new car maybe

[aychseven]

i did a bit of searching, but couldn't find exactly what i'm looking for, so bare with me here.

i currently own an 02 svt focus that's spent 26 days in the shop since december. needless to say, i'll be getting rid of this car soon. and if ford treats me right, i'll be getting back some cash and looking for a new car. has anyone spent a good amount of time in both the svt and the msp? how do they compare? (haven't had a chance to drive msp yet) i would really hope the seating position is better...


i'm a bit on the fence on weather to get an msp or another svt focus. the following are factors i'm considering.

1. msp costs way more. i get ford z-plan pricing (even on limited production svt vehicles) but the mazda dealer doesn't want to seem to help me out here.

2. misc problems. i've had my share of car trouble the last six months, and i don't really want to deal with 'the clunk', leaky BOVs, stalling etc. but then again, another focus may give me trouble too.

3. TURBO!! turbos are the sex, and the bov noise puts a big grin on my face. (i can see it now, crusing down the strip... *vroom* *pfft* *ladies look and wave*)

4. fun to drive. as much as i hate the damn focus when it's in the shop, i love it when it's on the road. driving is pure bliss. i would really hope the msp leaves me feeling the same.

5. transmission. from what i hear, the transmission is the weak point in the car. i highly doubt i'd mod it enough to reach that point, but i worry about that kind of s***.

6. quality/reliability. mazdas have awesome reliability and everything looks very high quality. the svt is missing that refinement.

7. insurance costs. i hear it's high with the msp. my svt isn't too bad.


if i get some cash back from ford, i'll probably slam that down towards a msp to lower the payments a little. but i'd still love all of your opinions.

i also think it's rather funny... all the people on focaljet love the msp, and a lot of people here are like '**** the svtf!'
cheers (drinks)

 

[Logan]

Well, I can't speak for American Mazda dealers, but I got X plan on my MSP here.
(I ended up not using it, because I wouldn't be able to use the grad rebate, which saved me more in the long run)

 

[SpicyMSP]

Well, im on focal jet as well and you right about the MSP SVT thing.
Im friends with one of the Mods on that site , use to live with him(Peloton25). We went for a short drive in my MSP, and he had nothing but good things to say about it. He is a die hard focus fan. One of the reasons I would choose the mSP over the SVT is because I think it looks a little better. Interior and exterior.
If you can make it, come down to LA, on April 5th, We are having a huge BBQ/meet. We will convince you.

 

[GI-]

Welcome to the board.

I am a long time Focus owner and a long time member of focaljet and I can give you alot of reasons to go with the MSP over the SVT. I have spent quite alot of time driving the SVT Focus (I test drove at least one from every SVT dealer in a 75 mile radius) as I was seriously considering buying one, and my previous car before my MSP was a Focus ZX3. The SVT is a great car, with very comparable numbers to the MSP, however the big differences to me was:
1.)The MSP's fit and finish in my opinion is far superior to the SVT.

2.)Exterior appearance is way more appealing to the eye.

3.)Four doors (the 4 door hatch of the SVTF is just plain ugly).

4.)The most important one being FACTORY WARRANTIED TURBO!

This car is just a blast to drive. I have had alot of fast cars in my life, but this car is by far the most fun car I have ever had! Yeah, the SVT will save you a few bucks, you could add a turbo or a Jackson Racing supercharger and blow the MSP out of the water, but you would have a vehicle without a warranty. Have fun spending money out of your pocket when something needs fixing.

Seeing as you live in Vegas, I beleive you probably will never get "the clunk". It seems to affect us in cold weather climates more.

The tranny is weak...if you are going to try to put down 240 at the wheels, otherwise no worries!

Your insurance should not be any higher with the MSP compared to the SVTF.

Go with your gut and your wallet, but you won't find any reason to buy the SVT from me (other than it's cost).



GI-


P.S. - Ron Myers, founder of focaljet is starting the new Mazda enthusiasts site http://www.mazdapilot.com

 

[Heathen23]

People seem to be unpleased with Mazda service on this forum in general but I have had little reason to deal with Mazda service yet so I can't say too much in regards to that....However, I have owned a several ford vehicles and my last experience was soooo bad that I couldn't wait to get into my MSP to get away from the laughable "Blue Oval" service. Mind you this is only locally in NC and I had no troubles with ford service when I lived in MI where family was emloyed by Ford (go figure, hah!).

 

[mspeedpro]

Id hate for this forum to give u thr wrong impression about the msp reliability. I do see quite a bit of posts regarding problems but i have so far not noticed a single thing wrong with this car and i love it to death. not sure about ur drving habits but some people on this forum do drive the car EXTREMELY hard and i do not so maybe thats the dif, i love my MSP!

 

[aychseven]

thanks a lot for the info! GI- it's nice to have a comparison from someone who's driven both. i think i'm 100% set on this car now. but first i've got to go through ford and see what i can do about this lemon i've got. i'll also ask them about z-plan pricing and if it's officially available on mazdaspeed vehicles. the dealers like to mark up the msp quite a bit, but i may know of one that will at least get it to me for msrp.

thanks again!

