Even MAZDA is saying there are a lot of 2003's Left!

[funnylittlman]

Check this out,

I'm on Mazda's website and even they say you can still get 2003's.... hehehe

Sounds like they're trying to get rid of them

Mazda Article (http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsMainPRZ03&vehicleCode=PRZ&modelYear=2003)

[Newf]

more importantly, the site is update with new PICS!!!!! for the 2003.5

all the colors are shown, and the blue is listed as LAser Blue Mica again.

[chuyler1]

There has been a Spicy Orange and two Black ones at my dealership for over a month. The Orange one has been there since I bought my P5 in February.

I was talking with my sales rep yesterday when I was getting my oil changed (he's a great guy) and he said they can't sell them, at least not like they were selling the MP3s.

[RevsTo9K]

I think Mazda's sales are starting to slide down the cliff. With the market and the economy the way it is right now, one and two year old used cars are VERY CHEAP!

Audi TT: You can get a 2000 or 2001 year model Audi TT with less than 40,000 miles for $19,000 to $22,000 depending on the mileage and condition. With the market and the economy the way it is right now, one and two year old used cars are VERY CHEAP!
Ebay Audi 1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2411935892&category=5345)
Ebay Audi 2 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2411792326&category=5345)


Honda S2000: You can buy the 2000 to 2002 year models with 8000 to 40,000 miles for $19,500 to $23,000.
Ebay S2000 1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6253&item=2411854791&rd=1)
Ebay S2000 2 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6253&item=2411889455&rd=1)
Ebay S2000 3 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6253&item=2412072223&rd=1)
Ebay S2000 4 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6253&item=2412307985&rd=1)

If those cars aren't your cup of tea, you can also find 1 to 2 year old Lexus IS300 for less than $24,000. The 2000 and 2001 Audi A4's are also going in this price range. So I am pretty sure the consumer that is in the price range to afford the MSP(which is $19,500 to $22,000, depending on how bad you got screwed), these people are realizing that they can now afford the car that was over $30,000 one to two years ago. I'd pick the $30,000 car any day of the week.

[pdhaudio83]

Mazda is slowly starting to realize that no one wants just a 170hp car for $20,000 when they can get a srt-4 for $20,000 or a mustang for a little more, etc. Mazda- BOTTOM LINE-- MORE POWER!!!! If Mazda wants to sell cars, they need MORE POWER!

[funnylittlman]

Originally posted by pdhaudio
Mazda is slowly starting to realize that no one wants just a 170hp car for $20,000 when they can get a srt-4 for $20,000 or a mustang for a little more, etc. Mazda- BOTTOM LINE-- MORE POWER!!!! If Mazda wants to sell cars, they need MORE POWER!

Maybe the speed devision will do something about that...

Sheet, even MOPAR is stepping up behind the SRT4 making as fast as the EVO (HP wise that is)

[trekv2]

but MAZDASPEED still and will not have any turbo/intercooler upgrades for the MSP, unlike mopar

[1sty]

Well they lost 1/2 the original buyers when they made them wait over 4 months to get there cars so alot of people went to the WRX.

Besides that with the SRT/4 out there its hard to fathom a car that is ONLY getting 170 with a tubo, nissan and pals does that NA.

Mazda is also developing a Ford reputation for Reliabilty and the majority of there dealers are simply terrible.

Add to this all the reported problems the test cars had when tested and the close runner ups or winners where less expensive.

Throw in the fact that the car is damn near impossible to easily tune. You can get the VWs and with basic bolt on and a chip which will total $1500 when said and done with no big headaches. If you want power in the MSP you better rip off the first Cat and then you get to say hello to a permanent CEL. Not to mention the turbo and intercooler has to get ripped off to get real power which will cost about $3000. Spoolin Baby :D!

If mazda want to get some respect the Mazda 3 should be an entire new drivetrain that can hold alot more power. Not to mention a beefer engine and atleast 200 turbo horsepower or 180 NA.

Just my views
Enjoy!

[JAC]

Originally posted by pdhaudio
Mazda is slowly starting to realize that no one wants just a 170hp car for $20,000 when they can get a srt-4 for $20,000 or a mustang for a little more, etc. Mazda- BOTTOM LINE-- MORE POWER!!!! If Mazda wants to sell cars, they need MORE POWER!

I agree with pd, lets face it, most people just buy cars based on the specs alone (if that). I also think it has to do with the colors available, I'm sure that they would've sold much faster if they had been released in Laser Bluer for example; lets face it, orange is not a very popular color for cars.

But the bottom line is: more power.

PD: I think that the 2003.5s will sell better, mostly because of the colors available.

