizenPro]

Yeah! He comes from the land of 280 Ib feet of torque!

MSP = OWNED!!!

But for real at least you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you MSP looks much better than the MS3

Just wait and see bud.....ill grab a few Texas boys and we'll go to town on the MS3's. We'll be sure to have vids :D Got nothing but love for em though....there our offspring, hehe

[Rotary_Powered]

The MS3 WILL crush everthing in it's class. Guess someone should figure out how to stuff the 2.3 in the protege.... lol. The MS3 will be faster, but will it have the magical balance of the MSP?

SCC:
"The key to appreciating the Mazdaspeed Protegé is to take it as a whole. Don't expect overwhelming power, staggering grip or retina damaging brakes. Instead, this car lets you blend acceleration, handling and braking into one seamless and very fast dance. Hustling the Mazdaspeed Protegé down a twisty road elicits the same slack-jawed amazement once reserved for the Integra Type R. " I can't wait to get my MSP :)

[Rotary_Powered]

Honda Accord coupe V6 (2006) 244, 3056, 6 sp., 12.52
Damn that thing's even beats out a stock SRT-4. And the eclipse GT. Not bad. But for half that price you can buy an MSP and upgrade the intake, exhaust, and intercooler.

[Alejo_NIN]

But for half that price you can buy an MSP and upgrade the intake, exhaust, and intercooler.


what you said makes sense only if you were going to purchase the car cash,

[Rotary_Powered]

Or if you have good credit and low rates (relative) :)

[Alejo_NIN]

Or if you have good credit and low rates (relative) :)
prolly and 800 beacon score

[jeffmsp]

we can only hope the ms3 will be better than the msp. still i have doubts. msp+boost controller and good gas = :) its hard to image a 3 as nimble as a msp

[Rotary_Powered]

we can only hope the ms3 will be better than the msp. still i have doubts. msp+boost controller and good gas = :) its hard to image a 3 as nimble as a msp
This is very true the MSP imo is still the benchmark for FWD handling. It has recieved even better handling rating than the Integra Type R by SCC.

[PharmacyMSP]

celica gts manual = 2502 lbs.

+77lbs. small, but worth stating

[jeffmsp]

that gts motor is nice. a turbo gts must be pretty quick.

[PharmacyMSP]

my fiance had an '01 gts 6sp and I put a cold air on it. It was slow compared to the msp.

[Rotary_Powered]

I think it's a VVT-I issue, which is the same reason the new civic si isn't much quicker than the MSP. the SI has very low torque, if the MSP driver is a little better than one in an SI it would be a very good race in a quarter mile. Looked up the numbers for the new Eclipse V6 that thing is heavy, but fast, it puts out near srt-4 numbers. Handling still can't compare though.... the STOCK MSP seems to go as low as about 15.3 with a great driver. 0-60 times are still relatively impressive. Lets look at the numbers (modernracer.com)

MSP: 0-60 mph : 6.9 sec.
0-¼ mile : 15.4 sec @ 91.0 mph
60-0 braking distance : 135 ft
200 ft skidpad : 0.89 g

New SI:
0-60 mph : 7.2 sec.
0-¼ mile : 15.6 sec @ 93.0 mph
60-0 braking distance : 125 ft(estimated)
200 ft skidpad : 0.85 g(estimated)

New GTI:
0-60 mph : 6.9 sec.(manual), 6.7 sec.(DSG)
0-¼ mile : 15.1 sec @ 92.1 mph(manual)
60-0 braking distance : 120 ft
200 ft skidpad : 0.84 g

[PharmacyMSP]

I've heard of people running 14.9 w/ a stock msp. btw, the gts is a vvt-li. (lift as well as timing).

[MSpeed2397]

Have any of you driven the new GTI or the A3? That DSG transmission is DOPE (even though it's an auto it'll shift faster than j00!) lol. Not that I'd get it, but wow it's some pretty cool engineering.

[yashooa]

Yeah! He comes from the land of 280 Ib feet of torque!

MSP = OWNED!!!

