Prospective Buyer

[Zerostatic]

I'm having a tough time trying to decide what car to get this summer. I'm trying to get a good all around sporty car for right around the 20G mark. It seems like every car has something wrong with it or more importantly quality issues. Well I thought I had found the perfect car with the MazdaSpeed Protege. The more and more that I thought about it, the more perfect it seemed. I read a review in an import car magazine that made it sound awesome(I think SuperStreet). I was all set on getting it but then I read the Car & Driver review about it having unrefined power delivery. Then I come onto these boards and read about this Clunking problem and this hesitation crap. How bad are these problems. Are they over hyped and uncommon?

How about the Car & Driver review, are they exaggerating or is really that bad?

Would you guys buy this car if you could do it again?

 

[2K3 MSP]

As far as the infamous clunk...my car hadn't gotten it. It's got about 5,000 miles on it without any noise what-so-ever from the suspension. The stumbling isn't horribly bad stock(it doesn't always happen), but with the Injen intake that is coming out, that will be gone. If you read Super Street, then stick with what they say. You must be a sports car/compact car enthusiast if you read it. Car and Driver is a bunch of old people that are looking for the PERFECT car. In my opinion, the MSP is damn near perfect, and if I had to buy it again, I would...I would just hit the dealer up for more "incentives"

 

[Dexter]

i dont have any clunk, 3200 miles

i dont really know what the hesitation thing is...i dont think i have ever experienced it.

 

[afrey2002]

Buy my car!!!

 

[perfworks]

its great car. you wont go wrong. nothing in its class handles like it does
it also is the only one in it class and many other classes to come with an LSD from the factory.
now we are getting a ton of aftermarket support there will be no stopping us.

 

[2K3 MSP]

There is a slight hesitation that seems to come (at least in my car) right before you shift gears. It's almost as if the turbo is starting to spool(you just get that extra little kick that throws you back in your seat) and then it drops out of boost, and you move forward slightly, due to the change in force. Almost as if you tapped the brake while accelerating.

 

[Dexter]

isnt that "little extra kick" just the clutch grabbing? if i gas up and then release clutch, it can produce the extra little kick

 

[AGR]

For the $20,000 mark; there is simply no better option in my opinion. As an overall outstanding car (in all categories); I still feel the MAZDASPEED is unrivaled.

 

[2K3 MSP]

isnt that "little extra kick" just the clutch grabbing? if i gas up and then release clutch, it can produce the extra little kick

Umm, it might give you a kick when shifting...I wouldn't remember, I still don't have my car yet. I'm talking about when it starts to spool...around 3800-4000 RPM's.

 

[Limited Edition]

i dont have any clunk, 3200 miles

i dont really know what the hesitation thing is...i dont think i have ever experienced it.

try this, cruising in 5th gear along the freeway, then accelerate to over take someone say 60mph - 80mph get into the 4000rpm zone and back off the throttle to deaccelerate back to 60mph and tell me if you get a 'hiccup' feel when you back off the throttle.

this is when i experience my hesitation the most.

 

[Dexter]

i will try that at sometime and pay attention to what i do.

im sure ive done that, i was playing with an M5 on I57 northbound here. i dont recall any abnormal hiccup, just the car decelerating.
but like i said, i wasnt really paying attention heheh

 

[yashooa]

Mmmm

19 grand of pure love...
5400 miles second oil change and no probs at all.
Just smooth power, no clunk, great handling, 35 MPG highway,
and a few quick very fun rides.
Yeah I drive like a grandma to get 35 mpg ok!

 

[Dexter]

damn...i get 22mpg. i aint complaining though, with the way i drive and all, lol

 

[ForceFed]

I would like to know how you guys are getting 20+ mpg?I can barely squeeze 18-20 average between my city and highway driving!This might be due to the fact that i'm always on it!Love the sweet sound of boost!
And in the words of AGR 7"I LOVE MY MAZDASPEED!"
(minus the blown motor but oh well they fixed it!)

 

[Apexi]

what do you want out of a car? are you just gonna mildly mod it? or go all out? etc..

 

[Dexter]

all my driving is city and about 3/4 of the time im driving like a puss....1/4 of the time im not if you know what i mean

 

[TURBO3WAGON]

I've put 1800 miles on mine in 2 weeks!

I've put 1800 miles on mine it 2 weeks and have had no problems! The hesitation fells like two much fuel sometimes, but If you accelerate gradually then hit it, it runs great with no hesitation. I think it's a small price to pay for such a comprehensive package. Hey I took a 2003 Accord V6 coupe the other night. I know the Accord in not a race car, but it does have 240hp.


I like it, and I know most owners are happy with there's..


HP

Mazda Fan