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Did the Mazda MP3 ever come out? How was/is it?

BrunoPuntzJones

BrunoPuntzJones

Lifer
Saw some stuff on it back in the summer, haven't heard zilch about it since. Did it ever make it over into production? Can't remember seeing any at the Mazda place...

How did they turn out? Crappy cars or allright? What about reliability? How much did these go for? I think they were pretty high msrp wise...I mean you could get a loaded Spec V for less and I'm pretty sure the Spec V would whoop it nicely.
 


<< It's just a Protege with an mp3-playing sound system, no?

I recall they were released in *very* limited numbers >>



For the most part you're right, but they also added a few other 'tweaks'. Nothing to make it to spectacular though.
 
AFAIK it came out, but as a "limited" model production was ummm limited

It has a small boost in power but like the name most of it was for the sound system, paint, and the spolier


The stock protege is a great car so I cant see the MP3 being any worse
 
They were produced, albeit in VERY limited numbers. They sold out within 2 weeks in my area.

The car had an upgraded exhaust, suspension and a few other engine mods to up the horsepower to 140 from 130. Supposedly it was one of the best handling cars, pulling something like .93g on the skidpad, which is in Porsche territory. The car reviewers LOVED the car. In every sport compact comparo I read, it won every time.
 
yeah, they only made like 15000. i think they were all preordered out. great reviews. ALWAYS beat out the sentra including the v spec, even though it has more power. the handling was rated better than the WRX, even with its all wheel drive. just turbo charge it, and u'd be set. altho, you'd have to find one first.
 
I recall reading that the JDM version of it (why do they do this to us!!) has a good bump in hp to about 150-160 and the better suspension of the MP3 as well. Yeah, handling of the Protege is absolutely awesome... I believe it's one of the fastest cars in SCCA Solo I Showroom stock for the compact class, the overall winner drove one beating out Civic Sis, Preludes, etc... I wonder if a rotary will fit in it? 😛
 


<< yeah, they only made like 15000. >>

I think that's right, with 1000 in blue and 500 in yellow, or vice versa -- only those 2 colors available. They were limited edition for 2001 and because of that, if there are any left you'd hafta pay much more than the MSRP of $18K for it. As aforementioned, it's a souped up Protege with a wing-like spoiler. I saw a blue one in a showroom in central NJ, supposedly 1 of 3 left in the northeast region at the time (last Dec)... uglier than I expected.

link from Mazda site
 
Ah, ok I thought they were just general production cars, not just a single run 🙁

Just haven't seen any around, must not have gotten any or they sold out real quick. Just thought it was an option but could never find it on any of those "builder" sites like edmunds or carpoint. Figured you could get one for 15-16k but apparently was a limited run so would have been quite a few $$$. Ah well. Thanks 🙂
 
well the mp3 isn't much car.. i read the review by sports compact car and they said it was basically a bad souped up version of their wagon counterpart with aftermarket stuff.. if i were u, get the wrx.. join the crowd.. that's where i am going when im graduating in a year =)

go wrx and ags!
 
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