Should I buy mazdaspeed?

[crcornell]

OK, first off I am new to the forum. I know alot of you will tell me to just use the search, so I have already done this. I have a much greater understanding of the MSP but still have a couple ?'s about it before I buy one.

I live in AZ and its pretty hot here, actually its really hot here!!! Can the MSP take the heat ok. I am kinda scared because of all the hesitation/stumbling issues I have read about. And the fact that alot of you say that this occurs moreso in hotter climates.

Another question is about reliability, are these cars very reliable, and are mazda's in general very reliable? I have only owned a Honda Prelude VTEC(please don't rip on me, I'm not rice!) which has been a pretty reliable car even with 100k miles.

Finally, I just was wondering if some of you could tell me your favorite thing about the MSP.

I have been looking at such cars as the
neon R/T-can't buy it because I know I will never get over the fact that its a NEON:(
Ford Focus SVT- Don't like the looks-at all
Volkwagon GTI- again not a big fan of the looks
Mazdaspeed - Great looks, great handling, superior stereo. Seems like the best of the bunch but just a little worried about some of the minor problems I've read about.

Anyways, sorry for a long post, but I'm just very interested in the car.
Thanks,
Chad

[unwrittenLaw]

Have you test drove one? That's the first thing to do....

[Striker187]

i'm in college station, tx right now (that's about halfway between dallas and houston) and it gets freakin hot here during the day (hi 90's). as far as i can tell, i have no hesitation issues. but then again, i drive like a granny most of the time to save gas. maybe i'll have some fun tomorrow and i'll let you know about the hesitation. i do have the beginnings of the clunk but it's not bad by any means. some people say joe's (kwiktsi) fp reducer kit works/helps with the hesitation so that may be a quick fix for you. as for reliability, i don't know....first mazda in the family. but come on, it's japanese :D k, maybe i'm biased cause i am japanese. but with a car built for turbo, you just can't beat that.

[LinuxRacr]

Well, I live in Texas, and as you know it is hot as hell here too. Don't worry about the minor stuff, it is all being worked out. Sounds like to me you already have your mind made up by what you say about your choices. (thumb)

[crcornell]

Thanks for the replies, I'm going to test drive one tommorrow, as long as they let me.
-Chad

[unwrittenLaw]

I think you'll like it much more after you test drive it...

[AGR]

:D ......and if you decide to increase the boost,,,,,even BIGGER (or more) grins!!:D :D :D :D :D

[INGREXCO]

your god damn right you should get the mazdaspeed. :-D

[kpracer94]

I feel the same way.I test drove the mazdaspeed a month ago.
local dealership has 3, 2 black & 1 spicy. I also test drove wrx,
acura tsx and mazda 6s.I loved the msp and probably will buy as
soon as I sell my truck. I am however conserned about all the issues you msp owners are facing. I feel that for $20k mazda should not be jerking you around. I check this site out every morning at work to catch up on the latest.Very Good Site!!!!!

[Tex]

Ex-wife and daughter both drive Mazda Protege's. Daughter has well over 100,000 miles with no problems. Ex has 2002 Protege ES, no problems. I traded in a 2002 Protege on the MazdaSpeed and had no problems with it while I owned it.

As far as the stumbling/hesitation, it can be almost eliminated, and the power increased, for 150-200 with some stuff from Joe P. and K&N. I live in South Texas, and the heat here is murder, but the few mods I've done have worked very well.

[Heathen23]

As far as reliability, protege's are extremely durable small engine vehicles.

[TX Speed Demon]

There are some members on Phoenix and Tempe (GO SUNDEVILS). Go to the regional chapters section and see if there are any meets in your area. The best way to get a feel for the car is to ride in it with someone who's familiar driving it.

My test drive didn't even get me onto the highway and afterward I didn't think the Speed was much better than the Nissan SE-R Spec-V. After buying the Speed and having owned it for 5 months I'm definately glad I did.

[kpracer94]

good to know some msp owners still like the car w/ its issues.I know if I msp I will get fpr from joe.I think I might go with a cockpit mtd boost controler. I plan on spending about 3-4 grand
to get it the way I want it. fmic,maybe bigger turbo,gauges,cai,
I,m not wanting to race it, just want it super fun to drive. I race so
I,ve always tuned my street cars. Do my racing on the track!! with real race cars. I can't wait to sell my truck, but hoping in the meantime dealer will get in titanium to compare to black. I can't decide, I like the titanium color but like the features of the 2003.

[AGR]

BLACK MICA, Baby!!!

