Whats the Difference

[Importaholic]

wat's the difference between a 2003 MSP, and a 2003.5 MSP.....I just dont get it>?????

[2fnfast]

the 2003 doesn't work or run well, it was just a test model, and the 2003.5 has all the nuts and bolts tightened.

[articus]

Here are the real differences. All the changes are external. If you see a Protege 5 wagon, you'll notice it has the same fascia as the MSP 2003. The 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege has a different fascia, it's more angular. They removed the fog lights from the front fascia as well. The wheels are similar to the 2003 MSP, but bulge out a little more. The spoiler is different too, more like an arch without any center support like the 2003 MSP.

In the interior, there is little change with the exception of the shift stick as far as I can tell. The top of the stick had the "Sparco" logo on it but the 2003.5 has the "Mazdaspeed" emblem instead.

The 2003.5 is no different than the 2003 mechanically. I'm not sure what the last message meant by the MSP 2003.5 being better by "having the nuts and bolts tightened" .

[505zoom]

Originally Posted by 2fnfast

the 2003 doesn't work or run well, it was just a test model, and the 2003.5 has all the nuts and bolts tightened.

This is the stupidest thing I have ever heard

[505zoom]

Originally Posted by articus

Here are the real differences. All the changes are external. If you see a Protege 5 wagon, you'll notice it has the same fascia as the MSP 2003. The 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege has a different fascia, it's more angular. They removed the fog lights from the front fascia as well. The wheels are similar to the 2003 MSP, but bulge out a little more. The spoiler is different too, more like an arch without any center support like the 2003 MSP.

In the interior, there is little change with the exception of the shift stick as far as I can tell. The top of the stick had the "Sparco" logo on it but the 2003.5 has the "Mazdaspeed" emblem instead.

The 2003.5 is no different than the 2003 mechanically.

This is all true, except for the statement about the wheels, and the last statement about no mechanical differences. The only difference in the wheels is the finish, 03's got a bright finish, 3.5's got a "dark hyper-silver" finish. The 3.5's got a thermal wrapping on the compressor outlet, and a stiffer clutch.

The rear fascia is also different on the 3.5's, along with the fogless front.

In addition to the shift knob saying mazdaspeed, the shifter is much fatter on the 3.5's, and the pedals are also slightly changed and say mazdaspeed instead of sparco. The interior stitching (seats, steering wheel) is orange on the 03's, and yellow on the 3.5's.

Exterior colors are also different, obviously.