 

[GI-]

Not a problem man. If finding a dealer who isn't marking it up is a problem in Vegas, come up here, buy one, and drive it home. It would make for a hell of a road trip with a new car. Your break-in period would be gone by the time you got home.


GI-

 

[AGR]

Hey!!!!!! Wait just a dang minute!! Here's what I have to say:

I LOVE MY MAZDASPEED!!!!!! (k) (k) (k)

I think the Focus SVT is pretty trick, and is unique in design. But; taking all the factors into consideration; I believe now as I believed on 1/10/03 - nothing ROCKS like the MAZDASPEED for the money. NOTHING!!!!!!!!

....4,500 miles and the GRIN is hurting, baby - but I can live with it.

 

[aychseven]

oh, another thing...
does anyone make stereo controls that mount on the steering wheel like the svtf? it sounds trivial, but that's one of my favorite features of the car.

it also sucks that i'd lose the ability to haul big stuff around. i guess it's just another convenience i'd learn to live without.

 

[murdock_]

my 2 cents are as follows:

I have had ZERO problems with my MSP (knock on wood) and like Greg says.. nothing is better for the price.. great/quick/FUN car.. handles second to none except maybe a bmw but who cares haha its still close.. no joke.. buy the MSP - more original than a SVT too... all the SVT's in my town look at me and I laugh at them FORD WHAT

 

[AGR]

oh, another thing...
does anyone make stereo controls that mount on the steering wheel like the svtf? it sounds trivial, but that's one of my favorite features of the car.

it also sucks that i'd lose the ability to haul big stuff around. i guess it's just another convenience i'd learn to live without.

The handling of the MAZDASPEED will blow you away, I assure you. There is no option by Mazda for steeing mounted stereo controls. The stereo system in the MAZDASPEED is also unparalleled for a stock system. When you drive the car, and experience it, you will understand.

 

[aychseven]

i doubt the handling and stereo could impress me THAT much. my svt has aftermarket suspension (FK) and a 250w (stock) stereo that i've yet to hear distort.
i've read the handling is nearly the same, but the msp beat the svt my 1-2mph in the slalom. there's nothing like taking 15mph turns at 50mph without breaking traction.
btw, how are the stock tires. the stock contisports on the svt have held up very well and have great grip in the dry and wet.
how does the steering compare? 2.7 lock to lock right? svt is 2.2 think i would notice any difference?

 

[I-Am-Chris]

3. TURBO!! turbos are the sex, and the bov noise puts a big grin on my face. (i can see it now, crusing down the strip... *vroom* *pfft* *ladies look and wave*)

HAHA that happens to me all the time! yeah dude!!!

 

[I-Am-Chris]

Yeah try a 450W stero and badass handling. The damn frame is seam welded. aftermarket Springs, shocks, swaybars, wheels, stronger driveshafts, stronger clutch, better brakes, ect. come on now!

 

[Albert]

does anyone make stereo controls that mount on the steering wheel like the svtf?

Go to http://www.kenwoodusa.com/product/product.jsp?productTypeId=20&sortBy=price&productId=2384- they make a whole bunch of add-ons for our stereo, including steering wheel controls and a heads-up unit that'll display different info. Hell, you can even make it tell you the temp!

This is a quote from their site:

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
- KCA-RC600 Full-Function Grip-Type 10-Key Remote
- KCA-RC700 Steering Wheel Remote
- KPA-CP100 Compass
- KPA-HD100 Heads-Up Display
- KPA-SS100 Sensor Unit
- KTC-WB100 Weather Band Tuner

 

[MSP Pro]

Gee, you could just stickie the remote that comes with the unit to the steering wheel! LOL!

Umm, no one's mentioned the Tochigi Fuji Sangyo Super KK.... That's the BEST reason to get the MSP over the SVTF.

 

[APEXistud]

The comment he made about the stereo....You will definately hear the difference once you get in the MSP. I think the MP3 had better bass, but the MSP has more clarity with the tweeters in the door.

 

[Dexter]

Go to http://www.kenwoodusa.com/product/product.jsp?productTypeId=20&sortBy=price&productId=2384- they make a whole bunch of add-ons for our stereo, including steering wheel controls and a heads-up unit that'll display different info. Hell, you can even make it tell you the temp!

This is a quote from their site:

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
- KCA-RC600 Full-Function Grip-Type 10-Key Remote
- KCA-RC700 Steering Wheel Remote
- KPA-CP100 Compass
- KPA-HD100 Heads-Up Display
- KPA-SS100 Sensor Unit
- KTC-WB100 Weather Band Tuner

whoa cool s***! i never even knew about all that stuff...

id check it out now, but the website says:
We are sorry, but this site is temporarily down for maintenance and upgrades. It should return to fully operational status very shortly. Sorry for the inconvenience.


boo. nice find though.

 

[aychseven]

you can view it by browsing through the products section of their website. but it's not even close to being the same if you've ever used the one on the svtf you'd understand what i mean. it's actually very user friendly, made so you don't even have to look at it.

yes the lsd is another damn good reason! forgot that one.