Mazdaspeed or Spec V

[RuggedMazda]

Hey everyone, today I put a deposit on a Mazdaspeed ( I think
I was lucky to find a dealer that would refund my money if I was
not satisfied). Anyway I was looking at a Spec V & I did get to test
drive one. It was very impressive & handled very well IMO.
I also went to the forum for the spec v's & read alot about them & what the owners thought about them ( got some mix feelings though). So my main question is they ( spec V onwers) say that
the internals of the Mazdaspeed are at the max with this turbo,
is this true? I mean to me the Mazdaspeed should be a nice platform to start with & I do want to mod it in the future.
If anyone can give some info on this it would greatly help me in my final decision. Thanks....

[JasonH]

Do a search form "Sentra" or "Spec-V". This has been discussed to death. The short answer is: you want a Mazdaspeed Protege.So my main question is they ( spec V onwers) say that
the internals of the Mazdaspeed are at the max with this turbo,
is this true?No.:rolleyes:

[ZoomZoomH]

somewhere in a thread on this forum, someone posted something, saying basically during development, engineers upped the boost of the MS Protege to produce over 250HP with stock internals with no problem. It was the tranny that had problem handling all that torque, so they downtuned it to retain good reliability....

can you say boost controller? ;) :D

[BigBlue]

The Mazdaspeed will be right up alongside the Spec V in terms of performance.

Handling, I'd really have to say it's got the Spec V there by a fair bit.

Looks....well the orange color might not be my favorite, but the body styling on the Mazdaspeed(and MP3 of course) are just top-notch...it's just a very good looking car. Add in some very nice Racing Hart rims and you are doing good.

Interior - once again the Mazdaspeed has the Spec V beat hands down...maybe the new Spec V looks better than the old, but I still say the MSP looks far better...and with an awesome stereo system that blows away the Spec V one.

Having a factory installed turbo does mean the door is open more for some mods that will seriously up your performance a lot quicker than the naturally aspirated Spec V.

Finally, don't forget the fact you'll be driving a car that is not only very limited whereas the Spec V is cropping up everywhere, you get a car that is visually separated from a normal Protege while the Spec V for the most part still looks pretty much the exact same as it's other trim types.

Can you tell which car I prefer? :)

[RuggedMazda]

Hey guys thanks for the info & I will do a search.
It's great to know that the car has good potential as I
thought it would. I also feel the same about the looks
of the mazda as to the spec & thats why I have the money
down......Thanks again.......

[slug420]

SCC listed the first 3 mods they would do to this car, and indicated they expected to see significant performance gains out of eachof them.
1. Exhaust
2. Bigger intercooler
3. Boost Controller

I was thinking the engine may already be tuned to the max, but it certainly doesnt appear that way

[MSpeed]

im starting to hesitate myself on this one. if the MSP comes in in october and is priced around $25,000 CDN then ill get it but if it isnt then i think a slightly larger SER for $21,500 is a much better purchase.

[BigBlue]

Originally posted by MSpeed
im starting to hesitate myself on this one. if the MSP comes in in october and is priced around $25,000 CDN then ill get it but if it isnt then i think a slightly larger SER for $21,500 is a much better purchase.

Do you mean a regular SER or a Spec V? If it is the Spec V, I believe my friends got theirs for around 24,000 with the sound system and all the goodies. I'm thinking almost certainly tho that the MSP will be more than 25,000 Canadian...the MP3 was 18,500 US and came to about 24,500 Canadian...can't see the MSP only being that little more.

[slug420]

speaking in USD, the MSP will have 20,500 on the sticker (if its on the lot long enough for the sticker to get printed out, and assuming the dealer isnt charging over MSRP) and I have seen spec-Vs around here for 17,500 on the sticker

[MSpeed]

yea bigblue im talkin about the spec v. with sunroof, spoiler and system its $24,500 but without that "sport package" the spec v is $21,500. i even managed to talk my local dealer down to $21,000 flat for a new 2003 model in under 15 mins. i would much rather have a MSP but lets face it... its just a protege and too much is too much

[Dexter]

Originally posted by MSpeed
yea bigblue im talkin about the spec v. with sunroof, spoiler and system its $24,500 but without that "sport package" the spec v is $21,500. i even managed to talk my local dealer down to $21,000 flat for a new 2003 model in under 15 mins. i would much rather have a MSP but lets face it... its just a protege and too much is too much

hehe just a protege...hmm fine cool with me, more of them for us who really want them then :D

[Antoine]

The Spec V is just a sentra...on factory crack.

Spec V is a good car at a great price...but the MSP is now the overall fwd top dog.

