Which is better, Speed or MP3

[Giallou P5]

I learned how to drive stick about 3 months ago, and my friend called me up last nite and borrowed our fiiends Integra, its all hooked up and everything and its stick. I wanna know which is better cuz im planning on selling my 5 and getting one of those in stick.

Opinions please

And how much do each of those costs

Thanks in advance

 

[cbcbd]

Wow, that's a controversial question
Well, the MSP and the MP3 only come in stick anyway, so you don't really have a choice.

Do a search on prices, but I'd be guessing an MP3 would be around 11-12K, an MSP prob around 15K.

They are similar but the MSP has much more stuff that was added to the MP3 platform to make it better (lsd, bigger front rotors, bigger sway bars, turbo), so it's easily the "better" car. The only thing that is prob worse on the MSP is the reliability because of the added turbo.

 

[jersey_emt]

Small correction - MSP has no cruise control.

 

[jdm_mp5]

Get the MSP. Looks a lot sleeker and you've got a turbo!

 

[JCell]

I think the mp3 is cooler than the msp, the rims look so hot

 

[msubullyfan]

Small correction - MSP has no cruise control.

Yeah, and I guess the MP3 doesn't either, right?

No cruise control in ANY vehicle would be a killer for me. What kinda crack was Mazda smokin' when they made THAT decision?(stoned)

 

[Protege2K]

I don't know how much the MSP's are going for now, but I bought my MP3 with 35k miles on it about 3 months ago for $9200.

 

[cbcbd]

Small correction - MSP has no cruise control.

Really? But... I... cruise... thought... MSP...

ok, I fixed that


Another addition to the MSP that is not offered on the MP3 is ABS (this I have right, right?)

 

[Black Majik MSP]

I LOVE my MSP, but I have a lot of respect for the MP3...I wanted to get one when they first came out. This one's on eBay & it's HOT!

 

[jeffmsp]

to me the mazdaspeed is a revised mp3. They made the mp3 first and then got flamed for only giving it 130hp, so they added a little orange spice, a turbo, some new toys and left out the Cruise since the car isnt designed to be a family country crosser anyways, its a autocross monster (thumb)

 

[Giallou P5]

YYea i seen that one on ebay, but the dude is in hawaii, and im all the way in NY. lol I have to speak to my dad, cuz i want stick so bad, it soo much fun to drive

 

[Newf]

i owned a mp3, now I own a msp, take a guess which one I like better. It's a no brainer. Turbo = better. And the rims on the 2003.5 msp are much higher quality then the mp3's.

 

[RyanJayG]

you cant argue with the VIVID YELLOW OWNAGE!!!!!

 

[changedman]

vivid yellow mp3s OWN JOO

 

[MPChi]

vivid yellow mp3s OWN JOO

Right on!

Yellow MP3 looks the hottest. While MSP is a better car with a few extra headaches, and probably slightly shorter life span because of the turbo. But turbo, LSD, stiffer suspension are all good stuff.

 

[Protege2K]

Stock MSP > Stock MP3.

Turbo MP3 > MSP.

 

[luckezero]

For the difference in cash, I'd always pick the MP3 over the MSP Protege. For $3 - $5k, there are a lot of things out there that are more worth the money, IMO. Motorcycles, paid off bills, inexpensive sports cars (like the 1991 MR2 I I recently sold). Between the extra torque steer, maintenance, and reliability issues, it's just not worth it to me. With the A/C turned off, I think the MP3 is still very fun to drive because it handles awesome and has just enough power to get me in trouble. Its engine revs so smoothly I love going through the gears and listening to the exhaust. It's also got decent power lower in the powerband, I rarely have to rev it past 4500rpms. And I get like 30mpg!! Turbos get less mpg too that and my insurance premiums are real reasonable... and tags less too b/c it's an older car.

Hey, if you decide to go with a MP3, I might agree to sell mine. It is Mazda ceritified with both bumper-to-bumper (10/05 or 62k miles) and powertrain warranties remaining (10/07 or 100k miles). There are no modifications and it currently has just under 34k miles. I'm in Texas, but could meet you halfway

 

[Giallou P5]

cool cool

 

[oliver2000]

cool cool

Well a interesting topic.....we have both of these cars in our driveway....as for which one is better....better is relative....is pure speed is what you are after then the MSP is " better ".

The MP3 feels much more " refined " vs the msp....the steering is euro spec ( slightly tighter ratio's ) and overall the car rides better smoother, softer and much less jerky than the msp.

The mp3 did not come with ABS which was kinda a bummer, both cars " feature " the infamous clunk and scruntch in the front end.

If you want a overall nice balanced car and top speed is not super important, the mp3 is nice balanced, well equipped, sporty car that handles well.....my vote would be the MP3. The MP3 is much rarer these days as well and with the addition of a CAI it is by no means a slouch.

 

[snooky]

man the speed is the exact same body , only thing is, it hasa TURBO,man go with that!!!!!!!!!!! (wow)