Considering a Mazdaspeed over a Tiburon v6 and Dodge SRT4...

[Tex]

Heh, I didn't compare anything. I was at the dealer getting the oil changed in my 10 month old '03 protege LX, which I had been dreaming of adding a decent stereo, bigger rims with fat tires, strut tower brace, sway bars, etc. to, when I wandered onto the showroom floor where a brand new black MazdaSpeed was gleaming in the lights. I popped the hood, sat in it, and fell in love.

I was going to buy it then and there, but since my car was still so new, I needed a few weeks to come up with some more cash to put down. During this time, I heard about the '03.5 Speeds with their new colors, waited another two months for a titanium one to hit Texas, and bought it. I've never regretted it.

I LOVE MY MAZDASPEED!!

 

[t3ase]

You should be able to find a MSP around here for about 3k less. I've seen them recently for about 15,995+ttl.

Roger Beasley on Burnet Rd: Sales guys are awesome but the service department completely sucks. I ended up writing Mazda a four page letter about them and I won't ever go back.

Premier Mazda: Never dealt with the sales guys but the service department is killer. The guys rock. They even ask me what mods I have comin up next and if I like the car & stuff. One tech does auto-x and installs Flyin' Miata kits while the other tech's an older guy that's completely cool.

Either way, lemme know if you need any help. I'm in north Austin, so I'll help out in any way I can. Good luck.

 

[twiztedjeckel]

Zray, think twice before you get a Mazdaspeed if your seriously interested.

for 1-look at the resale price an the huge price drop on these cars. yes, you can get them for a pretty cheap price now but think about all us poor bastards who owe quite a bit of money on the cars and try to get rid of them. not a very good situation.

2-these cars aren't really capable of that much power along with the Tiberon without running yourself in the red on them with the stock blocks and tranny's.

the SRT-4's are a nice car and are the most capable and fastest of the group. the power is outstanding and the MSP will not keep up with it stock for stock. now if you want the SRT-4 to handle as well as the MSP then all you have to do is put a little money into it. alot less than the money you'd have to put into the MSP to make it as fast as the SRT-4.

that's all for now. i'll come up with some more stuff later

 

[blubyu21117]

I think that the MSP is a better overall buy.
I know it may seem biased because it's a Mazda board, but I have no regrets after buying the car.
Knockout handling, good power,great factory stereo, and good looks sold me.

Luv the power of the Dodge, but I just couldn't pull the trigger on the deal. The interior of the Dodge just didn't seem as upscale as the MSP.

 

[INGREXCO]

do you really want to own a neon?

 

[Zray]

Neon or not, power or not, I can't imagine anyone who's sat inside both a SRT4 and a MSP chosing the SRT4, unless power really is the only thing they care about. It's just too much toy and not enough automobile... but I don't want to just sit and bash the SRT4 all day - it does what it does very well. I'm just looking for something more.

The '90 Integra I drive right now is a great car, but very underpowered - the MSP has about 50-60 more hp then my car, and at that weight it should be plenty fun to drive just as is. If the 2004 models come out with more power and a stronger motor, then perhaps I'll upgrade to one this time next year... as stands right now though, even if the SRT was the same price as the MSP I'd still prefer the Mazda.

 

[Rush]

I had been looking into getting a new car for a long, long time before I actually went out and started physically car shopping. I did a lot of research. And what was most of my research on?

.. I'll admit it. The SRT-4.

My family has owned mostly Dodges, so it only made sense that I'd be attracted to the car that's a step down from the Viper in the Dodge lineup. I mean, that much power in such a little car? It was tantalizing.

However, it took a few test drives before I realized that I was missing one key angle -- EVERYTHING ELSE BESIDES POWER.

You want nothing but power? SRT-4. You want a decent amount of power PLUS everything else? MSP.

The only SRT-4 that was around for me to test drive was on '03 yellow, and it was on display on the showroom floor at the dealership. It took me 20 minutes to get the guys to take it off the floor so I could drive it. And half of them wouldn't lay off me about being careful driving manual. **** you, just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't drive stick. THAT really pissed me off.

Incredible power. Amazing sound. The car just SCREAMS to go. But other than that? I couldn't shift without bashing my elbow into those goddamn 'molded' seats, the shifter knob felt like hell in my hands, the pedals felt frail, the stereo was a disaster in itself, the interior was designed horrendously, the body contours were poor, and one other thing -- the body roll. I don't know if I'm one of the few that picked up on it; but it was there. Not MUCH, I'll admit. But I felt it. Other than the throbbing engine, the car just felt awful. I think the best way to describe the SRT-4 is a rocket enclosed in a flimsy cardboard box. Get into an accident in the SRT-4 .. and you're dead.

And then I drove the MSP. It was like the seat was made for me. I'm short -- 5'1", 102 pound female over here -- but I could see over the dashboard! I could reach the shifter knob without straining! I could push in the clutch the whole way without having to throw out my leg! It could HANDLE, it LOOKED GOOD, and I could SEE. It didn't pulse with horsepower like the SRT-4 did .. but it sure as hell wasn't weak.

