what should i buy?

[mysweetfracture]

i was thinking about buying a mazdaspeed protege but im unsure because i have read about alot of problems. do any of you guys regret buying one? also i have about 20000 to spend so is there anything else in the price range?
what do you guys think about the rsx type s or sentra spec v. and yes a neon srt is out of my selection because i cant stand the car. im looking for a new car with good performance potential and no known problems. thanks guys

 

[MazdaDryvr]

Hmmm, if i had to chose again...........

(mspo)

or maybe

(msporange

one or the other, I dunno, I can't make up my mind.

 

[Teamzero]

It all depends on what you want to do with your car. If you are a drag racer, the MSP may not be your best choice. Looking for something nice and cushy for long rides down the highway, don't pick the MSP. If you want to be problemless for 100000 miles, buy a Civic Ex.

But if you want to drive the best handling front wheel drive car that has been made available to the public, the MSP is the only route to go. Have never driven a better autox'er or track car out of the box. Try and stick to the bumper of a Z06 Corvette in the twisties of Pocono International raceway in any other front driver. Bet you can't do it!

 

[servoeyes]

for 20k the RSX-s is out of your range unless you buy used, and the MSP is a better handler w/ approx. the same 1/4 mile time, but quite a bit more low-end. The spec-v...well I'm not a big nissan fan, so really all I can suggest is to test drive both. You'll notice the differences. However, if you want performance potential any one of these three will do.

RSX-s...chip it and you'll own stock MSPs in a straight...maybe even in the twisties, but probably not.

Spec-V...one word: Nismo...and it's all warrantied.

MSP...MBC & better intake flow will get you around 200whp at ~10psi. Then free up the exhaust and you're pushing ~215whp...and you didn't have to spend a dime on suspension.

 

[1sty]

To be honest, No, I would not buy an MSP. Not a chance in hell, infact!.

For outright reliabilty and proper dealer support I would say the RSX type S is the way to go. However the Type S is about $23000 in my last cound. The Sentra has far more serious problems then the MSP. If you like wagons the Subaru WRX wagon can be bought new for about $21,500.

If you want the same suspension but the power too, then you can always buy a used MP3 and turbo it. I have a turbo MP3 and damn near all reliability problems where my own fault, the car has held up well.

For real power but a less suspension ability, also no clunk, the Dodge SRT/4 is out there as I am sure you are aware.

 

[mysweetfracture]

lol i know the opinions are going to be mainly for mazda but im just asking cause im bored. i cant figure out what i want. i know its not soley based on hp if a car is fast but

mazdaspeed 170 hp
spec v 175hp
rsx s 200hp i think

 

[MazdaDryvr]

Lets not forget the cost of insurance even beyond the purchase price. My insurance company goes by VIN and they think I'm driving a Protege ES. Shhhhhh!

You want to see my rates for a Type S or Celica GTS ....ouch.

 

[1sty]

lol i know the opinions are going to be mainly for mazda but im just asking cause im bored. i cant figure out what i want. i know its not soley based on hp if a car is fast but

mazdaspeed 170 hp
spec v 175hp
rsx s 200hp i think

Keep in mind aceleration has little to do with peak HP numbers. The whp is the area you need to observe and even more important is the area under the whp dyno curve. More area ususaly = faster. You can peak to 250 hp for 6000-6500 rpm but if it sucks before that its still not going to be a fast car. Espiecaly when cought of the power band.

 

[1sty]

Lets not forget the cost of insurance even beyond the purchase price. My insurance company goes by VIN and they think I'm driving a Protege ES. Shhhhhh!

You want to see my rates for a Type S or Celica GTS ....ouch.

Yep, me to, the MP3 comes up as an ES.I only pay $1125/6 months for my 2001 MP3 and 2003 P5.

 

[mysweetfracture]

and my buddy just bought a rsx for like 21,xxx it was brand new fully loaded. they must have high mark ups around you guys. but they are all the same price basically. i am looking for a daily commuter that i cant get to look really nice yet have alot of balls to beat up on some civics and whatnot. i would really like the msp but i kinda dont like the stock kit. i want a diff body kit if i could find one i liked for it there really wouldnt be any ?'s asked

 

[1sty]

Erebuni has various part to fit the car.
I was about to buy a 2004 WRX sedan for a little under 22K but that was mostly stripped atleast as far as WRX's go.

 

[Heathen23]

The MSP has the fuel map issue and the clunk. There are measures you can take to remedy these (somewhat) but they are a fact of life with this car.

