Evo owner and MS Protege

[fly2low]

Greetings all,

I am an Evo owner and I am looking to purchase an MS Protege. No, I do love my Evo and NOT planning to sell it . In fact, I love it too much that I've driven the car for 3700 miles for the past 5 weeks.

I am getting too attached to my Evo and planning to get another car that I can use for daily driving. Knowing myself, I know that I can't just buy an econobox for that purpose.

I test drove an SVT Focus, what a :bs:. slow, no rear seats and trunk.

No Neon. Especially with $5-7k mark up in Southern California area.

The choice comes to MS Protege, naturally.. This car is an excellent car on the paper plus I can get a very good deal.

However, the "hesitation" problem somewhat scares me now.

1) I am under the impression that Mazda still can't fix this problem. However, it is possible that only the owners that still have this problem is posting here. A representative bias error.

2) I am under the impression that the "hesitation" problem is more severe in places with drastic changes in the climate. I need some feedback from Southern California owners regarding this issue.

I understand that this issue has been discussed frequently. However, I am trying to narrow it to a specific geographical location/climate. Please pardon me.

In addition, I need to make a purchase decision by Saturday, Jan 3.

Should I buy the MS Protege or should I keep shopping?

These 2 cars will be completely stock.

Thanks in advance!



PS: If you have to ask me why I bought the Evo instead of the STi, then I have to ask you why you bought the MS Protege instead of the Neon SRT-4

 

[jonnydoe48]

the hesistation is fixed. mazda fixed it through a flash that advances the timing i believe.

the hesistation shouldnt really bother you in SC (im from northern california). After i was flashed, i really cant feel it anymore.

i love my car. alot of people dont, however. just gather a few opinions before you make your decision. good luck =)

 

[fly2low]

Thanks for the response. However, some people on this forum seem to experience the hesitation after the flash. That's my concern. I am going to put A LOT of miles on the car.

 

[jflo]

omg...if u're worried about the hesitation, get a boost controller set @ 8-10 psi and u'll bet set...oh yeah, since u're in cali...join MOCC !!! www.moccforums.com ...bring that bad EVO down to the meets ! it'd be nice to see one in person for once...while it's standing still bahh

yes i knoe u want to keep it stock, but come on...a lil' boost controller ain't so bad right ?

 

[shaolin]

I live in Vegas. Never had a hesitation problem, however I felt a surge, or loss of power midrange. No bucking, and not a real hesitation per se. Got it flashed, and have felt a smoother power delivery throughout the powerband. I recommend the car, but beware the clunk, and don't mess with boost, unless you plan on engine management, fuel management, forged internals, and everything else that goes along with an upraded turbo setup.

 

[fly2low]

jflo,

Did you have a hesitation problem at all?

 

[mp5jeff]

acctualy a little boost controller IS bad, look at how many blown engines there have been because people turn the boost up to 10-12 psi, no it wont hurt your engine intially most likely but after TIME it will **** s*** up as we have seen...

 

[ForceFed]

Well the hesitation should not be your only concern.
I think that there is other underlying problems surfacing with the car and mazdas tuning of it.
My car is not flashed nor do i plan on doing it.If you run the boost up to around 8-10 then it helps a little but the hesitation is still there.
I love the looks of the car and all the goodies it comes with but the headaches it gives me daily are not worth it in my opinion.
If I had to buy the car again ,I WOULDN"T!
I got one real early and had to pay sticker though.
This car gives me more trouble than any mustang I ever owned and I had quite a few modded.I worked on those cars almost daily but they were not NEW!
Hell,the dealer wasn't letting anyone test drive the cars when i bought it!I had to buy from spec sheets alone!NO TEST DRIVE!
I will never do that again!
I am actually meeting a guy at the suburu dealer today to look at a WRX.
I don't know what may happen today but the the new year may bring a new car!

 

[shaolin]

Well hopefully you get what you want. I haven't experienced any problems as of yet. Knock on wood...just got the flash to smooth out the powerband...

 

[fly2low]

ForceFed,

I am sorry for what's happening. I lived in Central Ohio and I know how the dealers there behave when they have a special car.

