Possible new owner of mazdaspeed protoege with questions

[sleepr_effekt]

I have been reading alot of good things about this car and it has come down to this car and the SE-R spec v. I test drove the spec v last week and was impressed but I like mazdas better and this car has a turbo.

So my question is if I put on a MBC, Can I take it off if I have to take it in for warranty work? Will it void my warranty? How can they tell?

Are there any bad problems with this car?
Is the insurance high?

thanks alot

[SpicyMSP]

where in CA are you? Do you have AIM or MSN?

[sleepr_effekt]

Im in Nor Cal, Sacramento

yahoo im

[SpicyMSP]

Originally posted by sleepr_effekt
I have been reading alot of good things about this car and it has come down to this car and the SE-R spec v. I test drove the spec v last week and was impressed but I like mazdas better and this car has a turbo.

So my question is if I put on a MBC, Can I take it off if I have to take it in for warranty work? Will it void my warranty? How can they tell?

Are there any bad problems with this car?
Is the insurance high?

thanks alot

Also you should be able to install and remove the MBC, and be fine when you take it in for warranty work. Although when I bring my car into the dealership for oil changes and small problems, I leave it in. I also have A downpipe and the Intake that I always leave in. The dealership where I got my car and get it serviced seem to be "mod friendly"and never says anything. One of the members on this forum "Turboge" sold his Spec V for the MSP. Maybe if you PMed him, he could offer his oppinions.

Some of the problems that are most noted have been "the clunk"(TSB Issued), "the stumbling/hesitation" (TSB Issued) which can be fixed under warranty. If you search on the forums main page you will find all the info you need.
And BTW welcome to the forums!

[pdhaudio83]

well if you blow your engine because of the MBC or damage anything they obviously will have a hint that you did something. remember- MAZDA reserves the right to not do warranty work on your car.

[SoniCraze]

i was thinkin about the se-r for about 3 seconds myself. Problem is...its frekin ugly, looks so basic.


MSP..
Faster
Tricked out Interor
Smaller sterring wheele
PIMP stock stero w/ sub!!!! JESUS!!! SUB!! (lol)
just to name a few.

A mbc takes about 5 min to install/uninstall. There is no way they can tell if youve been runnin more boost.

[chino]

I like the front of the SE-R but everything else just looks like a run of the mill Nissan. You see them EVERYDAY. I have only seen 1 other MSP since I bought mine over 3 weeks ago. The unique factor was big to me.

[mypfizzle]

woo hoo.. sacramento.. now we can have 3 people at our meets. -=)
alright.. welcome to the forum. -=) anything local i can help u with feel free to pm me -=)
John

[Micah]

I've actually been thinking of trading in my ES for a SPEC-V. First thing I would do is debadge it.

It's all about the sleeper.

Has anyone done a comparison between the MSP and SPEC-V
0-60
MPG CTY/HWY
Skidpad
Braking Distance
1/4 Mile

If not, I'll look them up later tonight and post what I find.

[cbcbd]

Originally posted by Micah
I've actually been thinking of trading in my ES for a SPEC-V. First thing I would do is debadge it.

It's all about the sleeper.

Yeah, I'd really not recognize the car if you debadged it.
:p

[servoeyes]

Originally posted by Micah
I've actually been thinking of trading in my ES for a SPEC-V. First thing I would do is debadge it.

It's all about the sleeper.

Has anyone done a comparison between the MSP and SPEC-V
0-60
MPG CTY/HWY
Skidpad
Braking Distance
1/4 Mile

If not, I'll look them up later tonight and post what I find.

Add looks to that comparo list! ICK for the Spec...

They're actually really close in all regards. But when it comes down to handling and fit & finish, most people are taking the MSP. I would rather have a turbo, and for the insane prices that you can get an MSP for nowadays, it's kinda a no-brainer, if I was to do it again. Micah...you could always get a WRX for about 20k out the door if you like those...I'd take that over the Spec, but probably not the MSP.

[TX Speed Demon]

If you want to keep the warranty the Spec v may be a good option. Just read in Car & Driver this morning NISMO is finally importing packages to the US. 2 complete package levels for street or full race with most of the major mods you'd want. Or buy each piece seperatly. Prices aren't outragous but aren't cheap either though. Mazda doesn't offer that kind of support, but you start with a better all around platform IMO.

[03MSP]

As far as telling if you turned up the boost, I thought I read that if you hit fuel cut(doesn't seem like it takes much from what I've read) that they can tell and know that the boost was tampered with.

[BremertonMSP]

Originally posted by 03MSP
As far as telling if you turned up the boost, I thought I read that if you hit fuel cut(doesn't seem like it takes much from what I've read) that they can tell and know that the boost was tampered with.

No, you can hit fuel cut on stock boost. I did it at the track at the top of third gear, over 7krpm doing about 90mph.

I don't believe there is anything in the PCM that records boost levels. Even if there was, one quick disconnect of the Neg lead on the battery would take care of that.

[BremertonMSP]

Originally posted by SoniCraze
A mbc takes about 5 min to install/uninstall. There is no way they can tell if youve been runnin more boost.

LOL, unless you have your MSP towed to the dealer with a blown motor. Those pesky holes in pistons are really tough to explain. ;)

[03MSP]

Originally posted by BremertonMSP
No, you can hit fuel cut on stock boost. I did it at the track at the top of third gear, over 7krpm doing about 90mph.

I don't believe there is anything in the PCM that records boost levels. Even if there was, one quick disconnect of the Neg lead on the battery would take care of that.

Good to know, thanks!

[Micah]

Originally posted by cbcbd
Yeah, I'd really not recognize the car if you debadged it.
:p

Just don't want the spec-v emblems on it, but I'd probably leave them. I have a gold protege es right now, when it was turbocharged, cops never gave me a second look - I liked that.

Didn't have every little johnny ricer revving at me either. It was nice.

[Micah]

Originally posted by servoeyes
Add looks to that comparo list! ICK for the Spec...

They're actually really close in all regards. But when it comes down to handling and fit & finish, most people are taking the MSP. I would rather have a turbo, and for the insane prices that you can get an MSP for nowadays, it's kinda a no-brainer, if I was to do it again. Micah...you could always get a WRX for about 20k out the door if you like those...I'd take that over the Spec, but probably not the MSP.

The Spec-V is 17,300 - and that's MSRP. I'd imagine invoice is a bit below that. Plus I'm 6k upside-down in my car right now.

I might end up selling it privately. Technically, when I bought my car - it was used. Previous owners put 166 miles on it before bringing it back to the dealership.

Runs fine, just need to take care of my CEL - it comes on for a few days, then stays off for a few days. Car runs fine, - I'm pretty sure it's a loose wire or bad solder spot down by the ECU. I just haven't been down to the shop in about a month - life's busy. Job is extremely busy right now. Still have to figure out what I'm buying everyone for x-mas. Somewhere in the middle of all this, I'm trying to have a life.