Why did you buy your MSP?

[mgerst1]

Let me start by saying if this thread already exists, I'm sorry I did not see it and feel free to close it.

I am curious to find out why MSP owners bought their MSP instead of a Subaru WRX or a Mitsubishi Evo. I know there are those out there who hate their MSP with a passion and I respect your opinion but please do not post MSP hate in this thread.

[mgerst1]

I bought my MSP out of necessity and because of it's features. I had a 2002 Mazda Protege ES that was totaled when I was hit head on turning at an intersection so I needed a new car. I looked for another protege and found a few MSP's at autotrader.com. (at the time I did not know there was such as thing as the MSP) I compared the price and mileage of the MSP against the price and mileage of regular third gen proteges and decided that the MSP was the way to go. It had a color i loved right away, many of the mods that I wanted for the third gen protege I had, low mileage (30,000) and a great price (taxes, tags, and title out the door for $13,000.00). I have loved every second that I have owned this car and have no regrets

[WIMSPWI]

i bought mine thinking it was special....little did i know how big of a piece of shit it'd become....should have bought that evo :(

[orangeade]

i fell in love with the spicy color first time i saw it and had to have one. i didn't go the wrx or evo route because i wanted a vehicle that was limited in production as well. all about being different.

[BadBandar]

I got it for its rarity and its was within my budget. I could have gotten evo or s2000 but ive always wanted an msp since i had my 3rd gen. Im very happy with my msp and i dont really care if an evo or sti is faster. It brings a smile to my face when i get in and drive it around.

[Knox Joe]

I could only afford around $15k, and wanted the best handling, sportiest, four door, with a warranty remaining, and good gas mileage. And I wanted a local private seller. I believe the options were;

Nissan Sentra SE-R
Ford Focus SVT
Dodge Neon SRT-4
Ford Mustang
Chevy Cobalt SS
Saturn Ion
Honda Civic SI


and out of all of those, I am very happy with my decision. I love my car.

[fr0st]

why? because i wanted it... then 2 weeks later, i changed jobs, got a comopagny truck.. and since then the car has been doing 4000-6000 miles per year.. i dont even use..

so i'm selling it..

[2.0t03speed]

because i was an idiot and didnt go drive a srt-4 1st. O well youd be suprised what dropping over 10k in a msp will do lol

[BOOSTR]

A/C and prior good experience with a turbo mazda product.
After 5+ years of ownership I have no regrets about the purchase. The a/c is still ice cold and its proven to be another relieable turbo mazda product in my driveway.

[ForceFed]

because i was an idiot and didnt go drive a srt-4 1st. O well youd be suprised what dropping over 10k in a msp will do lolYeah..Make you broke...LOL!

[2.0t03speed]

i knew that was comming lol

[LASERBLUE135]

I REALLY wanted a wrx. Too much. Then I wanted an SRT4 and it again was just out of my budget, so the next best car was the msp. The SRT-4 was a full $4,000 more than this, $20k vs $16k brand new. (real world prices, not MSRP) If I put $4k into this it would stomp an SRT!

I absolutely love this car. 101,000 miles currently and it is such a champ. It broke down 1 time and that was the stock LSD which was replaced at no cost under warranty. It's our only car (my wife and I) and it's driven every single day of the year up here in Minnesota (100 degrees and 30+ below zero and in blizzards). It's plenty fast (and getting faster!) I'm sooo happy that I was kinda forced to buy this car.

And Evo/STI? Sure I'd rock either one, but they would cost double what this car does (insurance, gas, maintanance, pricetag, etc). Dollar for dollar, this car is unreal. Even the MS3 isn't as good as this for the money. It's all about how you use it. If you can afford a weekend race-car, get an evo/sti. Used if you need to as they are a better car than the MS3. If you want a daily car for cheap fun, this is where it's at.

