Coming to terms

[blaxer]

I am completely amazed with the handling of my P5. However, after researching and experiencing the capabilities of all the other competitors out there (WRX, RSX, Si, etc.) how does one come to terms with the fact that the P5 is not a competiter with these guys in the 1/4 mile?

I understand that the focus of these others in the 1/4 mile don't compare to the handling of the P5 in the slalom, but why shouldn't I just give up when it comes to the pure speed/acceleration? I absolutely love my P5 and have no intention of trading her in for another. I am not interesting in claims that I "killed" a WRX on street, but would rather "kill" it in a controlled environment (i.e. the track, slalom, etc.).

I guess the question is this:

Is it possible for a P5 to take some of these guys, regardless of the money/time involved with the modifications? I find myself dreaming of a '02 P5 with no warranty, turbo, forged internals, custom intake and exhaust, and elaborate suspension.

Is it even worth it or should I be saving my money for the very competitor I love to hate?

(blackp5)

[t3ase]

Here's the way I see it..

There will ALWAYS be a faster car that's different than yours. Does that mean you should run and get that car as soon as possible just so you can go fast?

If you like your car, make it your car. Make it what you want it. Don't run and get something better just because of stats.

[1sty]

Well, first off the p5 is several thousand dollars less expensive then the others so its not really a fair comparision to make as they are all ment to be sporty and the P5 is more of a simple econobox.

However, even just the Flyin Protege turbo kit or any of the others out there will get you into the range if not passed all the others you have listed and with no forged internals and no real risk to the car.

[SpicyMchaggis]

I was considering getting a WRX for a long time. Insurance money for that thing was ridiculous, besides, my DX handles better than it. Seriously. That aside, there will always be a faster car. If thats what your into, fine. Me, I'm all about back road burners and handling. Thats it. Speed is great, but even better in the corners.

[KpaBap]

With the proper amount of money any car can be made into a Ferrari killer.

Stop beating the dead horse.



Originally posted by SpicyMchaggis
my DX handles better than it.

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/KpaBap/shensign.gif

[blaxer]

This is exactly the beating that I need...

Now, for the extra 10k I would have spent for the WRX (just for arguments sake) do you think that the P5 is an adequate platform to develop the so called "Ferrari Killer"?

High Boost turbo w/ the right engine mods and the slight suspension mods, would cost about 8k with all the right tweaking? But, I would have the handling that the WRX could never dream of.

However, the WRX wagon just insn't as stylish as the P5. Maybe what I need is just a hobby. Leave the '03 P5 to the wife and get myself a P5 from someone who f'd up the turbo. Then if nothing else at least I could say it was completely mine. Yeah, I got spanked by the "Ferarri," but he didn't have a toddler and 3 rotweillers in the back enjoying their ice cream cones on their way up to the mountains.

Hrmmmm......

(blackp5)

[t3ase]

Any car you like is an adequate platform to build upon. Do it because YOU WANT TO DO IT, not because you saw it in Super Street.

This is all a hobby to most of us. Then again, it's a love and passion to some of us, too. It doesn't matter that another car is faster.. If we like the car we have, we'll work on it, not others.

[Vulcanon]

Originally posted by t3ase
Any car you like is an adequate platform to build upon. Do it because YOU WANT TO DO IT, not because you saw it in Super Street.

This is all a hobby to most of us. Then again, it's a love and passion to some of us, too. It doesn't matter that another car is faster.. If we like the car we have, we'll work on it, not others.

amen t3ase

[blaxer]

^ ^ Agreed!

I had already been in the WRX and Si before I bought the P5. I could have even afforded either. The P5 just had some qualities that I couldn't turn down. The handling was one that I have still yet to fully appreciate. I think that part of me just gets caught up in the focus on speed. I would think that anyone knows there is so much more to a car than just speed. I think that even my Yukon could beat my P5 in terms of speed.

There is certainly something about the P5 that nothing else has. I just haven't been able to put my finger on it...yet...

(blackp5)

[t3ase]

Ok, you're confusing me.

Anyway, go buy a turbo kit and be happy. You already like the suspension, so there's not much more to do there unless you just want to.