[mp5]

My dealer has had an Orange MSP four over 4 months now. Originally they were asking $2000 over sticker. Now they're willing to deal a little off of sticker. They even had on display in the local mall for a while where every mall rat could cream themselves looking at it and still they havn't sold it.

[chuyler1]

You're all right.

Specs and numbers on paper sell cars. Thats why the MSP won't sell.

The problem, I think, is that Mazda doesn't want to turn away from the economy market with its cars. Nissan puts a 2.5L in their SpecV, the same engine that is in my sister's 2000 Altima (which is in the Mazda6 class). Mazda could have done this but they opted to keep the same engine across the platform and save money.

Had they taken the 2.3L from the 6 and put it on the protege platform as an option for the P5 and ES...they could have dropped a turbo on it for the MSP and people would be flocking to the Mazda showrooms for it. They should have been thinking of this when the MP3 was selling like crazy and the reviews were coming in about the lack of power.

[Heathen23]

Had they taken the 2.3L from the 6 and put it on the protege platform as an option for the P5 and ES...they could have dropped a turbo on it for the MSP and people would be flocking to the Mazda showrooms for it. They should have been thinking of this when the MP3 was selling like crazy and the reviews were coming in about the lack of power.

Mazda would never do this because of the cost involved. They made the production process so easy for the speeds by maintaining the same enigine platform and just adding the turbo and suspension. From a production standpoint they are just adding a few more stages to the assembly of the ES. It's a fantastic idea but the cost involved to keep the chasis the same and drop the M6 engine in it would be the equivilent of releasing another car. That is incredibly expensive only because you are creating a completely new formula for production.

That M6 engine on a protege sized chasis, if balanced properly, would be PIMP!

[1sty]

They damn well better do that for the mazda 3.
This cheezy 2.0L with no stregth and a weak ass drive drain can not continue thruhg another model.
they finaly upgraded the 626 now its the proteges turn.
Next the miata.

[chuyler1]

Well, if Nissan, Dodge, Honda, and all the other companies can put two engines on a compact car platform...I don't see why Mazda can't.

[1sty]

i'd be happy happy if mazda kept to the idae they had originaly and used the 2.3 L in the Mazda 3. Just like the protege and the 626 they have can have the same 4 banger.

[pdhaudio83]

Ya- look at cars today- its us next generation teens! WE WANT POWER! And MOST companies are responding- Nissan-> Maxima- 265hp!! Pontian GTO 300+ HP!, SRT-4 0-60 under 6! I mean come on, all us youngsters want POWER!

Look at me, for example- think a MP3 stock will do it? NO! I want power! Thats why I'm talking to Eckberg Motor Builders to get a turbo and crank it to 15psi+! None of this 140hp shit.

sorry, but i want power. I love that my mp3 can take a 270degree on ramp at 58mph (last night my friend watched- onramp sign said 25mph :D) but power is equally important.

[Street KingFD]

Why can't we get the turbo Miata here like everywhere else has them.

[Heathen23]

Why can't we get the turbo Miata here like everywhere else has them.

Good freakin' question! I have read that the Miata is the best selling car in it's category ("sports" cars) so why didn't the enter that into the NA market?

[Grimace]

Emissions.

[BlackMSP]

people need to drive the mazda's to appreciate them. On paper they lose to SOME other cars in the class, but on the road they win. If I really wanted POWER for $20k I could have gotten a freaking Mustang SVT Cobra or an RX-7 Twin Turbo or even a corevette c5 I saw going for $21k seriously its not all about POWER. Our cars are awesome I just dont think $20k is a fair price. It should have been more like $17k... Eventually the market will start hitting hard and I think the prices will drop down even MORE. Its crazy out there. Right when my odometer rolled past 2k miles I bet it depreciated about $5k honestly.

[funnylittlman]

No it won't b/c it's a limited car ;) j/k

[BremertonMSP]

Before I bought my MSP I was looking at the EVO8 $40K with dealer mark-up, but the guy said I could take it for $35K :eek:

I was also looking at the WRX, but by the time I got it spec'd the way I wanted it, it was well over $31K. Sure the base model is $24k and change, but I wanted one with 17" wheels/tires, the "good" suspension setup and a wing. Plus the radio isn't as good as ours.

So for round $20k, we get a great handling car with a nice stereo and mediocre performance. Really, they aren't that bad of a deal.
Okay, the seats suck!! They could have at least put the Miata seats in the damn car.

[bruce95fmla]

If mazda want to get some respect the Mazda 3 should be an entire new drivetrain that can hold alot more power. Not to mention a beefer engine and atleast 200 turbo horsepower or 180 NA.

Just my views
Enjoy!