So the next morning, after the test drives, I sat in my living room -- staring at the specs for the SRT-4 and the MSP, trying to figure out what to do. I'd had my mind set on an SRT-4 for months. Almost a year, since I'd first heard of it.

.. But after the test drives, it wasn't really all that hard. And I love my MSP.

 

[BrianV]

Yeash T3ase is right, I bought my MSP for 15995 + ttl at burnet mazda north, no hassle price, it was in the newspaper.

Premier mazda in Georgetown was running the same deal, and they appear to have more color selections. I'd hit them up, their service guy is real cool too.

THe 2003.5's actually cost $16495; you should have no problem obtaining that price.

 

[twiztedjeckel]

there is no 04' Protege's therefor no 04' Mazdaspeeds with upgraded or improved engines. you want something like that you'll have to do it yourself.

 

[Zray]

Wait, I'm confused - is $15995+ttl the price for the 2003, and $16495 the price for the 2003.5, or are you saying $15995 becomes $16495 with ttl?

If those are price difference between years, then how much should I expect to be paying in ttl? It's been a while since I purchased a new vehicle, are there any other hidden costs I need to be able to cover up front?

 

[BrianV]

it's 15995 + ttl for 2003, 16495 + ttl for 2003.5

I bought a 2003 because I liked the 2003 better, and I liked the black.

Out the door my car was $17,200 I think.

 

[Zray]

So look to spend ~ $1200 in ttl over final price? I'm wondering with all these cars priced so low if they'd be desperate enough to sell the 03.5 at the 03 price... Should I try haggling the price down that much? I'm pretty set on getting a 03.5... and if you're pretty sure they won't budge, $16.5k is still a great deal

 

[BrianV]

I can't imagine they'll budge but it's worth a shot. You just seemed pretty pleased with the 18k offering, so 16.5k isn't bad, and no one on here has paid less then that for an 03.5

 

[AutoBox]

i got my 03.5 for 17g before ttl.....after 2g downpayment everything equaled 16100

 

[Zray]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, looks like I'm ready to start the purchasing process. As you may be able to tell form the avatar and sig, I've made my choice

Only last question I have is if there are any quirks that some of the 2003.5's have that I might be able to identify and avoid when selecting the car to purchase?

Thanks for all the assistance and feedback =)

 

[Tommy1005]

Zray, I'm up here in Waco, and I'm in the process of developing a few parts for the MSP. Let me know if you need something.

 

[Rush]

.. Ask whether or not whatever MSP you get has been flashed (received the ECU/PCM upgrade). And if the salesperson or whomever looks at you weird when you ask that question, hit them over the head with a blunt object.

Check the back 'bumper' skirt. When I was looking over the 03.5 MSPs that were available at my dealership, I noticed that on a couple, the rear skirt was starting to loosen. It's been talked about on this forum before -- but just make sure t'get a MSP where everything's secure. You can get it fixed, sure -- but no point in starting off with something already broken.

Crunk up the stereo for about fifteen seconds, and make sure there's no rattling coming from the back. That may start up sooner or later -- it's a common problem with the stock Kenwood system -- but again, no point in having a MSP that's already got annoying issues.

Ask them to check your coolant system. I've read a lot on here about people having problems with coolant loss/leaks -- I had one myself -- so before you even drive your MSP off the lot, have their service people do some tests to make sure your hoses and clamps are all okay.

Uhh. That's about all that I can think of. Just make sure t'give the car a REAL good inspection. Some of the MSPs that were on the lot, along with having the rear skirt problem, had a few scratches and scuffs. Don't want one of those, either.

.. Good luck choosing!

 

[Excitmnt94]

i didn't really read anyones comments...so this could all have been restated.

a Tib is just too small...and its not that fast. the outward visibility sucks because of the damned mirrors. the stick is at an awkward spot...not very ergonomical...doesn't feel right. the 6 speed isnt too bad...but it just doesnt have the power. you are buying a warranty.

the SRT-4. it may be fast...with a lot of potential...but no matter what...its still a damned neon. a neon ladies and gentlemen. blah.

im sure everyone here has already done their best to try and persuade you to get the MSP. s***...out of those 3, that would be my choice too...hands down.

 

[Da 6]

Yep Gotta say I was supose to have a srt but that went out the window when the dealership tried to screw me over in one big orgie. They wanted $25 before trade in (part was a $2000 estimated mark up value added on to sticker price!) for one and then cheapest insurance company quoted me $2000 a rear in insurance. So It would have been a $650 a month 60 month payment plan and Can't test drive it?.....ok got up and walked out of the ealership and went to another thinking it was maybe just a bad dealership. Got to next one and they as like ok we can do $420 for 74 month plan.....as he gets the keys the manager says no test drive cause it snowed recently....
(snow melted 3 days ago)(jerkit) (monkey) After that me and a friend walked out and he tested a RX-8 and I tested a 3 and a 6.....I traded in my 02 SXT for $4 more than dodge wanted for it and guess time and sig tells the rest.


FYI it's not Just a neon and DCX will never refer to the Street and Racing Technology model 4 as a neon.

 

[Newf]

Talk about bringing a thread back from the dead

Glad you got the Mazda

btw, some of your keys missing on the ole keyboard there

....and it is just a Neon **ducks head and runs**