[sleeper_]

The US MSRP prices being: $18,540 for mp3, $20,500 for ms-p (both include freight)

so prices w/o freight are:
$18,020 for mp3
$19,980 for ms-p

Canadian MSRP for the mp3 w/o freight is:
$23,795

do some algebra:
19,980/18,020 = x/23,795

and you solve for x to get:
x = $26,383

so my guess is that the price will be somewhere from $25,500 or so to about $26,500

[MSpeed]

LOL, well someone paid attention in math class :D
nicely done

[odp]

Originally posted by sleeper_
The US MSRP prices being: $18,540 for mp3, $20,500 for ms-p (both include freight)

so prices w/o freight are:
$18,020 for mp3
$19,980 for ms-p

Canadian MSRP for the mp3 w/o freight is:
$23,795

do some algebra:
19,980/18,020 = x/23,795

and you solve for x to get:
x = $26,383

so my guess is that the price will be somewhere from $25,500 or so to about $26,500

I'm in the exact same boat. Spec V or Mazdaspeed?

Here's what I came up with.

MSP MSRP hopefully will be $25,500-$26,500. Spec V (has to be a Spec V because of the LSD (helical) and has to have the $2,500 options package to really compare with the MSP - ABS is nice) would be $24,500.

Then I throw on the $750 discount from Mazda's Graduate program. Sure I pay tax on the $750, so it's more like $650 savings. That'll hopefully bring the MSP down to $24,850-$25,850.

From there, here's how I rated the cars:
Styling/colours - both are about the same in my eyes - no points here
Performance - MSP is faster, awesome 0-60 time for the price, 6th gear is kinda cool, but fairly useless
Handling - MSP, I was pretty impressed when I test drove the Spec V but as long as the MSP isn't too far off the MP3, it should still be better
Stereo - MP3/CD vs CD. I can live with getting used to the small buttons vs. not having MP3 playability at all. MSP again.
Fuel efficiency - unknown - 2.0 Turbo vs. 2.5 NA. Anybody have any thoughts?

So I'm going with the MSP, depending on MSRP.

[MSpeed]

im with you odp but i would rather opt for the base ser spec v. ill just put an aftermarket crazy stereo in later and i can definately live without a sunroof or the spoiler which doesnt really appeal to me. i would get the ABS though... winters and all :D

all in all im expecting to spend $22,000 CDN flat for a 03 before taxes and crap. i still want the MSP but not if its up in the $27,000 :eek: range. just hope that it wont be. either way im good cause the 03 doesnt come out for another month and thats about the same time that the MSP should be here so ill have one or the other either way :)

[odp]

Sorry to talk about the Spec V here . . .

I remember hearing a rumour about them bringing the ABS option to Canada for the Spec V, but still unsure. A couple @ freshalloy.com have driven '03 Spec V's and they say they're quite different.

[MSpeed]

yea thats what i heard. the tranny is completely different and the motor is alot smoother and has been slightly redesigned, guess ill have to try one out :D

[Lath]

Plus Mazda is better than Nissan because Nissan bullies people. (nissan.com and those farmers) :)

[zbillster]

I used to own a 92 SE-R (and still would if not for a certain uninsured driver that rear-ended me) and loved it, but the current generation is not the same in the handling dept. Can you say "solid rear axle"? (Nissan's "multilink beam" is designed to save money, increase interior room and understeer for the lawyers, NOT to drive around cones). Aesthetically, the SE-R is butt-ugly, especially the droopy hamster butt (the Jap-spec Sentras look better). I would be the first to rush out and get a new 94 SE-R if they still sold one, but the current Sentras are a cost-cutting compromise. I think SCC noted that when the Nissan HP hype cleared and they did finally test a SE-R Spec V, the 2000 Sentra SE (with the original SE-R SR20DE motor) was faster!

The current Proteges have a much better designed chassis and suspension, and much better looking. You do get a price cut and more bells and whistles with the SE-R though.

[regress]

Hey all. I'm new to these boards and I've actually been thinking about this question too. I've been eyeing the Spec V for a couple of months and then the MSP comes up. Anyway, I know that the V is very limited in aftermarket products as of this point. So my question is, how does that scene look for the MSP? I'm such a n00b at this stuff it's not even funny so if the answer is common knowledge here, my apologies:o :) -reg

[LinuxRacr]

Well just about whatever is available for the Pro 5, and the MP3 is available for the MSP. A year ago, the aftermarket was pretty non-existant. But now the aftermarket tuners are comming out of the woodwork for our cars. Just look at the amount of Turbo Kits available for our cars, and the bodykits, and the other ods and ends. The aftermarket for the MSP looks VERY promising indeed! Go here for more details: Aftermarket FAQ (http://www.mazdamp3.com/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6416)

[Specvranger]

