MSP vs. 2.5 RS

[theGeneral]

I just bought an Impreza 2.5RS for the four wheel drive it has, I live in an area that gets some SERIOUS snow.

Anyway, I was just surfing the net and realized that the figures are very close to the Mazda MSP.

The MSP has 170 hp @ 5500 rpm and 155 lb-ft of tq. It is also about 70 pounds lighter than the Impreza.

The Impreza has a bit more torque and less horse power in a natural aspirated engine (read no turbo lag), that combined with the all wheel drive and I think it would be a very close race.

Oh and the Impreza is about two grand less than the MSP.

(dunno)

[Gbourdon]

I have heard that they are pretty close also. Dont forget drivetrain loss and weight and whatever (blah)

[theGeneral]

I have heard that they are pretty close also. Dont forget drivetrain loss and weight and whatever (blah)


The weight is very close, "drivetrain loss"? Don't understand.

[Necessity]

the 2.5rs is a horribly underrated car. Handling, wise, with basic suspension mods is about on par with the MSP. Launch speeds are fantastic due to the awd, and cornering is just amazing. I would love to to have a project gc6. If you can find one with a bad engine, a US sti block swap would be absolutly killer.

[Gbourdon]

AWD vs. FWD The loss of power to AWD is greater due to the extra differential turning the rear wheels etc. How significant this is I do not know.

The launch of course would be better in a straight line race as you shouldnt have any wheel spin.

[CHICO2003]

2 grand less than the MSP? When the MSP was out people were buyin em for like $17 grand! (I bought mine for 19 out the door...if I had only waited another month for that damn rebate!) but anyway... the RS is $15??? I think it's more like 19-20k

The thing about the RS is more psychological to me than anything. You're right about it comparing well with the MSP. The thing is, the MSP represented the top of the line Protege while the RS represents the bottom of the line. Call me strange but I like to have the best trim I can afford. I totally hear where you're coming from regarding the AWD though. Living in CT virtually means my car is useless during the winter (unless I put my snow tires on... but that just sucks!)

With all that said... it sounds like you're the kind of person that at least appreciates a fast car. (you're talking about racing an MSP!) so I'd advise you to at least consider the WRX. Yes it's more $ but when you factor in the payments how much more is it really gonna be? Not to mention the whole buyers remorse thing... you KNOW you're gonna pass about 8 million WRX's within the next few years. Regret would suck... especially if it's over a measely $50-$100/month!

[theGeneral]

With all that said... it sounds like you're the kind of person that at least appreciates a fast car. (you're talking about racing an MSP!) so I'd advise you to at least consider the WRX. Yes it's more $ but when you factor in the payments how much more is it really gonna be? Not to mention the whole buyers remorse thing... you KNOW you're gonna pass about 8 million WRX's within the next few years. Regret would suck... especially if it's over a measely $50-$100/month!

I know exactly where you are coming from, but since my wife and I pay off our cars within a year (sometimes a lot less) because we hate owing, initial cash outlay becomes apparent fast.

Yes, I could have found a used WRX sedan, but, what kind of person buys a WRX sedan and trades it in with a few miles on it? Someone who has thrashed the hell out of it. And I didn't want that. I found a few WRXs with like 40k miles on them for around 16 grand, I got an end of the year, NEW CAR for 17 and some change. Nobody has beat the crap out of it, it is mint.

Will I notice the lack of power? (dunno) I race SCCA so I will be a dif. class so....

Will the 2.5RS do well in street races compared to most other imports? (dunno) since I am not 16 and don't street race I will never know.

All I know is that I got a peppy little four banger with full time all wheel drive and a great reputation for reliability and snow agility.

[Fear]

the 2.5rs is a horribly underrated car. Handling, wise, with basic suspension mods is about on par with the MSP. Launch speeds are fantastic due to the awd, and cornering is just amazing. I would love to to have a project gc6. If you can find one with a bad engine, a US sti block swap would be absolutly killer.


hah! launching the RS kills brain cells every time because it's nearly impossible to figure out. wrx's can put enough power down to spin the wheels and keep it from bogging, but the RS cant. feathering is the best way, and even then, it's still slow. for comparison's sake, ive never seen one best a 2.3 60'.

[theGeneral]

hah! launching the RS kills brain cells every time because it's nearly impossible to figure out. wrx's can put enough power down to spin the wheels and keep it from bogging, but the RS cant. feathering is the best way, and even then, it's still slow. for comparison's sake, ive never seen one best a 2.3 60'.

Well............if a person was buying an RS for a drag racer we would all call him an idiot wouldn't we?(dunno)

All in all, it has more horse power than my last three cars though, so I will be happy. :)

[mp3moose]

boost it?

[theGeneral]

boost it?

And kiss my warranty good bye?

Nope.

I will just be happy with doing minor engine and suspension mods that will keep the dealer happy and me happy.

Oh and a killer stereo as well. :)


hmmm I wonder if my steel rims and snow tires from my P5 will fit on the Impreza?

[Phoenix5]

With the money put down to boost the RS,you could have that to get a WRX.It's really not worth it.

As for the RS,I also think it's underrated because before 2002,the RS was in the "spotlight".But when the WRX came into the picture,the RS became the step-child that nobody cares about.So as far as factory pocket rockets,it was the Sentra Spec V,Civic Si,Focus SVT,SRT-4 and MSP.Well,I think the RS(GDB) is an awesome car,the EJ25 engine is quick and very torquey and the interior is very sporty,plus the shifting is really short(even though it doesn't come with a short shifter).The only things that are it's flaws are that it's a little on the husky side(2900 lbs.) but that's because of the 4WD and that the exterior is a little bland but a bodykit will take care of that.That's why I can't wait to get mine.(burnout)

[SP33D]

i almost bought a 2000 2.5 rs a few months ago as a daily driver. $7000... and they sold it 5 mins before i got there :(

[Phoenix5]

Oh,that sux!!!Sorry(shrug) You could have been rockin' a GC8,instead of a MSP!!

[Replica]

My friend has a 1999 RS and the build quality is horrid...the doors reminded me of a Camaro,

[memo79]

The MSP is 70 lbs lighter??

I've heard that the GC8 (pre-2002) coupe is 300lbs lighter than the GDB Impreza.
Guess that would make a GC8 230lbs lighter now, wouldn't it?