I'm getting a car soon, and am torn between a Mazdaspeed Protege and 2.5RS coupe. They both have their own pros and cons. The MSP handles better, but the 2.5 has AWD for snow and rain. MSP engine makes 170 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque with a turbo. 2.5 makes 165 hp and 166 lb-ft of torque. However, the MSP stock only runs at 6.9 psi, so with a boost controller and a few other basic mods it can run 10-12 safely, and make 200+ whp. But the 2.5 is 4-6k cheaper used, and with a trubo can get to 250+ whp. They both have about the same 0-60 and 1/4 times.

What are your guys thoughts on both cars as far as performance, styling, and anything else you think's important?

I would go for the 2.5RS for the following its rare,AWD and its a Subaru and higher bhp potential.But if space u need 2 extra doors go the MSP.

MSP may be a limited production vehicle. And for a few cheap changes (under $500 worth of mods), it could have about 200whp. Also, the interior seems a lot nicer, and it gets .03 higher on the skidpad than a WRX...but by getting better sway and strut bars on the 2.5, it would probably handle better than the mazdaspeed. I still would like to have awd, plus I've seen turbo 2.5RS's with 250+awhp. And 2.5's are different....EVO's, WRXs/STi's, MSP's, and maybe even a few other cars all look fairly similar, but a WRX like coupe would definatly get a lot of looks. Another plus for the MSP is that it comes with a nice sound system stock. But i think the sub is only 8", so I'd change that, and probably the speakers.

What's bhp?

I think maintenance and long-run costs are very important.

I would buy the Mazdaspeed. It is cheaper to maintain and repair because it shares so much with the regular Protege.

I think maintenance and long-run costs are very important.

I would buy the Mazdaspeed. It is cheaper to maintain and repair because it shares so much with the regular Protege.

They're both japanese cars, so there probably wouldn't be much of a reliability problem with either. We have an old (94) suby wagon with 150000+ miles on it, and I can't think of any major problems we've had. And doesn't the 2.5rs share a lot of parts with regular impezas?

Also, which would have more insurance? I'm guessing protege since it's turbo, more hp, and RS has AWD.

I see a dozen new Proteges a day... but I hardly ever see any old Imprezas. There are a lot more Proteges out there, that's for sure.

More Proteges = more mechanical/body parts at stores and junkyards at possibly very reasonable prices.