Which is better, Speed or MP3

[Giallou P5]

I learned how to drive stick about 3 months ago, and my friend called me up last nite and borrowed our fiiends Integra, its all hooked up and everything and its stick. I wanna know which is better cuz im planning on selling my 5 and getting one of those in stick.

Opinions please

And how much do each of those costs

Thanks in advance

[cbcbd]

Wow, that's a controversial question :D
Well, the MSP and the MP3 only come in stick anyway, so you don't really have a choice.

Do a search on prices, but I'd be guessing an MP3 would be around 11-12K, an MSP prob around 15K.

They are similar but the MSP has much more stuff that was added to the MP3 platform to make it better (lsd, bigger front rotors, bigger sway bars, turbo), so it's easily the "better" car. The only thing that is prob worse on the MSP is the reliability because of the added turbo.

[jersey_emt]

Small correction - MSP has no cruise control.

[jdm_mp5]

Get the MSP. Looks a lot sleeker and you've got a turbo!

[JCell]

I think the mp3 is cooler than the msp, the rims look so hot

[msubullyfan]

Small correction - MSP has no cruise control.
Yeah, and I guess the MP3 doesn't either, right?

No cruise control in ANY vehicle would be a killer for me. What kinda crack was Mazda smokin' when they made THAT decision?(stoned)

[Protege2K]

I don't know how much the MSP's are going for now, but I bought my MP3 with 35k miles on it about 3 months ago for $9200.

[cbcbd]

Small correction - MSP has no cruise control.Really? But... I... cruise... thought... MSP... :confused:

ok, I fixed that


Another addition to the MSP that is not offered on the MP3 is ABS (this I have right, right?)

[Black Majik MSP]

I LOVE my MSP, but I have a lot of respect for the MP3...I wanted to get one when they first came out. This one's on eBay & it's HOT!

[jeffmsp]

to me the mazdaspeed is a revised mp3. They made the mp3 first and then got flamed for only giving it 130hp, so they added a little orange spice, a turbo, some new toys and left out the Cruise since the car isnt designed to be a family country crosser anyways, its a autocross monster (thumb)

[Giallou P5]

YYea i seen that one on ebay, but the dude is in hawaii, and im all the way in NY. lol I have to speak to my dad, cuz i want stick so bad, it soo much fun to drive

[Newf]

i owned a mp3, now I own a msp, take a guess which one I like better. It's a no brainer. Turbo = better. And the rims on the 2003.5 msp are much higher quality then the mp3's.

[RyanJayG]

you cant argue with the VIVID YELLOW OWNAGE!!!!!

[pdhaudio83]

vivid yellow mp3s OWN JOO

[MPChi]

vivid yellow mp3s OWN JOO
Right on! :D

Yellow MP3 looks the hottest. While MSP is a better car with a few extra headaches, and probably slightly shorter life span because of the turbo. But turbo, LSD, stiffer suspension are all good stuff.

[Protege2K]

Stock MSP > Stock MP3.

Turbo MP3 > MSP. :)

[luckezero]

For the difference in cash, I'd always pick the MP3 over the MSP Protege. For $3 - $5k, there are a lot of things out there that are more worth the money, IMO. Motorcycles, paid off bills, inexpensive sports cars (like the 1991 MR2 I I recently sold). Between the extra torque steer, maintenance, and reliability issues, it's just not worth it to me. With the A/C turned off, I think the MP3 is still very fun to drive because it handles awesome and has just enough power to get me in trouble. Its engine revs so smoothly I love going through the gears and listening to the exhaust. It's also got decent power lower in the powerband, I rarely have to rev it past 4500rpms. And I get like 30mpg!! Turbos get less mpg too :( that and my insurance premiums are real reasonable... and tags less too b/c it's an older car.

Hey, if you decide to go with a MP3, I might agree to sell mine. It is Mazda ceritified with both bumper-to-bumper (10/05 or 62k miles) and powertrain warranties remaining (10/07 or 100k miles). There are no modifications and it currently has just under 34k miles. I'm in Texas, but could meet you halfway :)

[Giallou P5]

cool cool

[oliver2000]

cool coolWell a interesting topic.....we have both of these cars in our driveway....as for which one is better....better is relative....is pure speed is what you are after then the MSP is " better ".

The MP3 feels much more " refined " vs the msp....the steering is euro spec ( slightly tighter ratio's ) and overall the car rides better smoother, softer and much less jerky than the msp.

The mp3 did not come with ABS which was kinda a bummer, both cars " feature " the infamous clunk and scruntch in the front end.

If you want a overall nice balanced car and top speed is not super important, the mp3 is nice balanced, well equipped, sporty car that handles well.....my vote would be the MP3. The MP3 is much rarer these days as well and with the addition of a CAI it is by no means a slouch.

