Thinking of taking the plunge into the world of Mazda

[SpeedAgent]

I'm thinking about getting a MSP i currently have an 04 Spec V (which i love) but i've recently started my career as a real estate agent and i'm looking for something with a slightly cleaner look than my Sentra has (that still has performance quality). I've also vowed that my next car will have some form of F/I. I've been in love with the styling of the MSP and the MP3. Basically i've been perusing through the forums and looking at the good the bad and the ugly of the car and i've got a list of stuff i'm going to look at when i check these cars out. I'm wondering what imput you guys have (since you actually have the cars) on if should persue this path or not. Reliability is must for me since i will be driving the car around town (with clients at times). So a car that is solid is a must. I also like to drive fast (i run late and have to known to wait till about 10 mins till i have to be at a meeting across town to leave the house so the car has to have some get up and go. So there you have it any input would be greatly appreciated. (boom07)

[livelyjay]

You're really moving parallel going from a Spec to the MSP. To be honest I don't like the interior of the Spec, nor do I like the exterior styling (the 02-03 front and rims were nice, but then Nissan screwed it all up). The handling of both cars is similar, but the MSP has a softer ride. Reliability is going to be up to you maintaining the car and keeping track of oil etc. I love my MSP. I moved from a turbo Lancer OZ Rally to this. My friends had an S4, Spec-V, and MSP. Although the S4 was fast it broke all the time (high mileage Audi=broken Audi). The MSP was always my favorite and when I had the chance to get one I jumped on it.

Honestly, if you are getting into real estate, you should look into getting something a little more conservative, like an IS300, A4, 3-series, etc. I love my MSP, but I don't have to tote around people who might make an opinion of my skills by looking at the car I drive. Just my $.02.

[jmv]

only had my MSP for 2 weeks, but its great. I feel like its alot nicer in many respects than the spec-V... but i agree with livelyjay that you may possibly want to consider something like an IS300. Although i wouldn't like it as much, and you may not either, it seems like it would convey a more proffesional image while still being a pretty fun car.

[geomatics_tech]

I test drove a Volvo s40 T5 AWD on saturday, it is definitly a car I could live with in the long run. BUT, when I got back into my MSP I loved it even more. THe volvo was nice, but my msp brought a bigger smile to my face.

I know the MSP has its little problems, but there minor and if you are prepared to live with them then you wont look back. Though, if I were a real estate agent, I would be in the Volvo.

Shaun (canada)

[Fear]

meh. you're going from a car with problems to a car with problems.


the MSP looks better, but the Sentra is still cheaper to insure. to be honest, i could do either one, but i already have the sentra, so if i DO buy something else, i'll step up a bit. it's all priority i guess -- this thread will quickly turn into fanboy city, so i'll leave you with this:

i enjoy the sentra for what it is. no more, no less. depending on your preferences, you may enjoy the MSP more. do whatever you can deal with financially.

[spike blue]

ok my word is: If you like the msp a lot, get it!!! I got my audi a4 three weeks ago i love it!!! Its awesome but the handling in the msp is 100% a lot better. Its up to you wheather you get it or as you say you are going to be real estate get an bmw 3 series, audi a4, IS300 or G35

[jmv]

Something to consider... although the MSP does handle great... your customers would probably view the 'clunk in the trunk' as cheapness. Not saying you shouldn't get it, i probably would... but just something to consider.

[tsunami]

real estate=image (sorry its just the way it is) so you need to be in debt up to your eye balls to convey that image to get out of debt so you can move up to higher end clientelle... so i agree with what most before have said about moving into other cars besides the msp, as you didn't give your location i would also consider the subaru line, the gt is nice, as well as possibly the mazdaspeed 6, nice car, some luxuious items like key card and power everything with climate control and some zoom vroom for sure, also the volvo line though not very stylish should be looked at as well, the msp and spec v protray the boy racer image and you can't afford to portray that in the real estate market so you need to move to something else that still has the pep and agility that you desire....

[tsunami]

then again wtf do i know???

