waste of MSP potential

[daperspeed]

This is more of a maybe philosophical point than a technical one. My point or observation is that on a daily basis in a sense I feel that the MSP is being wasted on commutes or in traffic or normal driving. The car just feels so much more fun and being used to its potential on twisty canyon type roads..but these roads are not driven on as frequently. I try to have fun with it but in city driving I just cant appreciate it ya know? (wrc)
I think the MSP is not a great commutier along with cars like the ITR EVO et al. It is better used as a weekend or track car and its pointless to use this car on a daily basis as all it is doing is wearing it out and not using its potential. I think its best to have a dedicated commuter car and the MSP is not a commuter car. Any thoughts on this?

 

[gboromsp]

I am looking into buying a truck for my daily driver, then the MSP is getting built exactly how I want it.

 

[omega0021]

I understand what you are saying. If I had the money to afford another car, it'd probably be that new Scion TC or even take another route and go with the new Prius. But again, its money that makes the wheels go 'round.

 

[srtchick]

(werd)

 

[C-Bass]

Actually, one of the things that I like so much about the MSP is how well it pulls double duty. It's a very fun car when pushed, but it's very compliant and almost comfortable when on a commute.

 

[gboromsp]

I'm the opposite, I think my car feels much better when pushed, it doesn't like just taking it easy on the morning or afternoon commute.

Actually, one of the things that I like so much about the MSP is how well it pulls double duty. It's a very fun car when pushed, but it's very compliant and almost comfortable when on a commute.

 

[rocketspeed]

Drive like a maniac on the way to work! I can't do it everywhere I go, but I pick my spots- highway on-ramps, drifting through an empty intersection coming home late night and so on. You usually can find a grin or two on your commute.

 

[Newf]

I don't agree. I think it is a great balance of a commuter/sporty car. Besides, it's just a 170hp Protege with a suspension kit/turbo. It's not a porsche, vette, viper etc. Those are weekend cars. This is one of the reasons why I got the speed. Whereas if I got a rx-8 or something like that, I would have to park it most of the time and winters would be out of the question.

Sure, if I had the money I would have a daily driver and park my nicer car ( regardless of what it was) but I don't live in that world

 

[RenzoMSP]

I understand what your saying, but some of us cant afford two cars. So you want everyone that owns a MSP to sell there car and drive a civic, because we are wasting it. This cars my daily comuter and keep in mind its just a car.

 

[vodapas77]

Hmmm,

I also have to disagree. The thing I love about cars like the Speed, WRX, SRT-4 and Spec V is that you get a car basically based off of a commuter car so that it is easy to live with every day but is also enhanced by the factory (and most of owners) to be able to perform whenever you push the fun pedal.

Now if you want to talk about wasting the potential of a car, take me for example. The Speed is my weekend car. We use the Miata for day to day driving and when we need to get groceries or haul something we take our POS 94 Firebird. Talk about getting it backwards. Our four door leaves the house only to go to meets and cruises, our two seater gets most of the miles and a car that is basically a pussy version of a muscle car that has no back seat room and an impractical hatchback is used for hauling stuff.

 

[sickspeed94]

i love my MSP, weather it's taking me to school, or going 15 minutes out of the way when i'm already late to something to find that slightly twistier road to make my day that much better. i mean i'm sure they have this thread on all forums, because no car is perfect, there is always going to be something that makes the car something less of a daily driver. but like NewF said, it's still only a protege with 170hp and some suspension (plus a wild turkey jammed into one of the IC pipes.)

 

[NoVaMSP]

i would get a hybrid - so i could ride in the HoV lanes + get sick gas milage and get a bumper sticker that says
"my other car is a track *****"
but i drove a peice of s*** for 9 years i dont think i could go back

 

[Glowmunkey]

This is more of a maybe philosophical point than a technical one. My point or observation is that on a daily basis in a sense I feel that the MSP is being wasted on commutes or in traffic or normal driving. The car just feels so much more fun and being used to its potential on twisty canyon type roads..but these roads are not driven on as frequently. I try to have fun with it but in city driving I just cant appreciate it ya know? (wrc)
I think the MSP is not a great commutier along with cars like the ITR EVO et al. It is better used as a weekend or track car and its pointless to use this car on a daily basis as all it is doing is wearing it out and not using its potential. I think its best to have a dedicated commuter car and the MSP is not a commuter car. Any thoughts on this?

I agree for the most part. No this thing isn't a Porsche or anything else like that, but you know what? It's the best thing that I feel comfortable paying for right now, so I want to keep it nice and only drive it for pleasure. I think it makes me appreciate it more.

That's why I have my 1996 Honda Prelude and 1994 Ford Thunderbird. If the weather is dirty, nasty, or I'm going someplace unkempt (like Target or other grocery cart havens), the Speed stays in the garage.

Also gives me the freedom to do things that I normally wouldn't. Like projects that involve downtime, and exhausts that are too loud for very long trips with people that don't appreciate the droning bass of hollow pipes.

 

[Glowmunkey]

Hmmm,

I also have to disagree. The thing I love about cars like the Speed, WRX, SRT-4 and Spec V is that you get a car basically based off of a commuter car so that it is easy to live with every day but is also enhanced by the factory (and most of owners) to be able to perform whenever you push the fun pedal.

Now if you want to talk about wasting the potential of a car, take me for example. The Speed is my weekend car. We use the Miata for day to day driving and when we need to get groceries or haul something we take our POS 94 Firebird. Talk about getting it backwards. Our four door leaves the house only to go to meets and cruises, our two seater gets most of the miles and a car that is basically a pussy version of a muscle car that has no back seat room and an impractical hatchback is used for hauling stuff.

Sounds like my Prelude daily driver and my V8 Thunderbird winter car... No one believes me, but I love RWD in the winter.

 

[speedhawaii]

not everyone has deep pockets

 

[RenzoMSP]

Threadjack. I saw Porsche Carrera Gt on the highway today. Let me tell you that thing is whoooo sweet. If i had that car i would probably keep it a weekend warrior.

 

[girth]

I couldn't possibly disagree more. The MSP basically has very little potential for anything but a peppy commuter car. If you want a nice, fast, "track" car, you should go and buy one because the MSP isn't it.

 

[wicked]

I drive my MSP about 200 miles a day,and I wouldn't have it any other way.

MSP is just a protege with a turbo.

this car might be kinda special but it aint no damn $150,000+ super rare car.

the fact is it was just an attemp at letting the protege go out in style.



the evo and sti are far more suited for racing then our cars.when our cars were made there was no intention on people modifying it .thats why we got stuck with crappy connecting rods,weak transaxle,and inefficient engine manegment.

the fact is they wanted to make a car that we could commute with yet take auto Xing on the weekend.
and look good doing it.

 

[Newf]

I will say one thing though. Those that never autox, or take it on a real twisty road, or road course, will never know what they bought. The car is at home doing something really crazy handling wise and every owner should experience the insane speeds through corner you can take with ease in this thing. It's a fun car, easy on gas/insurance for the most part, has room inside, and sexaay.

Before Greg steps in

I LOVE MY MAZDASPEED!

 

[yashooa]

I couldn't possibly disagree more. The MSP basically has very little potential for anything but a peppy commuter car. If you want a nice, fast, "track" car, you should go and buy one because the MSP isn't it.

Exactly! It's only a Protoege. It just so happens that all 3rd Gen Prots are good little cars that are fun to drive but alas it is still just a commuter car nothing more. That's why I bought the car it was cheap, fun and would stand up to my 100+ mile a day drive.
You can make it a 10 sec car and it would still be a a hacked to heck commuter car.