But for real at least you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you MSP looks much better than the MS3
Not when I am rolling 300+ ft lbs :)
Of course I am WAY WAY WAY far away from stockland. (first)

[yashooa]

The MS3 WILL crush everthing in it's class. Guess someone should figure out how to stuff the 2.3 in the protege.... lol. The MS3 will be faster, but will it have the magical balance of the MSP?

SCC:
"The key to appreciating the Mazdaspeed Protegé is to take it as a whole. Don't expect overwhelming power, staggering grip or retina damaging brakes. Instead, this car lets you blend acceleration, handling and braking into one seamless and very fast dance. Hustling the Mazdaspeed Protegé down a twisty road elicits the same slack-jawed amazement once reserved for the Integra Type R. " I can't wait to get my MSP :)

True, the dynamics of the MSP were a nice magnification of the 3rd Gen's good chassis.
I can't wait to get my car going. For the record I like the 3's and with some good wheels not those stock crap wheels it would look really good.
Of course the 03 MSP looks better :)

[nvmsp]

MSP really great car. If you do everything right it can be really fast.

The question is, do you wanna start breaking shit because thats what will happen when trying to go fast.

The ms3 will be a beast. The ms6 is a beast too. I think the 3's will be able to smoke us MSP's, even us modded ones. Just like the MSP packs surprising power, I think the 3 will have the same.

It will be fun running into them on the street. I've yet to run into a ms6 though...

[CitizenPro]

Not when I am rolling 300+ ft lbs :)
Of course I am WAY WAY WAY far away from stockland. (first)

Haha....im with ya bud.

[yashooa]

MSP really great car. If you do everything right it can be really fast.

The question is, do you wanna start breaking shit because thats what will happen when trying to go fast.

The ms3 will be a beast. The ms6 is a beast too. I think the 3's will be able to smoke us MSP's, even us modded ones. Just like the MSP packs surprising power, I think the 3 will have the same.

It will be fun running into them on the street. I've yet to run into a ms6 though... Hey, it's all about the fun and it is too cool that we can even have this debate. I own a PR-5 to and I am glad that Mazda has kept the MazdaSpeed ball rolling. Heck who knows, maybe the wife will want a MS3 instead of an RX8.
I doubt that a stock MS3 will take my 338WHP MSP but we shall see (naughty)
Provided I can drive my car worth a shit (enguard)

[nvmsp]

Hey, it's all about the fun and it is too cool that we can even have this debate. I own a PR-5 to and I am glad that Mazda has kept the MazdaSpeed ball rolling. Heck who knows, maybe the wife will want a MS3 instead of an RX8.



Yea I know Mazda has really got goin with the whole turbo car thing.

Alot of us will probably own the MS3, or the next Mazdaspeed vehicle.

Maybe a Mazdaspeed rx8 or cx7 is in the works? !

[CitizenPro]

If the Mazdaspeed RX-8 makes it to the states.....that will be my next vehicle. Granted they put a nice amount of power in that baby......300+ with the 6-speed??

[Rotary_Powered]

MSP vs MS6 vs MS miata vs MS3...... I'm sorry the other cars might be faster, but MSP ftw! It's just so well balanced :)

[sandspeed]

i think the msp will carry on over the years and eventually become a highly cherished piece of automotive history. Just the other day at a local meet, a younger guy asked me if i wanted to sell my car...not happin'

oh yea, i have a feeling that a stock mazdaspeed 3 will be really competative with a modified msp but that remains to be seen. What is the projected curb weight of the mz3? anyone

[Rotary_Powered]

I wonder if anyone will ever try to fit the MS3 engine and tranny in the protege chasis.... That'd be interesting to say the least.

