CD Article: Mazdaspeed Protege, 2003

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Used Car Review:

A high performance version of the Mazda Protegé sedan, the 2003 Mazdaspeed Protegé features a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 170 horsepower, a specially tuned suspension, bigger brakes, a special interior and additional bodywork. Only 1,000 Mazdaspeed Protegés were sold in Canada that year, and used asking prices tend to be high.     More...

[Leviathan]

Ford Focus SVT was produced from 2002 to 2004; Nissan's had an SE-R version of its soon-to-be-replaced Sentra since 2002. Both are reasonably reliable, too.

Yeash. The SE-R? Reliable? 

[a4_tom]

Yeash. The SE-R? Reliable?

Its Mexican Nissan quality, you know!

[Bullet Blue]

There's a blue MP3 that always drives by my work each morning.

I would take this over an SE-R though.

[Benhaze]

Can't wait to see how/if Mazda will control torque steer with the next MSP3...

[Loudpedal]

It would have been nice for Mazda to have offered this powertrain in the Protege5.   A nice little car though, of which you don't see too many around. 

[Bullet Blue]

Hmm, no mention of the SRT-4 as a competitor Chris?

[stickshift]

Hmm, no mention of the SRT-4 as a competitor Chris?

Good point. It's been added. 

[quadzilla]

It would have been nice for Mazda to have offered this powertrain in the Protege5.   A nice little car though, of which you don't see too many around. 

I agree with that + a sixth gear for highway. 

I still like the looks of these and they are quite rare.

[tortoise]

It would have been nice for Mazda to have offered this powertrain in the Protege5.   A nice little car though, of which you don't see too many around. 

I agree.

At least mazda learned from its mistake and is making the Speed3 in hatch form.

EDIT: Quad, yup a sixth gear would have been great.  Expecially since the extra power could handle the taller gear.

[initial_D]

I love the the look of those cars! Would love to have some seat time in the original MP3 to compare the 2.

Put money down on one ... almost bought it, if the stupid dealer haven't sold it to the person behind me on "the waiting list" .... was promise the 2nd car that show up, instead, bumped into 3rd .... and I kinda blew up at the manager. 

The orange looks better in prints. There are 3 of those Toxic orange cars here in the Red Deer area, plus a yellow one too. Popular cars. 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I drove the MP3 and it was lacking in grunt on the highway, but cornered like no one's business. Amazing!

I completely dig that Spicy Orange Mica tho. So sparkly and deep, changing shades with the sun, I'm lost in it

[Giant Dwarf]

I drove the MP3 and it was lacking in grunt on the highway, but cornered like no one's business. Amazing!

I completely dig that Spicy Orange Mica tho. So sparkly and deep, changing shades with the sun, I'm lost in it

I agree with the driving sentiments, SAM.  I preferred the more subdued grey colour they offered to the orange and yellow though. 

[Judd]

Good article and comments

The paint is definately amazing, especially the orange, easily the nicest paint job you'll find on any car in this price range.

I wanted a speed protege 5 too, so I went and got most of the turbo bits an LSD, and stuck them into my P5!  Couldn't be happier that someone explained the concept of a hot hatch to mazda before they rolled out their mazdaspeed 3!

[Giant Dwarf]

Good article and comments

The paint is definately amazing, especially the orange, easily the nicest paint job you'll find on any car in this price range.

I wanted a speed protege 5 too, so I went and got most of the turbo bits an LSD, and stuck them into my P5!  Couldn't be happier that someone explained the concept of a hot hatch to mazda before they rolled out their mazdaspeed 3!

How expensive a venture was it for you to do the P5 to turbo conversion, Judd?  My brother has pondered doing the same thing to his P5.

[gosteelerz]

It would have been nice for Mazda to have offered this powertrain in the Protege5.   A nice little car though, of which you don't see too many around. 

It was probably a rigidity problem.  They would have needed to brace the rear strut towers which would take away the benefits of a hatch.  I think the P5 already a had front strut brace that the sedan never had.

[Leviathan]

I agree with the driving sentiments, SAM.  I preferred the more subdued grey colour they offered to the orange and yellow though. 

The grey looks awesome. I'd probably have changed the rear spoiler to the type on the regular Protege though.