[Spooler]

Bought it because my 240sx frame was falling to crumbs, my gas tank was leaking, my lock wouldn't open....you get the picture....test drove a P5 and and MSP and I was really surprised by the MSP. Add 0% financing and the trick was done. I enjoy this car, but I think it's not a reliable Mazda turbo product. I take really good care of the car, it my daily driver so no ridiculous driving and there is always something to annoy me. I changed the turbo, a bizillion sway bar links and bushings, muffler, WG, falling rear skirt, 2 sub-woofers, amp, stereo, casing, rust on the hood....as fun as it is to drive, this car is poorly designed. The latest is a rattling horn and heat shield. So thumbs down to the MSP, it's real not the Japanes quality that I expected.

[mazdaspeedwerx]

I bought it because I couldnt get my hands on a srt 4. waiting 4 months to get a car wasnt worth it. plus my truck I traded for it was beat to death and mazda actually gave a GREAT trade in price. it didnt have a straight panel on it and something was screwed up with the electrical system. and it was only a three year old truck. stupid dodge.

[Jasonboy]

Because insurance was so much cheaper then any other turbo 4 door

[nazgul350r]

Wife wouldn't let me buy a 323 GTX.

[_MSprotegy]

i got mine because i loved the way it handled, and the way it looked. my buddy had a turbo'd P5 and i loved his car. everytime i walk out of a place and see the car sitting in the parking lot it brings a smile to my face. it also puts a smile on my face when i show my tails to people that underestimate my MSP.

[dstmsp03]

b/c the rx-8 was slow as shit and this was limited production, plus, i bought it used with some mods and it ran even up with the srt4 and just a shade behind the evos.. and all for 10K.. its a fun car too.. wish i didnt have so much in it right now though :(

[Viralphrame]

The MSP has been one of my dream cars for a very long time. Bought mine absolutely immaculate with 30k miles on it. Laser Blue... so beautiful. :)

[mgerst1]

The MSP has been one of my dream cars for a very long time. Bought mine absolutely immaculate with 30k miles on it. Laser Blue... so beautiful. :)

gotta love the laser blue

[LASERBLUE135]

gotta love the laser blue

word

[ksrogue]

I always wanted an MSP. Back when I was looking at cars to buy for going to college, I had looked at Paseos, Civics, Proteges, 626s, Sentras, and Integras. We ended up finding a nice Civic and I had it for 2 years before the MSP came out. I have always liked Mazda cars (especially the RX7), so when I noticed that it was rare, turbo, came in black, and had every mod for a stock car that I wanted; I wanted to trade in the Civic right there. I couldn't afford one, so I just waited and knew my time would come.
I hit a deer at 65 mph a while back and totalled the civic. I didn't want to get back in a car for a while, let alone, drive one. Eventually I came back around and went on the search for a new car. We looked at all kinds of cars and I was almost ready to give up hope, I couldn't find the dream car of all those years. Then, just as I was walking around on the lot, I saw it. I held in everything that I wanted to say and do, and asked if that one was for sale and could i drive it... The wife was not happy after we got in and drove around, she complained that the ride was too bumpy, I told her that it was the suspension built that way and it's fine. She said it was too small on the inside for a family and that she wanted me to get a truck, I said trucks are smaller inside sometimes and this is going to get great gas mileage and it's the perfect size for a family. Her last complaint was since I knew so much about it and it was turbo that I would mod it all the time... I told her I wouldn't mod it, I would leave it as is (that's why I'm going for the stock look).
It came down to financing. I had some left over after the Civic was totalled, but not enough. I got to finance the rest and I bought her that next night. It turns out, the car was originally bought and registered where I was born, a family owned it and they couldn't keep using it for their son (since he had two cars) and they drove it here and the dealership had only had the car for less than two weeks before I saw it. I still feel that it was destiny.

[nvmsp]

Simply love at first sight. Never heard about it, friend told me about it. Went to a dealership,saw it in every color and it was just an awesome car. Plus I knew that turbo cars are VERY easy to make fast or faster. Picked the titanium(most perty). Still on stock motor and transmission at 57,000 miles so tis car is holding up real well.

And it had nice rims, body parts,stereo,sick suspension handling. Just a well put together car besides the ECU and rods. Came with alot of parts already so I wouldnt have to upgrade anything but performance parts. However, the car can handle about 10psi daily, so the motor really isnt all that bad when tuned.

