I need quick facts on the mazdaspeed protege, HELP me or lose me to saab...sniffle

[stackz]

GOING TOMORROW MORNING TO LOOK/BUY>>>NEED FAST ANSWERS (dont tell me search dammit! no time!!)

ok guys, here's my story. long time ford co fan. mazda is a part of that.

gf/fiance' has dictated to me she's sick of my projects and wants me to have a steady car (see my signature link for personal projects page heh).

anyway, I've been looking at an MSP last few months and like an idiot I passed one by a few months ago thinking that in ATLANTA of all places they'd be plentiful!!

well...I found another....7 months later....

27k on the clock but its at a small time dealer and I ran a carfax and it's an off-lease/rental car...

what kind of damage should I look for tomorrow?? I've been doing rudimentary searches but all I see is "how do I build my dream MSP" and shit like that...give me meat...not candy dammit.

1....do these things ALL have an LSD from the factory??

2....does the a/c go bad quickly??

3....door handle trim wear down quickly???

etc, etc?? whats the 2-3 year wear/tear on these things I should look for as clues to abuse? I need answers by 10A.M. eastern time tomorrow.

also, while we're in this thread...whats the stock boost level on the car and what can the stock engine/fuel system TAKE if I toss an apexi-avcR on it?? 10psi? 15psi? 20psi? mmmm or better yet, what horsepower level does the bottom end start to pop loose at and what goes first?? piston/rod/crank/cylinder wall???

Its either an MSP or a saab 9-2x aero with the employee $10K discount TOMORROW...convince me otherwise guys...I dont want to go to GM if I dont have to but I KNOW what the boxer engine in the WRX is capable of...

[brianmcd]

1.) All MSP's have an LSD. That seems to be a weak link the car, as many people have blown the stock diffs.

2.) My a/c still works fine at 30k, can't really comment on this one.

3.) Door handle trim is fine, too, but if you're asking this question you're probably concerned over little stuff like squeaks etc. This car is the king of noises and squeaks and little problems.

Stock boost is between 5-7ish psi. The engine is a stock protege engine, so it can't take much boost. Some people have run 10-12 psi with no problems, but it's only a matter of time. If you want reliability, stock boost is the way to go. A boost controller for a first/only mod is definitely not the way to go, even though many people here have done that. Many people will say 250whp is the limit for the stock engine, but I'd say above 200-210whp, your affecting the life of the engine in a noticable way.

Good luck! The handling on these cars is AMAZING, definitely will beat a saabaru in that regards any day.

[Dexter]

search you lamer.

[dominoy2k1]

lol!

[thejoker0409]

My a/c is fine till you put the hammer down gets a little warmish
These cars have lots of squeks and such
And like brianmcd said the handiling of these cars is awesome Ill take my msp over
a saabaroo any day

[yesiownaskyline]

The weakest part of the car mechanically is the rods, followed by the ECU @ stock boost coming in a close second. Anything over 10psi without proper engine management will be looking for trouble.
The Ecu @ stock boost runs richer than Bill Gates, and can be best described as "finicky". Some mods will adjust the ECU, while others will cause it to give you a big middle finger. Some have found success, however, in uppping the boost slightly to lean it out and reduce some stock hesitation (fairly prevalent in stock MSP's around 3-4K, if going to WOT... fixable).
The LSD, yes has been a problem in the car, but can be fixed and improved by welding a certain area. With this fix, some people are laying down heavy power without issues.
Also, this car squeaks, moans, groans, clunks, gobbles like a turkey, etc... Its normal. We all have THE CLUNK...

And after all of the negatives, I still love the car... For a slightly powerful turn loving road whore, you cant get much better for the price. Will outhandle WRX's and SRT-4s(stock, I'm not starting this war again) pretty much all day.

so good luck, and welcome!

