PROPER pocket rocket comparison (with more variables controlled)

[sleeperguy]

when i first read the pocket rocket comparison a guy started, i couldn't believe the cars he had in the group--why is the civic si, focus svt, and gti being compared to rsx and wrx, not even in the same class.. and omg, the si.. that thing has horrendous looks. cars that can be fairly compared are the following:
-focus svt (170hps) -- 18,000
-civic si (160hps) -- 19.000
-neon srt (204 hps) -- 20,000
-turbo protege (170 hps) -- ~19,000
-SE-R spec v (175 hps) -- 17,000
-golf gti (180hps) -- 19,000

-all are UNDER the 20 k mark, with a fair bit of price range
-and all are the "performance" trims of their respective models with varying options
-which are turbo charged? neon srt, turbo protege, gti
-the only real "exclusive" feature amongst all these cars is an LSD! and the only one to have it is the spec v
-the neon srt looks like a wrx and vice versa, interior's ok, rear end is uuugly (still a neon)
-svt exterior is not bad, interiors pretty good
-si, ugly exterior, ok interior
-protege, nimble nice exterior and ok interior
-gti, ok exterior and interior, high cost of ownership

BEST balance of looks/performance/price?
-the SPEC V
-some other cars have better 0-60 times, but they are turbo'd
-nismo is coming to NA fall 2002 and tack ona turbo and voila EVEN better 0-60 times etc
-nice looks (skyline type front end and seats)
-questionable rear end? (must see in real life, looks quite nice)
-questionable tranny hps losses? still an excellent performer (0-60 in 7.1, 1/4 in 15.1)
-6 speed tranny, some others only have a 5 speed
-LSD an expensive feature not seen in other models

-the only cars i'd consider? turbo protege and focus svt but still more $

-what i'm getting?? spec v!! it's hyped, yes, but STILL a performer and GREAT competitor? a resounding YES!!
-EXCellent excellent value
-again, nismo anyone?

RSX or wrx?
-whole differnet price range and therefore not considered.

btw, IF i'm missing something, NO flames, but constructive and INSIGHTFUL criticisms welcome. and NO rsx/wrx comparisons as i've EXPLAINED WHY.

what's your verdict?

[NismoDrifts]

I voted NisMo.........what else would you expect? Oh well, im not down with the whole hatchback look

[TriStateGuy]

Gotta go with the Turbo Protege

1. It does have a LSD
2. Its got a factory turbo
3. Its got 4 wheel disc breaks

I had looked at the Spec V but after reading user complaints on Freshalloy I was turned off by it

Anywho, the Mazdaspeed Protege out paced the WRX at Limerock
Biggest problem? Only 2000 to be imported

Edit: kekeke I mispelled brakes

[sleeperguy]

lol.. of course you're gonna be "turned off" by it, b/c it's ACTUALLY out and people are always nitpicky and paranoid about things being wrong.
as for the protege, i guess i was mistaken about the lsd; however, the protege mp3 (non turbo) already costs as much as a spec FULLY loaded
and so i can only guess how much the turbo protege is gonna cost, probably just under 20k which leaves a huge price gap. with the $ you save, i say spend on a nismo turbo or other less expensive mods, and there you go, the spec v outperforms the turbo protege.

[Tom_S8]

Seriously , if i wanted a good performer under 20k i won't look at new cars... honestly , a good performer has to have a big engine or a turbo engine , and RWD or 4WD , the only way to fly... if you're for performance go buy a second hand sportscar , if want to impress teenage girls then go get any of those.... I know you'll probably start flaming me for this , but i don't see much sense in "sport compact"... compacts are made to be economical city cars , and because of the trends manufacturers make "sport" versions of them and rip pepole off with it... I'm sorry but i hate those pepole driving some econobox compacts and thinking they're fast and furious (i watched the movie only once , it shows such pepole , turboed civics with billion shot of NAWS and whatnot )

My vote - a second hand sports car...

[sleeperguy]

hehe, no flame, BUT, you defeated the purpose of my poll!! nooo... hehe. no, i understand what you mean and that's coo, but STILL, please make a choice , it's limited to these 6, if not other comparable new cars

[TriStateGuy]

Originally posted by sleeperguy
lol.. of course you're gonna be "turned off" by it, b/c it's ACTUALLY out and people are always nitpicky and paranoid about things being wrong.
as for the protege, i guess i was mistaken about the lsd; however, the protege mp3 (non turbo) already costs as much as a spec FULLY loaded
and so i can only guess how much the turbo protege is gonna cost, probably just under 20k which leaves a huge price gap. with the $ you save, i say spend on a nismo turbo or other less expensive mods, and there you go, the spec v outperforms the turbo protege.

true but a turbo package for the spec V will even out the cost between the two. And you'll still have drum brakes (spelled correctly ) in the rear. Not to flame, but no self respecting "sports" car can claim they run drum brakes in any corner of their car. You get what you paid for, as my friends in their WRX found (crappy interior and details). I realized that there will be compromises when building a sports car for me I'd rather have the factory turbo the car and let me decide on the boost level :smoka:


Edit:

Tom, the used car idea isnt too bad for people who have garages. For me living in an apartment complex makes in next to impossible to do. A used 240sx and a SR20DET will make me quite

[sleeperguy]

evening out the price is exactly what i'm saying; if you even out the price by getting the turbo for the spec, then you get more performance than any other here for almost the same price (depending on the model of course). hehe and just to let you know, the spec v has 4 wheel disc brakes standard.

[NismoDrifts]

... if you're for performance go buy a second hand sportscar , if want to impress teenage girls then go get any of those...

and if she doesnt like a sports car, even if its a second-hand, shes a waste of time anyway

[Moppie]

Generaly if you want to talk about Pocket rockets I would say the Civic Type-R any day, or older versions of the VTi-R/SiR

However since this is about American cars, and the US Honda's are rather watered down, (seems americans cant controll small powerfull cars) I would have to say the Nissan is the car of choice.

Lots of hp, and heaps of torque from a proven engine design that has heaps of aftermaket surport and plenty of room to get better. (turbo kit anybody?). Its then all wraped up in a nice looking body, and if they handle like the old Sentra SSS's then a good comunicative handeling package as well.

[Tom_S8]

Originally posted by NismoDrifts


and if she doesnt like a sports car, even if its a second-hand, shes a waste of time anyway

I meant that if you want performance buy a sports car , if you want impress girls buy any of those , and i mean those from the poll...

[NismoDrifts]

i know what you meant, lol.

[TatII]

the SE-R got my vote. its looks absolutely fabulious in person. esp in black. pretty nice interior. and it has one of the highest grip level in its class. even though it torque steers left and right. it still does the slalom the fastest. the most clumsiest but the fastest non the less.

[TriStateGuy]

Originally posted by sleeperguy
evening out the price is exactly what i'm saying; if you even out the price by getting the turbo for the spec, then you get more performance than any other here for almost the same price (depending on the model of course). hehe and just to let you know, the spec v has 4 wheel disc brakes standard.

Oh is that what u meant, then my bad. But according to www.nissandriven.com if you look at the specs for SE-R and the Spec V
Front disc/rear drum brakes are standard on both. I only went by what was shown on Nissan's website.

EDIT: The brakes are one of the reasons why the Spec V dropped out of my radar

[crayzayjay]

These cars dont deserve to be described as pocket rockets. This does. 0-60 in 5.7, 137 mph vmax, 4WD, 6X WRC. Yours for around $20k, there can be no substitute. actually wait, not available in the States, sorry!!