Bad Introduction into the MP3 familiy

[ItmannWV]

Rac3rX:

It was an MP3. I figured oil starvation as well, as did the dealer. He tried to say it was some BS like the oil filter not being tightened down or something, but if the filter was off enough to starve the engine that much, I figured the thing would have been spewing oil the whole time.

BTW, it did sound like that clip. Maybe not quite as metallic sounding (if that makes any sense, since both cars had to have been banging metal parts) or "pingy."

The sound seemed to be coming moreso from the passenger side of the engine than the driver side.

So it seems that the engine has to be entirely replaced, huh?

I figured as much. I'm still open to buying it, but the dealer is going to have to guarantee that engine and tranny to some extent. I'm thinking at least 20,000 miles. I doubt the dealer is going to want to do that. That means he'll be having to warranty the powertrain of a vehilce that will be hitting 100,000 before the warranty expires (even though the engine probably wouldn't have that many miles).

I'd also need some verification as to where he got the new engine and how many miles it had on it. . . and he'd also need to let me keep the car for a good, long extended test drive after the work is done (basically a week).

He asked without my solicitation if I would still be interested if they fixed it. I said that I would, but that would certainly want a warranty.

I doubt he'll meet all of my demands, so I guess I'll be MP3-less.

 

[JoeManNorth]

One of the Best Protege Compilations EVER!!!!!!!!!

that vid.

Ya his car is fast. I'll get her.. i figured i need about 180hp to come close. the new clutch/flywheel will help out.

Not into stickers eh, you're not a true quebecer! hahahahaa

 

[Rac3rX]

One of the Best Protege Compilations EVER!!!!!!!!!

that vid.

Ya his car is fast. I'll get her.. i figured i need about 180hp to come close. the new clutch/flywheel will help out.

Not into stickers eh, you're not a true quebecer! hahahahaa

Thanks Its one of My Best & Titled corect.

Noooooo Im far from a Quebecer. lol But I do share the Love for M39

They got some MESSED up looking cars out here though

Check this out True Quebecer Ricer Chick (Well Im not sure its a Chicks car, but it better be, or they ventured too far out of the village )



Neon Licence frame +
Ugly honda wheels +
Retarded Wing +
Front and Rear Playboy Decals +
Rear Center window Payboy Bunny Decal

= Rice

Ive have seen worse arround here though.

 

[Rac3rX]

Dame, so far its been found that hard ass cornering can starve the engine of oil (oil pan sloshing)

AWR has a baffled pan the helps out, as a temp solution riding with .5 more oil has been found to help.

If they warenty the new motor & give a reduced price I would go for it

 

[ItmannWV]

If they warenty the new motor & give a reduced price I would go for it

Well. . .if only the morons would realize that it needs a new motor.

I don't know what the one guy's issue is at the dealer. The salesman was really nice about everything was really apologetic that his car shitted out on me during a test-drive.

However, the manager/finance guy (I think he was both) was a dick about it and still is. I was asked by the salesman and some other guy (don't know if he was a salesman/mgr/etc) if I would still be interested if they fixed it, which I said that I would be.

So I call back today about 1 pm to see what they found out about the car, figuring that by this time the mechanic (they took the car straight to the mechanic yesterday evening) has told them that they need a new engine.

I ask the mgr/finance guy what the outlook is on the car.

"They're still working on it. They don't know what they have to do yet."

How the hell do you not know what you need to do by now?!

I just have a feeling that these guys are crooks and they they're planning on trying to patch it up (if it even can be "patched up") so they can pawn it off on some other unsuspecting customer.

I think I'm through with trying to buy this one. Even after the buzzkilling events of yesterday, I was still going to give them a chance to sell me a car with a rebuilt/replaced motor at a good price, but now they're just being dickheads about it (at least the one guy is).

 

[mp3josh]

I spun 4 bearings on my mp3 just recently and it was due to oil starvation...

 

[Bigg Tim]

Unless they put a new motor in and you get a great deal on it, I would walk away and look for another. There were a bunch in teh auto trader a bit ago, so they are still selling. That car definatly had been abused big time. You're lucky you didn't do the deal and have it happen after the normal 30 day warrantee you get.

If you liked the car, keep looking. Whne you get a good one, it is a really run car. Are you in WV? If so you will have fun in the twisties with it, but there have been some starvation issues with them on extreme cornering, so like any car, there are some flaws. Good luck with your decision, I hope you are able to get one and enjoy the experience.

Also, lets keep this on topic peoples.(thumb)

 

[ItmannWV]

Big Timm:

Yes, I live in WV, although I'm going to move to NC before August. I still have family back in WV, though, and I was looking forward to testing out the handling capabilities of the MP3 back home.

I actually found this MP3 on Autotrader. It's in Jonesville, NC.

