GSi, Nissan NX2000, Paseo, and MX-3
By Home Mechanix Magazine, April 1992
Controls And Comfort
Front headroom is adequate in all these coupes, provided you aren't much
over 6ft. tall. Inside informable gauges and supportive seats help seperate
these sporty cars from more basic transport. Only the Geo Storm GSi includes
oil-pressure and voltmeter, however. The Storm also comes with a driver side
air bag. We liked the Storms precise climate controls and spacious glove
box. Less impressive was its non adjustable steering wheel and nonremovable
head restraints. The Mazda MX-3 and the Geo Storm are the roomiest in
back, as the numbers for interior volume suggest. We found the Geo's rear
bench tops in comfort; The gently contoured seat gave just enough side
support without being confining.
On The Road
We rate the Geo Storm GSi, Nissan NX2000, and Mazda MX-3 first, second and
third in the handling department. On the track, we got all three of the
nose-heavy cars to hang their tails out just enough for fast, balanced
cornering by trailing off the gas and braking smoothly before turns. The Geo
responded quickest of these cars. It also has the fastest steering at just
two and a half turns, compared to two and three-quarters turns for the other
cars.
Power To Go And Stop
All of these sports coupes come with twin-camshaft, multivalve engines that
rev high and respond readily to the throttle. At 140 hp, the Geo Storm GSi
and Nissan NX2000 engines are the most potent; the Nissan's redline is way
up there at 8,000 rpm. All four of these coupes made safe, sure stops.
Which One Is For You
Though entry-level versions of the Geo, Mazda and Nissan come with
less-powerful engines, even those cars are willing performers. For all out
fun we recommend the Geo Storm GSi's combination of sheer horsepower and
sports-car handling.
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