srt-4, and mazda 3

i test drove both cars not too long ago, and i liked them both. the mazda looked better to me, and its controls felt sharper, while the dodge obviously had more power. the srt-4 didnt look bad either.

does anyone know the steering ratio on the srt-4? its steering felt a little slower than the mazda 3. is its chassis the same as the regular neon? or does it have extra bracings to it? if it does, can anyone show me actual proof of this?

bump

which car would you take based on everything like handling, looks, interior, gas mileage, insurance, power, etc. lets say the mazdaspeed 3 came out, and the hp was bumped up to 230 hp with a turbo, using the 2.3 liter engine like in the awd mazda 6.

The SRT-4 may be faster, but the Mazda looks better, has a nicer interior, has a better shifter, and is less expensive (both to buy and to own). Reliability is a toss-up; Mazdas have always been well built, but the SRT-4 is rock solid as well, even with 300+ hp.

I'd take the Mazda 3. Both cars are excellent in their own ways, but for me, having a Japanese badge on the hood, as well as increased daily drivability, makes the Mazda 3 a superior choice.

The SRT-4 looses in all categories except for power

It doesn't lose in handling. The suspension on those things is very, very nice.

also the srt4 engine is strong and reliable, i can't say the same about mazda's tho, even from experience, even in japan their cars aren't that reliable, i mean seriously just because its a japanese brand doesn't make it reliable, suzuki's, isuzu,s mitsubishi, all their reliability is mediocre, whats even worse? in the US they are now owned by ford, which isn't a company that makes the most reliable cars, i would personally take the srt4

Well, the Mazda 323's and 626's of the past were extremely reliable, so I don't see why the Mazda 3 shouldn't be.

based off jd power, long term reliability wise, the srt-4 is better than the mazda 3. quality wise the mazda has it beat. i think the srt-4 would also beat it in overall performance, but i was saying what if the mazdaspeed 3 came out, and had a turbocharger bumping its power to 230hp.

I'd take the Mazda 3 in a heartbeat then, seeing as how I'd take it as is.

Well, the Mazda 323's and 626's of the past were extremely reliable, so I don't see why the Mazda 3 shouldn't be.

extremely reliable? no, not like a toyota or honda, thats why mazda is still way behind honda and toyota on jdpower

and you wish they would push it to 230hp, i say 200 at most, nowadays japanese car makers are so tame lol

Yeah, because a 300-hp four-banger is so tame :iceslolan

itll push 230

Well in this comparo it comes down to what you care about more. Sheer perfomance or refinement.

With the srt4 what you get is an unapologetic car with a bombproof engine, quaife lsd, good suspension. And all this stuff can be easily upgraded with factory or aftermarket parts. Its perfomance has been proven by fairly lightly modded SRT4s by dominating in its rally group, and getting an 8th overall last year in the one lap(this year the srt4 hit a deer and lost chances to the top spots). However this perfomarnce comes with no refinement and a rubermaid interior.

The mazda 3 comes with a much better fit and finish, and much more refinement however perfomance wise it will not touch the srt4. And modding it to make big power levels will cost a boat load.


So it comes down to preference. Personally i choose the srt4, but this comes from someone that considers the noble m12s and the moslers as good daily drivers.

My vote goes for the SRT-4. Just because of the performance and handling. There's going to be a bigger afermarket for the SRT-4 than the Mazda

you guys arent paying attention here, i meant if the mazda 3 came with a 230 hp(maybe less, like 205hp like the ion to be more realistic) from a 2.3 liter turbo engine like in the all wheel drive mazda 6(maybe a 2.0, whichever you think). the mazda 3 s starts at around 17k, i would guess if they came out with a turbocharged version, it would start at a little over 20k, maybe a little more than how much the turbocharged mazdaspeed protege was. im not saying there will be, this is IF they had the turbocharged version of the 3. maybe 205 hp instead of 230 hp to be more realistic. this much power might turn the mazda 3 into a high 14 sec car. srt-4 being the same with 230 hp, and 250 tq. does the quarter mile in high 13 to low 14 sec range.

so turbocharged mazda 3 with around 205hp vs. dodge srt-4.