Help?

[Newf]

Ahhh! I can't make up my mind. I have never had this much troubles picking a car. I am definitely getting a Speed. No doubts about it. I've got a Orange one on the way....or so they say. Within 30 days it should be here. Don't matter anyhow, as my car isn't sold. So, I may not even get the speed until that happens which may be April as it's really hard to sell a mp3 in 8 feet of snow everyday.

But, I'm thinking about the Grey one now. No, I don't really like the spoiler as much, and if I got it, I'd have to put fogs in it. Killer is, we don't know if the normal fogs would fit. Anyone have any suggestion to aftermarkey lights that maybe look the same as the protege's now...even maybe hids?

My dealer called me today, said someone else wants the orange one. Now, we are a small town. Not too many people want to buy a car like this here as it is, yet alone a orange one. Mazda here doesn't just bring one of these cars in unless it's already sold. My dealer and myself have a great relationship, and I consider most of them good friends. I don't want to have them get a Orange one in, and then me change my mind and get a grey one. There's a huge chance that if I done that to them, they have a car they won't sell.

But, I'm not sure on the orange. I do like the pictures, but when I saw it in person it was...ummm.....peachy. I haven't seen it with the 17's on either as she had back winter steelies on. Hardly the idea way to see it. Still waiting for the sun to come out here as well.

I'm also half worried about the orange 2 years from now. I keep my cars about 2 years. Will I be able to sell it? It is very different, and the one that is here now, most people do not like it. That may change the summer, when she's all purdied up. But, is orange going to be a fad?

Grey is nice, everyone I've showed it too loves it. Doesn't stand out as much. Which is fine to me as I don't need to stand out. Blue is bad enough. With some tinted windows, fogs, I think it'll look very sharp...with exception to the spoiler. The darker rims I'm not sure about as pics we have here don't really show them as darker....or at least we can't see them. I don't mind the pipe on it. It's oval, and yes I would rather it not be. But, it's supposed to have a deeper sound to it, and I find the 2003 msp way to quiet compared to the mp3. The mp3 actually has a nice growl to it, the msp kinda whispers. Fogs are going to cost me about 700-800 canadian bucks if I piece them together from a P5. One lamp is 200.00 alone without wires! Get a button, harness, wires....ba boom 800.00! ouch. I also like the seats better in the MSP, the grey ones are almost identical to the MP3, so it woudn't be a real change for me. The stick and peddles are all going to be the same, just Mazdaspeed written on them, so I don't care about that.

But, when is the grey getting here? No one knows. The dealer is calling today to get me a date......whether or not they get one, and whether or not I believe it, is another thing. Nothing against the dealer, but we've already been through this....right MAZDA!

Another thought. My dealer isn't bringing in ANY MORE. Two orange ones and that's it. Unless I order a grey one. They don't want any more. Damn bushings are driving them nuts But, this other buyer for the orange one lives in another city, so I'll never see it. If I buy the orange, there's going to be 2 orange ones, and my mp3 to whomever buys it. But if I get the grey....there's only going to be 1 orange, 1 blue, and 1 grey. Minor, but just a thought.

So, this poll was kinda done before, but since the new pics came out......why not do it again.

And no, I dont' want yellow. Woman hates yellow....I like it, she hates it.


I wish someone would go to a car show and take LOTS of pics of the grey. I need to make this decision like asap!

 

[andr3w]

Grey is kinda boring and bland, but it is nice as far as grey goes. I am surprised you say the orange is peachy, far from it, more pumpkin yet very glossy.

 

[Dave_13_2002]

It Depends what you are looking for. If you are going to get noticed and stick out from the norm then get the Orange. Or if you want to look nice and not stick out to much get the BLACK MICA. I am kinda partial to the black though it has the sleeper look going on. Think about it MP3's P5 and protoges all came in black how would anyone know it is a MSP you are driving unless the see the badges. You could have just modded it some. But dont let us tell you go with which you want seriously it is your car not ours.

 

[blynzoo]

Hella makes fogs that we can fit in the car.

 

[jroof]

It Depends what you are looking for. If you are going to get noticed and stick out from the norm then get the Orange. Or if you want to look nice and not stick out to much get the BLACK MICA. I am kinda partial to the black though it has the sleeper look going on. Think about it MP3's P5 and protoges all came in black how would anyone know it is a MSP you are driving unless the see the badges. You could have just modded it some. But dont let us tell you go with which you want seriously it is your car not ours.