[wicked]

pro's
oh,such handling should be a sin
looks great
gas milege is nice(unless your boost happy)
rare car
not a large aftermarket following makes it more respectable to modify
did I mention the handling
nice sound system for factory(exept the sub)


cons
connecting rods can't hold much
LSD tends to break,unless you reweld the factory crap weld
not enough power(fixable problem)
rare=not a big aftrmarket following
the "clunk"(sway bar bushing goes out a lot)
bad tuning from the factory(easily fixable for relatively cheap)
crappy factory intercooler gets heat soaked fast
fac. sub tends to blow



the engine can with stand almost nothing in it's stock form,it needs tuning,rods,and a few bolt ons to rip though.

[Matthew]

buy the saab.

[wicked]

buy the saab.


no doubt the saab is nice,I would go for the WRX personaly,but I don't get a BIG ASS DISCOUNT like you.

if you get the MSP,you will lose a lot of respect for the ford lineup,actually I'm not sure why you have respect for the fords to begin with.

the only thing ford does better then GM is honor thier warrenty.
the same cannot be said for the MAZDA,thier warrenty is hardly thier,and a lot of the time you have to threaten them to get stuff taken care of,even known problems.

[girth]

The MSP definitely has its share of "small" problems...made more of a PITA by the typical Mazda dealerships not honoring the warranty. Depending on price you'd be a fool NOT to get the Saab over the MSP.

[noclue119]

Hey if u need help looking at getting a MSP I'm in the Atlanta area. I can help you out with it. Just PM me. I can point out all the problems with it.

[msp35]

Isn't GM extending this employee pricing another month anyways?

[wicked]

the emloyee pricing just shows how much they are ripping you of normaly.

[mspdfreak]

Screw the employee discount. Go in, ask to see the invoice, and offer $300 above that price. If they aren't greedy assholes, they'll agree, and you'll be out of their hair in a couple of hours.

[II-Savy]

You mean Saabaru?

There is no such thing as Saab any more. GM has polluted that sweet Sweed brand.

[peepsalot]

HELP me or lose me to saab


http://www.msprotege.com/members/peepsalot/threatening[1].jpg

[jurgs01]

27k on the clock but its at a small time dealer and I ran a carfax and it's an off-lease/rental car...



Uhh, an off-lease/rental car that is turbocharged? No thanks. Can you say 87 octane and beat to hell? Get the other car.

[skilletrx]

i'd hold off if that was a rental... seriously.. i beat on the corollas they give me, think of what i'd do w/ a rental msp

[Dr.Sound]

i dont think MSP would be a rental.
first it's limited as hell, second it's a 5-speed.

it said "off-lease/rental" which is one category to carfax.
i'm 100% sure it was a lease.

[jurgs01]

i dont think MSP would be a rental.
first it's limited as hell, second it's a 5-speed.

it said "off-lease/rental" which is one category to carfax.
i'm 100% sure it was a lease.

Even so, some people don't treat a lease that well unless they plan on doing the option to buy.

[Dr.Sound]

true

[mp5racing21]

Actually from what I've heard off-lease cars are preferable to buy. You have to be there every x amount of miles for service and you are penalized for abuse. I just bought a Saab 9-5 that was an off-lease car and that thing is in pristine condition, it had all of the service reciepts from day one, just had all of the major things serviced, so I say take it.

[wicked]

I'd buy an off lease car,no problem,but a rental,HELL NO!

last rental thast I hade was a jeep liberty,
A-they don't float.
B-the tires are not made for off road
C-they high center to easaly.
D-they do drift well in the rain.

they made the mistake of giving me a black 4 wheel drive



and I know there are others out there that treat rentals a lot worse then me.

[livelyjay]

My friend put nitrous on his rental, the equipment was just sitting around and he had the rental for a week.

We took the air intake system off of another one on a trip to Milwaukee (2500 miles in a week).

Not to bash the MSP, but get the SAAB. Good looking car, more comfortable inside, probably better build quality as well.

[trbomp5]

You mean Saabaru?

There is no such thing as Saab any more. GM has polluted that sweet Sweed brand.

and hummer, and opel and holden.......

[Wha'Happened]

buy the saab.

word.

[SP23goesroar]

i just posted a thread called "Stupid Question" about the difference between the 03 and the 03.5 and after reading this thread i dont think i want a MSP anymore. thanks.

