n00b MSP questions

[murph1379]

Hey guys, I'm new to the board and new to the idea of buying a mazda. (I drive a 95 civic hatch) I have a bundle of questions, I apologize if many are repeats, but I did do a fair bit of browsing first.

1) I'm interested in picking up a MSP for my 25th bday in march, but it sounds like they might be pretty rare by then, any idea if there's a way to reserve or layaway one??? Should I just pick one up used? (from the suckers going for the 3)

2) How are they doing in autox? What class are they running? How are they running against the SE-R?

3) How reliable are these things? I come from Hondaland, where if nothing else they're reliable as hell! Hondas are lame and overpriced now, but I'm worried the mazdas are cheap for a reason.

4) What kind of maintenance is required long-term on the Turbo?

5) Is anyone working on beefing up the engines at all? I've gathered that mazda just kinda strapped a turbo onto a motor designed to be N/A, has anyone started working on forged internals, better intercoolers, twin turbo setups?

6) Have they *still* not released the new ecu? I don't think it'll be much of an issue here in MN, but I'm still not interested in running a potentially wonky car.

7) I actually like the styling (and price) of the 2003 more than the 3.5, are there any left?

 

[II-Savy]

1) I'm interested in picking up a MSP for my 25th bday in march, but it sounds like they might be pretty rare by then, any idea if there's a way to reserve or layaway one??? Should I just pick one up used? (from the suckers going for the 3)

Wait to see what comes out, something cool may be around the corner.

2) How are they doing in autox? What class are they running? How are they running against the SE-R?

Very well, people here will chime in about that. The new SER is ugly anyway so it doesn't matter......j/k

3) How reliable are these things? I come from Hondaland, where if nothing else they're reliable as hell! Hondas are lame and overpriced now, but I'm worried the mazdas are cheap for a reason.

I would say it's a step down but your still talking good quality Japanese cars.

4) What kind of maintenance is required long-term on the Turbo?

Get a turbo timer, keep changing the oil, inspect hoses. Nothing, it cooks you get a new one.

5) Is anyone working on beefing up the engines at all? I've gathered that mazda just kinda strapped a turbo onto a motor designed to be N/A, has anyone started working on forged internals, better intercoolers, twin turbo setups?

Yes people are, I think personally it's a waste unless you race and really boost the crap out of it.

6) Have they *still* not released the new ecu? I don't think it'll be much of an issue here in MN, but I'm still not interested in running a potentially wonky car.

Wonky? lol ok. It will be coming out ....and from the sounds of it a small PSI increase could pretty much take care of it. Also go here: http://www.joepmbc.com/mazdaspeed.htm

7) I actually like the styling (and price) of the 2003 more than the 3.5, are there any left?

You can get damm close to the 2003 price....and I think there are more out there.

 

[Kenetix]

1. The cars are rare but finding one should not be a problem. Dealers are trying to move them out with the rebates and all.

2. For autox there is no competition. SE-R might as well just roll over and give up, the MSP is the best handling FWD car EVER. It knocked the old Type-R off the hill.

3. Reliability is sort of an owner by owner issue. Overall, the Protege is rated as one of the most reliable vehicles sold, even topping the Civic. But, you have to remember the MSP is a pocket rocket and how hard you drive can have an effect on reliability. Me personally, I really havent had any problems.

4. Long term turbo maintenance isnt an issue. With the twin-ball bearing design, oil cooking in the lines really isnt an issue anymore but you still want to let the car idle after driving hard.

5. You can get just about anything you you want, you just need to have the $$$$$. Being fast isnt a cheap goal. Look for ION Performance and Spool for aftermarket needs.

6. The new PCM flash has not been released yet but look for it in another month to two months. The car will still be better than driving a Honda I assure you, even with a little hesitiation in the RPM band.

7. I own a black '03 so I'm biased to the styling. The 03.5 and the 03.75 both look the same so the '03 is really the only one that looks different, more of a collectors car in my opinion. You can still get 03's, my dealership still has a black one right now.

/members/Kenetix/tn_picture 015.jpg

 

[murph1379]

Wait to see what comes out, something cool may be around the corner.

Heh, maybe I should qualift that a bit.

I'm a VERY picky buyer. my civic is light and zippy and I really like that, only want a new car because mine's getting old, is too slow/soft, and doesn't have power anything. Nothing I've found new comes close to the quick, light feeling that the civic has, that is until I got in the MSP! Before I was considering an integra GSR, but they're aging and expensive. The mini has the light feel as well, but it's really goofy inside. I still want to test the SE-R as well, but that's pretty much the field. The 3 doesn't look like it'll be that great to me, the lancer is too spendy, the WRX wasn't impressive, and god help me if I'm going to buy a ford or a neon! lol!

So, I don't really see anything coming down the pipe that I'm going to like more in 6 months time. (unless the SE-R surprises me)

I gotta get my hands on an MSP! =] (I'm where there's a will there's a way)

 

[murph1379]

The 03.5 and the 03.75 both look the same so the '03 is really the only one that looks different, more of a collectors car in my opinion.

