Interior questions

[AltimaSE]

Well I stopped by the dealer tonight her in GR, MI to check out the black MSP they have in their show room. Up until now the only one that I had seen in person was a 2003.5 dark grey one at the Detroit NAIAS.

I find it interesting that there are still some people on here waiting for their cars and yet my dealer is sitting on a black one and the dealer across town is sitting on a black AND orange one. Wish I could give them all a good home.

Anways, as I was looking at the interior of the car and notice that the seat fabric is kind of a mesh (similar to the Spec-V, the other car I'm cosidering). So far the only problems I've heard of with the MSP is the clunk sound issue. Has anyone had any trouble with their seat fabric catching? wearing already? snagging?

Also, how does the fake seude (sp?) seat bolsters and door inserts hold up?

Yet another step in leading me to a decision between the Spec-V and the MSP. Thatnks guys.

 

[promp3]

so far my int. has been holding up fine (its that mesh stuff too) other than the fact that the seats are squishier than i prefer they are holding up nicely. imo go for the msp it is better than a specV any day you will not be dissapointed get 'em while there hot!!!!

 

[jroof]

Yeah, I think it's going to be hard to say on that one for a while. I don't think anyone has more than a couple thousand miles and if it were wearing out that quickly, there are some real quality control problems at Mazda.

 

[AltimaSE]

Thanks guys

Yeah, being that people are still just getting their MSPs I didn't expect people to say that they were noticing a lot of wear. More so, I just wanted to get some opinions on how it might hold up. I know the Spec has been out longer, but I've heard of a couple of people over at b15sentra.net having wear issues with their mesh seats. One I know of had it fixed under warranty, but still kind of a hassle.

Thanks for the info guys and I'll just have to keep looking forward to and dreading the day that I actually have to make the final decision between the MSP and Spec-V.

 

[AGR]

Re: Thanks guys

Yeah, being that people are still just getting their MSPs I didn't expect people to say that they were noticing a lot of wear. More so, I just wanted to get some opinions on how it might hold up. I know the Spec has been out longer, but I've heard of a couple of people over at b15sentra.net having wear issues with their mesh seats. One I know of had it fixed under warranty, but still kind of a hassle.

Thanks for the info guys and I'll just have to keep looking forward to and dreading the day that I actually have to make the final decision between the MSP and Spec-V.

I did a lot of shopping and driving (and traded my '99 Sentra SE Limited) for the MSP. I could have purchased the SE-R Spec V for less, and I do really like that car. However; I chose the MSP because it really is more a 'driver's' car with a more refined suspension, and a truly killer sound system.

The interior of the Spec V is a love / hate thing. I'm okay with it on some of the exterior colors, but on some it doesn't match up well. My wife hated the interior of the Spec V, even on a red one that she was actually looking at. She ended up buying a 2002 Protege ES - great car!

I don't really think the MSP interior is going to be a problem, and it really looks good, at least in my opinion.

Cheers!

 

[MSP Pro]

Well, Nissan has been listening and has fixed the shift linkage and changed the seat inserts to silver on the Spec V. It's a nice car and I drove one before settling on the MSP. Problem with the Spec V is the beam rear axle. This is dirt cheap and has no business on a performance car, and it really hurts the handling. I've been a Nissan guy for a long time, too: 72 240Z for 10 years, 91 300zxtt bought used in 95 and now for sale.

I love my MSP. It's much faster in the corners than the 300zxtt! A very responsive and balanced car.

 

[AGR]

Well, Nissan has been listening and has fixed the shift linkage and changed the seat inserts to silver on the Spec V. It's a nice car and I drove one before settling on the MSP. Problem with the Spec V is the beam rear axle. This is dirt cheap and has no business on a performance car, and it really hurts the handling. I've been a Nissan guy for a long time, too: 72 240Z for 10 years, 91 300zxtt bought used in 95 and now for sale.

I love my MSP. It's much faster in the corners than the 300zxtt! A very responsive and balanced car.

Exactly. The MSP is an incredble 'blast' to drive. Today mine is 2 weeks old. Last evening on the way home, I completed my first 1,000 miles. I pulled off of SR-196, turning onto Highway 64 heading East (3.5 miles from home at this point); I accelerated hard in 1st, hit 2nd - pedal all the way down, shifting at about 6,000 revs. I love this car, simply put. 3rd and 4th gear, I was on the floor, just passing about 75mph, then backing off. At that area, the speed limit is 65mph.

It is the best handling car, I have driven, without question. I really want to attend a driving school this year. A friend of mine teaches a BMW school. I'm a road racing fan at heart, so that would be a lot of fun, and knowledge I could bring to the street.

Today, I am buying an Escort Passport 8500 Radar Detector. After much research, I see no clear advantage with the Valentine 1 for the additional $100.

Cheers!

 

[AltimaSE]

I'm leaning...

I'm definately leaning towards the MSP. The only question is going to be whether there will be any available at the time I want to purchase.

