Alittle snippet from latest SCC mag
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From: Queens, NY, USA
Alittle snippet from latest SCC mag
About the 2003 MazdaSpeed Protege compared to the Type R
Drivers of any caliber will be able to enjoy the Protege without fear.
Because of the Mazda's massive grip, mild manners and performance potential from it's turbocharged engine, this car is our new benchmark for production car front-drive performance. That's right, it has knocked the old Acura Integra Type R off the mountain.
Fact is, The MazdaSpeed Protege is probably faster up our favorite mountain road than a Type R, which is the ultimate litmus test for useable speed. We know it's faster through the slalom. At 72 mph, it's the fastest production car we've tested. What's more, it's easily controlled. Find yourself sideways at 70 mph and the torque-sensing limited slip will keep you going whereever you point the front wheels as long as you keep the go pedal planted
Btw they only got a 15.3-second quarter mile at 90 mph
Said car is not about dragging but handling
Car only has 170 hp
Drivers of any caliber will be able to enjoy the Protege without fear.
Because of the Mazda's massive grip, mild manners and performance potential from it's turbocharged engine, this car is our new benchmark for production car front-drive performance. That's right, it has knocked the old Acura Integra Type R off the mountain.
Fact is, The MazdaSpeed Protege is probably faster up our favorite mountain road than a Type R, which is the ultimate litmus test for useable speed. We know it's faster through the slalom. At 72 mph, it's the fastest production car we've tested. What's more, it's easily controlled. Find yourself sideways at 70 mph and the torque-sensing limited slip will keep you going whereever you point the front wheels as long as you keep the go pedal planted
Btw they only got a 15.3-second quarter mile at 90 mph
Said car is not about dragging but handling
Car only has 170 hp
Honda-Tech Member
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From: Santas Neighbor, Canada
Re: Alittle snippet from latest SCC mag (KavMan)
Yeah, but if it is turbo, it will be relatively easy and cheaper to get more hp out of that motor.
Said car is not about dragging but handling
Car only has 170 hp
Car only has 170 hp
Future Texas Boy
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: SoCal Redneck
Re: Alittle snippet from latest SCC mag (KavMan)
Mazda has been trying to "beef-up" the Protege for years. I`ve probably been to 7-8 Protege focus groups. Looks like they are finally on the right track. I`d still be concerned w/ the engines longevity though.
Ryan
Ryan
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From: Sears Point, CA
Re: Alittle snippet from latest SCC mag (KavMan)
I'd like to see a real comparison...autocross, or track time from a professional driver. I'm sure that Grassroots will have a pretty honest review of the car.
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From: IL, USA
Re: Alittle snippet from latest SCC mag (Megatron)
A lot of C&D complaints about the torque steer which would probably only get worse with more boost. Otherwise sounds like a decent car though. I'm impressed with the wheel/tire combo:
"7.0-by-17-inch aluminum alloys from RacingHart, wearing Z-rated 215/45 Bridgestone Potenza RE040 tires"
"7.0-by-17-inch aluminum alloys from RacingHart, wearing Z-rated 215/45 Bridgestone Potenza RE040 tires"
Trial User
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From: Propaganda Town, USA, USA
Re: Alittle snippet from latest SCC mag (KavMan)
Hmmm.. at least Mazda is listening to potential customers/enthusiasts.
Damn you Honda! Bring us the CTR/RSX-R now! It wouldnt hurt if they made a turbo rwd I-4 a-la Silvia.
Damn you Honda! Bring us the CTR/RSX-R now! It wouldnt hurt if they made a turbo rwd I-4 a-la Silvia.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Hollywood Babylon
Re: Alittle snippet from latest SCC mag (NBP #0933)
well its obvious that the Protege is a contender, and I actually dont think the car is bad at all.
However in defense of the R, it is ALL MOTOR, and several years old and ahead of its time. There was no question that one day it would get knocked off the podium as the elite production car out there, but the fact is even though its dated, it can still hang with the best of them, and supposedly, according to SCC, it took a supercharged/turbocharged/whatever Protege to knock it off its pedestal. And until I see a Protege running 12's, Im not scared one bit
for our R 
However in defense of the R, it is ALL MOTOR, and several years old and ahead of its time. There was no question that one day it would get knocked off the podium as the elite production car out there, but the fact is even though its dated, it can still hang with the best of them, and supposedly, according to SCC, it took a supercharged/turbocharged/whatever Protege to knock it off its pedestal. And until I see a Protege running 12's, Im not scared one bit
for our R
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From: NJ
Re: Alittle snippet from latest SCC mag (8400-RPM)
From my experience with SCC, they hype up the latest thing way beyond what it should be. Im still mad about how they conducted their mustang GT vs R test. They found ways to make excuses as to why the R wasnt winning and even changed the track to suit the R better when from the begining there should of been no doubt the Stang would win because of the amount of straights involved.
Voted Best Looking GDD Poster
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From: NJ
Re: Alittle snippet from latest SCC mag (sgT)
SCC 
To find a good review in there you should just ask Miss Cleo, she'll know more.
To find a good review in there you should just ask Miss Cleo, she'll know more.
King of the One Liners
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Jersey, USA
Re: Alittle snippet from latest SCC mag (8400-RPM)
The Spec V was SUPPOSED to be like that too and that car is ***.......
I think they just like to say that for Mazda so they sell more cars....
Looks the S-er was supposed to be the greatest thing since sliced bread and everyone wanted one, and I have yet to see on run under a 15.5.
I think they just like to say that for Mazda so they sell more cars....
Looks the S-er was supposed to be the greatest thing since sliced bread and everyone wanted one, and I have yet to see on run under a 15.5.
Honda-Tech Member
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From: Somewhere in the MidWest..., The MidWest..., USA
Re: Alittle snippet from latest SCC mag (2fastGSR)
If anyone cared to look at R&T's "Best Handling Car" test maybe two months ago they would have read that the current MP5 turned a 72 mph slalom. That's faster than any FWD car. Now that SCC has repeated this feat I heartily welcome the Mazda.
