Went to the dealer...
 

...to check out a Mazdaspeed Protege. I really wasn't looking to trade my P5 in, but I thought "maybe I can swing a deal, it doesn't hurt to try".

Well after looking it over, the only thing I'd like to do is lower it a bit and change all that plastic plumbing on the Turbo and up the intercooler.

The dealership was really nice in their treatment of me and their honesty. Just as I thought, they would give me only $11.5K for my car, and I bought it last year for $18.5K + trade in, $16K or so.

I was hoping for something a bit better than that, but this would put me upside down as I had $14K left to owe.

IT IS NOT WORTH IT!

Now, that I see the reality of what my car is worth (even if I did private seller), I SAY SCREW IT!

Now I'm going to start modding the hell out of it like my previous cars. Thing is, it is not stick, it's sportshift, and I will only like to turbo it (though, any clue on who has successfully done this?).

Arrrgh with anger. I miss my Type-R. I don't miss thievery though and the practicality (or lack thereof) with my vehicle.

Thoughts!?!

- Brian

P.S. The RX-8 should be lowered for $28K!

Micah over at protege5.com is currently in the final stages of his Perfworks turbo creation for his sport-shift es. I believe he's looking at 200whp.

However, the thoughts of spending $3000 in modifications to only yield 200whp after you spent $18,000+ is tough to swallow.

Hmmm. Thanks for the info. The money is always important, but the "creation" is what counts. Hell, every car I have owned I have spent upwards of $10K in modifications. Last car was a Type-R, then GS-R, then Civic, and Eclipse GSX. All sweet cars when done right.

- Brian

well that's your call... not on my list to dumb thousands of dollars into a grocery hauler when I could have spent another $67.00 a month for a loaded 6.

Just do what makes you happy.