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Re: Mazda6 or Protege Speed?
Originally posted by PCGenious being able to upgrade to make it go faster. :) the Mazdaspeed Protege pretty much has reached a threshold of decreasing returns in performance potential for the Protege. You really won't get much more power out of that motor without some serious additional $$$. Because the Mazda6 V6 is a Duratec-block engine, I believe tuners for the Duratec engine is already working on ways to make more power out of this variation of the Duratec V6. and you'll see more gains from your performance mods on the V6, because there IS no replacement for displacement (for NA applications that is :p ) |
Sorry for all calling the MAZDASPEED PROTEGE by a different name. Also no my parents arent really giving my any money, but they are splitting insurance costs with me. :) I am getting a job that will allow me to pay for the car payments on either of the cars. Thanks for all your input guys...now hopefully I can have my new 6 by the end of summer.
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I would chose the MSP. It has been around longer, therefore most of the shakes and rattles have been removed. The 6 is a newer model. It has been combed over as well as the PRO but, to each their own. MSP.
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did i mention there are already aftermarket performance parts available for the Atenza/6 overseas in Japan and Europe?
3rd gen Proteges didn't get aftermarket support until the MP3 showed up in 2001... this headstart in aftermarket support for the 6 will only bode well for future performance parts for it :D |
Originally posted by ZoomZoomH the 6 will only bode well for future performance parts for it :D |
Mentioned just because you're near the same price-point & it's something very upgradeable, - the MINI Cooper S!
At the price-point you're considering, it'd be a personal loss for you not to consider it. Just go drive one, - then try & wipe the smile off your face within an hour! I DARE YOU! :D Financially: one of the best decisions possible. No car is a true "investment," via depreciation, but the MINI, well check out the ALG (Automotive Lease Guide) data for yourself, - it's ranked #1 in the small auto class. It's some 15% higher in residual value than the once-hard-to-find Acura MDX, which had unbelievable residuals. Also, manuals are a mere, 15-18% of the american car population, thus, when you go to trade it in or sell it yourself, you're looking at a small population of folks interested. The MINI S is only available in the famous german Getrag 6-speed & rarer still in availability (something never to be true of the Mazda family). This actually helps you retain value & sell it to S-hunting 2nd-hand MINI desirees when that time comes...if ever. Quality: MINI is now produced by BMW. The 2003 models are the second running, meaning they've worked-out 1st year bugs. 6-speed, super-charger with a GETRAG transmission, standard ASC+T traction control. Environmentally: Fuel economy would be about the same to the MazdaSpeed. Small yet useful: fold down the seats, open the hatchback & throw your 32" trinitron in! Safety: Forr-get about it,- Six Airbags STANDARD. ABS with Four wheel disc brakes STANDARD. Optional Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). ASC+T (Traction control & elec. brake force distribution) STANDARD. MINIs are built 50% stronger than the BMW 3 series in order to provide the safest small car possible. [Check that too, with both the IIHS & NHTSA]. enough.... I know this was to be betwixt the 2 Mazdas only. I personally would avoid the MazdaSpeed, as it's beginning seemed its' end. EBay auctions for them ran without bids or never meeting reserve. Meaning? -- They're not going to hold their value well, as the market never took to them. Much more importantly, its the Last of the Mazda-Mohicans isn't it? I thought the 2004MY was reining in the new "Mazda 3," which if true, will send your "old" body-style MazdaSpeed value down too fast. The MINI S I'm soon to pick-up is $25,100 with: 1) PREMIUM PKG.: Cruise control, Multi-function leather Sport steering wheel, Dual-pane panoramic sunroof, Automatic AC with carbon air filter, and an On-board computer that provides a detailed trip odometer and tracks your average speed, fuel consumption, the distance you can go on your remaining fuel, and outside temperature. 2) SPORT PKG.: Xenon headlights w/ power-washers, upgraded 17" rims & runflats, DSC (see above) & Fog lamps. 3) COLD WEATHER PKG.: Heated front seats, Heated side-view mirrors & Heated washer jets. + Harmon Kardon 6 CD-Changer GO over to the MINI community: seek -Make sure you see & drive it! No comparison/decision can be well made otherwise. How often does a new BMW auto company spring up?! ok. Good luck. Be happy with what you decide. PS. I'm here 'cause my first new car was a '00 Protege ES 5-speed, which we still really love and baby! The MCS (MINI Cooper S) starts actually becoming available at $21k with a few things the dealers add. Mods are available to boost its' supercharged engine from 163hp to just over 210. The "plain" MINI Cooper with 116hp starts at $16,700 I believe, - but don't quote me on that one. Giddy-up! MINI S: The most horse for the buck! (I wrote that)! -theBUK |
You forgot one of the important ones: Cargo space.
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You forgot one of the important ones: Cargo space. Pretty decent for an econobox born to rave through the curves IMHO. -theBUK |
Uh, the mini is a terrible car. Are you sure you really drove one?
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Originally posted by pluto316 Uh, the mini is a terrible car. Are you sure you really drove one? The Cooper S I rode in kicked ass. We were the lead car in front of a bunch of Subarus (WRXs etc), and even Mazdaspeed Proteges. Not to say that they couldn't have gone faster, but we were kicking ass. Reliability is another question though. I don't really trust anything built in England. :) |
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What the hell was with that dash board? Damn, nice tach a foot away from the rest of the gauge combo. My friend got in the drivers seat and was like "WHY DO MY KNEES HIT THE WHEEL?" and the sales lady was like "SPORTY HUH?". This is when he FELL out of the car was like "THIS THING IS A BIG PIECE OF SHIT!!" and walked out.
It's great when you have a rich friend and every salesman is willing to bend over backwards to help them. "COME BACK SIR!! TEST DRIVE IT!!" |
Originally posted by pluto316 What the hell was with that dash board? Damn, nice tach a foot away from the rest of the gauge combo. My friend got in the drivers seat and was like "WHY DO MY KNEES HIT THE WHEEL?" and the sales lady was like "SPORTY HUH?". This is when he FELL out of the car was like "THIS THING IS A BIG PIECE OF SHIT!!" and walked out. It's great when you have a rich friend and every salesman is willing to bend over backwards to help them. "COME BACK SIR!! TEST DRIVE IT!!" has your friend heard of seat adjustment? they put those in for a reason you know |
The Mini is a nice car but I think its kind of girly, that's an opinion. But the rear is really cramped, that's a fact.
And I don't get it, you post some pics and marketing of the Mini, and that's supposed to illustrate what? I can put a Cavalier in the same pic. |
Seat adjustment? Psssh, forget that noise. For that kind of price I expected more steel some place. What were they using that money for? Like, HERE'S THE CAR SIR, AND WITH THE MONEY LEFT OVER HERE'S THE EXTRA STEEL AND PLASTIC YOU COULD BUY.
The dash board was like an ECHO. It's really really small, not sports car small. Small like stupid small. It's a stupid car. |
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