Mazaspeed, MP3, or 2003 ES?
 

I like the setup, body styling and such with the MSP but would rather go with a supercharger as aposed to a turbo. What do you ppl think? Would it be better to get the MSP and replace the turbo with a sc, or get an MP3 and bolt on the supercharger. OORRRRRRR, should I get a stock ES w/ 2.0L engine and find the suspension upgrades, body mods, and sc myself? Just curious what you think. :confused:

If you are going to replace the MSP turbo, I think that's the least wise choice of the three.
If you can find an MP3, you've already got a great suspension setup, and you can add the FI.
Of course, your color selection is limited to two, if you care. And it would probably be the most difficult to find. Plus, they are already 4 model years old.
With the ES, you'd pretty much start from scratch (like I did), but you can add anything you want when you've got the money.
Matty's SC is looking pretty damn hawt right now.
What are you driving now, anyway?

Now I've got a hunter green 2000 ES. I LOVE the Mazda blue though. I figured the best bet would be to get the MP3 and do the rest of the upgrades myself. I just didn't/don't know what differences there are between the 3 different models.

The smart thing to do would be to get the MP3 and work from there, like everyone else has said. Personally, I like my Sport-20 kit on my 2000 Pro ES, and the kit will only fit on a '99-'00. For engine upgrades, the 1.8L found in the '99-'00 ES models, is the best "Out-of-the-box" engine for upgrades, especially to a turbo, it'll also out-pull a 01-03 stock 2.0L any day of the week. I'm a big fan of White cars, but I kinda wish my car were the Midnight Mica Blue, just cause it looks so sick. Persoanlly, I'd say to start FROM SCRATCH and make the car into what YOU want it to be, not what Racing Beat wanted, not what Mazdaspeed wanted, what YOU wanted. I think that the '99-'00 protege is an amazing base to start with, especially from a styling and performance point of view. If you do go for a 01-03 pro, look at Roddimus Prime's Postert kit, that's pretty sick too. Anyway, there's my $1.50 ($0.02 adjusted for inflation).

There's currently an MP3 on eBay going at $8900 right now, blue one.

If the 1.8L engine out pulls the 2.0, why did Mazda switch? I really like the car I have now and I've been looking at suspension upgrades (there are plenty). The thought of putting a supercharger on really interested me though and I haven't heard anything on these pages about one for the 1.8L. If it's out there maybe I'll hold on to the one I have and get it painted. Oh yeah, one more thing, my car's also an automatic, which really blows. But alas, my wife must drive the car too. :tear:

I've got some ideas for rims, tires, springs, strut brace and exhaust, just looking for some opinions on which car I should start with. Thanks for the replies and keep em coming. :bt:

I'll be selling my supercharged P5 once I'm finished with it. I'm going to take it to a few shows and see if Ican get it in a few magazines and then sell it and do the Mazda3S next.

If you're interested in it you could shoot me an offer.

2003 Laser Blue P5
5-spd apx 20K miles
black leather, sunroof, side air bags, obx header, ms muffler, supercharger, haltech f10X, ms short shifter, custom front motor mount, mp3 springs, 16" polished rims or 17" mp3 rims (curbed), etc...

Thanx but no thanx Matty. I really like the setup you've got but the P5 just doesn't do anything for me. The sedan has a more alluring look to it. Plus, I love that 3 point wing on the MP3/MSP.

no problem man, to each their own. It would just have everything on it you were looking for. I thought it would help some. Plus it's always cool to own the "first".

p.s. that msp spoiler is one of the best to ever come on a factory car

You're selling the P5? After all the work you've put into it? What are you going to get instead? Wow, I am kinda in shock....

makes me wonder how much he's going to sell it for.

this will be the last threadjacking post here...dont want to de-rail this guys thread..

The p5 is getting the Postert body kit, postert 17"X7.5" "turbo" wheels, womp supercharger, msp tranny and axles (hopefully), powdercoated engine bay, msp suspension, in-dash monitor by p-garage, carputer to tune the haltech on the in-dash touchscreen and a stock msp subrack with JL 8w3v2 sub.

We'll have to see how popular the car is at shows and what not before I determine a price but I'd say $15's would be fair.

I believe there were 4 colors, there was Yellow, Black, Blue, and this ugly ass Orange. If i had to guess which one might not be it would be the orange but i know for sure there was black, yellow, and blue.

there was also silver.

I was talking about the MP3--only blue and yellow, right????