[HighwayUFO]

My Subaru SVX was becoming a pile, the transmission was on it's way out. Car wouldn't go over 35 and with all the slipping took like a mile to get to 35. I was in a company truck when I got bad news concerning my credit and that I was denied the SRT-4 on the lot. The next day the same salesman called me up(used to work at this car lot, so I made some good connections) and said they have a Protege that I NEED to come look at.

It didn't sound very impressive, having never known that Mazda made a Mazdaspeed version. I went and looked at it after the dealership closed and fell in love with it on first sight. Called the dealer up and he hid the car in the shop until I was able to stop by for a test drive.

Drove it and loved every minute of it. Went back to the dealer, parked it in the shop over night, went back next day to sign the papers and from that day on I parked it in my shop, and here I am now, a heavily modded MSP that is going to rape all in a little over a month.(drive2)

Might I also add that the Dealership offered me $5000 for my trade in and knocked 5 grand off the top. Yeah, how the hell can you walk away from that offer. I also like the fact that you don't see one on a daily basis, and I can appreciate cars like that.

[brkwd51]

I just received mine last night. And it is awesome for the half day ive driven it! haha.

I had a civic but i totalled it while turning at an intersection. So i looked at sentras, STVs, and one WRX. But the msp looked to be in the best condidtion of them all. And so far no regrets!

[baconbitz]

I needed a 4 door at the time and I had pretty specific requirements. Had to be a jap car, under 50k miles, under 15k bucks. Picked it up under budget with only 7400 miles on it :)

[baconbitz]

I just received mine last night. And it is awesome for the half day ive driven it! haha.

I had a civic but i totalled it while turning at an intersection. So i looked at sentras, STVs, and one WRX. But the msp looked to be in the best condidtion of them all. And so far no regrets!
Dude, you should've bought mine. I would have driven it back up to ATL. lol. Oh well.

[MS3_KIDD]

i got my MSP when i gave up on lookin for a WRX that was perfect and since i was getting impatient and screwed up in highschool i took what i could get

(just realizing that yall dont know the story, my dad told me if i kept his blazer thru senior year and brought home honors every quarter he would buy me a evo no questions asked the day after graduation.....well i fcuked up..big time)
(bang)

[baconbitz]

i got my MSP when i gave up on lookin for a WRX that was perfect and since i was getting impatient and screwed up in highschool i took what i could get

(just realizing that yall dont know the story, my dad told me if i kept his blazer thru senior year and brought home honors every quarter he would buy me a evo no questions asked the day after graduation.....well i fcuked up..big time)
(bang)

I bet you had a lot of fun not having to make honors though (beer)


jk jk jk.

[MS3_KIDD]

I bet you had a lot of fun not having to make honors though (beer)


jk jk jk.

(fuoops)

[MS3_KIDD]

i still wonder if it would have been worth giving up the crazy nights and "extra curricular" activities i was involved in to have a Evo

hmmm...the world my never know...till i get a Evo of course

[baconbitz]

Probably not worth it. Life experiences > any car. You only get to live once, evo's will be around for a while.

[MS3_KIDD]

truee...lol

[D-rock240]

While I don't have an authentic MSP, the first time I saw a Yellow one at the dealer I fell in love with the look. I could only afford a new DX, so once the warranty was up I started modding it to resemble a MSP.

[mgerst1]

isnt the srt-4 a dodge neon? i thought they turned out not to live up to the hype? am I wrong in thinking that? sorry, back on topic.

[Ryoga28]

Let's see, I traded in my 2003 VW GTI for a 2003.5 MSP (Laser blue) back in Nov 2003 after owning the GTI for a total of 6 months. The GTI was the worst piece of junk I've every driven and the dealership was even worse.

[baconbitz]

Let's see, I traded in my 2003 VW GTI for a 2003.5 MSP (Laser blue) back in Nov 2003 after owning the GTI for a total of 6 months. The GTI was the worst piece of junk I've every driven and the dealership was even worse.

German engineering not in da haaauuuusssseee?

[D-rock240]

isnt the srt-4 a dodge neon? i thought they turned out not to live up to the hype? am I wrong in thinking that? sorry, back on topic.

