http://www.thirty2degrees.com/v2/flash/mazda.htm

http://www.mazdausa.com/mp3/default.asp?ve...ip=&did=&state=

 

The start button looks awfully familiar.

 

Ok, no B.S. I have been looking for a practical, sporty, yet efficient third car for the fiance. I think that I may have found it....the MP3 and the Protege5 are now on my interest list.

Here are the others on the list if anyone decides they want to give their opinions/impressions:

93-98 Civic Hatchback (possible recipient of a 1.8L GSR translplant),
98 Civic Si,
CR-V,
2000 Suburu 2.5 RS,
and Insight

 

A 9000-rpm'er with 4 seats... mmmm... I'm interested to see that!

 

definately don't go for the CR-V.. i've heard alot of unhappy owners.. i had to drive one once.. and my main complaint was it has absolutely no power.. small SUV w/ a small 4 cylinder pushing it.. and its top heavy.. wind in Oklahoma blew it around.

i'd get the wife the Impreza, insight (not sure-needs a lil more balls for me but might be fine for some), or SI.

have you looked at the new WRX? i wouldn't mind having one as a daily driver, especially in the rain.

 

The new WRX is a bit much for what I'm looking for as a daily beater for the future wife (current fiance). Also I can't get around the new headlight look.

If all goes well, there are two of my friends here in IL that have the new WRX (in Blue) and are doing the Frankenstein work to graft the previous year model front end onto the body. There's also a handful of the 2.5 RS's in IL and in Wisconsin running around with implanted imported (or just turbo'd the stock) WRX engine....the ones I've spoken with have stated they did the transplant.

In any case, if the results of my friends come together, I may be interested in picking up a used WRX and doing the same.

I think what I need to do is to pick up a third car ASAP so I don't start planning on building up my beater....if I buy the Protege 5, the Insight (which I've driven and enjoyed), or the MP3, I'm "stuck" with them.

 

Waiting for it

 

Luder,

Since a new WRX isn't on your wish list (my first choice ), I'd say the MP3 looks like a good candidate. I like the specs and features. If you got that, you wouldn't go out and put mods on it for a while. Worth a test drive.

Your other choices....

Civic. If you got a used civic, you would just start putting a whole lot a money into it. And it still wont be as nice as the new Civic Si thats coming out. You wont be happy.

CR-V. underpowered. stay away. You wont be happy.

Insight. fun car. two-seater. not practical. You have enough two-seaters.

2000 Suburu 2.5 RS. I drove it. practical, yet boring IMO. engine sounds crude at higher revs (yeah i know its not a honda!).

My other choice...

Acura RSX...whenever that comes out. Looks like fun. Can seat 4 people in a pinch.

 

You buy a Mazda, and you are buying a f f f FORD.

 

That's true, one of their many