Modified by TOO MUCH TORQUE at 8:11 PM 3/23/2007

 

i handles your mom better than your dad

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TOO MUCH TORQUE &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">which handles better mazdaspeed protege or itr?

anyone whos driven both, what you think?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I owned both.

On the street the MSP was a better all around driver. ( no theft concern, no honda reliability or dealer network -Mazda dealers suck).

On the auto-cross, it was pretty close. The MSP was a shark through the slaloms, the faster the better. But, the MSP couldn't put the power down coming out of a corner as the diff sucked (supposedly changing the diff fluid to the GM synchromesh really helps reduce this problem, but I don't know as I didn't keep it long enough). Also, the MSP had certain issues like the transmission popping out of second gear (into neutral) when braking really hard (Panther Plus pads with Bridgestone SO3's). Heads up to the ITR as it was a more consistent autocross car.

On the track, hands down - the ITR. The MSP is as fast if not possibly faster on the tight stuff, but the MSP could not even keep up on the straights with a '00 Civic SI due to heat soak on the intercooler after two laps.

All in all, the ITR is a MUCH BETTER driver's car. But, if theft is a concern, I would "consider" the MSP for the right price. My impression was that the MSP had a good suspension, but I didn't have much faith in the drivetrain. A friend who had one had the diff blow under 30K miles and the dealer wouldn't warranty it as it had been autocrossed.

Short and simple, I sold the MSP after 8 months of owning it to buy an R. Oh, and 4 of the 8 months were spent parked as I didn't drive it in the winter.
I have happily owned the R for two and a half years now.

 

I currently own a Mazdaspeed Protege (bout a year and a half now) and have driven the ITR fairly extensively (both road and autox).

micmic was pretty much right on target as far as the handling is concerned. The MSP has a quicker steering rack--at the beginning it's actually "twitchy" to the point of being almost annnoying, but you get used to it after a about a week or so of driving the car every day. On the autox course though, this is a really really strong point of the car. The thing that amazes me is just how light and tossable the car is for being a sedan.

Around town, the MSP also has more torque so it feels faster.

As far as the dealerships are concerned, i have to disagree with micmic--but i think this varies largely from area to area. For example, where my parent's live, the Mazda dealership absolutely sucks. But the one up here where i go to school is fantastic! They actually "sponsor" me for autox (and yes, they still preform warranty work no problem). And do nice things like mount my hoosiers for free
The car has it's "telltale" problems, like micmic mentioned the diff and several others. Personally, i haven't had a single one of these, but i know others who have but didn't have a problem getting them fixed under warranty.


The main determining factor for me though was price. I was in the exact same situation you are. But i am in college with a limited budget. The MSP was cheaper on insurance and cheaper to purchase in general. Plus it was more practical.

I chose the Mazdaspeed and i absolutely LOVE IT.
BUT: give me the same choice and about 2k more and i would be driving an ITR now.
hope this helps.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TOO MUCH TORQUE &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">which handles better mazdaspeed protege or itr?

anyone whos driven both, what you think?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Prelude SH !

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Iboot &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Prelude SH !</TD></TR></TABLE>

What a wonderfully on-topic and useful post.

Or not.

I've driven both as well, and while I wasn't aware of the problems with the MSP (didn't own one, never really researched them much) I do agree with what the others said as far as autocrossing them goes. I've never driven an MSP on track so I can't comment there.

 

i would have to say the civic is the best caR ever!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave-ROR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

What a wonderfully on-topic and useful post.

Or not.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

+1...way to answer the question.

 

the protege is a nice car but i personally dont think it is on par with an ITR. Ive driven my friends msp and my cousins ITR, both are excellent handlers but ITR FTW!

 

I owned both at the same time a couple years back. The MSP is hands down better for daily driving, quieter, more comfortable, and, has four doors with a usable trunk. Not to mention far less theft concern.

Creature comfort content is higher in the MSP, although it has no cruise, or, sunroof like the ITR. As far as handling goes, on a racetrack an ITR is hard to beat, but the MSP did slalom like a demon and had dam'n high levels of grip right from the factory. I personally never had any reliability isssues with my MSP at all, no diff problems either. Just changed the oil and rotated tires for the year I owned it.

Again, the biggest drawback the MSP has is a poorly engineered turbo system and cast internals. Those willing to delve into the aftermarket can make a formidable/reliable little performer out of an MSP by drastically reducing heatsoak for quite a bit less than a grand.

(hard pipes, catted 3 inch d/p, dealer *TSB ECU flash made a night and day difference in my car, increased power across the powerband and higher heatsoak threshold and set me back about $650, *TSB flash was free)

As far as buying one now goes, the introduction of the Mazdaspeed3 will most likely make the MSP, which held it's resale value pretty darn well up until now, plumett. Considering most people selling used MSP's want in the high teens, and, a Mazdaspeed3, which is a far superior engineered car can be had in the low 20's for a base.

Tod Kaneco and company should be commended for "slapping together" the MSP for Mazda in such a short period of time, and, it being a relatively competent all around car. But this time around with the Mazdaspeed3, they've realy done their homework it seems.