I did have to wonder how the car had been treated when I saw that three people had to sign the odometer verification slip. Just makes me think that three young kids owned the car (or maybe a teenager w/ parents names also on the title) and wore the s*** out of it or maybe just plain ol' didn't care too much about general mechanical maintenance.

 

[altspace]

Stay far away from that car and that dealership. If they are trying to sell you a lemon in the first place, then just imagine the headaches you would have after and you needed service. They obviously know what condition the car is in. They don't take trades without driving them first and scrutiniztion every imperfection from the previous owner on their deal. Unless it was an auction buy, and in that case......run away!

 

[ItmannWV]

Well, I have do have to say that I was alarmed from the start when they all too easily said that they could meet my current payment on my 2003 Lancer ES (which I told them I still owe 7400 dollars on) on a car that they had marked at 10000.

To meet my current payment with that payoff amount, they'd have to let that car go at about 8700 or so.

Coming down 1300 bucks straight out the gate?

Seemed a little fishy, I agree.

 

[BradC]

Stay far away from that car and that dealership. If they are trying to sell you a lemon in the first place, then just imagine the headaches you would have after and you needed service. They obviously know what condition the car is in. They don't take trades without driving them first and scrutiniztion every imperfection from the previous owner on their deal. Unless it was an auction buy, and in that case......run away!

I agree here. If they are being shady instead of kissing your ass to try to still get your $$$, **** them. You can find an MP3 or MSP for sale often enough (especially if you hunt enough) to not buy the wrong one. Maybe find somone local to go with you too that knows these cars inside-out...kinda like a second opinion.

Good luck on your hunt!

PS - make them sell you that car for $5k and build the motor and boost that b****!!

 

[marteau]

hahahah No man. Canadian.. well french, but not quebecer. NOT quebecer~ J'ai blower ma tranny. Trops de burnouts.

soupire.....

 

[nocar]

the numbers arent adding up for mazdas profit end

offer them what they were originally asking for the car plus a brand new motor and if they dont take that offer i guarantee they are looking to patch it up and sell it to someone else for %100 profit

 

[ChopstickHero]

if they replace the engine AND give you a good deal on it... then get it. how's the rest of the car looking?

 

[ItmannWV]

Chopstick, the rest of the car was impressive, IMO.

The only problems I could spot (other that the obvious problem with the engine) was: buttons on the CD player were worn out, the sub in the trunk was gone, the trim peice around the shifter didn't seem to want to "click" into place, and it had "The Clunk."

All of these problems are nothing more than minor annoyances, IMO.

They never called me back, btw, even though they were the ones initially wanting to know if I would still be interested in the car. On my next trip down to NC, I might stop by and see what's going on with the car, though.

 

[avarela86]

Don't buy that thing. It needs way too much work. Just find yourself another one. Really not worth the hastle.

 

[ItmannWV]

Here's the final update. . .

Yeah. Stick a fork in this one.

I made another trip down to NC this past weekend and saw it sitting on the lot. Talked to the salesman who said that they put an engine out of another protege in it.

Salesman took me inside to talk to the manager (the same guy who told me five seconds after I met him that he might could even get me a lower payment with the MP3 than I have on my Lancer knowing that I only borrowed 8700 to get the Lancer).

Manager says this time that after factoring in my negative equity, that I'd probably have to borrow about 13,000 to get the Mazda.

I don't think I even said a word. I just walked out.

I think the manager just wanted me to leave him alone. I think he blames me for his car f'n up.

 

[Rac3rX]

tell them GET BENT, I wonder if they even did, from the looks of it they added the cost of the repair to the price

 

[ItmannWV]

Cost

That's very possible.

The car was marked at 9995 the first time I went to see it. That's what it was marked at on AutoTrader as well.

I knew that I was upside down on my car, especially considering that the front bumper cover is cracked in one spot and bent in another and needs replaced. Other than that, though, the car is in excellent shape and has relatively low miles (43k on a 2003).

Still, the first time the guy tells me I could possibly get a lower payment, but this time he tells me that I'm looking at a 5000 dollar difference between the price of the car and the trade-allowance.

Also, I noticed that the car has been pulled from AutoTrader for the time being and that the price that used to be prominently displayed on the front windshield was no longer there.

Pisses me right off.

On a side note, I was fairly shocked at how low used dealers have been valuing my car. High book trade is around 7400. I understand that I have 400 to 500 in repairs to put it back at that high book range, but I had one dealer offer me 6500 on a 2001 Jetta 1.8t that they originally wanted 10,000 for but talked them down to 9400. Other than that, I can't get a used car dealer to offer me anything more than 5000 bucks.

 

[Bigg Tim]

Yeah man, you lucked out........stay away from that dealer. Imagine how they would have treated you if you did buy it. They are doing the ol numbers game on you to recoop the cost of the motor. You can find another one out there.