[wicked]

i just posted a thread called "Stupid Question" about the difference between the 03 and the 03.5 and after reading this thread i dont think i want a MSP anymore. thanks.


it's a hell of a lot better then a focus.

[ping]

MSP: Great car, not as bad as some of the select posts above would indicate, I'm at 24k with no major issues save for the reflash, clunk fix (thanks Micaspeed) and a stereo that resets about every 6 months (needed to change stations anyway...). Love the stereo and handling. No cruise available, nor sunroof.

Saabaru: As much as I like my MSP, if I were able to get that discount I'd hit the Saab. Buy that one. Use the stock 16's for snows and put nice BBS 17's on it. The seats aren't as adjustable, the stereo isn't as good, but it's new, under warranty, and Saab dealers will treat you better. I drove one recently and loved it. Get the turbo though.

[apocman]

well I would get an MSP anyday. I truly feel a lot of the LSD problems (not all of them) were becuase people laucnhed their cars without after market motor mounts and if you have ever done this you would realize that it is fucking amazing anything would stand up to such a beating.

ECU being a problem? WTF you tell me what car manufacturer designs their ECU's with modifying in mind, I'll tell you almost none of them and if they do you have to have the dealer do it for a price.

The klunk, I had it one time got the new bushings and never had it since and this was in 03, As a matter of fact, I have yet to install my Delsing klunk fix kit becuase i don't have the klunk.

Rods are weak, but so are most cars out there except SRT-4 (which can kick the shit out most cars on the road with a stage 2 or 3 kit tuned right) They may be ugly, but those fuckers are fast and built like a brick shit house.

and then you have the other stuff that happens, but I think most other cars have issues as well, we just have a very truthful and vocal community and keep in mind a lot of members blow shit out of proportion and a lot of times don't know what their talking about.

I came close to buying a Saab once for my wife (Saab equal you suck a cock on a regular basis whether your a guy or girl driving, keep that in mind that most people will refer to you as bitch and booty bandit etc.) and did research and found out, they are in a lot of Saab owners opinions a totaly fucking piece of shit. Even had a guy down the road who had some convertible one I think turbo maybe and it just set there and this thing wasn't old. Well I asked him why it just set there, his answer he was tired of fixing it and it was a total peice of shit!!!

So there you go pretty much you'll find the same information with most cars. Just buy the one you like the most and fuck what we all say!!!

P.S. better start practicing with Cucumbers or some shit if you get the Saab...

[apocman]

just to add to that! have you ever seen the response at car meet when there is an Orange MSP there. The bitches (including the models) want to sit on it and play with it and touch it. Their excited about the Orange (get a man laid in 2 seconds, if he wanted too!) MSP as they do the Vipers, Acura NSX's and any other (I paid a fuck load more than you type cars)

Try and do that with your Saab and you'll have really polite guys with half tees and daisy dukes on asking "can they touch it" as they wink and giggle with their hands covering thier mouths and giving you and each other (Cum Hither) type looks!!!

[apocman]

And just to make things perfectly clear the Ford Focus is one of the biggest (bitch cars) ever made!!! As a matter of fact, your in the same catagory as the Saab, You better get a chasity belt if you ever go to a car meet, but look on the bright side most girls will want to hang out with you (becuase your safe), but they may ask you for hair advice and how to keep a man advice as well...

[otmsp]

Saab are Gay!!!!!! (upbum)

[Wha'Happened]

yes, buy a car based on how many "bitches" come up to you at a car show!(ugh) Or, if you live in the real world like the rest of us, buy a car based on how good of a daily driver it is or how well it performs, which when it comes to the MSP and the Saab 92-X, the Saab wins hands down. It's nicer, newer, has a better warranty, awd, better interior, faster, better aftermarket etc. ect. Trust me, the MSP handles like a dream and has a good stock stereo (while it lasts) but that's about it. The EJ20 was built to be boosted and will last a lot longer than the FSDE stock or not, not only that the 92-X's make sick sleepers and have a lot more room inside for random stuff that you might need to haul.

