Honest opinions please....

[midniteblue]

Whats, up...

Im deciding on whether to get a Lexus IS 300 or (obviously) the mazdaspeed protege. i am fond of both cars but really at odds as to which to get, so here is where YOU can help....remember, if you could afford either one and it came down to it, which would you get?

Lexus is about 10k more but the interior overall is better IMHO such as the leather and all that. The only thing holding me back is the fact that i think its up for a redesign in about 2 years.

The mazdaspeed is such an overall awesome performance-wise factory built car. Its limited, a great deal for its price, and i think handles better on the road than the lexus, im guessing...

I'd be happier to have the IS but theres just something about the MSP that just attracts me to it ya know, lol

I seriously think that when my dealer calls and i tell him that im not interested, he's gonna ask me to go down and test drive it anyways (and being attracted to the msp you know im gonna be a sucka and do it) and i think right then and there ill probably get it...But IF and when that time comes, Id like to get some opinions first....

 

[Daemos]

If it was me...it would the the Lexus IS300 forsure.

With the performance parts, luxery and rear wheel drive, it just blows the MSP away.

I wish I had the cash for an IS300.

 

[midniteblue]

If it was me...it would the the Lexus IS300 forsure.

With the performance parts, luxery and rear wheel drive, it just blows the MSP away.

I wish I had the cash for an IS300.

oh c'mon, its ONLY 10 grand more LOL

i plan on selling all my recyclable cans, newspapers, and bottles and digging under the good ol' couch for some change hehe j/k

seriously, thanks for the feedback..means alot

 

[twiztedjeckel]

well if money weren't an option i'd go with the IS 300 as well. you'll like that thuroughly. plus it comes with HID's

 

[Limited Edition]

what do you want?
more performance than luxury?
or a combination of both?
what fits you best?...do you want the name 'lexus' with leather, sunroof, heated seats and such?
or excellent handling w/o the goodies of sunroof, leather, heated everything.

it's really up to you...IS300 has been out for about 3 years now?
Protege has been out for about the same # of years too (i'm talking about the current generation)

If were in your position, and i could afford an IS300, there's no doubt in my mind that i would go with an IS300. If you can afford more, go with a loaded IS300 5 spd for performance. Perhaps even the 'L-tuned' Package...can't go wrong with that at all!

They both have ther advantages...Depending on your age as well... I'm still a teenager, so even if i were rich, i think i'd stick with a awesome MS-P...i don't need to be a spoiled brat!

Another thing to keep in mind, is that if you have $10K to spill, imagine the possibilites you'd have with a MAZDASPEED protege..WHOA! I couldn't imagine what that would be like.
Not many people can dump $10K into a protege!

 

[midniteblue]

good points to consider....

wel obviously lexus IS 300 is waaay higher on the luxury scale than the msp and I am leaning toward the IS 300 but im still not sure...yeh, you could do alot with the extra 10k but with the lexus, the 10k is built into the payments. Plus im not looking to do any modifications to either car since im modifying my current car now

i guess it comes down to this:

IS 300 = luxury and fun

MSP = not luxury but fun & limited (@ least until the next wave comes in )

 

[spoolinmp3]

My vote goes to the MSP

 

[Esteban Toledo]

.....IS 300. However, if you have enought for this car, I'd get a 350Z.

 

[midniteblue]

.....IS 300. However, if you have enought for this car, I'd get a 350Z.

oh yeh, the 350z is hot as hell.....but as much as it begs ppl to stop and pay attention to its sleek style, im not really fellin' this car as much...if i were to get a car like that, id rather wait for the RX-8

 

[gyrospeed]

If you have the money, definitely go with the IS300. Just my thoughts.

 

[Daemos]

Acctually I got a better idea..why don't you wait for the Infiniti G35 coupe? I mean the 6 speed version.

It LOOKS nice, it's FAST does the 1/4 in like mid 14s IN THE AUTOMATIC!!!

It supposedly handles better than a 350 Z and you got all that luxery

If I had an extra 10K I know what I could do with my spec V...trade it in and get a G35 or buy abes header...AEM CAI, Stromstrong cat back...leather interior...tien/JIC coilovers, Motor mounts, rims, tires, new ass for my car, maybe a full body kit...new paint job...I love the Si electric Blue, or the skyline blue...hmmm...and new sound system that'll do it.

Then I'd save up, wait for the JWT cams to come out...and then slap on FIR's turbo kit (that puts 275 whp on STOCK everything else) and have a +300 whp machine on stock internals, and stock tranny, probally not clutch though...