I've seen a few very fast SRT-4s. I saw one walk a mustang cobra like it was nothing.

That being said, it is a neon. I swore I would never own another one LOL.

[LASERBLUE135]

isnt the srt-4 a dodge neon? i thought they turned out not to live up to the hype? am I wrong in thinking that? sorry, back on topic.

True its a Neon, and apperantly because the rear windows are crank slyle the car sucks. Except for the fact that another car has crank windows...the million dollar Ferrari Enzo! The SRT4 lives way up to the hype. Fastest fwd ever made in the USA, the ACR version is probably the fastest fwd on any track, straight or curved. Forged engine stock. And 300 whp with ease. Its an unreal racer value. It's just not the same as the msp. Don't knock the little Neon. Put some $$$ into them and they get wicked fast.


The msp however was about $4,000 less to buy, so for the $4k in extra money the msp could actually be made faster than the Dodge. (if the srt stayed stock). The msp is just a different animal. Its a much nicer car to drive every day. Better fit and finish, and more usable. Much better looking too. I really like my car and I like this thread, bringing back stories of happy ownership. Good stuff!

[Matrix]

I originally went to the Mazda dealership in Dec. 2003 to get a Mazda6s because they were offering 0% financing. They didn't have one optioned the way I wanted, though. So then I turned and saw this silver Mazdaspeed Protege and asked if they were offering 0% on that car and they said yes, and with no payments for 6 months. I took her for a test drive and bought her that night.

I was a little upset when Subaru offered 0% on the WRX only 2-3 weeks later. But no regrets, as I'm on the original motor, tranny, and LSD at 84,000 miles with no issues other than some underhood rattling I need to identify and eliminate soon.

[mgerst1]

I originally went to the Mazda dealership in Dec. 2003 to get a Mazda6s because they were offering 0% financing. They didn't have one optioned the way I wanted, though. So then I turned and saw this silver Mazdaspeed Protege and asked if they were offering 0% on that car and they said yes, and with no payments for 6 months. I took her for a test drive and bought her that night.

I was a little upset when Subaru offered 0% on the WRX only 2-3 weeks later. But no regrets, as I'm on the original motor, tranny, and LSD at 84,000 miles with no issues other than some underhood rattling I need to identify and eliminate soon.

sorry im getting off topic againg but i started the thread so what the hell, sounds like heat shield, take one bolt out, go to home depot, find something similar and buy new ones. should fix it if the heat shield is what is rattling. ok back on topic

[Gasological]

I wrecked my '91 Accord (because the damned thing just wouldn't DIE) and went looking for something new. Decided I wanted Japanese, and close to $10k, then went looking. Saw this "Mazdaspeed" Protege on an internet add and thought "hey, put it on the list to test drive". That little bitch stole my heart with her short shiftin 5speed ways.

The next night I tell the dealer I wanted to buy. "Theres a kid in here right now signing paperwork for a loan on that car" he tells me. The next day, he calls me back, paperwork didn't go through, and do I want a crack? I figured I'd try to take a loan to build some credit rating. Doesn't go through for me either, so I crack open the checkbook.

Odd look on that man's face. 22 year old kid buying cars cash.

[jdm4lyf9]

I wanted an evo but durring the time but $40,000 seemed a bit expensive, so I test drove the msp. Later that day I drove one right off the show room floor. I love the car and I hate the car but because of this car I met a lot of cool people.

[terbow]

I had a modified cavalier in the driveway that i had enough of (not cause it was a cavalier, for other reasons).

and our 94 jeep cherokee had to many problems for my daily commute in norwood ma traffic. since i didnt like the cobalt (natural evolution, but it was the 1st gen) i decided to drive onto the mazda lot. I remember seeing some mazda with a turbo in sport compact car mag, and asked if they had one. I didnt even know the name of it. But tehy had ONE, and it was yellow and still considered new (36 miles). Me and the wife test drove it, and i couldnt wipe that damn smile off my face.

still cant.

[livelyjay]

I bought mine because I loved them, but the car came out after I had already bought my 03 Lancer OZ. Turbo'd the Lancer, still not good enough. MSP popped up for sale in my area for less than what it was worth, so I jumped on it.