Hello everyone, i've been lurking for awhile.
I will state my opinion on this matter but first some background.
I was very happy with my 90 miata until some landscaping chump
totaled it. I am not here to flame either, the wife has a protege.
Anyway, I test drove my Spec V and i enjoyed it. Now the after market for the car is picking up. There is a turbo kit in development for the car and a supercharger also. I've just ordered some ground controls coilovers. Tein makes coilovers for the car also. I've already got 17x7.5 Volk TE 37's on the car.
Stock wheels on the Spec are heavy (24 lbs). So the aftermarket for the car is looking bright. As for a 2000 SE wasting my car,not happening,unless it has a SR20det under the hood which is rare ,only about 3 B15 sentras that I know of in existance have that engine . If the car is such a pos with SCC ,why did it make their 8 great rides list?
As for some people having problems with the cars, you don't hammer on a brand new car before breaking it in and expect it
to be problem free. I've got 26,285 miles on my car trouble free.
As for not driving around cones, why is the Spec V in the same class as the WRX in autocross?


If you want an objective opinion about the Spec V, how in the world are you going to get that on a PROTEGE SITE?

Dude already put his money on the MSP,stop trying to stir up a shiznit storm and pick up the MSP,hell you've got money on it.

My next car is 350Z.

Peace

[crayz_d]

All right guys. I was in this same debate, and I have decided. NO SPEC-V, IT SUCKS. I went down to the nissan dealer near my office and took one for a drive. It was completely WEAK! I am driving a 92 Prelude while I wait for my MSP and it only has 160hp. I guarantee that my Prelude would stomp that Spec-V and that the MSP will stomp both of those cars. The steering feels way to tight and the dash board is cheesy, the radio is all built into the dash and the red on black dials are pretty annoying. All I'm saying is the Spec-V has no get up an go even if it has 175hp it just felt weak. I got up on it and it felt like I was crawling. DON'T GET THE SPEC-V, MAZDASPEED RULES!

[Daemos]

Originally posted by regress
Hey all. I'm new to these boards and I've actually been thinking about this question too. I've been eyeing the Spec V for a couple of months and then the MSP comes up. Anyway, I know that the V is very limited in aftermarket products as of this point. So my question is, how does that scene look for the MSP? I'm such a n00b at this stuff it's not even funny so if the answer is common knowledge here, my apologies:o :) -reg

I don't know about you...but the Spec v isn't limited anymore...there is a guy in monteral with a Turbo spec V...my friend is working on his own custom Supercharger kit...Travis has 2 Turbo kits in the works.

Lets see...Cams are on the way,easiest mod ground the knock sensor, will only cost you an hour of time, and improve performance...cheapest (payable mod) is the Balance shaft removale 85 bucks from JWT, and increases by 10 whp across the board.

Then we have catbacks, headers, intakes. coilovers springs

We got breaks, flywheels.

The onlything I can think of that we don't have that we NEED is..ECU, Valve Springs, and Pullies.

oh yea...the Spec V is no where near slow...Crazy_D it'll be the same league as the MSP for speed...for handling I'll give the MSP the bow.

[crayz_d]

It handles ok, but compared to my 160HP Prelude (with a 5 speed and a curb weight of 2866). The Spec-V may have more top end but there is nothing in the low end of that car. I know I just drove it 2 hours ago. But you are right there are more aftermarket parts for the Nissan than there will be for the MSP.

[NC_MSP]

I say screw both the cars.....msp and spec V.....i'm gettin the neon SRT 4......so humph.........

[sleeper_]

Originally posted by crayz_d
The Spec-V may have more top end but there is nothing in the low end of that car. :bs:

um excuse me? lol. hondas are known for their high end power and no low end. the spec-v on the otherhand.. is known for low end power, not high end.

please, get your info correct.

[slug420]

Originally posted by NC_MSP
I say screw both the cars.....msp and spec V.....i'm gettin the neon SRT 4......so humph.........

( hi. )

:)

[dimic]

Originally posted by crayz_d
It handles ok, but compared to my 160HP Prelude (with a 5 speed and a curb weight of 2866). The Spec-V may have more top end but there is nothing in the low end of that car. I know I just drove it 2 hours ago. But you are right there are more aftermarket parts for the Nissan than there will be for the MSP.

Spec-V has gobbles of torque. I drove it few days ago, just 30 min after RSX-S.

I prefered RSX-S power delivery, but Spec-V definitely was way stronger down-low.

I will not take Spec-V because of steering that was very imprecise, and design that is to me very ugly, but credit has to be given when due: Spec-V isn't slow. You probably got confused due to different power delivery.

[JasonH]

Originally posted by dimic
Spec-V has gobbles of torque.
Happy Thanksgiving to you too!