What are your thoughts on Mazdaspeed and the Mazdaspeed Protege in general. We're looking for a car around $19k to replace my GS-R. We want something with 4-doors, and it seems like the WRX is gonna be just a bit too expensive.

Here's the other trick of the whole thing. I owe like $16k on my GS-R, so we're gonna be a bit upside down on the next car - which is why we need a new car.

Side note: There's no way I could convince my wife (or myself, for that matter) to get a Neon - even though it is quite badass.

 

Supercharged, yet only produces 170 hp...errrr . They could've done better. But none the less I dig the looks. I snaped a shot of one at the car show today.

 

www.mazdausa.com

Check it out there. Note: the car is turbocharged BTW.

 

Yeah.. I've read the whole site today, pretty much.

It's is turbo charged, and while the power may be a bit low at 170 horsepower, 160 ft-lbs of torque are available from 3500 rpm's on. Every review I've read has said the car handles like a dream, and should replace the ITR as king of handling/fun to drive (or something like that).

Also, the turbo is only pushing like 8.5 psi, so I'm sure there's room to grow.

 

Wait for the 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege. It will be offered in different colors with a different looking "body kit".

 

Almost forgot. You may want to also check out the new Mazda 6. Comes with a 220hp V6 AND a 5-speed manual transmission.

 

That's gonna be more in the Accord price range, and prolly won't handle that great until the Mazdaspeed version of it.

 

How many times is this goin to be said buy me TypeR ownz MP3's the mp3 only beat the TypeR's in like 2 test the R's have same handeling with the power from the factory to back it up !