MS Protege for me?

[CrotchMonster]

I currently own a 1997 BMW M3. I recently became obsessed over the Honda S2000 but have decided not to get it or any other car that would put me in a payment until I finish school and pay off my student loan.

I have decided to sell the M3 and my daily (a 93 Sentra) and get something relatively new with low mileage that will be both practical and fun that will serve as my daily and weekend car and hold me over until I pay off all my other obligations.

I plan on spending $12-15,000 (what Ill get back from the M3 and Sentra) and cannot decide between the Acura RSX and the MS Protg. Granted you guys will be somewhat biased, Id still like to hear some opinions.

One of my main concerns is whether the Mazda is reliable or not. Having never owned one, Ive occasionally heard bad things about Mazda reliability can you all speak of this? Mechanically? Electronics?

Maybe to consider, I do plan on having some track (road track, not drag) time a couple times a year

Your input would be appreciated.

 

[sm76]

Youll get a lot of varying opinions on this from people, but my experience with the Mazdaspeed has been very good. Ive autocrossed and open tracked the car since I bought it and have had very little maintenance to do in the 105k miles that Ive put on it.
The weakest part of the Mazdaspeed by far is the differential. They can go at any time and there is no warning. Mine just went out at 105k miles. The good thing is you can do some preventative welding of the ring gear to the carrier (which I will be doing with my replacement) which usually costs a few hundred dollars if you have a shop do all the work or replace it with a Quaife which costs around $1600.
The complete list of other things Ive had break:
-Chrome on Muffler flaking: muffler replaced under warranty at 25k miles
-Waste Gate Actuator: whole turbo replaced under warranty at 45k miles
-Waste Gate Actuator: replaced for $50 at 90k miles
-Front Wheel Bearing: replaced for $50 at 100k miles
-Battery replaced for $50 at 101k miles.

I can tell you the Protg is a lot of fun on the track. Its not very powerful, but the cornering speeds are nice and the transitions are where this car excels.

You should be able to get a nice low mileage MSP for $12-13k so you'll have some leeway to modify small things of you want.

My advice would be to go out and drive them both. You should be able to tell from that which one is for you.

 

[Earful]

In Burbank....I'll bet you see a fair share of RSX's. Another aspect of the MSP is it's one-of-a-kind coolness factor...at least for me, but if you can find a Speed to test drive, I am sure there are plenty of RSX's to test, have at them both, and get the one that suits you best.

 

[CrotchMonster]

^ Yeah I suppose it does come down to a test drive. How do you know about Burbank? lol, you're right there are tons of RSXs here. You barely ever see any MSPs

 

[crashkelly]

keep that bmw forever, m3s are awesome

 

[ItsSlow]

Ill trade you straight up (depending on the condition, miles, and details of your ///M) for my 03.5 Laser Mica Blue MSP with 47,xxx miles (only 500 on the motor as of now).. It threw a rod and was replaced under warranty.. Im still breaking it in right now, but I should have 1k on it by next week.. It has a couple mods and I have all of the stock stuff (except the muffler).. I can post pics if you want..

 

[jomoyo069]

rsx

 

[CrotchMonster]

Ill trade you straight up (depending on the condition, miles, and details of your ///M) for my 03.5 Laser Mica Blue MSP with 47,xxx miles (only 500 on the motor as of now).. It threw a rod and was replaced under warranty.. Im still breaking it in right now, but I should have 1k on it by next week.. It has a couple mods and I have all of the stock stuff (except the muffler).. I can post pics if you want..

Let me see some pictures, I maybe interested.

 

[CrotchMonster]

rsx

Your reasoning?

 

[ChopstickHero]

Not to scare you away, i love my MSP and so do alot of others. but just take a look at this forum section MSP Problems

 

[thaikim]

The MSP seems to be a quirky little bugger, if your looking for something reliable this may not be it... However if you're the type that likes to drive down the road and have your car make weird noises that your not quite sure it should be making and that will eventually lead you to posting questions about on here, then Bingo you've found your car. (thumb)

 

[ItsSlow]

 

[jomoyo069]

are those rims 15" or 16"

 

[ChopstickHero]

you bought your MSP at an Acura dealership? lol

 

[ItsSlow]

17"s..

 

[ItsSlow]

you bought your MSP at an Acura dealership? lol

yea the previous owner traded it in on a tsx.. *She* needed more room..

 

[thaikim]

Can you drive around with a back plate in your rear window down in Memphis or is that just for the pics?? Btw nice laser blue

 

[ItsSlow]

Can you drive around with a back plate in your rear window down in Memphis or is that just for the pics?? Btw nice laser blue

You can drive around with it (until it expires).. Although it really doesnt matter.. some people dont even have tags..

Thanks.. I have to give props to the previous owner for keeping it in such good condition.. There are 0 scratches, dents, dings, or anything on the car..

 

[CrotchMonster]

You can drive around with it (until it expires).. Although it really doesnt matter.. some people dont even have tags..

Thanks.. I have to give props to the previous owner for keeping it in such good condition.. There are 0 scratches, dents, dings, or anything on the car..

How about mechanically? Any maintenance records? Can you give me some info on your ride?

Here's mine:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8497793&postcount=1

 

[MrDiggler]

Check the For Sale section. There's a guy in SoCal with an absolutely cherry low-mileage Spicy Orange that only wants 10k for it. I hate to see a Spicy sell that cheap!