[SteelWarrior]

my old car was dead, barely ran, when i traded it in for my MSP i had to use the E-break and curb to slow down, car wouldnt go into first gear willingly (had to use my knee and basically kick/knee it into first lol, and god help me if i had to put it back to neutral haha).

I went from lot to lot looking, found lots of nice cars,but none really stood out to me, was only looking to really spend like 12 000, found the MSP behind some RX8s at a local dealership. Fell in love, brushed the snow off, couldnt believe it was a protege. i took some pics, did some research, decided to go check it out. drove it in mid winter with nice tires, still handled like a dream,i was sold. hahaha didnt negotiate or bargin...just signed and drove off....while ive had some minor problems and gas costs monthly have eaten me, ive put almost 20 000 kms on it since december ! loving it so far :D

[mgerst1]

come on there has to be more msp owners who have a good reason for buying their msp and still dont regret their purchase

[Soy]

Here's my story:

I've been a 240sx guy for the last 5 years or so, having owned a '91 and a '92. I put a lot of blood sweat and tears into those cars, and absolutely loved having a cheap, sporty rwd. However, as far as practicality goes, the 240 is not exactly the family truckster, not to mention that it seems every cop in Orange County just loves to pick on the cars.

Anyways, about a year ago I ended up wrecking my black '91 on the freeway, and couldn't repair it, so I ended up parting out my wheels, some suspension parts, etc. and sold the rest to a guy for about half of what i should have. From then on, I drove my truck ('86 Toyota 4x4) just to get around. Fast forward to 2 months ago, $5 gas, and the truck getting the fuel economy of a Hummer, and I finally decided to go car shopping again. I knew I wanted a sporty, manual transmission car, but I also wanted something with room for more than legless midgets in the back. Started looking at SE-R Sentras, Mustangs, even 4Runners and Civics.

That search ended when I went to visit a friend at the Honda dealership he works at. I had just randomly stopped by to say hi and see what the new Civics had to offer, and he said "You've got to see this Mazda we just got in"

So, hidden in the back of the lot, covered in dust was this little grey car that didn't look like much at first (from the back... mine's wingless and de-badged). He grabbed the keys and we went for a spin, and I knew I wanted the car right there. We probably drove 20 miles on the test drive (It helps having a buddy at the lot) and when we finally got back I told him to start drawing up the paperwork.

So I went home that night and researched the car a bit, finding out that it was a limited production, etc. and after looking up comparable values, bought the car the next morning. My buddy had it completely detailed from top to bottom for me that morning, so the car was BEAUTIFUL when I drove it home that afternoon.

2 months later, and I'm loving every minute of wheel time in this car. It handles better than my old 240s, is super comfortable (Especially compared to my truck) and gets sick gas mileage. I look forward to many years of ownership. :)

[Matrix]

Here's my story:

I've been a 240sx guy for the last 5 years or so, having owned a '91 and a '92. I put a lot of blood sweat and tears into those cars, and absolutely loved having a cheap, sporty rwd. However, as far as practicality goes, the 240 is not exactly the family truckster, not to mention that it seems every cop in Orange County just loves to pick on the cars.

Anyways, about a year ago I ended up wrecking my black '91 on the freeway, and couldn't repair it, so I ended up parting out my wheels, some suspension parts, etc. and sold the rest to a guy for about half of what i should have. From then on, I drove my truck ('86 Toyota 4x4) just to get around. Fast forward to 2 months ago, $5 gas, and the truck getting the fuel economy of a Hummer, and I finally decided to go car shopping again. I knew I wanted a sporty, manual transmission car, but I also wanted something with room for more than legless midgets in the back. Started looking at SE-R Sentras, Mustangs, even 4Runners and Civics.

That search ended when I went to visit a friend at the Honda dealership he works at. I had just randomly stopped by to say hi and see what the new Civics had to offer, and he said "You've got to see this Mazda we just got in"

So, hidden in the back of the lot, covered in dust was this little grey car that didn't look like much at first (from the back... mine's wingless and de-badged). He grabbed the keys and we went for a spin, and I knew I wanted the car right there. We probably drove 20 miles on the test drive (It helps having a buddy at the lot) and when we finally got back I told him to start drawing up the paperwork.