 

[spoolinmp3]

wait for the EVOLUTION8!!!!!!

 

[slug420]

import an evo v, and have the best looking car in north america

 

[RuggedMazda]

Nah, man go for the EVO, it's going to be the hotest car out there IMO... If I had the money I wouldn't get the MSP ( even though I love the car ) I would get the EVO, with out a doubt.
I like the IS 300, but I hear that the IS is only making around 15 in 1/4..... Not great for a car that cost 10k over the MSP, when the Msp it's self comes very close to that.
The MSP is the best bang for the Money, But the EVO has a nise long history of performance backing it up.
I mean, come on, 4wd, looks, speed, 4dr, 283hp, hey maybe you'll even be the first one around with it. Kick ass rides come & go, but to have a part of history, last for ever..............You know what I mean........?
I think the same way about the Supra........I will have one, ONE DAY...............

 

[TedManEight]

Ok, IMO consider first the type of car you want. Sports car, Coupe, Subcompact..., etc. By the looks of it your not looking for all speed or sportiness otherwise you would wait for at least the RX-8(I would love to get this car if I had the money). So really your down to performace/luxury vs. limited edition/handling. It seems to me that no matter how common the IS300 is it will always be the better car. Your looking between two cars that somewhat have the same body style but are completely different other than that. MSP inline 4, IS inline 6, MSP limited edt. seating is nice but NOT LEXUS LEATHER NICE. Seriously do some thinking, Lexus has all the advantages over the MSP, even color. Heres where the $10k comes into play. If $10k means nothing to you, go for the lexus IS300. Seriously I think your decession should ride on one thing. Get a good car, that is obviously a good car(and no one will argue with that), or get the MSP and try to prove something. Only advantage I see of the Protege is how it will stand out(especially orange). So, do some thinking on what YOU really want. Thats what it comes down to. I've been doing comparrisons between so many cars i've found that all the extra stuff cancels out generally. Which car will make you HAPPY AS A DRIVER. That is what you must deside. Don't rely on others opinions and be stuck with a car you don't like and everyone else does! Something to think about!
(Sorry bout long thread, it was the 1st one I have rambled on)

 

[colin949]

i heard the evos have all been pre sold, and i second spoolins vote, get the msp.

 

[midniteblue]

Big Shout Out to all out there for the input....seriously it really does come down to the buyer (me in this case) but i really like hearing the opinions of other ppl just to understand their perspective on the matter at hand.

i was trying to imagine myself in about a year from now how I would feel with either car and i think the MSP would lose its appeal that it had when it first came out(if it ever DOES come out hehe) but who knows....im known to impulse buy (obviously with much much cheaper things like cd's and such..not cars haha)

i need a car now or within the next few weeks. I would love to wait next year for alot of hot cars coming out such as the RX-8, or even the toyota bbx (dont hate on me for this LOL)--i like to be different.

im thinking also why get a MSP and wait for performance parts from mazdaspeed when the IS300 already has factory l-tuned packages

but like i said, ill listen to any and all opinions..thanks for the help out there, its been great and helpful

 

[Daemos]

hey...I think you should look at a 350 Z (if you can get hold of one) or an infiniti G35 Coupe...

If not the IS300 has great packages from factory!

for 0-60 it does it same as the MSP

Then 1/4 mile will just require some slight tuning.

Remember...I read this somewhere don't remember but here it goes, for engine/tranny/drivetrain strength/quality/modding potential (IE most improvement)

it's (for major japanese car companies)
toyota/lexus
Nissan/Infiniti
Honda/Acura
Mazda/?
Susuki (can we even count them?)

don't bash me on my list...take a look...a stock Celica GTS runs around 15.0 seconds the 1/4 mile...just ADDING an intake gets you to 14.3 seconds 1/4 mile with a good driver.

Then Nissan's engines..well yea they're strong, they get good power out of simple mods.

Honda...it's a honda...they DON'T DIE

Mazda...really the only way...is through FI...other than that...I mean all cars can take FI. Even the Spec V with it's "weak" engine can take 7 PSI, but how bout the SR20DE? that's crazy.

but yea, no matter what car you choose, you'll love it...and it seems you have enough money to replace it if you don't like it.

 

[Dexter]

1. RX8
2. 350Z
3. IS300
4. MSP

 

[mnkyboy]

1. MSP
2. MSP
3. MSP
4. MSP
5. MSP