srt-4ormazda3speed

[Intak3]

hey i have narrowed my next vehicle to a srt-4 or a mazda speed 3 i havent driven the mazda yet but there rated at a lot more hp and my friend told me on they only run on 5 lbs stock and have a external wastegate that u can turn boost up to 9 lbs is this true? whats faster stock whats more realiable and can i give me accurate specs on mazda 3 speed thank u guys =)

[97talon]

Way off on the stock boost. Stock boost peaks at 15.6 psi. The mazdaspeed3 puts on 263 hp and 280 lb/ft of tq. Yes that is rated higher than the srt-4. HOWEVER the srt-4 is under-rated by dodge by A LOT. Every stock one I've seen dyno'd has put out just under 230 hp. Doing some quick backwards math that would put it's actually crank hp rating at or slightly above the mazdaspeed3. Also so far the fastest speed3 I've seen has been low 14's (14.2 I think) where as the fastest STOCK srt-4 is 13.6.

Where you will gain in the speed3 is in the "luxury" area. It is more refined and has more amenities than the srt-4. All of these come at a much much higher cost though. Also the 6-spd tranny is supposed to be very crisp and clean.

If it came down to NEW cars for the money I believe I would choose the speed3 over most others. However stock for stock the srt-4 will win.

[01mmmz28]

^ you are comparing the fastest MS3 that YOU have seen to the fastest stock time recorded by an srt4. Bad comparison IMO. They are both good cars, but the aftermarket is in favor of the srt4 and they respond well to just basic mods. I have personally NEVER seen an srt4 dip into the 13's stock, but I have seen a MS3 (2 weeks ago) go 13.8's all day long w/ some kid driving who just bought the car, so.....w/ a seasoned driver and a car that is broken in, the MS3 is capable of 13.6's--13.7's easy. I would personally go the srt4 route because it is a domestic.

[mattlikespeople]

i'd go with the mazda. I've driven a regular 3 before and it was a blast. Also, it's not a neon

[97talon]

Originally Posted by mattlikespeople

i'd go with the mazda. I've driven a regular 3 before and it was a blast. Also, it's not a neon

You're right it's not a neon. It's a rebadged focus!!!

[BOTLFEDLT1]

Both are awesome bang for the buck choices.

The tale of the tape would come down like this for me:
Straight line stock: MS3

Potential: At this point, SRT-4 due to aftermarket support and proven upgrade path. Things may change in the future, but mazda really is on the right path with direct injection.

Handling: MS3

Looks: MS3

Value: SRT-4

If you can afford it, Id go MS3.

[EVILZ33]

i wouldnt get any just my .02

[97talon]

Just out of curiosity what are you basing your handling decision on? They both pull the same on the skidpad (.86), both brakings are about the same (based on who you listen to 111-115 ft from 60), and both slaloms are about the same (again depending on who you listen to and somewhere around 66-68 mph).

[Soup]

I'd say if it's going to be a daily driver, get the MS-3, but if you want to drop some money into it and hit 500whp tomorrow, get the SRT-4. Though you could clearly use a skittle as a daily (how many miles does yours have talon?)

[97talon]

Lol in two years I've put just over 60K miles on it . And that's taking about a month+ off of driving each year. Normally it would be about 35K miles a year.

[01mmmz28]

^ DAMN SON !!!! I got my camaro in july of 2001 and as of right now it has
80,320 miles on it. I thought i was bad on mileage.

Just FYI, I was talking cars to this older Marine the other day and he was asking me about mine, so I showed him, he offered me 18,000 for it on the spot. Hell, I only paid 19,250 out the door back in 2007.......I thought really hard about taking his offer since my local chevy dealership has a C5 Z06 w/ 50,000 miles on it for 21,500. Hmmmmmm......

[mattlikespeople]

Originally Posted by 01mmmz28

^ DAMN SON !!!! I got my camaro in july of 2001 and as of right now it has
80,320 miles on it. I thought i was bad on mileage.

Just FYI, I was talking cars to this older Marine the other day and he was asking me about mine, so I showed him, he offered me 18,000 for it on the spot. Hell, I only paid 19,250 out the door back in 2007.......I thought really hard about taking his offer since my local chevy dealership has a C5 Z06 w/ 50,000 miles on it for 21,500. Hmmmmmm......

is it the 385 or 405hp one? You put alot of work into your ride but sometimes the opportunity presents itself when you arent expecting it

[97talon]

Originally Posted by 01mmmz28

^ DAMN SON !!!! I got my camaro in july of 2001 and as of right now it has
80,320 miles on it. I thought i was bad on mileage.

When the talon was taking off the road it had 228000 miles. That's in 8 years of which 3 years I lived 3 miles away from my job. I don't buy a car and not use it.

[01mmmz28]

Originally Posted by mattlikespeople

is it the 385 or 405hp one? You put alot of work into your ride but sometimes the opportunity presents itself when you arent expecting it

405hp

[Intak3]

yea plus everyone has srt-4's like no one has ms3 hmm decisions decisions... ima go test drive a ms3 today see how i like it and look on some aftermarkets for both but yea i know that srt-4 are faster then they say on paper lol either way its a huge step up from my spec v ^^