[Captain KRM P5]

the MSP looks better, but the Sentra is still cheaper to insure. .

not entirely true. many car insurance companies list the mazdaspeed as a Protege ES in which instance a Protege5 technically becomes costlier to insure than a mazdaspeed :(

[SpeedAgent]

ok my word is: If you like the msp a lot, get it!!! I got my audi a4 three weeks ago i love it!!! Its awesome but the handling in the msp is 100% a lot better. Its up to you wheather you get it or as you say you are going to be real estate get an bmw 3 series, audi a4, IS300 or G35


I was kinda leaning towards that the pricing isn't going to be right for any of those cars unless its higher milage (more problems) plus believe it or not some people find those higher end cars a little more intimidating from an agent to client stand point. So having a high end luxury car only helps in certain instances, besides for my niche market and my age (21 year old investment agent) its not really that important anyway. Most of my clients will be somewhat close to my age group and as far as that goes i've got it pretty nice as is. What i'm looking at really is this : 1. i need a car that i can stick with that isn't going to cost two arms and a leg to modify (i can deal with one arm and one leg) 2. I want something that is pretty easy to maintain and isn't going to break everyday (i like to run my car but not all the time) 3. As long as i can get from point a to point b with a couple of other people in the car i'm good to go. 4. The MSP is faster than the Spec (not a lot but a little) and for the money it would take to boost my spec i could to wonders with an MSP (beef up motor and turn boost up) 5. I understand maintaining a car is the key to keeping it running but from what i've seen around the boards there are cars out there with far worse problems than the MSP or even the Spec for that matter. 6. I've amassed a pretty good amount of knowledge and seeing that the car i'm looking at has 33k on it, it will have probably gone through most of the common problems the MSP faces already and if not i know what to ask and what bargaining chips i have/can use. 6. Aside from the G35 i couldn't really do any luxury car that wasn't an Acura (not a big fan of toyota) and i do have plans for later on down the road but i want to get myself something a little smaller for now. 7. if i can't get the pricing/payment right on the MSP i'll just wait till i can. I'm not going to pay more than what i'm paying now for my Spec. I don't want anyone thinking i'm bashing my Spec at all its a really amazing car i love it but i don't see it being the best option for what i'm wanting to do with my car F/I wise when i might be able to slip into the MSP for a lower payment and have a little bit of money on the side to modify it with and get more out of it.

[Hughes412]

I'm thinking about getting a MSP i currently have an 04 Spec V (which i love) but i've recently started my career as a real estate agent and i'm looking for something with a slightly cleaner look than my Sentra has (that still has performance quality). I've also vowed that my next car will have some form of F/I. I've been in love with the styling of the MSP and the MP3. Basically i've been perusing through the forums and looking at the good the bad and the ugly of the car and i've got a list of stuff i'm going to look at when i check these cars out. I'm wondering what imput you guys have (since you actually have the cars) on if should persue this path or not. Reliability is must for me since i will be driving the car around town (with clients at times). So a car that is solid is a must. I also like to drive fast (i run late and have to known to wait till about 10 mins till i have to be at a meeting across town to leave the house so the car has to have some get up and go. So there you have it any input would be greatly appreciated. (boom07)


If you want to go into realestate and be taken ceriously then you need to move up from the compact cars and buy something like the Accord or mazda 6. I personally wouldn't work with some one that drove a kids car. Plus after you spend your hard earned money on mods and don't get the performace you want you'll hate your self. The after market sucks and always will. The car was a limited production, and there are better cars coming out all the time. IMHO!

[CitizenPro]

Speeds own. Get it if you like it.

[SpeedAgent]

If you want to go into realestate and be taken ceriously then you need to move up from the compact cars and buy something like the Accord or mazda 6. I personally wouldn't work with some one that drove a kids car. Plus after you spend your hard earned money on mods and don't get the performace you want you'll hate your self. The after market sucks and always will. The car was a limited production, and there are better cars coming out all the time. IMHO!


