Hot inline 4 reviews - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

nrcooled · 08-22-2003, 06:24 AM

Well the lease on my Focus (aka Fukus) is up. So now I am deciding on what car I should get. Yesterday, I decided to go for some test drives. What I am looking for is and out-of-the-box hotrod with a warrantee that my wife can take to the track and I won't have to worry too much about her. So braking, steering, and acceleration are very important. All of these must be easy to drive at the limit. The cars that I am looking at include:

-Focus SVT
-Mazdaspeed Protege
-WRX
-Spec-V
(Keep in mind these are all new cars)
I will do these in the order that I drove them:

1. Ford Focus SVT- pretty complete car. Somewhat supportive seats (seem like they're made for really fat people. Great stereo and logical gauge layout (plus oil pressure and oil temp gauges)
I found the car to be pretty wheezy up top. Seems pretty silly to have a 7200 redline with no reason to go up there. But over all a good ride and if you keep it on full boil then it's a pretty exhilerating ride. One big plus was the 6 speed is geared super tall so my wife won't be doing a ton of shifing around a road course. The brakes seem up to the task of slowing down the car and turn-in was sure and quick.

2. Subaru WRX- I think I set myself up for disapointment on this one. I really had super high expectations for the car. The seats were rock hard and still not supportive. The driver seems very disconnected from the car. Vauge steering (over assisted), you can't hear the exhaust note at all, and there is no power in the upper revs. It handled pretty well but it was hard to desipher what was me and what was the car (due to the vauge nature). It pulls really pretty hard in 1st and 2nd but anyother gear is worthless.

3. Mazdaspeed Protege- Great fvcking car! Smooth powerband...tourqey but pulls hard higher in the rpm range. Turn-in is precise and surgeon like, there were no times when I didn't know what the car was doing. The brakes feel like a vacuum, you hit them and just try to keep your teeth off the steering wheel. Very supportive seats and plenty of room for hauling the little one to track events. The most complete car I have had the pleasure to drive.

4. Nissan Sentra Spec-V- Not a bad car at all. A pretty good package with average everything. Average power, average brakes, etc. but still finished pretty high on my list. The only draw back was the massive amounts of tourqe steer. Also the wheel hop got annoying.

All in all I am going with the Mazdaspeed Protege (dependant on financing) Currently I am shopping for a good low interest loan so we will see how that goes.

nrcooled · 08-22-2003, 06:35 AM

After taking in consideration price, functionality, and performance
these are the top two finishers:

I hope to have the mazda in my driveway by the weekend!

Steeles · 08-22-2003, 06:53 AM

yeah Im gonna have to give a nod to the Mazda in the looks department. Iv've never been a big fan of the looks of the others on your list. but Mazda's been cranking out some SERIOUSLY sexy cars. too bad I cant drive FWD cars.. that mazda 6 is niiiice.

dstyle · 08-22-2003, 07:13 AM

yea i have to agree with Bill. mazda's looks department is really stepping up with the new attenza err mazda 6. too bad they are fwd:hammer:

AKADriver · 08-22-2003, 09:56 AM

You'll love the MSP

I was sold on my 5 as soon as I pulled out of the dealership. I've driven the Mazdaspeed and it's basically more of the same that I love, plus a big extra helping of grip and torque.

Being FF doesn't even matter. The Mazdaspeed has a great LSD and a very balanced suspension, it will go where you point it (even sideways).

240trainee · 08-23-2003, 08:21 PM

How about the Dodge SRT-4?

NZO · 08-23-2003, 11:38 PM

WRX doesnt have an I4

hookedup240 · 08-23-2003, 11:42 PM

I know you can get the new spec-v in 6 spd. What about the others??

AKADriver · 08-24-2003, 12:54 AM

The Focus SVT is only available with a 6 speed.

The Mazdaspeed doesn't need one. It has a very broad torque curve.

nrcooled · 08-24-2003, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 240trainee
How about the Dodge SRT-4?

I absolutely forgot about the SRT-4! Dam-it!!!

I wanted to drive one too. Well since I bought the Mazdaspeed it doesn't really matter now.

Quote:

WRX doesnt have an I4

Ok I4 and Boxer 4 review...HAPPY?!!

J/K

Edit: The Spec-V and the SVT are the only 6 spds on my list

knightrider · 08-24-2003, 03:44 PM

srt4 got recalled,

bad oil pumps, supposedly they go out within 9000 miles, or 9 months, i forgot which but the my friend at the local dodge dealer said they have already done about 150 oil pumps in em

