I came into this forum to get more info on the MSP, because I was thinking of getting one, but after reading about there issues (alot of them) I will choose something else. And it is fine to be loyal to your car, but dont think for one minute that the MSP is gods gift to the world.
I think what most have been trying to say, and what keeps getting misconstrued .. is that if you have $30K sitting in your pocket, you have one of two choices.
1. Buy a MSP and invest the extra $10K - $15K (that you saved on purchase price) into building the engine and fixing it's stock quirks.
2. Buy a MS3 and take it as it is, no upgrades.
When comparing the performance of the two cars based on the SAME AMOUNT of invested money, then I believe they're generally even.
Nobody is saying that a stock MSP is the epitome of an automobile. We're loyal to our cars, but for Heaven's sake, we aren't stupid. Of course the MS3, that's $10K-plus more at purchase, is going to have more power -- it damn well better, for that much more money! And yes, we all know that the MSPs have issues. If they didn't, half of this forum wouldn't even exist. But we accept them and are willing to work with them. The MSP isn't an uncurable thing -- but if you buy one and want it to put down more horses, you need to be willing to fix what needs fixing.
Appearance, though .. I'm sorry, but no matter what anybody says to me, the MSP is just a better-looking car.
And so, overall .. combine the uniqueness/rarity of the MSP, the fact that it can basically pull even with a MS3
IF the 'extra cash' saved at purchase is invested in the engine, and that it just looks eleventy bajillion times sexier .. Well, there's my vote.