Thats a good and valid point but it still stand that i'm getting clients in the spec it means nothing people look for the firm and clean cars i work a one of the most prestigious firms in the city and i promise you there are only a few agents pushing high dollar cars in our area and the average sales are 500k and up. I totally understand the need for a midsize/fullsize car but the facts are as stands (i'm a facts person): Thats going to call for a lot more money and i am planning on picking up a good midsize car down the road just not at the start. People look for brandage not cars they'll take a top selling agent with a Sentra over a no name agent with a Bently. Fact is i only need my car when i'm working with buyers (sometimes key word there is sometimes ) If i'm listing a house i don't drive anyone anywere so starting out its not that big of a deal to have a flashy car. and half the time when i have a buyer for a client (if half you do more work with listings than you do with buyers anyhow) i'll only be taking 1 or two people with me. I can tell you from experience that people take people seriously not cars (with the exception of people with like rust bucket cars, etc) There are agents that use base proteges that are doing over 1mil in transactions throughout the year i don't see me having any trouble have a slightly faster one. As far as the money goes i manage a resteraunt part time to pay bills only and kick little extra money for fun stuff so it won't be hurting me one bit to do minor mods on my car i'll have plenty of extra as long as i stay on track with my real estate business. (Thats why i'm waiting on the bigger car i'll have the money saved up for it just not right away). The option to trade my Spec over for the MSP will possibly give me a little break on my monthly car payment (if it won't i'm not doing it i'm not sure if you're understanding whats happening here), therefore its not one of those ohh i just wanna throw money out the windows deals there is a purpose to this. ohh and as far as the car goes tell that to my team leader he just sold 1.7 million dollars in real estate last month and up until about halfway through he was driving a QX35 that he had backed into a light pole and it didn't stop him. In our business the first thing you learn is "you sell yourself first, your firm second, your car or anything else associated with what people think you should have last." People buy from people.

[livelyjay]

not entirely true. many car insurance companies list the mazdaspeed as a Protege ES in which instance a Protege5 technically becomes costlier to insure than a mazdaspeed :(
Which insurance company is this?

[jmv]

ya, no kiddin, i want that insurance....


But hey, Speedagent.... it pretty much sounds like you've made up your mind, who are we to talk you out of it?? Go buy it!!

[silverspeed03]

The MSP will put a smile on your face, ear to ear, guarenteed. It's a blast to drive and I have not had any problems with mine (32,384 miles). So I say if you want the MSP go get it.

BTW how much are they selling the MSP you are looking at purchasing for?

[SpeedAgent]

not quite sure they're advertizing it 0 down 297 a month, so i'm thinkin 14440 with a 3 year loan.

[meGrimlock]

i think it depends on how the insurance classifies your car, my insurance co. has a classification for the mazdaspeed protege. they asked me very specifically when i signed up for my policy if it was a mazdaspeed or regular sedan. some insurance co. dont have the mazdaspeed listed, so the closest thing they can insure is a protege ES. that would be heaven..."oh i dont see an 'evolution,' the closest thing we can insure is a ralliart lancer"

[theice]

My real estate agent drove a Geo Metro. It really didn't play a part. At the time, I did think it was a crappy car, but it didn't sway my dealing with her at all.

[jflo]

a msp from a spec v hmm ? i would maybe try to go for a new mazdaspeed6 because there are a lot of little things that can irritate you or your client in a MSP. the mazdaspeed6 is pretty darn fast and is very well appointed yet still very fun to drive

[theice]

a msp from a spec v hmm ? i would maybe try to go for a new mazdaspeed6 because there are a lot of little things that can irritate you or your client in a MSP. the mazdaspeed6 is pretty darn fast and is very well appointed yet still very fun to drive
who knows what the "quirks" of the MSP6 will be? (thumb)

he's also looking to spend less or the same as he's paying for the spec. I don't see that happening on a near or over $30k MSP6, although I agree it will be much nicer/faster as it should be for an extra $10k.

[cdrpyro]

I've had my speed for about 6 mos. There have been no problems and it is simply amazing. I think you're right, a salesman with an expensive car may seem very intimidating. Go with the speed. You wont regret it.

[meGrimlock]

saw a black mzspeed6 the other day, caught me off guard...black is a total sleeper look. i wish i could afford one! nothing makes a great impression for a real estate agent than his or her car. from what i hear, real estate agents have a lot of expensive stuff, not because it suits their taste, but because they want their client to be impressed. some buy $200 writing utensils (we call them pens) for decor on their office desk for no other purpose other than for their clients to sign their mortgages. if you were really that concerned about what your clients think, i doubt you'd be on this forum asking that question. when it comes down to it, you pick a mazda because you want to enjoy the drive.