The MP3 got rave reviews in last month's C&D $18-20K comparo too. They
compared it to a VW Jetta 1.8T, Subaru 2.5 RS (new style), Dodge Neon R/T,
Nissan SE-R V-spec and another car IIRC.
The MP3 did offer the best slalom time but despite being the slowest in a
straight line, relatively long braking distance, slow around test track,
under powered, etc, it got top honors over the rest and the Jetta came in
2nd. Their SE-R car was a well worn press test car and as such was a little
under the weather. The Neon had to be outfitted with every option known to
man to meet the low end of their test price range and ranked dead last due
to things like "cheap, buzzy and too-plastic".
Weird considering that the MP3, at least superficially, is way more show
than go. If they were my bucks to spend, and I wanted to make those new-car
payments for another 4 years, I wouldn't hesitate to pounce on the new
V-spec SE-R for about $18K. It should make a very nice GS car. 2800#,
170hp, 170torque, 6 speed, LSD and affordable.
Eric Linnhoff in KC
1998 Dodge Neon R/T (see-dan)
STS #69 TLS #13
knuckledragger@kcweb.net
http://www.geocities.com/eric10mm/KnuckleDragger
-----Original Message-----
Has anyone else seen the latest Road and Track? In a ten car comparo, the
Mazda MP3 ( a tarted up Protege but with some really key pieces) turned a
68.5
mph in their 700 foot slalom. This is better than a Z06, 360 Modena, Miata,
MR2, S2000. In fact it looks like its better than everything they've tested
except a 911 GT2.
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