[kpracer94]

is it pretty easy to keep the black looking good? all my cars have been black. my grand nationals we're a pain as is my Z71 (for sale).My wifes silver VR6 jetta is easy!

[yashooa]

I adore my little black hunk of Automotive love.
I just got my boost gauge in and Joe's MBC goes in tomorrow.
No hesitation for me or clunk.

[AGR]

Mica Bitch! (k)

[kpracer94]

the black does look awsome. I can't wait

[nmaino]

If you want a Mazdaspeed, contact me, I'll sell mine to you.

[PochaccoMSP]

:)

I just got my Black MSP Protege recently in a dealer near Austin. When I was still shopping around. They let me test drove the car close to an hour. Drove all kind of condition, high way, country road, and even some gravel. I immediately fall in love with it.

The handling is just so much better than my old Accord.

[krillin]

Originally posted by nmaino
If you want a Mazdaspeed, contact me, I'll sell mine to you.

i've been reading some of your posts and it seems to me that you aren't entirely satisfied with your car. why are you selling it, if you don't mind me asking?

[EXA4DRIVER]

Originally posted by crcornell
OK, first off I am new to the forum. I know alot of you will tell me to just use the search, so I have already done this. I have a much greater understanding of the MSP but still have a couple ?'s about it before I buy one.

I live in AZ and its pretty hot here, actually its really hot here!!! Can the MSP take the heat ok. I am kinda scared because of all the hesitation/stumbling issues I have read about. And the fact that alot of you say that this occurs moreso in hotter climates.

Another question is about reliability, are these cars very reliable, and are mazda's in general very reliable? I have only owned a Honda Prelude VTEC(please don't rip on me, I'm not rice!) which has been a pretty reliable car even with 100k miles.

Finally, I just was wondering if some of you could tell me your favorite thing about the MSP.

I have been looking at such cars as the
neon R/T-can't buy it because I know I will never get over the fact that its a NEON:(
Ford Focus SVT- Don't like the looks-at all
Volkwagon GTI- again not a big fan of the looks
Mazdaspeed - Great looks, great handling, superior stereo. Seems like the best of the bunch but just a little worried about some of the minor problems I've read about.

Anyways, sorry for a long post, but I'm just very interested in the car.
Thanks,
Chad

Dude, just cuz you drive a Honda, it does not mean you are rice :) Now if you got neon lighting, APC taillights and an aluminum wing sitting on some Tenzo or Konig wheels, then your rice. As far as the cars you are interested in, the GTI 1.8T will be the most tuner friendly out of all of your choices. I used to drive an A4 1.8T so I'm kinda partial to the VW turbo engine. But just the fact you can throw a little bit more than $1,000 in mods (APR chip, downpipe, high flow cat, catback exhaust, drop in filter, upgraded intercooler piping and a forged diverter valve) and pull high 13 sec 1/4's, the GTI is a great choice. Just my .02. :)

[kwiktsi]

Originally posted by EXA4DRIVER


Dude, just cuz you drive a Honda, it does not mean you are rice :) Now if you got neon lighting, APC taillights and an aluminum wing sitting on some Tenzo or Konig wheels, then your rice. As far as the cars you are interested in, the GTI 1.8T will be the most tuner friendly out of all of your choices. I used to drive an A4 1.8T so I'm kinda partial to the VW turbo engine. But just the fact you can throw a little bit more than $1,000 in mods (APR chip, downpipe, high flow cat, catback exhaust, drop in filter, upgraded intercooler piping and a forged diverter valve) and pull high 13 sec 1/4's, the GTI is a great choice. Just my .02. :)

Umm, I have less than $1000 in mods to the MSP and I will go high 13.s or turn it right into the wall if it doesn't :).. Just because there isn't a "buy it and make the car quick" kit for the MSP, doesn't mean it can't be tuned by someone who is capable of it :).
Joe

[EXA4DRIVER]

I hear ya Joe :) I just like the fact that with the VW 1.8T engines, the chip not only increases the boost, it also adjusts the fuel maps/curves and puts out efficient usable wheel hp, with out having to tune/dyno the car, a true "plug and play" way to increase boost reliablly. I remember when I had my 98 Eclipse GS-T and had such a hard time programing my HKS EVC III boost controler. It was either find an open road where you can get full wide open throttle, or pay to use a dyno. Then you run into problems like getting a higher psi fuel pump yada-yada-yada..... And I guess from reading a bunch of post that you can only boost a max of 10psi with the MSP due to some stalling issues (not sure if this is accurate, just what I read), I'm just a little more partial to tuning a 1.8T due to the reliability ;) But if I had the time and more money, I would love to work on a 2JZGTE Supra......drooool