Is it me or does thing look like the WRX? The similarity in color and wheel design are striking. Makes you wonder what the WRX would look like without circle headlights though.


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Makes you wonder what the WRX would look like without circle headlights though.

one word. COOL

might as well do a conversion on the head lights. =)

Hey,you put a 227 hp turbo engine and throw in AWD, Mazda has my money

VERY nice

wow mazda is a little late. they must have spys or something. biten off subarus style.
me i actually think wrx lights look better in my opinion because no car really looks like that, it stands out. that mazda just looks like any other honda/nissan.
peace

I come from the Mazda world. I have owned every incarnation of the 3-series Mazda available to N. America. The MP3 in NOT a rippoff of the Impreza. It has elements of the mid 80's 323GTX. News of the MP3 has been around for 28 months and has remained unchanged since Mazda changed the Protege body style in 1999.

Try and think a li'l more globally and you will see that big fogs light, trick 16's or 17's & flared fenders are more popular everywhere else in the world. North Americans are rather conservative when it comes to accepting radical car designs.

IBTL

Man, you guys are slow... We've had posts about this for along time...

And this belongs on the Off-Topic forum! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/tongue.gif

IBTM

I felt I had to stand up for Mazda. Although I have always been a Suby fan (owned 4 so far) I don't think it is right to knock other manufacturers. All of them have designs that are different and unique unto themselves. But eventually trends emerge & they all begin to look the same. For example, how all early 90' mid-sized sedans all looked the same.

Try searching for the Mazda 626MPS. I will look for a pic. It's 280HP w/ AWD & turbo'd. Now we all can appreciate that even if it is not a Subaru. Cheers all.

I'm with him ^. If the Rex had headlights like that, I would have been thinking of trying to trade up. On top of that, the MP3 seems to have a lower profile.

If you compare a RS and a WRX side by side you can see a big difference. And I thought the RS sat high.
But I believe the engine is weak. Although I can't remember for sure. *shrug*

Oh, and IBTM http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif<IMG SRC="http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/move.gif" border=0>

Hmmm.... four doors, big fog lights, same weird-ass wing, double five-spoke wheels, even the same notorious blue color...

I'd say that mazda has been doing a bit of tracing in art class...

[This message has been edited by Mizen (edited May 08, 2001).]

Mizen, don't take this the wrong way but, you can stay in your small world if you want to. Try not to slander other ppl's vehicles. This is the wrong place for it. It's about car appreciation & enjoyment.

FYI: The Protege has always/only been a sedan, never available as a 2-door.
Big fogs are only new to N.Am. They have been available for the same car everywhere else in the world.
The wing mimicks the spec spoilers that will be allowed next year for SCCA Showroom Stock class where Mazda plans to field a full team.
The car has had 7 different styles of rims at different shows to guage public opinion. you found an old pic.
As for the color, it is NOT metallic. It is irridencent blue, (flat base, blue coat, tinted blue clear) much more expensive process. The other available color will be Solar Yellow. And if memory serves, didn't RBP only come on the RS coupes from 94-99?
I intend no ill will.

No worries man... I was just making an observation - one that you have argued is not based on research.

This is fine with me, I consider myself an openminded individual - with absolutely no desire to stay in any small world.

Cool. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by Mizen (edited May 08, 2001).]

MP3 is gay, now take a look at the new Nissan SE-R Spec V. now that is a head turner and performs, and that yellow is very nice http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif $20k or under for that performance is a very good deal. if it wasnt for the WRX i would be considering one most definately.

justin

[This message has been edited by joostin420 (edited May 08, 2001).]

Put your hand over the front of the car and tell me that this would fool anyone into thinking it's a WRX.

We're cool then Mizen? Good.
FYI: I used do work/research for Mazda & RS-R doing performance/appearance enhancements for public reaction. Why in Canada? Our dollar has been so weak that it's more cost effiecient to make mistakes up here. I'm pretty sure I have all the info I need.

Pssst, joostin420, you'd like the version that is coming out. Shhh. 180hp, 185lbs/ft, 8500rpm redline, 17's, independent suspension (unlike the solid axle of the Sentra) and available financing(unlike SE-R) from Mazda (not a bank). Oh did I mention for UNDER $20K. Shhh... I'd still get the WRX anyday.
Cheers mate.

Mazda ripped of the WRX like you ripped off my name! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif

http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif thats a weak car. oh and zoom zoom zoom, zoom zoom zoom zoom, zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom zoom zoomhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif
Brian

I got dibs on the NAPSTER licence place! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

I like the look though, seems like a nice tight package. Needs clear lenses.

Alex

you mean like this?

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eek

edit: btw, all I did was ad the headlights, hood scoop, and paint over the old lights/extend blue around the grille.

[This message has been edited by jcblack (edited May 08, 2001).]

Good gravy. No matter how much anyon defends the MP3, it DOES look like a WRX!

http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif
I've got no problems with Mazda, I had a Protege the first year it came out (1990 323/Protege SE). I loved it, Only major problem was a tranny replacement, ended up with 177k before I got rid of it for the WRX.

Ironically, the one accident I had in that car was when I rear ended an elderly woman who was trying to make a right hand turn into a shopping center from the middle lane of a three lane road. I was only going 40 and swerved to avoid her but ended up crumpling my hood, taking out my headlight, and bent my frame. What's the point?

She was driving a Legacy and had NO damage on her car except for a 2 inch scratch on her bumper.

