Hey all. I owned an S2000 but it was totalled last week and I am looking for a slightly cheaper car and I have seriously been considering the MazdaSpeed Protege. I was curious about a couple things:
* What problems I should be aware of or look out for?
* How easily is the car moddable?
* What mods would you recommend right away if any?
* What is the potential of this car without upgrading turbo?
* What is the potential with upgrading turbo?
* How reliable is the car once modded?

Sorry for all the questions, I just usually take about 1-2 months to research a car before I purchase it. Unfortunately, this time I have to make a decision rather quickly. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

honestly, find a MP3 or a P5...you can mod those to be MSP killers with the same amount of $$ you'll dump into a MSP...just my opinion.

but to answer your questions.
1. make sure the ecu has been flashed (dealership should do this before you buy it).
2. you can make them pretty damn fast...cams, exhaust upgrades, intake, pulleys, etc.
3. front mount intercooler...the stock one is a POS.
4. i dunno
5. hiboost.com 260whp @ 14psi (on a p5...same engine)
6. as reliable as you make it. it's like any modded car...just take care of it and you should be ok.

hope that helps!

 

You'll find all you need to know over at: www.msprotege.com

 

b4 any other mods, get a short shifter. the throw on this car is WAY TOO LONG especially if u just drove the S2k.

 

problems include issues with ECU without the flash, but it is free from mazda...other issues would be coolant leaking from the turbo...easily fixed tho by the dealer for free too...car has lots of mods available from interior to exterior to engine to tranny...dont mess with the suspension(imo mazda has practically acheived perfection),unless you want a lowrider ...first mods would be intake,turbo-back 3",and a bigger intercooler...this will automatically have you boosting 8-9 lbs from just freeing the flow up...car has plenty of potential without a turbo upgrade...aT25 should easily boost 14-15lbs before its just blowing hot air, which is more than this engine is capable of without upgrading the headgasket,rods,and pistons,and building the engine would be better than a turbo upgrade..it's plenty reliable as is, but if you start incresing boost without buillding this engine your are just asking to break a rod...here is the deal tho, its not a drag car,its a track car...its been called the best FWD car to driver interface available today...nuff said

 

What's this ECU flash all about? Why does it need to be done?

 

If you have a MSP just take it to the dlr...they will do it for you...it reprograms the fuel maps and ignition timing..some of the MSP's had issues with the engine stumbling

 

First thing i'd suggest is a test drive. You have to know if you can live with the slower car.
I'm still trying to get used to it. Everytime i'm going straight and i need speed, i miss my old talon. Suspension wise you can't do any worse than the MSP. It is amazingly drivable at high speeds, except when she breaks loose, i've never slid so many times in a FWD. I've had my MSP since November, and have been to the Service Dept. 5 times. Oh and i just hit 3400 miles.

Things i've had to get done. All done under warranty work.

Replace 2 Alarm modules
Replace 1 Radiator
Program ECU (flash)
Program ECU (erratic idle)
Replace Rear suspension bushings

1 windshield which i had to pay for. Damn crappy mazda glass. Went elsewhere for this though. ($300)
Most of these things will have to be done. But it depends on where you live. the wind shield won't crack unless you live in cold weather. It cracks because of chassis flex due to how tight the suspension is (happens while going up steep inclines), the glass mazda uses is crap. Replace it with U.S. made glass.

It gets annoying everytime you walk in for service first question they ask is Have you done anything to it? ( modified)

These are all things you might get done, most people don't even notice car drivability things i do and feel that the car is fine.

Now that i'm done scaring you, let me get to the good of the car.

The MSP is gorgeous.
Beautiful rims, a bit too over the top spoiler, and a beauty all around. Every where you go you'll get compliments.
It has the one of the best suspensions on a factory vehicle.
Limted Slip Differential.
4 door practicality.

It has a lot of potential. But it depends how fast you want to go and how much money you have.

The MSP uses the stock block from the non turbo proteges, so its running on only 6 lbs. of boost. Due to limitations inside the block and the pistons the most boost you can run is about 9 to 10 lbs.
The MSP uses dinky 280cc injectors, so you would need bigger injectors.
The intercooler is crap. It is too small for its own good.
The exhause diameter is good ~ 2.5 inches, but the catalytics really hamper it. So a full exhaust system is necessary.
Intake is ok, i feel its fine but an open cone filter would require a heat shield, because the radiator fan directs air to the intake. hot air is bad. I don't like CAI cause i drive through flood areas. But if you don't then thats perfect.
The turbo is good for applications up to 250 whp. Its a ballbearing water cooled gt25. which means quick spool but nothing top end. If you go to a bigger turbo then that is eliminated but you don't want to psh the stock block much more that its at now.
With these basic mods, intake, intercooler, injectors, exhaust, and about 10 lbs. of boost, you should make about 210whp, which is good for about mid-high 13's on the track.
Hope this helps. Feel free to correct me if anyone disagrees.

 

man I think you should go for Mazda Speed those thing have the best suspenshion and very good sound system too also they stoped making them in 03 wore last models so you will not fiend them eneymore so get it when you steal have cash

 

This might just be rumor, but I heard that the stock Racing Hart wheels are nearly 30 lbs each, without tires. If that's true lighter wheels would sure help.

 

Little off the topic here, but--I have to say--the 2003.5 msp looks absolutely gorgeous! I think the front end sans the giant rally-style fog lamps is much classier and helps to differentiate the car from standard power protege's. I've always felt that the rally-style front clip was smart on the wagon, but silly looking on the sedan. IMO.

 

Dude, I have owned an 03 Mazdaspeed since April of 03 and all around I love it. It handles like a dream. That other guy is full of it. According to the Sport Compact Magazine the Mazdaspeed is the best handling car they ever tested!!
Mods are a problem regarding boost. I have a manual boost controller and found out that you cant boost past 10 psi. The whole car acts like its having seizures. I have found an after market company who has a product to help that joepmbc.com, but Im waiting for response on the product to see if it actually works. I also have cold air intake, custome exhaust, H&R springs. I suggest leaving the original after markets on. Those are good enough, made my Racing Beat. The H&R's did improve the handling slightly but it makes for a very jarring ride. My girl will not ride in my car because of it. Ohh, and theres a slight chance of getting hemroids from the rough ride too. Right now you can get a brand spanking new Mazdaspeed from Mazda for as low as $17,000. Saw that at a dealer in Florida. It's totally worth the money.