Your concern is exactly my concern. I don't want to have a daily driver that gives me a headache more than my weekend car. I dont want to end up with a 4 dr Lotus .

Yet, I don't want to end up with 2 Lancers in my garage (Ralliart?).

 

[jflo]

jflo,

Did you have a hesitation problem at all?

actually, no because my car came flashed already...yeah...

 

[jflo]

maybe u'll be as lucky as i am and have a problem free (performance wise- my sub is still cut out and stuff...) car. it's been pretty good to me so far. i missed it the past 3 days while it was at the dealer...hehe

 

[ForceFed]

the car is more of a nuisence than a true problem.It is all the little things that go wrong all the time.You would think mazda would put a little more time and research into a car of this caliber.This was supposed to be the beginning of great thing for the Mazdaspeed nameplate here in the states.I think the name may be tainted for all future Mazdaspeed projects from mazda.That or maybe we woke them up and they will pull their head outta their ass and make sure these "SPECIAL" cars are ****** right when they hit the showroom floor next time.Only time will tell.
Lets see what the Mazdaspeed Miata brings to the table.I hope they start getting it right as I would love to see the RX-8 in mazdaspeed trim as it woud more than likely be on bad ass car if they decide to bring back the BOOST!
Matt

 

[ForceFed]

the car is more of a nuisence than a true problem.

With the damn exception that i am on motor and turbo numbering 2!
Hmmppfff!!!
Matt

 

[mp5jeff]

lol

 

[mspdfreak]

Just my humblr opinion, but I believe you will love the MSP. I've had none of these problems others have discussed here, but then I don't race it and haven't made any mods. I think with resposible driving and proper maintenance, you will be more than satisfied with this car. Besides, if you feel the need for speed, you've got the EVO to turn to. In any case, good luck with your decision. (Oh, and mileage is terrific. I got 36mpg highway on a recent roadtrip, and if I don't get on the turbo too hard, I still get around 25mpg city.)

 

[fly2low]

20 mpg has been the best so far. That's for my trip to Santa Barbara & Solvang.

The combination of the turbo, AWD, and short gearing doesn't really help the mpg. Driving in LA is either a jam or above 3500 rpm .

With the turbocharge engine, I won't let the tank has less than 1/4. So, it means a refill every 190 miles.

Just for your entertainment, I will list the things that I dislike from the Evo:
1) Gas consumption as described above (but who cares).
2) Wind noise.
3) Huge turning radius, U-turn is a disaster.
4) 150 Watts stereo? I envy you guys.

What I like:
1) Power and handling are no worse (if not better) than a Lotus Esprit S4 .
2) Weather versatility. The car still sticks to the asphalt in rainy days. Rear wiper is a plus.
3) Adjustable headlight . Intercooler spray.
4) Recaro seat is fantastic. The ride on this car IS NOT too stiff. It's getting better at high speed. I hate cushy seats, though. So don't count my opinion.

 

[shaolin]

Wow. I got thumbs up from an EVO driver last night. I was just like "what?" He didn't pounce me like I thought he would?

 

[Autox MSP]

PS: If you have to ask me why I bought the Evo instead of the STi, then I have to ask you why you bought the MS Protege instead of the Neon SRT-4

From my experience working on DSMs, Mitsubshis will fall apart and electronics fail, while subarus are reliable as hondas. There is a reason why mitsubishi has to give heavy incentives and no payments for a year.

I'm sure the Evo is a better built car but i'd be afrid to buy one with out a extended warrenty. I drove a used evo with 6k miles on it and had a horribly loud drivetrain whine while another one on the lot didn't.

In many UK mags, the Spec C STi always beat out the EVO. The suspension can easily be changed in the usdm evo to handle just as well, us versions are dialed in with understeer so stupid drivers don't spin out.

 

[03MSPRO]

I'll sell mine for $14k. It has only 4500 miles since I have a company vehicle. It already has Thermal exhaust, boost gauge, turbo timer, Optima battery. I never increased the boost or installed a boost controller (Mazda read this).