mazdaspeed miata or mazdaspeed protege?

A

AtenzaNY62

Member
:
mazda6
i was looking at a lot of local msp's but i've heard the fsdet is not so reliable, wastegate problems, boost problems, fuel cuts, lsd problems, the tranny couldnt hold up over 350whp? how about bp4w? i think thats whats inside the msm except with a turbo, how reliable is the stock 6speed? i dont even know what kind of turbo it comes with... but im liking the looks and the chicks love it!!! so i've been trying to decide which one to get... educate me on the msm's motor
 
i talked to a guy at a local car meet who traded in his 07 sentra se-r spec v for a msm, and his only complaint is that the gear ratios are too short.

4k rpms at 80mph in 6th gear... not ideal for gas mileage...
 
the MSM has the same transmission as the RX8, except it is shot-peened making it stronger. the engine is a BP series which has traditionally been one of the best engines mazda has ever produced with a long history of taking well to modifications and to boost. the rear differential is a Bosch unit and very tough. the turbocharger is an IHI model. in terms of reliability out of the box i would rate the MSM the better of the two cars. my brother owns one and its alot of fun to drive and has been extremely solid, even with all the stuff he has done to it.
 
The trans is good over 400hp. Its basically a Rx-8 trans with shot peened gears. With an intake and an exhaust the msm really comes alive. An intercooler upgrade is easy to do since all the pipes are metal.
The motor is the Bp-4w and will hold upwards of 270whp. The only "issue" with the car is that it needs some sort of engine management, the cars sometimes have a bogging issue where the car falls on its face and makes no power. With engine management this problem is completely negated.
 
alright cool, thanks guys!! some really helpful info right here, btw is the body/chasis of the msm same exact as the nb miatas? i mean the size of the car... the msm just added bigger wheels, different headlights and a lip etc... right?
 
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The RX8 has a PPF? i didn't know that...
 
I read thise threads about reliability with a grain of salt. If one buys a car like these and starts making mods to it, drives it like a bat out hell, and expects it to have the same reiliability as the stock version that isn't mistreated, one is dreaming. I expect my daily drivers to last a long time with good reliability. I wouldn't expect anything I race a lot to last very long before I start replacing parts. Unfortunately, things like turbos cost a bit more than changing plugs and oil. :-) Fortunately, I learned early in my life that I'm the one responsible for parts not lasting as long as I thought they should. I've had less problems, since. :-)

Buy the one you like the best.
 
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jmsj578 said:
I read thise threads about reliability with a grain of salt. If one buys a car like these and starts making mods to it, drives it like a bat out hell, and expects it to have the same reiliability as the stock version that isn't mistreated, one is dreaming. .
Click to expand...

i'll agree to this to some extent, yes.

but i can tell you from experience with both cars that modded or otherwise and with comparable people at the helm, the MSM will be a more reliable car than the MSP.
 
jmsj578 said:
I read thise threads about reliability with a grain of salt. If one buys a car like these and starts making mods to it, drives it like a bat out hell, and expects it to have the same reiliability as the stock version that isn't mistreated, one is dreaming. I expect my daily drivers to last a long time with good reliability. I wouldn't expect anything I race a lot to last very long before I start replacing parts. Unfortunately, things like turbos cost a bit more than changing plugs and oil. :-) Fortunately, I learned early in my life that I'm the one responsible for parts not lasting as long as I thought they should. I've had less problems, since. :-)

Buy the one you like the best.
Click to expand...

The bogging issue with the MSM is a problem with the factory ecu, with factory everything. Most problems you are going to have with either car will happen without mods.
 
I know on the first gen Miatas (maybe 2nd, too?) the hood is aluminum, so you can't really take much weight off with a carbon hood. Basically, you're just wasting money putting a carbon hood on a Miata. Maybe the carbon vendors didn't see enough of a market to bother with making them for the 2nd gen?

As for MSM vs. MSP, the only question is: Do you need a back seat? If not, get the MSM. RWD and drop-top all the way! :D
 
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