if you want american raw power, what are you doing with a protege? buy american.

 

The shootout was between economy cars GRADED mainly on economy. The Pro is probably the best economy car out there.

And the neon is NOT a K-car. That's like me saying the Pro is a glorified Ford Escort.

According to MSN Autos the demographics of the Protege and Neon in men vs. women. Neon: 48% Men/52% Women
Pro: 51% Men/49% Women. Not much of a difference there.



Mags can give a base idea of the merits/problems with a car. They CAN'T tell you what you'll like better. Just because the SRT-4 wins a comparison doesn't mean it's better than the MSP. It's just better/more fun for them. You can't really argue with their test data (as far as 1/4 mile, 0-60, skidpad, etc.).

If you're measuring all out performance the SRT-4 is a better package. If you're wanting a cruiser with decent performance the MSP may be better. It's all about what YOU lilke.

This post is not intended as flame.

 

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I agree completely. You can't rely entirely on what car mags and internet sources tell you about a car. You have to drive it in order to be sure. Although there are some cars in which people collectively agree are crap, like.....

 

It's not a NEON. It's a 2.0SX! That just sounds faster!

 

Has GRM ever done reviews of new cars? My roomate gets the mag, but he's only been getting it for a couple months... Great magazine, though! I'd love for them to test a SRT4 against the MSP and maybe even the Mini Cooper S (which they already really like).

 

They do review new cars. I have an issue with the SRT-4 in it (Dec. or Jan. issue, I think). I haven't seen a MSP in GRM but I only pick an issue up every once in a while.

 

Did they like the SRT4?

 

GRM hasn't done any sort of test of the MSP. They tested the SRT-4 and really liked it. They particularly liked the performance, the car's upgradability and the stock seats.

 

all I'm saying is.. Neon.. 2.4L.. us.. well 2.0.. what's the nissan 2.5?!? All i'm saying is that mazdaspeed needs some *****.. i mean come on! 15.6!?! wtf is that? but i mean yea I'm not really saying i like the neon.. ok yea i am.. so what oh wow its a chick car.. but it'll burn all of us and that's all that matters.. and what's sad.. ITS STOCK! I wanna see a Stock Protege from the facotry run a 14 anything.

 

Actually, the Escort is a half-assed, poorly built excuse for a Protegé, with even less engine; i.e., my previous car.

I just have a long and mostly dismal history with Mopar products. I know some people swear by them, but I always seemed to swear AT mine. So you'll see me slam Chrysler from time to time.

And of course it's not flame. Just expression of opinion. If you like the Neon, more power to you (literally, it sounds like).

 

Not as bad as the New Beetle but I stand by my statement. That car has all the lines of a classic chick mobile, nothing aggressive about it. The SRT-4 fixes some of that but still manages to come off looking stupid and weak (why does the board block "U"gly).

As to the SRT-4 this is what I have gathered from various sources:

1. It's fast (duh)
2. It has good handling, but I have seen references in those articles to how much better the Mazdaspeed feels.
3. It's spartan inside. Equipment does not compare with the other "tuner" models from other manufacturers.
4. Manual gearbox sucks ***.
5. It's good for street racer weekends but none of the reviews I have seen would want it for a daily driver.

So basically what they did is take a crappy car with a horrible reliability level (with equipment below that of a Protege LX), add a bigger turbocharged motor to it, upgrade the suspension, and sell it for a decent price of $19G. Basically a fast ticking time bomb. I'll add an extra 5G and get a WRX and some quality.

 

Hey premdrumusr, the MSP ran a 15.1 @ 92.5 in the latest MT.

1. I agree.
2. I agree.
3. It has similar options as the MSP. If you want options you better get a FSVT.
4. Manual gearbox is stiff *at first*. Most mags like it.
5. Car&Driver is the only mag that didn't want it as a driver. And they're main complaint was the seats. Though in another issue they said they were the best seats they've ever felt in a production car. If you have over a size 38 waist they will be tight and not to your liking.

The MSP added a turbo, upgraded the suspension, and a upped the price to over $20G. And with the often mentioned weak tranny it must be a "fast ticking time bomb".

5G isn't exactly pocket change to most people. If you want to spend $25k on a vehicle the WRX would be a good choice.

 

OH NOOOOOOO! Not Gary Coleman!
Obviously people care or they wouldn't be posting.


I was just correcting the K-car comment in a nice way since they share no parts.

If you don't like DC that's fine by me. I like pretty much all automakers. It just irks me to see people flame a car or person without seeing/meeting/driving firsthand with an unbiased mindset.

I do like the Neon (and Pros, and Sentras, and WRXs, etc). Mine has 170k hard miles on it and it still gets 32-36mpg.

 

Motor Trend is a joke....I agree. But Car and Driver I think is by far the best written car mag on the market. It's actually a fun magazine to read and I usually agree with what they write.....usually.

 

You need to go down the spec sheet of the MSP and SRT-4 and look at the list again. MSP has:

1. Rear power windows (Dodge fucktard design)
2. Kick-*** stereo system (check SRT-4 specs)
3. Limited slip
4. Good quality interior bits (check out a Neon sometime and compare the plastics to a 2001+ 3rd gen).

Those are just the high points. I haven't driven the SRT yet, and I don't plan to. But my experience with Dodge/Chrysler products in the past has been unrefined and that they do not take the time to care about any of the little things. Comparing a Neon to even a Ford Focus SE will come up short. I have yet to see any article without explicitly mentioning how difficult the SRT would be to live with as a daily driver. The ride is overly stiff, noise is obnoxious, stuff mentioned above, etc. The Mazda manual in the Protege cleans up quite a bit in the Mazdaspeed. It still feels a little weak but the upgraded clutch and shortened shifter work wonders.

What is the point of buying a fast car if it is a POS. Save up your money until you can afford something worth the power.