So I went home that night and researched the car a bit, finding out that it was a limited production, etc. and after looking up comparable values, bought the car the next morning. My buddy had it completely detailed from top to bottom for me that morning, so the car was BEAUTIFUL when I drove it home that afternoon.

2 months later, and I'm loving every minute of wheel time in this car. It handles better than my old 240s, is super comfortable (Especially compared to my truck) and gets sick gas mileage. I look forward to many years of ownership. :)


That was beautiful.
I had to wipe a tear from my eye...<sniff, sniff>

Welcome to the club!! (thumb)

[jimmyrobo]

Was actually trying to purchase a Mazda 6, 6cyl 5 speed, but the dealer wouldnt come off the price. Another salesman got me to drive the MSP and i was sold with no questions asked.

Its been a great vehicle to own and tune.

[theEZV]

my mirage was getting really old and it was time to move on. i was looking at several options, a wrx, srt4, another mirage, sentra ser or the msp. the wrx and srt4 were just a little out of my price range, and i couldnt find a 4th gen mirage coupe with all the options i wanted (my plans for it would've been a 2.4l 4g64 swap and evo turbo seetup). after thinking about it, i decided i didnt want the sentra, so that left me with the msp. i remember seeing the ads for the mp3, and the ads in sport compact car that had the spicy, i always loved the way the car looked. it took me a while to find an msp for the right price. i found a black mica in white marsh that i was going to buy, but it was not meant to be, as a horrible rain storm passed through the area and the owner hydrolocked the engine while he was driving to meet me. so i kept looking, and eventually found my ti msp, bone stock, for a good price.

i dont regret the purchase at all, it hasnt given me any problems, and im looking forward to more good times and modding

[StealthWyvern]

My trans was gettign ready to kick the bucket on my 02 NA auto P5 with aroudn 170k mile on the orig trans and motor. I would still have the car if it was a stick or the trans wasnt kicking the bucket.

My Mech (a really good friend) knows that I was wanting to turbo charge my p5 and when this yellow MSP came in he called me before they even got it off the truck. At first I didnt want it because it was yellow tell I seen it. Beings that it had 110k miles less then my P5, stick, turbocharges, and already modded with most of the mods I was going to do anyways right down to the brand name I jumped on it.

I figured that I could always repray it another color but the yellow is starting to grow on me!

It came with a Perrin FMIC, Greddy BOV, Tien springs, Tecko Blue struts, Greddy cat, new tires, 3yr 36k mile warrenty. I figure I couldnt pass it up for a really good price even with paying off my p5. Everythign counting insurence, car payment ect ect was only 20 bucks more a month!

[reg_2004]

kinda the same as jimmyrobo- i was lookin at a 6 too- my engine fell out of my chev lumina ( whole other story) - saw the ti msp for the 1st time, said DAMN and made it my own.

[oldzoomer]

I bought it because I love driving and this car fit all of my qualifications:
- excellent handling
- great reliability
- good power
- exceptional gas mileage
- purchase price

[benflagg]

I bought it because I needed a sedan. I had to get rid of my MR2 and have missed it every since, but the MSP has been ok whenever it is not broken.

[11B-33T]

Didn't need another car but I discovered an immaculate 2003.5 MSP while I was wandering the Mazda dealership eyeballing the new MS3s on the dealer lot.

She was Laser Blue and stood out amongest all the brand-new cars on the entire lot! I did several slow circles around her while softly saying, "no-effin-way" as I knew the MSP was a limited production model and I had never seen one up close. The data sheet listed only 20400 miles and the salesman who showed up informed me the car had been garage kept with a single owner! (BTW, I did finally meet the previous owner as he lives close to me)

I took her on a chubby producing test drive (drive) while doing my best to keep a huge shit-eatin' grin off my face!

Did one of the hardest things ever and walked off the lot but told the saleman I 'liked' the car but already had two vehicles bought and paid for so I was not too concerned if this car got away..(nailbyt)..

Five days later, walked in and w/in two hours I worked a deal at $2k under the dealer's asking price and signed the papers.