He's in Canada...they're only offering Orange '03s there so unfortunately, black isn't an option.

 

[AutoXer]

Newf, I'm in almost the exact same situation as you. I'm looking foward with earnest to some kind of release date for the grey MSP's. And confirmation that us Canucks are actually getting grey ones.

But, unlike you I have not even seen an orange MSP in person, because there aren't any in my area yet.

 

[andr3w]

Like many folks on this board I was really unsure about the Orange colour. I was lucky to have seen several dozen MSP's at the Mazda holding area in Flat Rock, Michigan but still did not truly know if I wanted Orange. I am 32 which is pushing it for a funky car. I was first in line at Bill Cook and got the call last Friday that an Orange one had been delivered. I got the VIN number and began the financing/insurance process but knew I could walk away and get their first black one. (I know your dilemma is grey vs. orange but hear me out).

I got to the dealership and had to wait for my sales guy to wrap up the sale of a (grey) Mazda 6 to a young guy. I took a seat and waited, then the Orange MSP was pulled around and parked by the door. It made me smile, the sun was shining and the car sparkled. The guy buying the 6 just stared at it. Then they pulled his car, still dripping wet, next to the Orange MSP. I had seen enough and knew I had to have the Orange.

My feelings were confirmed as exactly at the time I was taking delivery and got the keys a black MSP was driven off a truck and parked behind me. Yeah, it was still dirty and half covered in plastic but it just looked like any other black car. Techs at the tire place where I got winter tires and rims drooled over the paint job on my MSP, people stare at it when I am driving, I have gotten thumbs up and smiles. My 4 year old thinks I am the coolest Dad since no one at her pre-school has an orange car.

Finally, when I walk into my garage or out into the lot at work I see my car and smile. Not only at the colour but at the fun I am about to have driving it.

 

[Mark94]

Nicely stated andr3w, I'm sure I'll feel the same way when I take delivery of my orange Speed this Saturday.

Mark

 

[AutoXer]

Indeed, thanks for the anecdote, andr3w. It would be nice to have a similar experience when I finally see this car in person...time will tell.

 

[Grimace]

Newf and AutoXer -
seems like the 3 of us are in the same boat. However, unlike Newf, I love the orange, but I would be financialy smarter to wait for the grey, so that's why I am having the dilemna.
If you do go for the grey Newf, I wouldn't bother getting P5 fogs. Get something aftermarket for less (and with probably superior output and beam pattern).
Don't make a decision until you see the orange on a sunny day.
Another thing to consider - the grey will be on the 6 and the RX-8. The orange is unique (for now).

 

[Newf]

ok, so far it's Orange. Just gotta get the woman to like it as well.

Thanks guys.

Oh, I thought the 6 was a different grey then the msp?

 

[Grimace]

Whoops you may be right. I meant to put 03 Miata SE.
Geez, I should check my post in the Mazda6 forum to make sure I didn't write it there.

 

[Newf]

bump!

Ok, I gotta make this decision soon. Last night I was settled on the orange....now I don't know again.

If it wasn't for that damn spoiler!

 

[oliver2000]

Orange newf....that is all I have to say...at least you will be sure you get it....

 

[Street Toyz]

Try hid4less.com , thats where i got the xenon headlight kit for my msp and they sell replacement kits for the fogs too ... they also sell complete fog light kits. Hope this helps

 

[Lawerence]

im in the same boat to! ITs soo frustrating!
I have everything worked out so I can pick up the Black Mica MSP on monday, but I just dont know.
Black is a hard color to have, and especially keep nice looking. Once I came here and saw pics for the gray one it made it really hard. I like everything about the 03.5s except thier lack of fogs (yea im the only one who likes the spoiler).
I have to decide waht to do today or tommorow. I just dont want to end up waiting a year for the grey one. I could wait 6 or even 8 months, but any longer and I'd be in the new neon.

still trying to decide.

 

[Dave_13_2002]

Oh yeah get the orange then I was did not know you were in canada, Plus I saw a Spicey Orange one driving next to me today (suck i am not the only one I MD) It looks hot. More exotic then mine.