They might look alike, and the MP3 might be less expensive, but I wanted AWD and the turbo is nice too http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/tongue.gif

[This message has been edited by WRX4me (edited May 08, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by WRX4me (edited May 08, 2001).]

All show and no go!

I believe in, "Don't knock it 'til you try it."
You might be surprised. I was 1st time I drove a WRX Sti back in 1994. I've been hooked since.

Damian, I have never met anyone with the same spelling, always -ien, -ion, etc. So you were the MY name, huh? http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif

Already read about it in a Popular Mechanics or Popular Science compact car comparison. It didn't fair so hot. 0 to 60 on a sundial.

Sundial? Now that's S L O W !!!

no no no... have you ever seen the new sentra se-r? now the mazada looks more like that.

well the headlights kinda look like the ones off of the evo vII. I know thats a forebidden topic but to me it does look like that.

That cant be real, they are biting so hard if it is.


Justin

according to SCC, Mazda might be coming up with a higher HP MP3 which the extra horses will come from sth that whistles. hmm

jcblack: thats a great photochop job, but lets see those Mazda headlamps on the WRX body =)

Ed

I liked the 626 prototype that I saw a while ago in CAR mag. But if I remember right, it looked a lot like an evo. . .
Anyone have a pic of that?

Personally I think it does look like a WRX somewhat but cleaner and nicer. I also like the new Protege Wagon which also looks better than the WRX wagon. If only they had all wheel drive and turbo! Oh and btw. I DO own a WRX.

If you ask me it looks like a Ford Mustang front end on a WRX...although I'm sure that Mazda didn't blatantly just copy either car. I think the MP3 looks pretty cool personally, but it only puts out 140HP and no AWD. I'd take a WRX anyday!

put a 3-rotor in it, and make it rwd, and put t3/t4 hybrid turbo on it w/ front mount intercooler, and run it thru a 6 speed w/ 4.3:1 rear end, w/ independent susp, and 4-wheel, vented 4pot brakes...and ILL buy that! i dont care HOW ugly it is. haha...

the RX8 is the OOoonly mazda i wanna buy, in fact, i might try to import a Cosmo...THATs the ****, yo! of course, in the end,ill actually end up SMUGGLING it oveer...oh well, the means justify the Ends!!

chris

This car really isn't all that great. It's slow and the materials they used inside are very cheap. Actually there is quite a variety of materials used on the dash. I sat in this car in Detroit and I was laughing to myself the whole time.

Oh well.

i think the front end looks like a mustang

JBlack - Nice job. MP3 may look like the WRX, but it won't ever be a WRX.

Kinda ironic that I saw this post today. Earlier today I was looking at a picture of the MP3 in my brothers room as I was going about deciding where to hang a poster of the WRX. Both pictures were of blue cars and the similarities were rather striking.

Also, I gotta say that the photoshopped pictures looked really good...well done.

Still IBTL

Doesnt look like a rex in person one bit. Just wait. (The blue is whats throwing you guys off http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/tongue.gif)

As for it sucking, it will be the best handling car under $20k, probably even better than the SE-R Spec-V, and im seriously considering getting it over an RS (have to test drive it) and it will probably kick SERIOUS bootay in the Auto-cross!

No matter how you dice it, that car does look like a WRX but the headlights is much better looking as was illustrated by one of the posters who did a photochop.

Saw it at hot import nights here in Dallas. Didn't remind me of a WRX AT ALL. I saw it and said, wow, a Protege. Then I looked again and said, that's a nice body kit. I think is's a nice looking car, if I were in the market for a nice, non performance-oriented car to drive around in, I would consider it. But honestly, I would go for the SE-R... (but it does have that nice head unit....)

I saw it in person in detroit..

almost looked more psudo-evo'ish than the WRX..

but that photo editing does really make me wonder.

what's IBTL?

Kostamojen, Do you like the Protege5 or not at all interested in wagons. The reason I ask is b/c I have test driven (read bagged) mazda's turbo awd version. It is coming but Mazda I cannot say when. (Still doing some small work for Mazda still). You're right about the handling though. Mazda is working on a joint venture w/ Koni to have adjustables in the awd version.

How do I post a pic? Nice photoshop work. It does look more like a EVO, I admit.

Originally posted by jstandefer in the Edmunds Town Hall Forums:

I called my favorite Mazda dealership last night and spoke to some of my friends there to see when the MP3 was coming in. They said they didn't know, but that I should come down anyways and bring a camera. They said I would be very pleased. And I was!!!!!!!!

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This last picture of the MSRP didn't come out so well. I believe the price was $18,380 or something like that. This Protege5 had the automatic, power moonroof, and floor mats. It was absolutely beautiful!!! Much better in person than in the pics!!! And that yellow!!! Blinding!!! Striking!!!

Looks GOOD! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

That has got to be the most expensive MP3 player in the world.

damianq,

That is not an old pic of the car, it is the current pic on the Mazda site. The RacingHart wheels shown are the production units. Say what you will (I don't think Mazda ripped anyone off, car makers show cars for a long time in advance), but at least the MP3 gets high quality 17" wheels standard.


Ben

I need to go to mazda dealers for a test drive of the P5! Thought it was coming in June...

The P5 is ok d, but i'd rather get the TS Impreza wagon if I got a wagon for that much...

man the little mazda looks nice!!! but a 130hp 2.0 engine is a little weak for such a mean lookin' ride don't you think?give the thing a power boost like from 130 to 160-180hp,don't care if it's with a turbo or a bigger na engine,but this would be a mean ride instead of just being a nice one!!!