This may sound kinda dumb, but another reason I'm still thinking about the Spec-V is that I have a guy at my dealer that has been really good to my wife and I and I have been talking with him about the Spec-V for some time now. I would feel bad if I said, "Sorry I'm gonna buy this car instead."

The good side is that I know that Mazda dealer I would buy from is good as my dad has leased several cars from them... I guess in the end it's about what car I want and not which dealer I like the best. I'll probably get the MSP when the time comes.

 

[AGR]

Re: I'm leaning...

I'm definately leaning towards the MSP. The only question is going to be whether there will be any available at the time I want to purchase.

This may sound kinda dumb, but another reason I'm still thinking about the Spec-V is that I have a guy at my dealer that has been really good to my wife and I and I have been talking with him about the Spec-V for some time now. I would feel bad if I said, "Sorry I'm gonna buy this car instead."

The good side is that I know that Mazda dealer I would buy from is good as my dad has leased several cars from them... I guess in the end it's about what car I want and not which dealer I like the best. I'll probably get the MSP when the time comes.

I completely understand. I have owned 3 Nissans (wish I could afford the new 350Z), and I could have purchased the Spec V SE-R for about $17,000. Funny thing is, I too, had a similar situation as my wife bought her 2002 Protege ES in Sept., and I did end up buying from that same salesman. But, it could have gone either way, with the other Mazda dealer wanting my business really bad. I gave the last chance to my wife's salesman, and he came through. I called the other dealer, and explained that her dealer offered more for my trade, and a better payment, etc...

The MAZDASPEED was (is) my choice. The Nissan is a great car, for sure, but I have no regrets. I love music, and the Mazda's Kenwood system is superior to the Rockford Fosgate package that is in the Spec V. Also; I gave up a Sunroof, and Cruise Control - but I can live with that. We all know about the incredible handling package the MAZDASPEED has, and as a whole, it's a great package overall. I know there is no other car I would rather have for $20,500.

Is there a wrong or right decision? I don't think so. It's all in what you want in a car. A year ago, I 'knew' my next car would be the Spec V SE-R. When I saw that introduction, I was very impressed. I drove 2 of them, and I looked at the competition; Honda, Focus SVT - Then I saw the MAZDASPEED intro back in September last year. I read the reports, reviews, and then I drove it. That settled it for me. I knew then; that was the car for me. Also; Mazdas have the 4 year - 50,000 mile standard warranty. I'm not sure what Nissan is offering now.

I hope this helps. Or; it just might add to the confusion.

Cheers!

 

[Grimace]

My next car was going to be the Spec V. But then I found out MSP's were still available (I was sure they would be all pre-sold). So I'm springing a few extra grand to get the car I really want. Not that a Spec V would be a bad second choice at all!
Hmmm, my g/f is looking for a car... maybe I can talk her into a Spec, and have the two best sport FWD compact sedans parked in my driveway!

 

[AGR]

My next car was going to be the Spec V. But then I found out MSP's were still available (I was sure they would be all pre-sold). So I'm springing a few extra grand to get the car I really want. Not that a Spec V would be a bad second choice at all!
Hmmm, my g/f is looking for a car... maybe I can talk her into a Spec, and have the two best sport FWD compact sedans parked in my driveway!

Bingo!! Only thing is.. my wife didn't like that Lava interior on the Spec V, so we have 2 Proteges - a great garage!!!

http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b330c43e25b2

Cheers!!

......buying my Escort Passport 8500 today.

 

[AltimaSE]

Hmm... interesting

Yeah, the only thing I will miss going to the MSP over the Spec-V will be the sunroof and the cruise control. I was unaware actually that the MSP doesn't have cruise control... that's kind of a bummer since I do some highway driving every day to and from work.

The other interesting point you brought up is the wife/girlfriend's car issue. My Altima is up this summer, BUT my wife's Mitsubishi Galant is up soon as well... I don't think I would be able to convince her on the Spec-V since she doesn't even know how to drive a stick now. But I might be able to convince her of a regular SE-R with an Auto. OR maybe when I get my MSP I can teach and convince her of how much fun a stick car is.

She is actually thinking of an ES Protege now though so I might end up in your situation AGR and have an MSP and an ES. She liked the black ES when I was at the dealer with her recently so that would be interesting to have a black mica MSP and a black ES.

Ah well... nothing will start to happen til this summer anyways, but it's sure fun to plan.

 

[AltimaSE]

One more thing...

AGR, you'll have to keep us updated on how you like your 8500 because that could be a good investment even before I get my MSP (or Spec-V). Like I said, it's fun to plan.

 

[AGR]

Re: One more thing...

AGR, you'll have to keep us updated on how you like your 8500 because that could be a good investment even before I get my MSP (or Spec-V). Like I said, it's fun to plan.

Indeed! Planning is fun. My wife's ES is a 5 speed manual. She insists on driving a manual. All of her cars have been manual trannys. How cool is that!!??

As far as the Passport 8500; I have been shopping (reading the reviews) the two of them (Valentine 1 and Passport 8500), and I could spend the extra $100, but I don't see the need. They are both great units, but is the V1 really better? I don't think so.

Cheers!