[8cd03gro]

I think it's a VVT-I issue, which is the same reason the new civic si isn't much quicker than the MSP. the SI has very low torque, if the MSP driver is a little better than one in an SI it would be a very good race in a quarter mile. Looked up the numbers for the new Eclipse V6 that thing is heavy, but fast, it puts out near srt-4 numbers. Handling still can't compare though.... the STOCK MSP seems to go as low as about 15.3 with a great driver. 0-60 times are still relatively impressive. Lets look at the numbers (modernracer.com)

MSP: 0-60 mph : 6.9 sec.
0-¼ mile : 15.4 sec @ 91.0 mph
60-0 braking distance : 135 ft
200 ft skidpad : 0.89 g

New SI:
0-60 mph : 7.2 sec.
0-¼ mile : 15.6 sec @ 93.0 mph
60-0 braking distance : 125 ft(estimated)
200 ft skidpad : 0.85 g(estimated)

New GTI:
0-60 mph : 6.9 sec.(manual), 6.7 sec.(DSG)
0-¼ mile : 15.1 sec @ 92.1 mph(manual)
60-0 braking distance : 120 ft
200 ft skidpad : 0.84 g


That is a terrible time for the new si...it can run flat 15's stock.

[Rotary_Powered]

Some people have claimed a 14.9 on a stock MSP, right? so either way with good drivers it'll be one hell of a race, same with the GTI. That car is THE current hot-hatch, until the MS3 comes out. The 230hp Anniversery eddition of the GTI is rummered to be coming next year (as well as a 5 door GTI) the hot-hatch segment should really heat up!

[We Are Ninja]

The MS3 WILL crush everthing in it's class. Guess someone should figure out how to stuff the 2.3 in the protege.... lol. The MS3 will be faster, but will it have the magical balance of the MSP?

SCC:
"The key to appreciating the Mazdaspeed Protegé is to take it as a whole. Don't expect overwhelming power, staggering grip or retina damaging brakes. Instead, this car lets you blend acceleration, handling and braking into one seamless and very fast dance. Hustling the Mazdaspeed Protegé down a twisty road elicits the same slack-jawed amazement once reserved for the Integra Type R. "

That write-up right there was the reason I bought my MSP. I was leafing though my old SCC's around the time it came time to buy another car a few months back, and that was the deal-sealer. Big words from a writer I really respect. (2thumbs) That, plus other publications had similarly good things to say about it. Besides, I've always thought the Integra Type R's were sex. With the MSP I'd get a Type R level front driver with four doors. It's also a good-looking car.

The Scion weighs more than it looks like it should. The thing's got some meat on it's bones...

[Bakum]

That write-up right there was the reason I bought my MSP. I was leafing though my old SCC's around the time it came time to buy another car a few months back, and that was the deal-sealer. Big words from a writer I really respect. (2thumbs) That, plus other publications had similarly good things to say about it. Besides, I've always thought the Integra Type R's were sex. With the MSP I'd get a Type R level front driver with four doors. It's also a good-looking car.

The Scion weighs more than it looks like it should. The thing's got some meat on it's bones...

I would imagine to see a lot of MSP's for sale once the MS3's hit the dealer. It is a nice upgrade from a MSP, but personally I like the styling of the MSP better than the MS3. I'm not a big fan of 3 doors. There is no doubt the MS3 will be bad ass, but like it was mentioned earlier, the MSP is well balanced.

I had a 00 Si which I loved, but when I test drove the MSP before I bought it, I knew it was time to say bye bye to the Si. I was debating on the 06 Si, but the styling doesn't work for me on that car. It looks like a chick car. SRT-4.... I don't think I will ever buy a Dodge, but thats just me. The competition compared to the MSP didn't match up. The Drivability and value for the MSP far surpases them. The Type R is a great car, but not worth the price attached to it used. People as well as Dealer's ask more for it used then they did when it was new. There was a Black Type R for sale in my area asking like 30k for it. It had 38k miles and was stock and certified, but not worth it at all. It sat there for close to 6 months before some dumbass bought it.

[CitizenPro]

There was a Black Type R for sale in my area asking like 30k for it. It had 38k miles and was stock and certified, but not worth it at all. It sat there for close to 6 months before some dumbass bought it.

Im sure its already been stolen & stripped.

