Someone told me that the Mazdaspeed Protege is faster than the GTI 1.8T. When I look at the times, the GTI is like 15.2 1/4 and the Protege is 15.6 1/4. But he said that it was a 14 sec car... Is that true?? Is the mazdaspeed protege a 14 sec car??

no the mazdaspeed isnt a 14 second car stock. But it probably wouldnt be to hard to get it there. And your right they do around 15.5 in the quarter.

I've actually seen a time posted in one of the car mags that was a 14.9 at like 95. Can't remember which one it was, but I remember thinking that it was a very fast time for a stock msp. It must have been a very good driver on a sticky track:).

The majority of stock mazdaspeeds run 15.2-15.9 over on msprotege.com, and a few have pushed it into the 13's with mods simillar to mine. The only difference is that I am running stock boost still.

I raced a 20th annv. GTI from an 80 roll up to 130 and beat him by about 3-4 car lengths. This was with all of my mods minus the SSQV. At only 6psi, my car is a little lower than most stock mazdaspeeds. Most spike at 7, some as high as 8, and others as low as 5. At 12psi, I would run 13's for sure. I destroy my friends stock WRX in any style of race, especially in the twisties:D.

Seriously, folks....a MazdaSpeed Protege against a GTI? wow, talk about lopsided comparison.

Let's do the math...200 horse vs. 170 horse...

and then there's the fit and finish...have any of you ever driven, moreover sat in the new GTI's? the 20th Anniversery edition has brushed aluminum freakin' everywhere, plus it's just better fit and finish.

Even driving a stock Golf, you'll notice a Golf going 110 feels like it's going 55.

I applaude Mazdaspeed for doing the Protege, but the effort is too little, too late. The Protege is already dead now, and i dont think Mazdaspeed is gonna make a version of the 3 (Maybe).

Seriously, folks....a MazdaSpeed Protege against a GTI? wow, talk about lopsided comparison.

Let's do the math...200 horse vs. 170 horse...

and then there's the fit and finish...have any of you ever driven, moreover sat in the new GTI's? the 20th Anniversery edition has brushed aluminum freakin' everywhere, plus it's just better fit and finish.

Even driving a stock Golf, you'll notice a Golf going 110 feels like it's going 55.

I applaude Mazdaspeed for doing the Protege, but the effort is too little, too late. The Protege is already dead now, and i dont think Mazdaspeed is gonna make a version of the 3 (Maybe).

I'll agree with you about the aluminum trim, but the 170 vs. 200hp doesn't really matter since they are both turboed cars. 30 hp can easily be gained by either car by upping the boost. If you're talking strictly stock vs. stock then yes the GTI does have the obvious edge. But the msp is easily capable of 200hp in stock form, with just a few extra psi. That's about a 120 dollar mod BTW for a boost gauge and boost controller.

I get the same feeling driving my mazdaspeed as I do from my friends GTI, they both feel way too smooth going 100+.

Some things are better on the GTI, but don't forget the stereo that you get with the msp is far superior, and the suspension is hands down the best for a FWD car. Also you get quality aftermarket parts covered under warranty made by sparco, racing beat, garett, callaway, and racing hart when you get the mazdaspeed.

yes the stereo on the MSP is far superior, and .......i'm drunk right nowe....either way, their both great cars , and anyways....rock on.

ive raced a 1.8 T up to about 75mph and was ahead a full car length, given my car is stock except for CAI and the GTI had only 3,500 miles on it, so it still had some breaking in to to.

ive raced a 1.8 T up to about 75mph and was ahead a full car length, given my car is stock except for CAI and the GTI had only 3,500 miles on it, so it still had some breaking in to to.
i.8t's are quoted at 180hp but its a fact that thats under rated!

I can't let this one go by me without throwing in my two cents worth. I owned a modded '02 Jetta 1.8T with the 180hp engine and 17's with the factory sport suspension. I now own the '03 Protege. I have to say i like the Mazda better:
First of all, the Mazda is light and nimble in the corners, while the VW was a heavy pig whose rear chassis tuning sucked. When I pushed this car hard in a corner, the rear end got really unstable on numerous occasions, and the front understeered badly. Let's just say the car should have handled better. My (first car) '86 GTI could corner circles around the Jetta. That being said, I miss the brute torque and better brakes of the 1.8T. It was a fast car, and pulled hard from 1500 RPM+. The VW broke down on me several times (they had notorious coil pack problems- the local dealership accused us of f*$cking with the coil pack when I had a turbo timer installed and refused to cover warranty. It was a big fight, but I got things covered when I switched to a different dealership. The coil failed 3 times and the car spent a total of 1500km being towed on flatbeds to service.)
The Mazda handles, has superior interior design (roomy, better ergonomics and space), but is somewhat cheaper feeling. The car is more spartan than the VW, with less frills, but is more fun to drive. I like the better fuel mileage and cheaper price tag. My insurance is less money, and I also think the car looks better.
Thanks for listening to my rant! :2cents:

1.8t, just because of the massive aftermarket.

Mazdaspeed b/c it HANDLES