03.75??? Heh, is it identical to the 03.5 mechanically, or did they tweak a few things?

Also, I've heard references to the "Clunk", what's this?

How pliable has it been for you on our rough midwestern streets?

I can't wait to get into something that can really move, the civic's time has come.

Also, saw an evo on the street yesterday, whoo-eee! Wish I could afford one! (though it sounds a bit heavy, like the WRX)

 

[msp_driver]

Do me a favor when you go to test drive the SE-R. When you are in a parking lot or somewhere like that, turn the wheels as far as possible. I saw one in a parking lot a school and it took him like 3 tries of backing up and pulling forward to clear the car next to him. It didn't look like the wheels could turn that far at all. Thanks

 

[Kenetix]

Honestly, I slow down for bumps and don't run over potholes, I miss sewer grates and I always slow down when pulling in a driveway so I havent had any problems on these bad roads. The 03.75 is the same as the 03.5, just new colors. The notorious clunk has been around for years, since the MP3 was released, I had it when I first bought the car, then they changed out the rear sway bar and bushing, no more clunk.

 

[II-Savy]

Excellent info guys.....so what color are the 2003.7?

Other cars to look at:
20th Anniv. GTI - Not GREAT but not that bad.
How about a used 4S?

 

[murph1379]

Other cars to look at:
20th Anniv. GTI - Not GREAT but not that bad.
How about a used 4S?

Oh yeah, tried the GTI, pretty lame, doesn't make use of its power nearly as well as the MSP. A friend has the 337, which I like more than the 20th ann, but even that isn't stiff enough.

Did you mean the S4? aka a souped up jetta? If I had that kinda money I'd much prefer an evo or STi!

 

[AGR]

Oh yeah, tried the GTI, pretty lame, doesn't make use of its power nearly as well as the MSP. A friend has the 337, which I like more than the 20th ann, but even that isn't stiff enough.

Did you mean the S4? aka a souped up jetta? If I had that kinda money I'd much prefer an evo or STi!

The Audi is a superior car. Plain and simple. That's a whole other level. But; for my money - the MAZDASPEED is the car!!

 

[TampaBlackMSP]

A GTI 337, 20th Anniv. GTI, and of course an R32 are awesome cars imo. And all three may as well be rebadged as Audi's, as it's the same company and many of the same materials are used anyway (especially the R32)...

 

[murph1379]

The Audi is a superior car. Plain and simple. That's a whole other level.

Over an evo or an STi??? I dunno if I'd pick an S4 over a MSP, muchless a world-class rally car! (though I certainly wouldn't decline the test drive)

The Z3 and the Miata were both fun, but two seaters aren't particularly practical, and the miata needs more guts. Mazda would do well to give that the mazdaspeed treatment as well! Both had pretty crappy visibility, I was constantly sure I was gonna merge into somebody else.

 

[AGR]

Over an evo or an STi??? I dunno if I'd pick an S4 over a MSP, muchless a world-class rally car! (though I certainly wouldn't decline the test drive)

If I could afford an Audi S4, that is what I would have. German engineering (especially Audi) is deeper than either Mitsu or Subaru. I'm not saying in the long run which would be better maintenance wise. Besides; the Audi is so much cleaner looking; unless of course, you like wild wings, and busy-ass front ends. I like the Audi's subtle styling.

Again,,,here on this forum, most members are most concerned about quickness over all else. Yes. The Evo and the STi do alot well, but they aren't an Audi.

Remember also; Audi owns Lamborghini.

 

[murph1379]

I guess it's a question of form vs function. The Audi is certainly classier and more refined than the MSP, evo, or STi, but the latter three are a lot more fun!

 

[AGR]

I guess it's a question of form vs function. The Audi is certainly classier and more refined than the MSP, evo, or STi, but the latter three are a lot more fun!

Sure,,,, and it would be difficult to pry my hands off of my steering wheel. I, personally, have plenty of power - all I really need. I don't race. AWD would be cool, but it's no show-stopper.

 

[funnylittlman]

If I could afford an Audi S4, that is what I would have. German engineering (especially Audi) is deeper than either Mitsu or Subaru. I'm not saying in the long run which would be better maintenance wise. Besides; the Audi is so much cleaner looking; unless of course, you like wild wings, and busy-ass front ends. I like the Audi's subtle styling.

Again,,,here on this forum, most members are most concerned about quickness over all else. Yes. The Evo and the STi do alot well, but they aren't an Audi.

Remember also; Audi owns Lamborghini.

I'm with you AGR

I was HEAVILY looking into a 2001 to 2002 S4, but I just couldn't stomach the 30-35K they were asking (and the fact they really don't hold their values either was a big deterrant).

All cars have problems. We have the clunk and hessitation. Sometimes the radio. Audi has bad turbos KK03's and trannys that cost about 8K for a new one

Bang for buck: Mazdaspeed or dare I say SRT-4 Turdmobile

But if money wasn't a factor, I would be straight pimping an S4, and then getting ready to buy the new 04 S4 w/ the V8

 

[AGR]

I agree with funnylittlman. (thumb)