The turbo neon 0-60 5.9 $19995
The sentra se-r 0-60 ~7.5 $19500
The Civic SI 0-60 7.5 $19440
the Mazdaspeed 0-60 ~7(albeit an amazing stereo to boot) $22k
I know 0-60 isn't all that matters, but its how cars get marketed.
And the success of Mazdaspeed isn't going to be about whether or not Mazda can build a good performing car. We already know they can do that. Its going to be about MARKETING.
The car will be $20k and they will lose money again, otherwise people won't buy it.
At 22, you have to make it compete in the next class up...
the rsx( also 22500) and the wrx (can now be had for 22500
http://www.imba.com/tcc/subaru.html ).
And they will not win in that class, no matter what Calloway says. Not because of performance, but b/c of the public's image of the protege. We don't think of the protege as a "classy" or "upscale" car so marketing it as a competitor to those cars is going to be a serious uphill battle.
I know already posted this in rumors, but that forum is dead now that the mazdaspeed pro is a reality.
What are your thoughts on this?