[Rotary_Powered]

I would imagine to see a lot of MSP's for sale once the MS3's hit the dealer. It is a nice upgrade from a MSP, but personally I like the styling of the MSP better than the MS3. I'm not a big fan of 3 doors. There is no doubt the MS3 will be bad ass, but like it was mentioned earlier, the MSP is well balanced.

I had a 00 Si which I loved, but when I test drove the MSP before I bought it, I knew it was time to say bye bye to the Si. I was debating on the 06 Si, but the styling doesn't work for me on that car. It looks like a chick car. SRT-4.... I don't think I will ever buy a Dodge, but thats just me. The competition compared to the MSP didn't match up.....
The "cheap" sport compact market in 2006 has been crazy. People have soo many choices for new cars. For those really strapped for cash they had the tiburon, cobalt is the new SRT-4 (it's soo underated in hp), the gti and si speak for themselves, the mini-s is still fast. while powerful the eclipse gt seems to get no love, the XRS is a little to familish for younger people to buy (peep) but built like a celica (i still like it), SE-R V is not too disimilar from the MSP, and TRD finallly released the supercharger for the tC.

And now mazda has stomped on every 06 car (even the cobalt in hp) with its 07 MS3. The exception is Tieing the Eclipse GT for hp but the MS3 will be lighter and slightly cheaper (at least in theory on the$$).

I mean look at the MSP it can STILL take on the new SI and new GTI, in most catergories. stock for stock the msp overall still at the very least in my eyes matches the si,gti.

[Bakum]

I mean look at the MSP it can STILL take on the new SI and new GTI, in most catergories. stock for stock the msp overall still at the very least in my eyes matches the si,gti.

I completely agree with that statement. I am very Honda Partial and this is my 1st Mazda, but I have no regrets.

[kamon8404]

All I'm going to say is the MSP is its own animal. The handling will go toe to toe against any stock vehicle out there without debate. The MSP is only forged internals away from being one the biggest powerhouse 4 baggers on the planet. Most definately worth it. Able to boost big numbers with a car that would out handle mostly anything out there and is very very light. In addition to the looks; the lines are so sleek, looks so clean even as stock. I'm more than happy with the MSP, and with the proper money placement the MSP has the potential to dominate the import scene.

[We Are Ninja]

The "cheap" sport compact market in 2006 has been crazy. People have soo many choices for new cars. For those really strapped for cash they had the tiburon, cobalt is the new SRT-4 (it's soo underated in hp), the gti and si speak for themselves, the mini-s is still fast. while powerful the eclipse gt seems to get no love, the XRS is a little to familish for younger people to buy (peep) but built like a celica (i still like it), SE-R V is not too disimilar from the MSP, and TRD finallly released the supercharger for the tC.

And now mazda has stomped on every 06 car (even the cobalt in hp) with its 07 MS3. The exception is Tieing the Eclipse GT for hp but the MS3 will be lighter and slightly cheaper (at least in theory on the$$).

I mean look at the MSP it can STILL take on the new SI and new GTI, in most catergories. stock for stock the msp overall still at the very least in my eyes matches the si,gti.

I had heard the Cobalt SS/SC's were quick, but not SRT-4 quick... Too bad they're both domestics. (ughdance) I looked long and hard at the Spec-V before I bought the MSP; SCC's love/hate relationship with the car is amusing. Good on-demand torque and handling potential FTW.

Of all the sport compacts available in '06, the XRS never did a damn thing for me. It' not ugly, it's just not... desirable. And the Eclipse is a soft, chubby, effeminate pig. In it's defense, though, at least Mitsu got rid of those old-school Pontiac-esque grooved body panels...

[Rotary_Powered]

The XRS isn't as powerful as it should be but it's still high reving fun,needs atleast an LSD though... the spec V is just a much better value. Comparable to the MSP in many ways(peep)

Lol, forgot one thing about comparing the MS3 and the Eclipse GT the MS3 will have much better handling thanks to less wieght and the magical LSD:) And extensive chasis bracing(first)

[FlyinMSP]

The MSP will stay as a classic, something that's difficult to compare with and that's the beauty of it!