Every where I drive & look around it seems everyone is driving a Honda civic, Mustang, Mitsubishi Evo etc but an MSP stands out in the pack. Not the fastest nor best torque producer but out-shines them all as the perfect 'complete' car package.

I still smile everytime I drive her.. :D

[rlbmsp]

New to the community!

Well...two of my buddies have the MS6 and it's just one sick ride. Hit 149 not to long ago in one of them with 3 of us in the car...that thing pulled like a freight train the entire way. Anyway.....

I have a 01 zx2 and was just ready to get into a more "adult" or "sophisticated" car. Had plenty of fun in my escort, although it was N/A and not turboed...still made a lot of people turn and question what they were driving. I always have wanted a turbo and made it a personal thing to make sure the next car would be a turbo. Did some searching, and remembered that the MSP was a slick looking ride (before the escort I used to have a P5 that I enjoyed before I totalled it :( ) So I went on the hunt for one and happened to find a members MSP (Mark94) that was in immaculate condition with a great list of mods already. Made the paperwork happen and I'll be picking up the car this coming weekend! Can't wait!!!!

[Ricktalife]

it all began when i totalled my 200sx when i umm...hit a bridge. okay i slid into it in the rain on my (lowered) 200sx so there, sound a bit better? anyway, i was desperate for a car, my dad goes to auto auctions looking for cars and low and behold he found there a mazda protege mp3. from that moment on i loved mazda's, and eventually found out about the msp. i knew it had to be mine after loving the mp3 so much. months and months went by, the mp3 hit 80k, and i sold it for a black sentra se-r spec v. beautiful car, but not a turbo. :(

so one day my dad calls me up and says he found a msp at the auction and it only has 9k miles!!!11 I told him it was mine, and here i am.

[thekefren]

I was looking for a new car, naturally. And I wanted an evo more than anything, just like many others. But to face my own reality, I couldn't get one. After that I began looking at 240s and was dead set on getting one, yet I wasn't going to be able to take out a loan for a 10+year old car. My hunt came down between an MSP and a EP3 civic SI.
Drove both, liked both, but liked the fact the msp was already turbo, although suprisingly, seeing a civic si in my area is more rare than seeing a MSP. I know of about 12, see one every day no joke. EP3s I only see once in awhile, and its the same two, a silver one and a bue one.

Anyway before I got mine, i was at a car meet with my friend (who owns an evo) and I said, well I should get one of those, pointing to an msp, we went and talked to the kid, he drove from KY to FL for it, paid $6k for it.
I liked it, about 2 months later I got one. And I enjoy it for the most part.
Ironically, that kid that bought his from FL now owns an evo...
I wish i could take that route, I like these cars a ton, they just have way too many quirks. plus, fwd is wrong wheel drive. wheelhop ftl

[mazdaspeedwerx]

you need motor mounts ^^^^

[special--k]

^^ thats the thing, the MSP needs a lot of love to be a truly great car.

I baught mine because i killed my only car. (Acura teg) and i wanted something that would drive nice, and also move when i needed it to. This car came up at a good deal. And i just jumped on it. Unlike most, i wanted an STI. Even tested a few out, but the price Dif was too much, i didnt want to live like a Bum for a few years just to have a nice car. I get the best of both worlds now

[MrDiggler]

It goes all the way back to 1990 for me. That's when I found an '88 323 GTX on a dealer lot for super cheap 'cause they had no idea what it was. I enjoyed that car to the fullest for the next four years until it was stolen. That was the first "fast" car that I never wrecked or even spun (in the 2 yrs. prior I had been through an '84 GTI, '87 200SX SEV6, '88 Mustang GT and a '89 Suzuki Swift GTi, lol). The Mazda's handling was so effortless and it just seemed like the car was an extension of myself.

Fast forward a few years and was broke again and looking for a cheap ride, so bought a '96 Escort GT for $3,500 only because it had a BP and a 323 platform. I figured it would handle much like my GTX and I was right. I got six years out of that car. Thank God for the bulk of it being Mazda because the Ford parts continually broke or fell off.

