Took a Mazdaspeed for a spin
July-11th-2003, 01:18 PM
#1
Protegé Master
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Montreal, Canada
Posts: 194
Took a Mazdaspeed for a spin
My local dealer (Mazda 2-20) has had a Spicy Orange Mazdaspeed showcasing on a ramp for about 2 months now (1 of 250 Canadian models). On Wednesday evening I decided to check it out and see how much I could get the car for and trade-in my ES for. Considering the car has been sitting there for 2 months and the new Speeds are coming out, I thought I'd get a good deal. Anyways, the best price they could do for the Speed was $27,500 (freight, PDI, tire tax, AC tax included) and after checking out my car, which is in excellent condition, they offered me $14,500 for it. Its only 16 months old, and has 31,000 kms on it so I told them to 
The best part of the whole thing was the test drive. The car is incredible. I love the way the turbo screams and the growl of the exhaust is so sweet. The car handles turns so well and was begging me to push it a little harder on the twisties. Then I got into my ES-GT and it felt soooo slow in comparison.
The best part of the whole thing was the test drive. The car is incredible. I love the way the turbo screams and the growl of the exhaust is so sweet. The car handles turns so well and was begging me to push it a little harder on the twisties. Then I got into my ES-GT and it felt soooo slow in comparison.
July-11th-2003, 01:30 PM
#2
Protege Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Aurora,Ill
Posts: 14
I drove one at the Mazda Rev It Up Challenge and I was not that impressed with it. Of course it was major wooped. The tires were so bald they were almost shiny. It seemed to have bad torque steer (again possible tires) and the ride was very harsh. I have 2" drop springs on my Pro5 and I think the ride is better in my car. The clutch was extremely heavy by comparison to the Pro5. All in all - I'll keep my $4k and my Pro5.
July-11th-2003, 08:35 PM
#4
I Bent My Wookie
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 358
Yeah I test drove one also, just for fun. I was blown away by it. Remember that I have the weak low 100 hp engine. It was odd to go so fast in a Protege.
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Last edited by Proto2k; August-26th-2011 at 08:11 PM.
July-12th-2003, 02:13 AM
#6
Protege Progasm
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MD
Posts: 2,456
I test drove it twice. Wasn't impressed the first time and sure wasn't damn well impressed the second time.
I only tested it a second time cause I figured I'll start to like it or maybe it was a bad first day.
I only tested it a second time cause I figured I'll start to like it or maybe it was a bad first day.
July-14th-2003, 01:33 AM
#12
Protege Progasm
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MD
Posts: 2,456
Originally posted by toucci
are you sure it was torque steer? they dont have much power
are you sure it was torque steer? they dont have much power
July-14th-2003, 02:16 AM
#13
formerly chastan
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: California, USA
Posts: 2,350
Originally posted by redrims
The MSP has quite a bit of torque steer when you just learning it. It bad when I first drive off the lot on the first test drive.
The MSP has quite a bit of torque steer when you just learning it. It bad when I first drive off the lot on the first test drive.
kenchan: humm... my pro5 has bad torque steer. one of the major
things i dont like about mazda.
things i dont like about mazda.
Anyways.... I don't understand you straight line (SRT-4) people, here I am, with 103hp, and I still have lots of fun on the track. Look at my sig. True it is so sad to get passed all the time though
July-14th-2003, 02:06 PM
#14
Protege Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colorado
Posts: 42
I own a Black MS Pro, I think it drives great, I like the stiff ride, the handling on the car is out of this world, and it is pretty quick too, there are a few things that could be done to the MS to make the HP go up, but I think overall, the car could be good for AutoX or drag racing. Plus it has all the bells and whistles included in it.
Matt
Matt
July-14th-2003, 04:28 PM
#15
Protege Progasm
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MD
Posts: 2,456
Originally posted by PseudoRealityX
Then the protege isn't a good choice for you and that's just fine. But you have real reasons. Someone looking at a car KNOWN for its supreme handling, and decent power (for a FWD) should know what they're getting into.
It's like complaining that a vette doesn't have enough trunk space. This is something you know going into look at vettes...or at least should be.
It's just a given FACT that powerful FWD cars will torque steer, and that cars that handle VERY WELL will have a fairly rough ride. That's just physics...
Then the protege isn't a good choice for you and that's just fine. But you have real reasons. Someone looking at a car KNOWN for its supreme handling, and decent power (for a FWD) should know what they're getting into.
It's like complaining that a vette doesn't have enough trunk space. This is something you know going into look at vettes...or at least should be.
It's just a given FACT that powerful FWD cars will torque steer, and that cars that handle VERY WELL will have a fairly rough ride. That's just physics...