[FlannelBoy711]

I remember the fiirst time I saw a PR5, it was at a Mazda dealership and it was yellow, I had never seen it before, and my brother pointed it out, I was like hmm I dunno, its a wagon..But when I got in, it felt great, seats were good hell of alot of room, enough room so i wouldnt have my knees not touching the dash, (im 6'4) the handling was the biggest plus for me, the way it went around corners left me feeling I was on a cloud. And when I test drove tons of other cars, (Corolla Type S, Eclipse GT, Satrun SC2, and Volkswagon Jetta) I knew right then and there I was going to get a PR5.

[blaxer]

I am confusing me too...

(blackp5)

[t3ase]

Originally posted by FlannelBoy711
I remember the fiirst time I saw a PR5, it was at a Mazda dealership and it was yellow, I had never seen it before, and my brother pointed it out, I was like hmm I dunno, its a wagon..But when I got in, it felt great, seats were good hell of alot of room, enough room so i wouldnt have my knees not touching the dash, (im 6'4) the handling was the biggest plus for me, the way it went around corners left me feeling I was on a cloud. And when I test drove tons of other cars, (Corolla Type S, Eclipse GT, Satrun SC2, and Volkswagon Jetta) I knew right then and there I was going to get a PR5.
Yanno, I didn't even test drive my MSP before we signed for it. I didn't even test any other makes, either. I just knew it was the car I wanted to have. It's the car I wanted to play with. It's the car I wanted to learn on.

Sure, there are so many other cars out there that may be able to beat me in a race but in the end, I'm going home with a car that I absolutely love. A car that I look back and stare at when I'm walking away from it. A car that I still wash two or three times a week. A car that I've put 29k miles on in 8 months. Would I feel the same with any other car that I bought just because it's fast? Not at all.

[SpicyMchaggis]

hey kpabap..what does that mean? my pseudo-mp3-dx definetly outhandles the wrx..haha

[Action Jackson]

Why not bring your ride to a "controlled environment" and see how she does.

I brought my ride to a short but pretty twisty racetrack basically stock and she did fine.

Other people take their ride autocrossing with pretty good success.

[blaxer]

Trying to arrange that, but it looks like the first chance it might have is in Jan. I work in an environment where it is crucial to establish a "baseline" before making your next move. I want to get a track and a dyno run under my belt.

I think that I may have added 12hp to my P5 via some wire loom though. Hope this doesn't screw up my runs...laf...

(blackp5)

[KpaBap]

Please, do tell what wire will add 12hp.

[t3ase]

THE XANAX WIRE!

[blaxer]

No wire added. Just some loom over the existing wires.

Check it out...

(blackp5)

[blaxer]

arg!

(blackp5)

[nate0123]

(uhm)

I think he's joking? I think?

[sidpro5]

DOOD, shoulda used RED loom-----dyno tested +15 hp! lol
just stay away from the "chrome"--adds too much weight!

[grindMARC]

Originally posted by SpicyMchaggis
I was considering getting a WRX for a long time. Insurance money for that thing was ridiculous, besides, my DX handles better than it. Seriously. That aside, there will always be a faster car. If thats what your into, fine. Me, I'm all about back road burners and handling. Thats it. Speed is great, but even better in the corners.

My wife (p5) and I (WRX) pay about the same for our insurance ~ $2200 each.

[scarmiglio]

Originally posted by grindMARC
My wife (p5) and I (WRX) pay about the same for our insurance ~ $2200 each.

Yeah, the WRX wagon has much lower insurance rates than the sedan.

[grindMARC]

Originally posted by scarmiglio
Yeah, the WRX wagon has much lower insurance rates than the sedan.

My insurance company doesn't distinguish between the sedan and wagon. Most insurance companies are even writing the STi under the WRX rates!

Edit: I just did a little search on NASIOC and the rates for the sedan and wagon are the same. You must have gotten quote for the RS wagon instead of the WRX.

In researching rates, there is a guy (someone I know) only paying $800 a year for his EVO. Sumptin tells me that he's going to get an adjusted rate once the insurance company figures out that its not a Galant with a trim package.

[nate0123]

Originally posted by grindMARC
In researching rates, there is a guy (someone I know) only paying $800 a year for his EVO. Sumptin tells me that he's going to get an adjusted rate once the insurance company figures out that its not a Galant with a trim package. Something tells me it's a bit more Lancer, and a bit less Galant

[SpicyMchaggis]

My insurance company hates me, it was a lot for me.. I can afford the car and the insurance..But I just don't want to.