Then in 2003 I saw the spicy MSP on the cover of Motor Trend at the grocery store and got simultaneous whiplash and a hard on. I read the article about 1000 times, as well as any others I could find. I found this forum and learned even more about it. Finally, I accepted the fact that I had to have one, ECU issues and all. It was the last chance to get something new based on the original 323 platform, and I could get it in that insane orange color! I started checking online and turned up only two new ones left. One was in Michigan (IIRC) and had been "tricked out" with nasty green paint accents and underhood treatment. I'm sure some of you remember that car. Now it's thankfully wrecked. They wanted $25k for it and wouldn't budge. I said "%*&# you". I called the dealer in Houston who had the last one left. They couldn't find a salesman that knew anything about it and said to call back in an hour or so. I did, and finally got a salesman that said some kid walked in 30 min. before and wanted it. He called back a while later to say it was gone. At 33 years of age, I cried over a car. I could have had the very last new spicy orange MSP.

I then started looking for low mileage used ones with a clean history and NO paintwork. I grew up next door to a bodyman and helped him color change my GTX years before, so I knew what a problem that spicy 3-stage paint would be if it had been worked on. I located one in Springfield, MO at Reliable (*cough*) Imports with 7,700 miles. The Carfax was clean and I was assured the paint was 100% original. I sent a deposit, then flew out to pick it up. It was dark and snowing when I got there, and it looked good to me at the time... Well, turns out it had been hit in the front and I didn't notice it until after I'd driven it 12 hrs. back home. They'd lied through their teeth since they knew I'd be getting there after dark. After threatening them with everything short of their lives, they paid a local shop to match the bumper and fender up better. It's better, but it's not as good as it could be. It turns out it didn't matter anyway, since someone carved up the opposite side of the car one day. Eventually it will get a full and proper repaint, even if nobody else can tell it's been painted on.

Regardless of the headaches and heartaches getting the car I wanted, I wouldn't trade Sparky for the world. Now it has 102k mi. and things have been relatively trouble free. With the only MSP around here and the spicy orange paint, it still turns more heads than a Ferrari. The looks, smiles, gawks and questions still sometimes hit several times a day. The car fits me like a glove to the point that I hate when I'm forced to drive something else. And that handling that I craved? Oh yeah, I got it in spades. I still love to rip up the same mountain road I loved in my GTX. It handles much like the car that got me hooked on Mazda, only faster... unless it's snowing!

Oh, and I still have that copy of Motor Trend with the cover carefully preserved.

[hollar1211]

because the payment on the blue on blue 2003 audi tt 225hp all wheel drive quattro was going to be too high. there happened to be a MSP on the lot for a few grand cheaper and the payments worked out better. i like it but it's on to my dream RX7 next summer.

[haze20]

Handling and the chance to own a rare car.

[slo03.5msp]

January 2004 I had just gotten my license back(suspension) so my mom told me she would finally help me out an cosign for a car. I was looking at the srt4and wrx's. I was finally about to settle on a a mazda3 5 door gt. I stopped at one more mazda dealer because they had the exact 5 door I was looking for. We pulled up and got out of the car and there it was under the light just on the side of the showroom outside. The las new msp in the chicagoland area. I guess being yellow it was difficult to sell. It had 30 miles on it and I paid 16k for it. It has never failed to put a grin on my face!

[dannyboy17]

i had a 98 protege for 3 years before I got the msp. The 98 protege was very reliable, comfortable, good in gas...so all I was missing was power.
Little did I know that the increase in power, lowered reliability so much tho lol

[special--k]

Funny cause i had no idea these cars were limited edition when i baught mine. Found out after, and thought that was kool. Still wish the Mazda made it a bit solider.

[Techno_MP3]

I had a 2001 Mazda MP3 and it got stolen, i had no intention of selling it so i wanted a similar car.

I wanted a 4 door car, low km, and exclusivity. In Canada, there were only 250 MP3's and they were all blue, mine had only 55000 km's (34175miles) and was in mint condition.

I went on the hunt to find a good looking MazdaSpeed Protégé with low kms and found a 2003.5 titanium grey with 69000km's (42875miles) and bought it.