2003 Spec-V or 2003 Mazdaspeed protege? opinions!!
 

need opinions

with price increase on spec-v expected in canada (b/c of side airbags and year to year increase and possibly higher interest rates) the price is becoming closer to the price of a mazdaspeed protege: http://www.protegetech.com/mazdaspeedprotege.htm

i'll setup a comparison chart here of what i think:

mazdaspeed protege/spec-v (with sports package--loaded w/o 6 cd changer)

0/1 --> engine
1/0 --> turbo
?/? --> differential
0/1 --> transmission
1/0 --> exhaust
1/0 --> suspensio
0/0 --> brakes
1/0 --> wheels
1/0 --> tires
1/0 --> looks/style
1/0 --> audio

-engine: turbocharged 170hp/160lb ft 2.0L (iron block + alloy cylinder head) vs 175hp/180lb ft 2.5 L (alloy with CVVT)

-turbo: turbo = great gains from mods

-differential: Tochigi Fuji Sangyo KK Super Limited-Slip Differential vs HLSD

-transmission: not sure about shifting feel for the two, but spec has a 6 speed and only 5 for the mazdaspeed. (probably + for spec)

-exhaust: racing beat muffler vs oem look high flow muffler

-suspension: mazdaspeed wins hands down, handling characteristics are superb

-brakes: both abs and 4 wheel disc, so the same

-wheels: both 5 spoke design, but racing hart for mazdaspeed (looks better imo)

-tires: according to tire rack, the potenza RE040's have a higher rating vs contisports (albeit not that much higher)

-looks/style: mazdaspeed has this one b/c of the rear on the spec-v

-audio: mazdaspeed wins b/c of better aftermarket stereo WITH mp3/id3 capability (450W = 250W headunit + 250W amplifier)

-other comments/notes:
-heavy-duty driveshafts and clutch for mazdaspeed (but might be necessitated by the much higher power over other normal protegés so not touted as a feature for spec)
-sparco aluminum pedals and shifter (shortened) for mazdaspeed
-manufactured in japan vs mexico for spec.
-mazda seems to have lower interest rates vs nissan
-planning to lease means residual after same period of time will be higher for mazdaspeed vs spec resulting in close monthly payments

-SO, what would you guys do? comments? please! thanks!

note, where i live, the MS IS available still and will be no more than the msrp

what the hell are you waiting on?!?!?!?! Get the Mazdaspeed Protege! Thats all that needs to be said!!!!

Yeah. You can always roll it over at a small profit if you don't like it. Besides everyone will have a Spec-V. Not too many people will be lucky enough to get a Mazdaspeed.

hehe, alright alright. BUT i would like more analysis on thsi comparison.. anything you guys have to add? different views? etc.. dif pros? dif cons?

The Spec-V's 6-speed isn't that much of an advantage. The first three gears are really short (1st - 25, 2nd - 48, 3rd - 70-ish), to be almost useless. 6th is nice and tall, which allows relaxed cruising. I doubt the Mazdaspeed Protege will be geared any taller than the standard Protege, other than by taller tires.

If you're tall, and want to carry someone behind you in a SE-R, forget it. The front seats almost touch the back seats.

Oh, and the HP and Torque ratings for the Protege are probably conservative.

It sounds like everyone else has it right. The Mazdaspeed is the way to go. You've even shown yourself with your chart that the MS has a lot more winning points. And add to the chart that the trans in the Nissan sucks. Yeah it's a 6spd but it feels sloppy and sluggish. And the tires on the Nissan suck too. Those are the same tires that the WRX comes with, and from what I've heard from WRX drivers, there's been A LOT of complaints on them.

Ahh ok. My bad on the tires. As for the tranny, I test drove a spec-v when I was looking at my P5 and the trans on the the spec-v just felt really loose, plasticy, and sloppy. Although I suppose a short shift kit could probably help cure that. I'm unsure as to durability issues of the trans on both cars, but Nissan has had a reputation of building some pretty tough cars.

Well i love my classic b13 se-r, but these new spec-vs are quite sloppy imo..... a tough car though, you know you cant go wrong with a nissan engine! but i think the mazdaspeed is waaaaaaaaaay more worth the money. plus the fact is, the spec v has some decent power, but doesnt put crap to the ground. ive hear 150whp on a good day... it varys because of the GD knock sensor on the engine, this retards the timing and makes the car run lean at times also... pretty much dropping the power to nothing on random. stupid nissan.... oh well

go mazdaspeed, you'll stick out better, and be very diffrent.........

Even if it was a 25 hp loss that is completely comparable to the 3rd gen protege. Look at the dynos of our cars, all around 100 whp. That's a 30 hp loss on a lot less output.

I would also agree the 6 speed sucks. My roomate has one and I personally have had the cables bind twice, in normal driving conditions. But it does hella pull and I think would best the turbo if they have close hp numbers. I think the braking would be superior on an ABS equipped spec v but my buddies is non-abs so I can't comment. Beware of the purty seats in the spec v, Al has had his for 6 months now and the fabric is falling apart on the driver seat already. Christ.

Personally, after owning a protege and having my best friend driving a spec v, I would go back and save up for the MS. Now I will just have to save up for a BEGI or other turbo....if only I had the LSD.....

There is no comparison... Mazdaspeed all the way. I think it will smoke the WRX. And yes, I think the 170 HP that Mazda reports is very conservative.

ill be honest, my brother is getting a 2003 spec - v, i wouldn't mind getting one aswell, but there are major changes happening, the tranny will be fixed and the interior will be black and grey.

Both are very interesting, but short gears on the Spec V give it a slight advantage when it comes to tranny. Of course, the best way to tell is to drive them both.

Msiqbal, I agree that Mazda may be conservative with their numbers on the MS, but unless they're understatinc those numbers by about 60hp there's no way a MS is going to smoke a WRX, not to mention we're still only talking FWD on the MS.

Arl420,
My only hope is that the LSD from the MS will be available for our Gen. 3's.

sleeperguy, weight is an important factor too. And about the wrx and weight-that car is mad heavy. Yes it is nice to have 226hp and AWD, but the Lancer Evo7 smoked it. Albeit the lancer had 247hp.

I think raising the boost alittle and tuning the MS protege you can take a wrx, or at least make it a very interesting race.

Also-the MS protege will be limited edition to-only 1500. 250 orange and 1250 black. As much as I love a black night rider, that orange would be sweet as hell w/ a 13 peice body kit.