[apocman]

yes, buy a car based on how many "bitches" come up to you at a car show!(ugh) Or, if you live in the real world like the rest of us, buy a car based on how good of a daily driver it is or how well it performs, which when it comes to the MSP and the Saab 92-X, the Saab wins hands down. It's nicer, newer, has a better warranty, awd, better interior, faster, better aftermarket etc. ect. Trust me, the MSP handles like a dream and has a good stock stereo (while it lasts) but that's about it. The EJ20 was built to be boosted and will last a lot longer than the FSDE stock or not, not only that the 92-X's make sick sleepers and have a lot more room inside for random stuff that you might need to haul.

I see you must be part of the Um! "special crew" (upbum) yes please continue to post in our forum... So many people want to hear about how liberating it feels to drive a Saab or Focus etc. and come out of the closest too...(group)

Golly Exciting!!!(321fu) So are you going to give us advice on proper cock sucking too?(blowjob) Because I want to make sure your not teaching the ladies to spit... I hate it when a women spits please make sure you teach them to swallow UMMMKAYYY!(whip)

I feel there no better way for a lady to express they love you, than by swallowing a big glob of luv juice...(alright)

[apocman]

you know I'm just kidding Wha'Happened I just wanted to poke some fun feel free to shoot back somebody has to liven the place up

[TX Speed Demon]

Mmmmmmbye!

[apocman]

Mmmmmmbye!

Dammit I've been owned.... by one of those you have to know me type owned...(bow)

[Wha'Happened]

you know I'm just kidding Wha'Happened I just wanted to poke some fun feel free to shoot back somebody has to liven the place up
no hard feelings at all...
dude, I will admit Saab the brand may not be the most masculine brand around, but the 9-2x is all Subaru. It's a great car. I'm with you all the way on the Focus though. The only decent Focus we got was the SVT. Europe on the other hand(bow)

[apocman]

no hard feelings at all...
dude, I will admit Saab the brand may not be the most masculine brand around, but the 9-2x is all Subaru. It's a great car. I'm with you all the way on the Focus though. The only decent Focus we got was the SVT. Europe on the other hand(bow)

hahah! true! (guitar)

I think honestly the guy should simply buy the car he feels right in. It's not going to one of us driving it and he should buy what makes him feel good.

[Wha'Happened]

...and if it takes a Saab to make you feel good then it's all good. Keep following that rainbow!! JK

[apocman]

...and if it takes a Saab to make you feel good then it's all good. Keep following that rainbow!! JK

hahahah!!! yes nothing like having something that makes you feel good, like a nice fitting bra or working hard for your man, as some would say!!!(ghey)

(laugh) (laugh) (laugh) (laugh) (laugh) (laugh)

me it's a nice piece of ass (fermale ass) (boobs2) (boobs) (godown) that justs really gets me excited (alright)

[noclue119]

I think we lost him/her to saab

stackz
Registered User
Last Activity: 06-18-2005 07:34 AM
Offline

[sickspeed94]

for the questions he was asking, saab was the way to go for him.

[stackz]

I think we lost him/her to saab

stackz
Registered User
Last Activity: 06-18-2005 07:34 AM
Offline

no, actually lost me to dodge (wow)

that rental car was trashed beyond belief and they still wanted $15k for it. and the one at carmax was sold an hour before I got there...

there werent any others to look at/buy so I went driving around. ended up at a big dodge dealer with a few 04 srt4's still on the lot with some n$ce discounts on them and ended up getting a brand new silver 04 srt4 financed at $15.5k so I'm happy. I would have gotten the saab but the damn insurance was ridiculous and in all honesty it didnt feel that fast.

oh well, thanks anyway guys, much appreciated! (rockon)

[mp5typer]

ahahahahahha


so funny

[apocman]

no, actually lost me to dodge (wow)

that rental car was trashed beyond belief and they still wanted $15k for it. and the one at carmax was sold an hour before I got there...

there werent any others to look at/buy so I went driving around. ended up at a big dodge dealer with a few 04 srt4's still on the lot with some n$ce discounts on them and ended up getting a brand new silver 04 srt4 financed at $15.5k so I'm happy. I would have gotten the saab but the damn insurance was ridiculous and in all honesty it didnt feel that fast.

oh well, thanks anyway guys, much appreciated! (rockon)

