C5: First test drive
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,170
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From: Yuma CO
Senior Member
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Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,121
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From: Southeast Va.
I see testing at 14.3 @ 100; that's BARELY slower than an auto c5. Everytime I've seen one at the track it's like 13.8/13.9 lucky to break 102.
Given the platform I'm sure the MS3 felt livlier. A tune alone will put those @ 310whp. Enough to 'embarrass' as you'd put it a stock auto c5
Given the platform I'm sure the MS3 felt livlier. A tune alone will put those @ 310whp. Enough to 'embarrass' as you'd put it a stock auto c5
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Southeast Va.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 162
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From: Houston Texas
Up until your last statement, I was going to suggest going with a Z06.
Only option I know is to do some motor work. Headers and CAI would be first, then C5 Z06 intake, Cam, Heads, etc.
There is a guy in the Z06 forum with a blown motor. Might want to speak with him about what shape the Heads, Cam, and Intake are in. That is about the only difference engine wise between the C5 LS1 and the LS6
Adding the Z06 Heads, Cam, and Intake would basically give you 405 HP as opposed to 350 HP. Would also up the torque and torque curve.
Only option I know is to do some motor work. Headers and CAI would be first, then C5 Z06 intake, Cam, Heads, etc.
There is a guy in the Z06 forum with a blown motor. Might want to speak with him about what shape the Heads, Cam, and Intake are in. That is about the only difference engine wise between the C5 LS1 and the LS6
Adding the Z06 Heads, Cam, and Intake would basically give you 405 HP as opposed to 350 HP. Would also up the torque and torque curve.
But essentially yes they are the same. Intake, a nice head/cam package, some good longtubes and it will pull nicely.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,135
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Lol sure would love to run at your track. What's a c5z run? 10s?
Just because they don't make chrome tail light covers and an awful jacket to wear while driving one; doesn't mean they suck lmao.
The age group is showing again. Bad when people have to google a car that's been available for 10yrs
Just because they don't make chrome tail light covers and an awful jacket to wear while driving one; doesn't mean they suck lmao.
The age group is showing again. Bad when people have to google a car that's been available for 10yrs
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,121
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From: Southeast Va.
Lol sure would love to run at your track. What's a c5z run? 10s?
Just because they don't make chrome tail light covers and an awful jacket to wear while driving one; doesn't mean they suck lmao.
The age group is showing again. Bad when people have to google a car that's been available for 10yrs
Just because they don't make chrome tail light covers and an awful jacket to wear while driving one; doesn't mean they suck lmao.
The age group is showing again. Bad when people have to google a car that's been available for 10yrs
Get yourself a good car........a C5 A4 and be a "winner", not a hater!
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Navigator
Joined: Apr 2014
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and honestly that was over 6 yrs ago..
the other thing i just thought of that was more recent was my Honda CBR650. i would be at 100 on the on ramp, been couple years. that had some pull to it. but i don't think that's what im remembering for reference.
anyway.. i found the car to be super comfortable with the seats and front leg room think i could have cruised in that thing all day. never been in a car quite that low. braking seemed excellent.
i like the look of the hard top but that head room would be tough i think. had the targa top off and that gave a better feeling.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,943
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From: Lawrenceburg KY
MS3 is possibly the best FWD car sold in this country since the Acura ITR and really is no joke with simple mods. It probably does feel faster than a stock auto C5, even if the C5 would actually win a drag race.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Just going to throw this out there:
My younger brother had an MS1k tune Caliber SRT-4 with a few goodies. That thing would rip modded Mazda 3's a new one all day, every day...even some Challenger SRT's and new 5.0 Mustang GT's. I'm really not seeing how you can call a Mazdaspeed 3 a fast car if it is anywhere NEAR stock, unless you are mistaking torque steer for actual, useable power.
As others have said, stock for stock, money would be on the C5 A4 over the highly overrated Speed 3.
Now, I will say my '04 M6 with exhaust seems slow to me right now. Of course, I came to it from a 600+ horsepower ported/pullied/tuned/other goodies '03 Cobra, so yeah....pretty much everything is slow after that.
My younger brother had an MS1k tune Caliber SRT-4 with a few goodies. That thing would rip modded Mazda 3's a new one all day, every day...even some Challenger SRT's and new 5.0 Mustang GT's. I'm really not seeing how you can call a Mazdaspeed 3 a fast car if it is anywhere NEAR stock, unless you are mistaking torque steer for actual, useable power.
As others have said, stock for stock, money would be on the C5 A4 over the highly overrated Speed 3.
Now, I will say my '04 M6 with exhaust seems slow to me right now. Of course, I came to it from a 600+ horsepower ported/pullied/tuned/other goodies '03 Cobra, so yeah....pretty much everything is slow after that.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Just because they don't make chrome tail light covers and an awful jacket to wear while driving one; doesn't mean they suck lmao.
True. The facts that:
1. It's overrated
2. It's a "hot hatch"
3. It's front wheel drive
4. It's about as bland as steamed white rice
5. It's popularity in the "ricer" crowd is what the SRT-4 Neon once was, and that's not a good thing
6. You could get a great Corvette/Mustang/Camaro for the price of one
THOSE are what make the MS3 suck
The age group is showing again.Bad when people have to google a car that's been available for 10yrs
True. The facts that:
1. It's overrated
2. It's a "hot hatch"
3. It's front wheel drive
4. It's about as bland as steamed white rice
5. It's popularity in the "ricer" crowd is what the SRT-4 Neon once was, and that's not a good thing
6. You could get a great Corvette/Mustang/Camaro for the price of one
THOSE are what make the MS3 suck
The age group is showing again.Bad when people have to google a car that's been available for 10yrs
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Everyone has a different perception of how fast a car is. My '03 A4 has the 3.15 rear gears and when I stomp on the gas, it is not a slow car by any means. It will definitely set you back in the seat.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Bottom line: There's a lot of Corvettes in Houston street meets that have no problem running their car.
There's a LOT of "600+HP!" MS3's that suddenly have a boost leak, etc. when it's time to put up or shut up at the track.
Don't you find that interesting? I know I do.
But hey, it does serve it's purpose....for a pizza delivery driver, it's a peppy cute little go cart.
Everyone knows where to go for the best hatch experience, and that's the Ford Focus ST.
Last edited by The_Gray_Ghost; Aug 7, 2014 at 05:09 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Really?
Opinions differ for every person. I'm simply trying to show you that, in this case, your opinion isn't supported by any of the numbers.
BUT...I firmly believe that once someone has made up their mind about something, you're not going to change it. So, having said that, I digress.
Good luck to you.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
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From: Greensboro Nc
I'm just gonna throw this out there.. I love speed 3's. That's a properly good chassis to drive and though it's not brutally fast in a straight line, it's fantastic to drive. Torque steer makes things fun, unless you want driving to be as easy as sitting in the seat pushing one pedal to go, one to stop.