Denon

I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE FOR ANY GRAMMAR OR SPELLING MISTAKES

I know this has prolly been asked here before more than once, and i apologize in advance for those that think this is a waste of a thread and that searching would have answered my questions.

I can't decide if i want the Speed3 or the SRT4.

I've done tons of research on the Speed3, read on multiple forums for months about this car and how it handles power etc.

I wouldn't really say im new to SRT4's because i've always been a fan and used to read the NSRT4 forums a lot a few years back, never did own either of the two cars tho. I've been reading on this forum for the past few days trying to learn all i could.

Some things i like about the speed3 that the srt4 doesn't offer.

Speed3:
GT package with projector HID headlights and LED tails
Dash has a really nice lay out
Steering wheel controls

I do admit that the srt4 looks A LOT more aggresive than the speed3 but at the same time it looks kinda like a suv/minivan.

I'm not really looking for these to be luxury cars or anything like that, i just dont want it to be so simple an plain as say the old nsrt. Which is why i like the speed3, it just seems to have more of a nicer feel to it inside.

I've driven the speed3 a few times now and liked it, its fast but for sure needs upgrades asap. I haven't driven the new srt4, i will prolly go drive one tomorrow.

I want to get the car that is going to be able to handle the most power in the long run, because i know i will always want more power, and the ability to mod needs to be there.

So some questions i have are, how much power is being made with all the mods that are out right now? what is being done about traction, i know on the speed3 replacing the rear engine mount helped traction and reduced wheel hop. is there anything like this for the srt4?

I saw some post of the srt4 that ran mid 12's with slicks, but i believe it had an upgraded turbo or something along those lines. That was a good time but if i remember right he was using slicks, so that changes things.

I remember some time ago someone got their speed3 into the high 12's on stick turbo and street tires untuned, which i thought was pretty good.

Sorry for the long post, hope someone can help me out and answer some of these questions and maybe convince me to get a srt4.

Spitzbergen

If you're looking for a long run performance car why are you looking at a fwd? Sure it can be done but ultimately it would be easier and cheaper to get a v-8 mustang into the 12s.

Denon

lol i want to go in more than just a straight line, thats why i didn't opt for the big v8. Trying to have a decently fast car that handles w/o spending 35k just for the car.

DRHEMI

Alright Im in the same boat as you are pretty much, other then the fact Im a Chrysler guy myself (if the MS3 came in sedan form I would buy it over the CSRT) CSRT4 in my honest opinion looks alot better not only does it not look like any other caliber out there but it has aggressive styling and performance to back it up. Unlike the MS3 which, unless you know what your looking for, looks like a regular Mazda 3 hatch.

As for feel I have driven either Ive been told the CSRT doesnt feel as fast as it is, especially from a dig 3-4th gears it pulls like a bat out of hell though.

Mods, I can almost gaurentee CSRT4 will take mods better, Mattyice from the Caliberforums with the realtune stage 1 ran 13s quite easily, and with a realtune stage 2 ran 12 secs on drag radials not slicks.
Realtune Stage 2 package :
Tuning module [tune untouched from the 360whp dyno run]
625cc injectors
Realtune big compressor wheel stock turbo upgrade
ED turboback exhaust
Realtune Prototype WGA 18psi
TXS MBC bleeding boost to 22psi falling to 21psi


Those are the mods, not a whole lot in my opinion. And you have to remember this cars only been out several months unlike the MS3 which has been out for over 2 years.

As for interior, these cars were designed with a target price range in mind. With that being said I enjoy the Calibers interior very much especially for the price with great performance to boot.

On top of that for me (other then the fact the MS3 looks like a regular mazda 3 hatch) Ive seen dozens of MS3s where I live (Mesa, AZ) and I have only seen 1 CSRT4. Having a car that no one else has is something that appeals to me but thats me.

pat_smith1969

Figured I would share what I have found so far in comparing the two (still a year away from a purchase).


MS3 Good
Interior is "nicer" feeling.
Wheel radio buttons are better.
Steering wheel telescopes (great for getting it into just the right position).
Seemed to have a fairly quiet cabin, on the freeway.

MS3 Bad
Requires Super unleaded (40 cents more a gal, that is about 6 bucks per fill)
Looks almost like any other Mazda3, no cool factor compared to other MS3s.
EVERYONE has an Mazda3, the MS3 looks just like them.

CSRT4 Good
Allows regular unleaded (saves money, about $40 a month for me)
Styling is distinctive compared to the regular Calibers.
Comes with lots of stuff you would normally upgrade (big brakes, big exhaust, etc.)
If you are like me, with a baby, you play hockey, have a life, the extra SUV type space will come in REAL handy.
I THINK they come with RunFlat tires, nice.


CSRT4 Bad
Cheap feeling interior (shares this with a lot of the GM cars nowa days).
Steering wheel radio controls are not as nice.
I am not really enthused about the placement of the gear shift, seems a little awkward to me (though others may like it).
A little heavy on the road noise when on the freeway, imo.


CSRT4 vs MS3 (ROUGHLY equal points)

Upgradability, no question that both models will have some good upgrades available for them. You can hash out the specifics if you want but both will have LOTS of things for you to spend your money on.

Performance, you can crunch the numbers all you want but for most of us that use these vehicles as a daily drivers both have more than enough performance to satisfy our lead foots ("that's lead feet!!!").

Reliability, Mazda has a bit better rep but I suspect when all is said and done both these vehicles will end up with a good record.

WRX2SRT

My opinion would be to do what I did as I could not decide as well. I went and tested both cars the same day, it's really going to come down to what you like better and what feels better to drive. Remember this also, you can mod any car as much as you want as long as your pocket allows you to do so! And from what I have been told from a reliable source the CRST is built extremely tough and for the MS3 I cannot say. Also as far as the HID lights on the model MS3 I looked at I couldn't justify the 2500 dollar price difference for headlights! Hope this helps.

fastyz400

They way I look at it. Why wouldn't the CSRT4 be reliable. It has the new Mitsubishi 4B11 motor found in the new Evo X. (Japan)

Turbo: Mitsubishi (Japan)

Transmission is a Getrag 6 speed (German)

hmmm. You can't go wrong with that combo.

I preferr the CSRT4 over the mazda 3. I need the space. Plus, I like the seats in the CSRT4 much better than the MS3.

Both nice cars. Basically, just toss a coin. I personally like the lack of CSRT out on the road. Makes me feel like I'm driving a Bugatti Veyron. he he he. Only difference is the types of chicks you can pick up between the two cars.

Veyron = Gold diggers
CSRT4 = Younger half naked chicks, hey I've seen those turbo magazines at Walmart. lol. Now if i can just get them to stop rolling their eyes when I say, "What's your sign?"

rubi-soho

MS3 is crap.... the styling is average... looks like a camel-toe... seats suck... intercooler has heat-soak probs... its a mazda... shite they cant even get the rotary rx8 to to run without probs... best thing mazda had was the protoge.... im a foreign guy and I drive a dodge. its just better. if you want cupholders go MS3.... want to smoke haters go CSRT4.... you wont finde a CSRT4 owner that has anything bad to say about their ride.
want a nice interior get a M5.... you cant ask for Connelly leather in a 23K ride.... ever sit in a neon..... the caliber is 100X better...
support america!!!! no harbor bombers!!

__________________
'08 CSRT4 silver.... lead foot.