You my friend, made the right fuckin choice!!! put around 5k or less and that bitch will spank the fuck out of most things on the road put enough to buy the stage 3 kit and own the world for the most part...

granted maybe bit on the ugly side and your car street name is the Skittle, but it will beat the piss out of people, which is nice!!!! (yes) (yes) (yes) (yes)

now go buy some real cheap beer drink a lot and walk up to your women and I mean, just slap the shit out of her ass (I mean her actual ass and sqeeze it good too), and yell with a Texas accent "women fetch me'aaaaa BEER Woman, HEEE'AHHHH !!!!! and then bang (that means fuck, make luv or whatever else people call it) her tell she can't walk

Go outside in your front yard with the cig hangin out your mouth and take a piss in your front yard and (and if somebody sees you say, cuase I can) then get back on the forum butt ass naked, smoking a cig and tell us about your good deed of luv makin!!!!!!

Oh, can you yell YEEEEEHAAAA just once and tell her that's for Apoc!!!!

[thejoker0409]

the saabaru is nice no doubt about it but there is just something about my msp that I love and not to sound to ego driven but I love pulling up to other pros and they ask about the car and I tell them that it came this way its a nice feeling cant say I would feel that with the saab

[jurgs01]

You my friend, made the right fuckin choice!!! put around 5k or less and that bitch will spank the fuck out of most things on the road put enough to buy the stage 3 kit and own the world for the most part...

granted maybe bit on the ugly side and your car street name is the Skittle, but it will beat the piss out of people, which is nice!!!! (yes) (yes) (yes) (yes)

now go buy some real cheap beer drink a lot and walk up to your women and I mean, just slap the shit out of her ass (I mean her actual ass and sqeeze it good too), and yell with a Texas accent "women fetch me'aaaaa BEER Woman, HEEE'AHHHH !!!!! and then bang (that means fuck, make luv or whatever else people call it) her tell she can't walk

Go outside in your front yard with the cig hangin out your mouth and take a piss in your front yard and (and if somebody sees you say, cuase I can) then get back on the forum butt ass naked, smoking a cig and tell us about your good deed of luv makin!!!!!!

Oh, can you yell YEEEEEHAAAA just once and tell her that's for Apoc!!!!

You, my friend, should lay off the crank.

[apocman]

You, my friend, should lay off the crank.

Why Jurgy, what would make you think I would do drugs....(angel)

Does Jurgy need some sweet attention? (dunno)

come here (hug, hug, hug) (ughdance)

feel better?(ugh)

[stackz]

You, my friend, should lay off the crank.

lol (braindead

git er done!

[noclue119]

lol (braindead

git er done!

glad you are happy with your car...

[LinuxRacr]

LOLLERCOASTER!! With an SRT-4, it takes $1500 in mods to make it run 12's. Hit up the SRTforums, and you will see.

[sickspeed94]

LOLLERCOASTER!! With an SRT-4, it takes $1500 in mods to make it run 12's. Hit up the SRTforums, and you will see.

but how much to make it handle? or catch traction for that matter? or even stop it from sounding like a motorized water-bong?

[LinuxRacr]

I don't have the desire to do that much research right now, so you can answer those. The LOLLERCOASTER was for Apocman, and his comments.

[yashooa]

but how much to make it handle? or catch traction for that matter? or even stop it from sounding like a motorized water-bong?
No amount of money will wipe the ugly off...(nuts)
My MSP in the 13's with a .92-1g skidpad number will make happy...
Srt'4s are kind of like that fat chick that's good in the sack and no one wants to talk about (confused)