Yup they need to go back to the BP's ,, ...With those and a good turbo (t25 or bigger) .... We will have some good monsters..

also mazda needs to get on the ball and manufacture some aftermarket parts for the Mspeed. And they also need to build more, make it a frigin regular option to sell the Mspeed's , don't make em disappear in a year or so and then we are back to NA models with 140 hp ... ( no offense guys) ....

[2K3 MSP]

Sorry to go off topic, but while we are on the subject of Miatas and RX-7's...I heard a guy once say that the Miata had an option of the RX-7's rotory engine. Is this true or was he probably just saying you could make it fit?? I haven't dealt with Miatas, so I haven't the slightest clue if this were true...

[BlackMSP]

no freaking way an rx-7 engine could possibly be an easy swap into a miata. NO WAY. WAyyy to long of a block.

[YuYuRena]

Umm I don't think it's way too long of a block, maybe you're thinking of with all it's accessories, but quite frankly the biggest advantage of the Wankel engine (Rotatry) is it's size and weight saving over the big ole Otto (piston) engine. And I would love to swap a B13 into a miata that would be pimp but then again, the car might not be balance correctly and need to be rebalanced.

But back to the topic of wanting horsepower? Well the search is always on for the biggest on the block for the least amount of money, for example, go look at the muscle cars.

I think the most important part of how great a car is its complete package. The best testment to this is definitely the Ferrari F2002. Doesn't have the best chassis(Mclaren) nor the best engine(BMW). But they spanked everyone in 2002. I say give me just enough power with awesome handling, it's God-like. More horsepower just give you more power to recover in the straights for the mistakes in the corner. And who races the straight with a MSP anyway, if you want that go with domestic, they own that field.

[Street KingFD]

There was no option for a rotary in the Miata. A 13B-REW(3rd gen TT RX-7 engine) in no way fit good in the Miata engine bay. It takes a lot of fabrication but when done it is very VERY nice.

Mazda plays with the idea of adding a rotary option to the Miata every year.

[MSP Pro]

I think you're remembering a show car, the RX-1, which was Miata sized and had a rotary. The rotary was dropped 2 inches lower and 8 inches further back in the car for better weight distribution and lower center of gravity.

But after Mazda lost all that money on the FD RX-7, mostly due to warranty work, Ford (which owns 37% of Mazda) nixed another rotary sports car. That's why the RX-8 has 4 doors and 4 seats.

Just for the record, I like my Mazdaspeed Protege just the way it is. Wonderfully tuned suspension (Thanks, Racing Beat!), nicely done interior (I like the seats), excellent stereo, and a GREAT BIG THANK YOU FOR THE LSD!!!!! A wonderful Torsen LSD which let's me kick ass in autox. Subaru WRXs are seconds slower; Mini Cooper S on race rubber was over 0.6 sec slower than my MSP on the stock RE040s. The problems with the turbo can be solved with better ignition and fuel maps, but that's Callaway's fault.

[Cirielle]

Well I think the thing with the Mazdaspeed as opposed to some other cars at comparable prices that are used is this;
a lot of people like to get new cars! You know that you are the first one in it and it feels good to buy a new car! It feels awesome to say;
Hey I only have 15 miles on my car!
Yeah, yeah, yeah what about the thousands you lose once you drive it off the lot - well if you think that way then don't ever get a new car! So what, I mean really so what!
If you want a freaking Ferrari then save up or get it used. If you want an import then get one that fits your style. And no it may not have the biggest amount of power out there, but on a normal day just driving around, you will still stomp most people for power and performance. It is all in the way you drive. I see middle-agers out there driving the WRX's and it just makes me laugh. Why - not because of their age, but because they won't go over 55!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello, bought a fast car and won't even go as fast as the speed limit (the 55 is in reference to a 65 mph zone!).
Also lets face facts here, the MSP is more of sleeper car than other cars out there. Yeah you can put stuff on there to make it look different, but with the WRX you know what it is.
Plus, why would anyone want to spend that much on that car? I am sorry, I love Subaru's......I used to have a 2001 Impreza, but 2002 and up they got fugly!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hate hate hate hate hate and if you didn't read it the other times hate those stupid headlights that they put on there.
I guess really it just comes down to what is your p.p (personal preference!)
Mine was the Mazdaspeed right now. Does this mean that everyone else should go get one......no way! I like knowing that I have a car that not a lot of other people have (and not just cuz they can't find one, but because it isn't the hottest selling thing out there!)
That was how I was with the Impreza. No, it wasn't a sleeper - but I was also not a parent then. I wanted something that had show and go. I still get that now with a more toned down aggressiveness.
Plus when I want more power, well I will get it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!