[snooky]

man the speed is the exact same body , only thing is, it hasa TURBO,man go with that!!!!!!!!!!! (wow)

[03BlkMicaSPD]

Black Mica MSP, Looks like the MP3, Goes faster, has nicer seat covers and the window trim is all painted black mica insted of that satin black sticker. Plus black always looks best when its clean.

[MP3skaterNC]

Black Mica MSP, Looks like the MP3, Goes faster, has nicer seat covers and the window trim is all painted black mica insted of that satin black sticker. Plus black always looks best when its clean.
Bah, MP3 window trim isn't a sticker.

OG status with the mp3 is good, and its alot rarer, and now cheaper.

[vodapas77]

If you end up getting an MP3 you're gonna end up wanting to turbo it. That can be an expensive undertaking. Probably more than if you just bought MSP. But, and this a big but, turbo'd MP3s and P5s will own all but a few of the MSPs on this board.

Not, to make your indecision any worse, but either way you aren't gonna lose. Both are great cars.

I say go out and test drive like crazy. Which ever you find in the best condition with the best price, or which ever you feel fits you the best. Go with that one.

[protegeV]

just keep the P5...THAT is the best car (lol2)

[muohio]

Get whichever one you can afford and not hurt the bank. If the MSP is within reason, go with it, otherwise take the MP3. It's not like you are deciding between a nice car and a Cavalier :)

[Miques]

you cant argue with the VIVID YELLOW OWNAGE!!!!! You can when you're rocking the Blazing Yellow, with gold flake!

[RyanJayG]

BAH!

.... HZ 4 L1f3 yo!

haha

[protegeV]

mofuggin(werd)

[mp3moose]

Remember the days when there was no MSP. Remember the hate the mp3 and p5 owners endured when the msper's flooded the board?? Hell, there was no evo, sti, r32, rx8,or srt4. There was only a wrx and the honda bunch. Theres a reason the mp3 was put up against ferraris. Best colors, more rare, better body kit, and there was zero aftermarket before the mp3 sprang up. Best overall car for the money evar!!!!!

[CChris704]

mp3s do look sleek but so do the msp's. Few extra bucks you get a turbo. I love my MSP and I love my pet turkey. But they're all right, whatever fits your wallet and your heart the best.

[cmantucansam]

msp all the way

[torque222]

i vote msp

[Jay]

the mp3 is an awsome car but boy would i like to put in a turbo. test drive both then decide which you like better. you can't go wrong with either.

[scott42]

oh- oh! buy mine!

[bscaggs06]

How much would it cost to put in a turbo on an MP3. Is a MP3 with a turbo really better than the MSP? It would be nice to not have the turbo i the begining but I think that I would want it later.....

[oliver2000]

Well a interesting topic.....we have both of these cars in our driveway....as for which one is better....better is relative....is pure speed is what you are after then the MSP is " better ".

The MP3 feels much more " refined " vs the msp....the steering is euro spec ( slightly tighter ratio's ) and overall the car rides better smoother, softer and much less jerky than the msp.

The mp3 did not come with ABS which was kinda a bummer, both cars " feature " the infamous clunk and scruntch in the front end.

If you want a overall nice balanced car and top speed is not super important, the mp3 is nice balanced, well equipped, sporty car that handles well.....my vote would be the MP3. The MP3 is much rarer these days as well and with the addition of a CAI it is by no means a slouch.
One other thing....the Steering wheel is nicer :-)

[apexlater]

MP3 -- no cruise, no abs. Mazda probably had to drop something for weight reasons because of the stereo and insulation and added weight of the body work and suspension. you can get 30mpg on regular octane and run 91 when you're feeling frisky. Insurance will be cheaper. I've heard arguments that the MP3 handles better than the MSP but that's a whole other debate. I had a WRX and the MP3 will out handle a stock WRX, and some modded, any day of the week and twice on sundays. I think the MP3 and the MSP have the same size swaybars if I'm not mistaken.

If you HAVE to get the MSP because it's faster than the MP3 I would say get a WRX instead. It's faster in a straight line and can be had for about $16k for an 02-03. It has AWD for the winters for you and the interior and build quality is far superior.

[bscaggs06]

Thanks apexlater. That is a good call on the insurance thing too i hadn't though about that. I just wish all the cool cars weren't rare, lol. It is hard to get some of them here in indianapolis. How much would it cost to put a turbo on a MP3? What would be the speed comparison be between the MSP and the MP3 with a turbo?

