Ok now I got a serious problem. I currently own a 626 which I am selling to a friend and want to start financing a new car. I've gone over it with a couple of my friends and I'm getting mixed answers Hopefully you can help out.

One of two scenarios:

1) I buy a 2003 Mazdaspeed Protoge in Black with a Wings West kit (http://www.wingswest.com/products_de...?page=1&id=558). Being that the car already has all the bells and whistles I could possibly want.. I barely have to modify anything except for maybe a larger intercooler and have some basic interior lights set up. Later as some cash flows in I'll buy a 3DCarbon Carbon Fiber Louver Set and I'm pretty much set.

2) I buy a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT in Silver with a Shark Racing kit (http://www.sharkracing.com/ex/hyunda...c2tuscani.html) and have to have the kit custom painted to match the car.. probably have to change that system in it (The stock really does look bad).. and change the rims to match the kit. Lights and etc would be added at the end.

Now the Mazdaspeed is hard to get ahold of so I'm guessing it should be around 20 at the cheapest but fills in all the gaps that I were to fill in in terms of modifying. The Tiburon on the other hand I can get for a good 18 but requires all this goddamn painting with the kit and the extras. In terms of power they're both clocked in at appx. 170 so overall speed isn't an issue - That can always be modified later I've been planning on getting the Mazdaspeed for a while now but when I saw that Shark Racing kit on the Tiburon I nearly **** myself - But then I looked back on the MSP and realized just how much aftermarket its got packed on STOCK

I really need some advice from some of you more "experienced" decision-makers out there. I'm kinda tired of listening to these ******** friends of mine so I need to know which would serve me better financially.. and which would serve me better overall. I really do appreciate any suggestions you guys can throw at me.

 

First of all this is a bad place to ask this question. You have many die hard mazda fans here (including myself) that will tell you to go for the MS Protege. However. I had a similar dillemma when buying my Pro. The tiburon is pretty nice. I drove it more than once and I could not (at the time) justify the difference in price, even though the tiburon is in a different league than the Pro ES. The Tiburon deffinately has a bigger aftermarket than the MS Pro, so if that is your thing than you may want to concider the Hyundai. An AEM CAI for the tiburon V6 will give you an additional 12 hp and the drivability with the V6 will be more rewarding. It has a nice interior and good sound system but so does the MS pro and an award winning suspension. You will also get 4 doors in the Pro which is more convenient and will keep your insurance costs down. All in all get the MS Pro, OR wait untill the end of next month and get a new Mazda 3. It has gotten rave reviews and a 160 (or 170 hp engine, depending on the publication you read.) And by the way, you shouldn't have to pay 20k for the pro, unless you are including the WW kit. Hope this helps.

 

Same here.
I was choosing between a 2003 Tiburon and a 2003 P5 when I was planning to buy a new car last year.

But I was choosing sort of a basic(1st) car, so I weight more on the cargo room side therefore chosen the P5. But the next car I am going to get will sure for pure fun driving and horsepower.

You first need to ask yourself a few questions.
Are you going to need your backseat alot for carrying extra passengers?
Are you going to need a lot of cargo room?

If you answer yes to the above questions and you still want performance then you better choose the Protege.

If not, you know what to choose.

 

How much can I expect to pay monthly with the MSP? Expecting I stretch it to the 72-month payments.. Their web site gives one number but any dealer can be haggled with.. Anyone financing and if so.. how much are you paying a month?

 

I have a P5.
Paid 6000 down.
42 months, playing about 290 dollars a month.

 

Dude, your kidding right??? Did you read the top left hand of the screen on your computer??? Dude, MSP! Smarten up!

 

Oh boy.. here come the fans.. okay I am more leaning towards the MSP hence me asking how much it will cost me.. my decision has already been made... I just want to know how it will affect my wallet.

 

Yayyyyyy! Did 'we' make an impression?

 

mazdaspeed for sure i wish i had the choice.

 

I have never driven a Mazdaspeed, but my gf has a Tiburon GT.. and WOW... never thought Hyundai would be as good as it was. Honestly, her car is unbelievable. The handling is not as good of course, but honestly... stock power is VERY decent... and she is planning to add turbos or a supercharger to it early next year... then that car will fly...

If you want just a nice little sports car, i would.. in my opinion.. go for the tiburon

but if you want an all around great car, get the speed.

 

I test drove a Tibby and loved it, for 17.500$ US I was getting a fully loaded V6 6speed Tiburon wich IMO is a sweet deal.

The MSP is very nice too so it's a hard choice, personally I'd take the Tiburon but that's just me.

 

The way I see it, Hyndai is a knock of off Honda. I dunno, that's just the way I see it. Hence, it's all Mazdaspeed for me man! But that's just my opinion.

 

Hyundai's are pieces of ****...That damn tiburon..suck dick..the value on that car more than plumits after you drive it off the parking lot..They are the worst to trade in b/c the value on those cars sucks! Also once you begin to mod your tiburon..forget about the 100k warrenty....lastly that 100k warranty is not transferrable..which means if you sell it at 50k miles..the person who purchases it will get no warrenty!

 

mazdaspeed all the way

 

Here in Toronto the Tiburon GT is like the #1 most stolen car, therefore insurance will be a pretty penny compared to the Mazda i bet.. compare it.

I was going to get an Integra origionally but settled on the MP5 because it was way cheaper on insurance and still had the peformance i wanted, mainly suspension and customization.