A Couple Questions About the MP3

[Big_Red_1]

Hey all,
I'm thinking about getting a MSP or MP3 and just want to verify a few things about the cars.

First off, I know the MSP's do not have cruise control or ABS. Is that also the case for the MP3's ??

Second, I know the MSP's come with an LSD and want to know if the MP3's do as well ??

I'm just trying to find out the differences between the two cars for comparison and I know the MP3's don't have the turbo and have a little different looking wheels and a different model Kenwood system.

If there is anything else please let me know

Thanks!

Ohhh...one more thing. Were MP3's made in 2001 and 2002??

 

[PaulMP3]

Hey all,
I'm thinking about getting a MSP or MP3 and just want to verify a few things about the cars.

First off, I know the MSP's do not have cruise control or ABS. Is that also the case for the MP3's ??

Second, I know the MSP's come with an LSD and want to know if the MP3's do as well ??

I'm just trying to find out the differences between the two cars for comparison and I know the MP3's don't have the turbo and have a little different looking wheels and a different model Kenwood system.

If there is anything else please let me know

Thanks!

Ohhh...one more thing. Were MP3's made in 2001 and 2002??

the msp has ABS, the MP3 does not.

The mp3 does not have LSD

they were only made in 2001, 1000 Blue and 500 yellow. (very rare car)

 

[Big_Red_1]

Thanks

Hmmm.....no ABS or LSD. I'm not sure how that would go over in winter here in MN.

 

[Allen]

Thanks

Hmmm.....no ABS or LSD. I'm not sure how that would go over in winter here in MN.

For the MP3....

Probably wouldn't do very well during the winter when you need traction the most. The OEM tires, Dunlops SP9000 (summer tires), are not that great on wet or slick surfaces (especially when they get close to replacement time). Other than that, it's a cheap all-around NICE-LOOKING performance car that also gives you modest aftermarket upgrade options to choose from.

Just note that 17" tires are expensive to replace (average life of 17" performance tires is 20,000 miles from regular daily driving), especially if you do any competition race activities. :'(

If you crave for more power then you will be looking for the MSP with the LSD. It's just a little more expensive, but for better features (obviously).

You can't get any new MP3s, but there are still new MSPs out there. I'm sure you can find a cheap WRX too, but you don't get the all-around package that you'd receive from the MP3 or MSP.... except for the AWD feature that would probably benefit where you live.

 

[Matthew]

someone is selling his mp3 in the for sale section in st louis...its blue with 55k miles and a custom stereo..they want twelve five for it

 

[Little Beavis]

MP3's are great! If you expect to modify the car (engine-wise) though, get an MSP. If you can handle just leaving the car alone, get the MP3 (although a MSP would be fine if you leave it alone too).

One of my brothers is in love with my car and was thinking about getting one himself, but when I had to buy a turbo for ($$$) and a LSD ($$$ again) and all sorts of gauges and crap to tune it ($$$ more), the MSP is a much better bargain!

 

[PaulMP3]

Thanks

Hmmm.....no ABS or LSD. I'm not sure how that would go over in winter here in MN.

I got snow tires and my car is great in the snow. I have heard ABS is worse in the snow, but better on ice. Just pump your brakes.

If you got the $$ just get an MSP. No matter what choice you will need snow tires, if you see a lot of snow.

 

[Big_Red_1]

Thanks for the input. There are a couple MP3s around here for sale for ~$12000-$13000 as opposed to a couple used 03 MSP's for around ~16000-$17000. I guess I can live with a little difficulty in the traction dept for winter.....and maybe the snow tires would be the way to go too. Will some cheap 16" rims fit on the MP3 or do you need 17" to clear brakes etc?

I'm not really worried about the extra 30hp.....I already have a fast car (see sig) and really just like the looks and fun factor the MP3's provide. Plus, I think without the turbo the insurance should be lower and correct me if I'm wrong.....you don't need to use premium fuel on the MP3's ??

 

[mp3moose]

16's will fit the mp3 and no you don't need premium on the mp3's but it helps out.
Moose

 

[PaulMP3]

my snowtires are 15" and they clear. We have the same brakes as a protege5.

The msp also has slightly larger swaybars, and axles

 

[bud_d]

Hey BigRed1, glad to see another possible MP3 owner on the boards that lives MN. As far as winter goes I picked up a set of 15" steelies with Hovac snow tires and it worked great last winter for me. The stock tires are worthless in the snow.

 

[Big_Red_1]

Hey BigRed1, glad to see another possible MP3 owner on the boards that lives MN. As far as winter goes I picked up a set of 15" steelies with Hovac snow tires and it worked great last winter for me. The stock tires are worthless in the snow.

Hi,
Yeah, I might decide on the MP3, but there are only a couple for sale around the Cities area that I have found so far. I'm also looking a few other models of cars...havn't really decided what I want yet. I did try out one MP3 and it seemed pretty nice. I did notice a clunking sound when going over rough road and bumps. It seemed to come from the trunk?? Could that be the clunk that everyone is having trouble with?? Pretty damn annoying....if that was the problem then it may sway my choice of vehicles. Everything else on the car seemed great and for the money you really can't be it. Then again maybe it was the sub enclosure bouncing around on the trunk floor.

 

[brokemp3]

both make the clunk noise. you dont want to use cheap gas in the mp3 it has advanced timing. it will ping?knock and gas milage is not as good. i get close to 400 miles a tank on super and about 320 on regular

 

[Big_Red_1]

It will ping? How high is the compression ratio on the MP3's? Ohh well, not that big of a deal I guess. Some places around here sell Reg and Super for the same price anyway.

I really havn't searched and read everything about the clunk, but there has got to be some way to stop it. Seriously, being an engineer myself....if it happens to all MP3's and MSP's then there is without a doubt a design flaw. What is the difference in the setup from the standard Protege' and Protege 5's? It aint rocket science and a fix should not be that hard to find. It really seems strange that after two years the problem still exists. I suppose it has to do with the limited production....if they would have made 100,000 of these cars it would have been fixed in a couple months. Really not a good way for Mazdaspeed to start out and take care of their customers IMO.

 

[cjstringer]

someone is selling his mp3 in the for sale section in st louis...its blue with 55k miles and a custom stereo..they want twelve five for it

Mines for sale in Indianapolis, with 26k at $12000. Let me know if you are interested. The clunk is gone in mine. The dealership put in servicable (read greasable) bushings that they said Mazda will warranty as a factory part. Haven't had any issues yet!
Everything else is good as gold.

Check out my sig for more info.

 

[Big_Red_1]

I do love that blue!! I just happen to have a pic of a TA as my desktop at work that was custom painted blue very similar to the MP3 blue. I think it is actually the Corvette Electron Blue.

 

[BS1]

Bud_d and Big_Red_1,
How long have you had your MP3s? Do you also think the Kenwood Z919 is junk?

 

[MP3-E]

Yeah if you are going to have the car for driving in the winter--it is a must to get a winter set of tires. If you use the stock tires you can get in to some trouble. I bought a set of 15's wiht blizzaks and I get awesome traction in the wonderful minnesota winters! Welcome to the board.