Mazdaspeed protege/transmission durability
 

Now that the prices of these cars are down into my price range (used) I was thinking of getting one.
My question is, or I should say are the rumors true the transmission is a little fragile in these cars?
I plan minor modifacations intake,exaust,downpipe bigger intercooler and so on.
I don't plane on getting a bigger turbo or boosting the pee pee out of this car (no I really don't) I'm just looking for a little more umph.
But I've been told that the transmissions can't even hold up to stock power for long, my buddy (yes I know everyone has a "buddy") has one of the first one's that came out (it's that volcanic orange color) and he is one his third trans, but then again he also drives like a retard.

driving like a retard is his problem, not the tranny. Here's what I suggest for any MSP owner...IN THIS ORDER.

Turbo back exhaust...must replace factory S-pipe from the turbo back.

intercooler hardpipes

injen intake

ngk spark plugs one heat range colder

(then and only then) manual boost controller set to hold 10psi.

THATS IT...you can always add a nice FMIC but make sure to buy the BEGi unit as everyone's elses are horribly oversized.