 

[dpmmsp]

Newf ..... Seems to me you probably already know my feelings ... but you asked again so.......................
I have no idea how old you are, but I'm 43 and I love the fact I'm driving an orange car, and it sounds like the other old fart, Andr3w does too. I love that I look out at the parking lot at work and see a black car, next to a grey car next to a white car next to a silver car next to a grey car next to a black car next to a silver car.....you get the idea ..... and in the middle is this flash of pumpkin. I don't know what was going on with the car you've seen but "peachy" is not a word I , or anyone who has seen it, as ever used to describe the colour.
The decision has to be yours and with your comfort level. If you think you'll be constantly apologizing for driving "an orange car", don't do it. If you don't want to be noticed, don't do it. You WILL be noticed.
I had a similar experience to Andr3w's. Driving with my girl's (6 & 9) in the back, stopped at a light. The guy next to us honks the horn and signals me to put down the passenger window. It's two guys around 20 or 25. He says, "excuse me sir (aaaaaaarrrrrggghhhh) what kind of car is that? Great looking ride" ..... My girls had smiles on their faces for the rest of the night .... they thought it was so cool.
I think part of the idea of having a limited edition car is that when it goes by people look and go, "hey, there's one now". The car has a 450watt stereo, Calloway turbo, racing suspension, etc, etc. .... it deserves to be bright. I think the pictures of the black mica msp's look great .... but they also look like a moded protege, and unless you look pretty close its hard to tell them apart and that's for people who know the cars like us.
I think when you've gotten all the opinions, there is really just one question .... does it matter how "noticed" you are? The orange is a great orange ... maybe the best orange .... but you'll stand out .... is that ok?

By the way ..... I REALLY don't like the wing on the new msp (pukey)

 

[andr3w]

Yeah, us old farts like the Orange more than the spunky youngsters around here. Maybe something is wrong with us, you know how when you hit a certain age you just lose all fashion sense.

Some random thoughts....

This reminds me of my time working on the S-Type launch (at a web agency). I got Jaguar 101 from one of their marketing execs and learned about how Jaguar wants the reserved crowd, Mercedes the i_have_alot_of_money crowd, BMW appeals to the flashy_and_i_know_it_crowd, and Audi aims for the smart crowd. Another analogy is Mercedes = whales, BMW's = sharks, Audi = dolphins and I forget Jaguar (probably dolphin too). Jaguar will beef up a car, give it 100's more hp, charge an arm and a leg more yet the only exterior difference between that model and its sister is one letter (XJ versus XK) and perhaps a slightly modified grill. This reserved opulence is only noticed by the people that know Jaguar, as well as by those that see your tail lights. Newf, are you a whale, shark or dolphin.

I am kind of surprised at Mazda for offering black or grey at all (although it is the nicest grey I have seen since the gun metal Audi A6), I am sure Mazda wants some big roadside PR from their ultimate zoom-zoom ride (until the other Mazdaspeeds come along). Over the last few years a few car colors have defined a brand - the green Turbo VW is one that springs to mind. Orange will be the colour people remember after seeing it and will think of the MSP.

For now... I was at Ford Wixom Assembly and saw a Thunderbird in Orange with a white roof around the back of the plant. hmmmm. I am back at the plant Monday AM and I plan on getting closer and seeing if it is at all close.

 

[Newf]

Well, here's the final verdict. First off, thanks to everyone. Opinions mattered, and helped me make my decision.

But, I had another opinion that also mattered. The WOMAN! She hadn't seen the car yet. So, I called the dealer and said....get the other guy to wash the car and stick her inside, and I'll bring the woman up asap. She has a wacky work schedule and that's why she hasn't seen it until now.

Before I get into this....I saw the car again last night, and for some reason, when it passed me I just looked at it and said....yup I want the orange. But I was afraid, the woman might not.

So, I get her up there today, and the owner had his all washed up, waxed even, and sitting in the shop....puuurrrrdddyy. Gold flakes a sparklin and everything. Although, the lighting was horrible and it really wasn't the greatest way to see the car as the flakes were barely noticeable. Woman started looking it over, sizing it up, started complaining about the small shifter ( no surprise there, woman do like big sticks afterall ), she even made a comment about the stereo looking cheaper then MP3 ( which it does IMO). Then she got out, and said....the color is gorgeous! MY jaw dropped. And I said Will You Marry Me !

Ok, so I never really said that.

Anyways, so it's done, I told the dealer, orange it is. When I actually will get it is another story.

Thanks guys.