My good friend bought a Spec-V a few months back and here is his problem list (the issues I can come up with off the top of my head) ::

Trunk latch broke (needed replacement)
Leaks Power Steering fluid (can't find leak at dealership)
Alternator went bad (needed to be replaced)
Front seat bracket broke (replaced)

I just don't think in this price range a performance oriented car is going to be problem free. The manufacturer's goal with this class of car is stuff enough performance in it to sell but make it cheap enough to still profit.

I have been very happy with my speed but I was aware of the clunk before I got it. The hesitation can be resolved a few ways and a good begining with an FPR only costs about $30.

What you really need to do is just drive them all and see which one suits you best. I drove the speed and knew it was a good fit. I love the go-kart type handling of the MSP. It makes every trip a pleasure.

Good luck w/ your decision!

 

[NeverSober]

I'm not trying to be a dick 1st MP3 in NH, but have you ever driven a MSP? And I believe he was asking people who own the car. As for me, I have had no problems with my car that weren't fixed and fixed fast. If you love driving through twisties then this is the car for you. It may not be the fastest car but I still take it to the drive and race it, and I beat alto of cars and I get thumbs up from the cars that beat me, everyone turns their head to look at ym car when I'm out there. I lvoe my car! I would buy this car all over again excpet probally in orange.

 

[mysweetfracture]

yea i know it doesnt all have to do with hp. and whp is a better statistic to look at and yet even torque is good to look at too. also i used to have a 2000 celica gts. but i got hit by a drunk driver. so i have like 20gs from a lawsuit to spend. i dont like celicas anymore becuase i blew two engines and trans, broken headlight, cel all the time, compression is too high to mod alot, crappy service, and so on.

 

[1sty]

I'm not trying to be a dick 1st MP3 in NH, but have you ever driven a MSP? And I believe he was asking people who own the car. As for me, I have had no problems with my car that weren't fixed and fixed fast. If you love driving through twisties then this is the car for you. It may not be the fastest car but I still take it to the drive and race it, and I beat alto of cars and I get thumbs up from the cars that beat me, everyone turns their head to look at ym car when I'm out there. I lvoe my car! I would buy this car all over again excpet probally in orange.

Yes, I have test driven the MSP twice, also I have driven a few other members MSPs aswell to sample the hesitation. Also keep in mind I have a MP3 with the SAME suspension so that being the strong point of the car I know it better then most.

I doubt he minded me answering the question regardless if I own a MSP or not, and I don't see how that is even relavent. Also keep in mind I am VERY aware of problems on this car that people everywhere are having. I don't have the post count I do by not being noisy.

I do not know if it was you intention but you post struck me as arrogant and narrow minded. All but calling someones opinion invalid do to the car they drive is not something I take lightly. Obvioulsy those who bought an MSP liked it enough to buy it. Those who did not have another view and list of reasons why.

 

[mysweetfracture]

i would like anyones opinion pertaining to the msp or any other car in this genre of 20g sport compacts

 

[mysweetfracture]

thanks for the info so far guys

 

[NeverSober]

I wasn't saying that....I was saying that he probally wanted an answer from someone who drives the car everyday and knows how it acts in different conditions. One or 2 testdrives isn't going to show you everything that the car can and can't do. Especially how it's going to act on hotter days and colder days etc....

 

[mysweetfracture]

lol who cares everyone can give opinions i appreciate both of your opinions. anyways back to the subject at hand.

 

[Teamzero]

I'm not car prejudice!

Just make sure you get what fits you best. I drove just about everything before settling on the MSP. Never owned a Mazda before and even with the little troubles, I am still happy with my experience and choice so far.

Drove the Nissan, very sloppy. Tranny and suspension just felt sloppy. Felt like a cheap car with a big motor.

Civic Si, just too darn slow.

RSX S, not bad if you like your HP in the high rpm range. Check the stats... More HP but less torque. It;s the torque that is going to pull your car out of the corners and give you the "stuck to the back of your seat" feeling. Plus I just don't like the looks. Personal thing. And I DO like Honda products.

Mini Cooper, well, ahh... It's a mini cooper. I've seen a few of them break while autox'ing. CV joints and such. Don't trust reliability yet but great car.

Celica.. two friends owned them and both blew motors. One is still sueing Toyota casue they are refusing to fix it under warrenty.

Subaru.. almost bought one just for the all wheel drive and my snowy winters. They don't handle very well though without sinking another $3000 into them. Plus, too many people have them. Also about 1/2 of them had to get new trannys already. 10miles less per gallon too then what I am getting with the MSP too!

Mazdaspeed... All looked good. Don't need to spend anything for mods. My only downfall was a 1h15min ride to the nearest dealer. Purchase was made.