08-22-2003, 06:24 AM	#1
nrcooled Nissanaholic! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Turn 8 'bout to get rolled by a SC'd ITR Age: 46 Posts: 1,849 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Hot inline 4 reviews Well the lease on my Focus (aka Fukus) is up. So now I am deciding on what car I should get. Yesterday, I decided to go for some test drives. What I am looking for is and out-of-the-box hotrod with a warrantee that my wife can take to the track and I won't have to worry too much about her. So braking, steering, and acceleration are very important. All of these must be easy to drive at the limit. The cars that I am looking at include: -Focus SVT -Mazdaspeed Protege -WRX -Spec-V (Keep in mind these are all new cars) I will do these in the order that I drove them: 1. Ford Focus SVT- pretty complete car. Somewhat supportive seats (seem like they're made for really fat people. Great stereo and logical gauge layout (plus oil pressure and oil temp gauges) I found the car to be pretty wheezy up top. Seems pretty silly to have a 7200 redline with no reason to go up there. But over all a good ride and if you keep it on full boil then it's a pretty exhilerating ride. One big plus was the 6 speed is geared super tall so my wife won't be doing a ton of shifing around a road course. The brakes seem up to the task of slowing down the car and turn-in was sure and quick. 2. Subaru WRX- I think I set myself up for disapointment on this one. I really had super high expectations for the car. The seats were rock hard and still not supportive. The driver seems very disconnected from the car. Vauge steering (over assisted), you can't hear the exhaust note at all, and there is no power in the upper revs. It handled pretty well but it was hard to desipher what was me and what was the car (due to the vauge nature). It pulls really pretty hard in 1st and 2nd but anyother gear is worthless. 3. Mazdaspeed Protege- Great fvcking car! Smooth powerband...tourqey but pulls hard higher in the rpm range. Turn-in is precise and surgeon like, there were no times when I didn't know what the car was doing. The brakes feel like a vacuum, you hit them and just try to keep your teeth off the steering wheel. Very supportive seats and plenty of room for hauling the little one to track events. The most complete car I have had the pleasure to drive. 4. Nissan Sentra Spec-V- Not a bad car at all. A pretty good package with average everything. Average power, average brakes, etc. but still finished pretty high on my list. The only draw back was the massive amounts of tourqe steer. Also the wheel hop got annoying. All in all I am going with the Mazdaspeed Protege (dependant on financing) Currently I am shopping for a good low interest loan so we will see how that goes. __________________ '91 hatch w/ SR Sold; '03 Evo Sold 401 HP; '03 MS Protege sold; '00 Evo 6.5 TME Sold 300HP

08-22-2003, 06:35 AM	#2
nrcooled Nissanaholic! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Turn 8 'bout to get rolled by a SC'd ITR Age: 46 Posts: 1,849 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	After taking in consideration price, functionality, and performance these are the top two finishers: I hope to have the mazda in my driveway by the weekend! __________________ '91 hatch w/ SR Sold; '03 Evo Sold 401 HP; '03 MS Protege sold; '00 Evo 6.5 TME Sold 300HP

08-22-2003, 06:53 AM	#3
Steeles Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 7th layer of hell, special pit of anger Age: 48 Posts: 3,785 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	yeah Im gonna have to give a nod to the Mazda in the looks department. Iv've never been a big fan of the looks of the others on your list. but Mazda's been cranking out some SERIOUSLY sexy cars. too bad I cant drive FWD cars.. that mazda 6 is niiiice. __________________ Keeping it Godzira bishes. So I murdered another turbo

08-23-2003, 08:21 PM	#6
240trainee Post Whore! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Age: 38 Posts: 3,861 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	How about the Dodge SRT-4? __________________ Team Pterodactyl SHARK ATTACK!!! LookoutDrift

08-23-2003, 11:42 PM	#8
hookedup240 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NJ Age: 41 Posts: 1,149 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I know you can get the new spec-v in 6 spd. What about the others?? __________________ 1991 240sx se 5spd - sold 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege

08-22-2003, 07:13 AM	#4
dstyle Zilvia Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: SD, CA Age: 38 Posts: 163 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	yea i have to agree with Bill. mazda's looks department is really stepping up with the new attenza err mazda 6. too bad they are fwd:hammer:

08-22-2003, 09:56 AM	#5
AKADriver Post Whore! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Springfield, VA Age: 43 Posts: 3,517 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	You'll love the MSP I was sold on my 5 as soon as I pulled out of the dealership. I've driven the Mazdaspeed and it's basically more of the same that I love, plus a big extra helping of grip and torque. Being FF doesn't even matter. The Mazdaspeed has a great LSD and a very balanced suspension, it will go where you point it (even sideways).

08-23-2003, 11:38 PM	#7
NZO Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Reno, NV Age: 42 Posts: 1,424 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: NZO Feedback Score: 0 reviews	WRX doesnt have an I4

08-24-2003, 12:54 AM	#9
AKADriver Post Whore! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Springfield, VA Age: 43 Posts: 3,517 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	The Focus SVT is only available with a 6 speed. The Mazdaspeed doesn't need one. It has a very broad torque curve.

08-24-2003, 03:44 PM	#11
knightrider Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: san diego Age: 41 Posts: 618 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	srt4 got recalled, bad oil pumps, supposedly they go out within 9000 miles, or 9 months, i forgot which but the my friend at the local dodge dealer said they have already done about 150 oil pumps in em __________________ Drift_ Into A Mountain Jim Wolf Technology Stock CA18DET-SR T25-greddy FMIC-JWT SR Lightened FLywheel-300zxTTclutch-SR20DET JWT tuned Ecu