Help me understand the MSP mod frenzy - I don't get it

[nomahh]

I'll admit that it takes me a long time to purchase a new car. I look for the closest match to perfection (in my price range of course) before pulling the trigger. As a result, I bought the MSP a few weeks ago because:

1) It's a Mazda - I love Mazdas and have had great reliability over the years.
2) The power is adequate
3) The handling is superb.
4) The interior (maybe the yellow stiching could have been different) is unreal for a $20K car.
5) Very good stock audio.
6) The Racing Harts do wonders for the overall appearance.
7) The "what is that" factor.

8) Huge trunk space compared to what I had before.
9) Tastefully done exhaust.
10) Handling, handling, handling!

Maybe it's age, but I don't get buying a new car and swapping almost every interior component out, modding the hell out of a brand new engine (in many cases before break in), changing wheels, seats, steering wheel, etc...by the time you've switched everything out, it would be cheaper to buy a base freakin' Protege and add a turbo!

I've seen some cools mods here and completely understand the JoeP controllers - especially if it solves what appears to be a from-the-factory problem. I guess what I get tired of sometimes are the "but I only changed out xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx and the f***ing dealer won't do warranty work!"

Yes, I know that the technicalities of aftermarket laws DO allow for modifications and "technically" - unless it can be proven that the aftermarket part caused the problem - the car should be corrected under warranty. But - and a big but - if you go to every dealer in town and they all refuse - and Mazda regional rep refuses - are you willing to pay more in legal fees that the cost of the repair to prove a point? Just a thought....

Sorry for the mini-rant - it must be age.

 

[DiscreetSpeed]

i love the looks of the car in and out, and would not change anything about it, BUT I NEED MORE POWER TO THE WHEELS...

 

[nomahh]

i love the looks of the car in and out, and would not change anything about it, BUT I NEED MORE POWER TO THE WHEELS...

That's why I used "aqequate" power.

 

[mypfizzle]

everyone wants to make their car different.. their own.. and besides.. ponies is a must if your car is turbo -=)

 

[nomahh]

everyone wants to make their car different.. their own.. and besides.. ponies is a must if your car is turbo -=)

Hell, I'm paying for it - it is mine!

I'm not from the 1/4 mile school - I know that's part of the problem.

 

[mypfizzle]

im not either.. im from the my wheels are bigger than yours school. -=) heh.. but i feel these guys.. if i had a MANUAL.. and a turbo.. id wanna go fast too -=)

 

[ZoomingMSP]

you have a great point. Everyone is wanting to mod the hell out of their cars because the parts are out there to do so. I am currently seeking new turbo parts for my msp and i have only had it for a month. People are never satisfied for the most part. We all want to go faster than the next guy thats why we mod our brand new cars.

 

[nomahh]

People are never satisfied for the most part. We all want to go faster than the next guy thats why we mod our brand new cars.

That's a great point too. I have the most fun on the street by taking a cloverleaf or rotary (for those in the NE part of the country) at 20-35MPH faster than the idiot pegged to my rear bumper and watching them take 1/2 mile to fly by me (in a straight line of course) at 110MPH as I laugh hysterically.

One thing I've realized about most drivers (especially in TX): very few can actually DRIVE unless their drive wheels are pointed perfectly straight and the pedal is to the floor.

 

[pluto316]

All I am saying is, I want a black CAI and a FMIC then I am done.


Oh, and a turbo timer.



And a vented hood to get rid of heat soak.





Maybe a bigger down pipe.

 

[girth]

^^^And if you're going to do that, you might as well go with the best bang-for-buck mod and get a boost controller. LOL, it never ends!

 

[Newf]

i know exactly where your coming from. What I don't understand is how some people poor shitloads of money into their cars, and they know that when they go to sell it, their going to loose it all. Mods do not help resale with exception of maybe wheels and some little things. But anything that you do to your engine or mechanics of your car can actually hurt your resale in a big way.

I don't mind minor mods, but anything else I feel like I'm throwing money away that I won't get back. To spend (Canadian here) 28k on a car, only to put 3-5k more into it...I should have just abuot the 33k car to begin with, and I'd still have a warrantly.

Mod'ing is fun, and I love seeing "other people " do it, but on a new car I question people's sanity sometimes. Of course, if your floating in money and have nothing else to do with it, it doesn't matter, but for the average joe, a car is the 2nd biggest expense you'll ever have, and I'd rather take care of mine and play it smart. Blowing up engines...not smart.

 

[AGR]

Let me tell ya.....!

I'm all about road racing - not 1/4 mile.

Here's what I have done, and I love it!!

K&N RU-3580 Cone Filter
Blitz Dual TT (Turbo Timer/Boost Gauge)
Joe P Manual Boost Controller (boosting to 10psi)
Joe P FPK kit (eliminates hesitation during acceleration)
Passport 8500 Radar Receiver

.. I will change to a different intake eventually, but the K&N is fine for now.

My MAZDASPEED is very quick as it is now, and does everything I want it to do. I drive 24 miles each way to work, and 20 miles of it is through the woods. It's awesome. It's like my own little playground.

At 10,000+ miles, I really am digging my MAZDASPEED. Not to mention all the thumbs up I get. It was the first one in the Memphis area. It is bad ass!!! Make no mistake! I do mean BAD ASS!!!

 

[loj68]

I'm with you.....if I wanted something faster than the MSP I woulda got an STI or an EVO.....mine is staying stock. I don't wanna have to worry about warranties or reliability.

 

[t3ase]

....mine is staying stock. I don't wanna have to worry about warranties or reliability.

The famous phrase said by all before they order their first little part, only to become a mod monster.

 

[Glowmunkey]

i love the looks of the car in and out, and would not change anything about it, BUT I NEED MORE POWER TO THE WHEELS...

I agree totally with that statement. Is there really any such thing as adequate power? If so, I have not found it yet, and I have driven some relatively powerful vehicles (Z28s, Vettes, M5s, M3s, Porsches, some heavily modified stuff, etc.).

Granted, you will never see me swapping out any stereo equipment, interior, exterior parts or even suspension components (unless of course, things break or wear out).

 

[pluto316]

Well, I want a vented hood so I don't get so much heat soak. A turbo timer to save my turbo, etc. I'm not looking to go faster, it just so seems I might be.

 

[nomahh]

I agree totally with that statement. Is there really any such thing as adequate power?

Sure. When you're used to a Miata that gives a whopping 85-90 WHP, the MSP power is very adequate.

I've owned a few American 1/4 mile machines - 5.0 Mustang, '68 Firebird 400, but none gave this kind of overall balance.

 

[Glowmunkey]

Balance is good... but what if you could have the same balance and a bit more power? I can understand not wanting to make the MSP a 300 whp drag car, but a few extra horses won't change the handling dynamics of the car too severely.

It's just the speed bug, I was bit a long time ago, and it's just been impossible to completely get away from...