[yashooa]

yes, buy a car based on how many "bitches" come up to you at a car show!(ugh) Or, if you live in the real world like the rest of us, buy a car based on how good of a daily driver it is or how well it performs, which when it comes to the MSP and the Saab 92-X, the Saab wins hands down. It's nicer, newer, has a better warranty, awd, better interior, faster, better aftermarket etc. ect. Trust me, the MSP handles like a dream and has a good stock stereo (while it lasts) but that's about it. The EJ20 was built to be boosted and will last a lot longer than the FSDE stock or not, not only that the 92-X's make sick sleepers and have a lot more room inside for random stuff that you might need to haul.
Someone kick you in your coochie? (lol)
That Suba-saab will see my tailights...
I have 73,000 miles on the clock 71,000 of them at 12PSI.
With a bit of mild modding you can have a fairly quick and reliable MSP.
I have had only three problems with my car all fixed by the factory except the head unit which they would have fixed but I declined and bought another a new head unit instead.
With 12-15PSI, Injen, catless MAM midepipe, Desling brackets, and my AWR motor mount I will bitch slap that stock Kneel and bob Saab.
Add an MPI and two more injectors and your car just gets smaller in my rear view mirror.

[Wha'Happened]

Someone kick you in your coochie? ../vbb225/images/smilies/lol.gif
That Suba-saab will see my tailights...
I have 73,000 miles on the clock 71,000 of them at 12PSI.
With a bit of mild modding you can have a fairly quick and reliable MSP.
I have had only three problems with my car all fixed by the factory except the head unit which they would have fixed but I declined and bought another a new head unit instead.
With 12-15PSI, Injen, catless MAM midepipe, Desling brackets, and my AWR motor mount I will bitch slap that stock Kneel and bob Saab.
Add an MPI and two more injectors and your car just gets smaller in my rear view mirror.

So your modded car will bitch-slap a stock Saab? Good thing I just baked some cookies, cuz you've earned one.
www.nasioc.com
www.wrxtuners.com
www.clubwrx.net/forums
or even www.therealworld.com
I'm sorry, modded ej20>modded FSDE. any day.

[yashooa]

So your modded car will bitch-slap a stock Saab? Good thing I just baked some cookies, cuz you've earned one.
www.nasioc.com (http://www.nasioc.com/)
www.wrxtuners.com (http://www.wrxtuners.com/)
www.clubwrx.net/forums (http://www.clubwrx.net/forums)
or even www.therealworld.com (http://www.therealworld.com/)
I'm sorry, modded ej20>modded FSDE. any day.

Said in the voice of the Immortal Samuel L...
Well God damn Betty Crocker! Thanks for the fucking cookies...bitch (laugh)

[orng_mazdaspeed]

I'll day my friend has a 1992 Saab 9000 Turbo and that thing is a blast to drive. All he says is that Gm killed the new ones and they are to Americanized. I drove a new one then he let me drive his and i complatly agree. GM has killed Saab. I After driving his Saab i want one now.

[orng_mazdaspeed]

You people are so funny i am a friend of a MSP owner and i can tell you one thing if you think Saabs are gay than i guarantee you are a stupid ass. They are fast luxurios, ans kick ass compared to your car. I have a 1992 Saab that i gurantee will bitch slap your car hands down. Dont diss on something you know nothing about, it just makes you look like a stupid ass.

[Wha'Happened]

You people are so funny i am a friend of a MSP owner and i can tell you one thing if you think Saabs are gay than i guarantee you are a stupid ass. They are fast luxurios, ans kick ass compared to your car. I have a 1992 Saab that i gurantee will bitch slap your car hands down. Dont diss on something you know nothing about, it just makes you look like a stupid ass.

word.

I owned an MSP for two years and test drove an 05 Saab 9-2x Aero Wagon before I got my WRX and all I can say is the Saab owned the MSP in every way. PPL seriously need to get off the MSP's nuts.(uhm)

[thejoker0409]

to each his own regardless of the ownage I still love my msp
plus were use to getting bitch slaped by other cars

[apocman]

orng_mazdaspeed=(ghey) (spank) (butthump) (cabpatch) (wiggle) (kiss) (kissass) (bj) (upbum)


(nobody)

So

(stfu)

MMMMKAYYYY!!!!(glare) (upyours) (321fu) (evil)


You people are so funny i am a friend of a MSP owner and i can tell you one thing if you think Saabs are gay than i guarantee you are a stupid ass. They are fast luxurios, ans kick ass compared to your car. I have a 1992 Saab that i gurantee will bitch slap your car hands down. Dont diss on something you know nothing about, it just makes you look like a stupid ass.