[b00sted]

get the msp bro...you wont regret it

[apexlater]

I'm saving $400 a year on insurance with my MP3 than when I had my WRX. I will also be SAVING $2000 a year on gas since I can run regular octane instead of premium and getting 30mpg instead of 22mpg (I know, it seems like alot but that's how the numbers came out...I also put on ~100 miles a day/22k a year). My MP3 if so much more streetable than the WRX too, mostly because of turbo lag and the tighter clutch...but I love my MP3, sure it's not as fast in a straight line, but G's is where it's at!

If you were to turbo the MP3, your insurance wouldn't change, and then you can get the "aftermarket parts" coverage in case something happens.

Either way I think that you are in a win win situation if you ask me. It's just a matter of figuring out what your priorities are and what you need out of your vehicle.

[LinuxRacr]

This is a loaded question.. I personally like the best of both worlds. Speed and Handling. If you want that, "git" the MSP.

[dan00k]

apexlater...u dont run super in ur mp3? i thought we had to but i didnt keep up much w/the threads on wether we had to or not in the mp3

[apexlater]

dan00k--not when I'm just commuting. The service manual says that you can run basically any grade, but to get the "maximum performance" you should run 91. So when I start auto-xing the MP3 I'll probably run 91 the week before and during the event and then go back to 87. I haven't noticed any pings or anything, and my butt dyno can't REALLY tell a difference between low and high grade, but I'm pretty sure the car runs 'stronger' with the good stuff.

The MP3 is the first 4-banger I've had that has had such an even power band. It was actually really weird for me, there is no "peaky"ness to it and it has decent low-end torque and just pulls all the way to redline and beyond.

Me likey.

[RyanJayG]

wait a minute, the owners manual isn't MP3 specific, and my gas door has this sticker: http://www.msprotege.com/members/RyanJayG/IMG_0268.jpg

also, I have heard pingin under heavy load while running 87. so I haven't done it since. although I have run 89 (without problems) when just doing some highway traveling.

do your car a favor, 87octane+advanced timing (up to +63 deg of advance iirc) = bad things

[shoelessdavis]

I always put 93 octane in my mp3. It says to use premium on the gas door and in the owners manual. My owners manual has some sticker that they put in it from the factory about premium. It does not cost that much more to get premium.

[apexlater]

from the owner's manual. pg 4-2

"*2.0-liter engine (Special Edition)
Your Mazda will perform best with premium unleaded fuel having an octane rating (antiknock index) of at least 91 [(R+M)/2 method].

You may use a regular unleaded gasoline witha rating from 87 to 90: this will slightly reduce performance."

The sticker on the filler door says "premium RECOMMENDED" not "ONLY"

On higher compression motors yes, you better use premium.

$.20/gallon difference may only be $3 per fill up, but in the long run it certainly adds up, especially since I fill up every 2-3 days. Like I said, I haven't had any problems with it, even under heavy load, ie:uphill in too high a gear.

[txmzdspd2gen]

im a sucker for mazdaspeed. Ilove mys speed and the quick spool of the turbo but if mazda came out with a speed thats not turbo then ill get that. Im more into reliability. wish they brought back the speed without turbo.

[Foolish]

Keep in mind the MSP will have higher insurance costs due to the turbo.

The MSP is still certainly the faster car, better depends on what you want to do with it.

[Auzzie_Mp3]

I like my zoom zoom mp3 still... although I wish it had come with a turbo, but I can still wish cant I :)

[Protege2K]

Keep in mind the MSP will have higher insurance costs due to the turbo.Yeah that was the issue before I bought my MP3. I wanted a MSP but I couldn't afford insurance. So the solution for me was to buy a MP3, and add a turbo kit. :)

[RenzoMSP]

Yeah that was the issue before I bought my MP3. I wanted a MSP but I couldn't afford insurance. So the solution for me was to buy a MP3, and add a turbo kit. :)Are the turbo kits they have for proteges emissions legal?

[Protege2K]

Are the turbo kits they have for proteges emissions legal?I couldn't tell you. It's not a concern here in TN. (yippy)

[RenzoMSP]

I couldn't tell you. It's not a concern here in TN. (yippy) Yeah there really picky here. Got to go every 2 years. If you dont pass you have a time period to make it legal. If not they revoke your lisence and plates.

[Protege2K]

Yeah there really picky here. Got to go every 2 years. If you dont pass you have a time period to make it legal. If not they revoke your lisence and plates.Wow that really sucks. Too many good ol' boys here in Tennessee with Mustangs and Camaros. They tried to pass an emissions law here about 3 months ago. It got shot down because nobody wanted to piss off 3/4 of the voting population.

[Auzzie_Mp3]

I couldn't tell you. It's not a concern here in TN. (yippy)
what turbo kit did you use and how much did it cost? do you like it?

[Protege2K]

Spool Stage 2...no longer available. $2000 shipped. Yes, once the problems were fixed.