Thread: To P11 or not to P11...or to P11?

I am in the market to purchase a new DD. Hopefully within the next week or so. Originally I was going to get a 2003-2005 G35 sedan. Then I finally settled on a 2004-2006 Mazda 6 GT Sport. Well, after nearly 2 grand in dental bills (root canal, x-rays, filling, etc. etc. and what looks to be a slow couple of weeks of business I have once again down-graded my target vehicle. I am paying cash for this vehicle so this is also a major part of the consideration. It now appears as though I will be purchasing a G20 T. Here is the decision part. Should I get a '99 P11 or a '00-'02 P11? I am leaning towards a '99.

This is how I see the positive points of each gen. P11 vs P11.5.

P11 (99)

- 6950 RPM red-line (vs 6750 in the p11.5)
- 16-bit ECU (vs crappy (damn I have to make another step-down harness) 32-bit ECU in the P11.5)
- Non roller head
- easier to modify (down the road; 'cuz I know I will )


P11.5 (00-02)

- Newer and fresher vehicle
- The ones I've seen have between 25-50,000 km less on the car
- pretend wood-grain cup-holder thingy! ()
- more emissions friendly (pretending to care)


Like I said, I am leaning towards the '99 MY. What do you guys think I should get out of the two options? What am I missing as far as positives for each MY?

Discuss....Please and thanks!

I love my 02 sport since i got it. So comfy and nice.

And ill give more. I havent decided to modify anything but as a daily driver i love my 02 sport. Its comfy, it looks good as it is, the sport interior looks so sexy, and one con as always is the fucking cup holders. Yah the idea on the ecu and shit sucks with needing to step down and stuff, but its nice because the newer ones are usually less abused because of things like this, more people are into the 99's beause easier to modify, which means the newer ones are usually less abused because of that. I love my 02, last year is always the best

Thanks Dan. Does the '02 Sport still have the LSD trans like the '01 Touring? I could look kt up but I'm lazy right now.

You make a good point about the later gen. ones being unmolested, that is what I'm seeing as well. I am almost tempted to just get the P11.5 (00-02) so I dont feel the 'need' to modify it as much. I guess I still have my molested and slutty B15 if I really want to have some fun.

The whole idea is a reliable DD so maybe the 00-02 might be better? The tug of war continues.

For a DD that will not be modified I always say 00+ is a better contender since the Roller Rocker motor has more HP, less friction (Better mpgs), and has lighter crank thus it revs a lot easier. Also the 00+ have more NA optimized gear ratios and stronger trans.

But it has it's faults too, Weaker internals, bad mafs and bad IACV's, 32 bit ecu so it's more painful to do an ecu swap. Besides that 00+ is same or better then the 99. I personally was going to turbo mine anyway, so maf and IACV would be replaced, along with ECU and wiring.

02 Sport

Yes, good point Vadim! I had forgotten about the 8CWC in the 99 vs the 4CWC in the 00+. I think with the longer first two gears in the '99 P11, combined with the 8CWC and the heavier weight of the P chassis vs the B chassis, it might be too slow for me. Too bad the ECU is 32-bit ('00+), amongst the other stuff that needs to be changed, when using an older ECU.

In +11 years of owning my B15 I never had issues with any of the emissions or electrical components, maybe I just got lucky.



How are you liking your '02 Sport? Mine will be a 5-spd instead of the auto, though. How are your seats? Every '02 sport I see has rips in the leather on the side. It seems that the '99-'01 leather is thicker and holds up better??


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When I think back before the VE, my B15 RR with some bolt-on mods was pretty quick and enjoyable for a DD. I understand the P11 is a bit heavier but maybe I need to slow down anyway!

I think I will have my answer when I make a decision on whether or not I will want to modify it in the future. Maybe the question/thread title should have been "to modify or not to modify"?

No rips/tears or anything. I'm the 3rd owner and the first 2 took very very good care of the car. Garaged most of its' life. The '02 Sport seats are awesome!

The '02 sport still has the LSD tranny (5-spd), correct?

I haven't actually sat in an 02 seat yet, hopefully by week's end!

Yes, has LSD and non-LSD models.