get a MSP?

[suarezrh]

Hi everyone. I have been really looking at the Mazdaspeed Portege as my next car. To do this though, I would be trading in my 2004 Focus. So needless to say, I will be signicantly backwards on the financal side.

Anyways, with that said, what are your thoughts about buying one used? The vehicle is at a Ford Dealer near my house (helps with my trade in a bit). It's a Black 2003 with 35,000 miles on it. Looks to be taken car of. Pretty clean. Everything looks stock too. Brake pads look a little low though. Ohh and I think it hasn't gotten the re-flash yet. Had a stuble when I got on it a little during my test drive. Still pulls pretty hard though!!!

So I would really like your guys input on the car. What things should I look out for? Is a used MSP going to be ok. Should I trust anyone with a turbo (burnout) ?

Thanks in advance!

 

[CChris704]

Well I love my car and would recommend it. For a MSP with 35,000 on it I would recommend having a dealer look at it and make sure none of the problems are evident. Theres a thread somewhere about common problems so you could also check it yourself. I love my car and only have a few basic mods. I'd recommend it anyday!

 

[Orlandoech]

I would say NO. I love my MSP too but i have 29k miles and blew an O2Sensor, Vacuum lines. Ive only done a few mods but my warranty is gone now.

Im just waiting for something else to happen. They're ticking time bombs. BBBBOMMMBBB!!!!

I would go fo a SRT4, same price range.

 

[suarezrh]

excellent input. That's the kind of stuff I need to know. Yeah, I saw that one tread with the common issues. But I'm more worried about the odd ball things. What is typical Mazda warranty? And like I mentioned how does the car hold up to a beating? I'm sure most of you aren't "gentle" with it. But then again, that's why they made the car. Just not sure I want "sloppy seconds". You know???

 

[otmsp]

Go for a MSP.At least you`ll have one of the last of a discontinued car/if you care about something not trendy.IF not,an srt4 is nice too.

 

[suarezrh]

well I guess I should say, I am a Ford guy. So I have to be somewhat "loyal" to the brand and drive a product under the Ford umbrella. I would love a SRT-4 but that's like sleeping with the enemy. (laugh)

With that said, I like the car. It's the best non-mustang car in this price range. Yes the SVT focus is OK but I just don't know. Plus my wife hates the hatch too. (confused) So for modest power this is the car. And like otmsp says it is a "collector" since no one really has one around (first) ... but then again thats what scares me. Since there aren't many around if something goes wrong I am up a @#$& creek. (ugh)

 

[otmsp]

get one!!

 

[peepsalot]

well I guess I should say, I am a Ford guy. So I have to be somewhat "loyal" to the brand and drive a product under the Ford umbrella. I would love a SRT-4 but that's like sleeping with the enemy. (laugh)

With that said, I like the car. It's the best non-mustang car in this price range. Yes the SVT focus is OK but I just don't know. Plus my wife hates the hatch too. (confused) So for modest power this is the car. And like otmsp says it is a "collector" since no one really has one around (first) ... but then again thats what scares me. Since there aren't many around if something goes wrong I am up a @#$& creek. (ugh)

If something goes wrong, you have everyone on these forums to help out

 

[Gbourdon]

I have 50K miles and flog on my car pretty hard. Boost controller and a few other mods. I cant really complain about reliability at all.

 

[hazeXban]

Do it
Alot of us have the car w/o any problems *knocks on wood*
My friend is up to about 40k in miles, he has a FMIC, Turboback exhaust and he is still running great *again knocks on wood*

I personally think they are awesome cars and you have a real good community here to help you out.

Plus I have never met a girl who didn't think my car was hot. Unless she was a dyke or something haha...Yes I am very very PC.

 

[03.5MSP]

I'm going to be gettin an MSP(laser blue 2003.5) in about two weeks. (waiting for the guy to get his title). I kinda went through what your going through. I decided to go for it because it looks great and its a fun car to drive. If you enjoy driving, and most people do then I would say go for it.

 

[SP23goesroar]

Because you'll go "backwards" like you said, I'd go for something you can get brand new like a SRT4 but shop around look at other cars. Test drive them too so you get the feel of them.

 

[suarezrh]

You guys are definitely tempting me more and more to get it.

(mspb)

so that's what I would look like. hmmmmm.....

Incase you guys care... here is the car I would be trading in.

 

[Yay-Boost]

It's kind of a love hate thing with these cars. Mazda puts together a nice car. Some of the aftermarket stuff Mazda put on the car could have been better. The list of common problems is more like a list of things that WILL happen to your car. Other problems are pretty rare. Since I paid well under sticker for the car when new I'm fairly happy with it. If I had paid sticker I don't think I would like it so much.

 

[suarezrh]

I hear you otmsp

yay-boost - I probably would have no issue if the car was new. But since it isn't that's what's really bugging me. Can you ever trust any USED FI car? (mspblack) (burnout) (nervous)

 

[Mark94]

Paid full price for mine TWICE and I would buy another in a second. I had a spicy orange first but didn't like all the attention it attracted so traded it in for a Titanium 7 months later.

Love the car for what you get and even at the MSRP price it's a bargain. There are some standard issues with the car but I've never had a new car before so little squeeks and rattles don't bother me.

If you know how to take care of the car it will take care of you also. Boost wisely and you should have no problem.

Mark

 

[Zoom-Zoom03]

My MSP is for sale you could sell your car and then buy mine is has 42,000mi on (I have long commutes to work and school) The price is $14,900 with upgraded brakes (steel braided lines, ceramic pads, and drilled rotors) it will also come with 15" steel rims with Bridgestone Blizzaks snow tires (needed for the winter, I live around Chicago so I know how it is.) I am putting brand new Hankook performance tires on also), it will also have a 8" JL W3 for the sub this sounds better and is much more durable than the stock one, the car also has limo style tint on the rear windows and a front tint strip. You can even keep the Greddy counter-weighted shift knob and custom shift boot. Here is a pic...
http://www.**********.com/rides/albums/sponsored/PA230043.jpg
I could throw in the DG motorsports Carbon fiber hood for a little extra. PM me for more info or if you are interested. CChris704 lives right by me PM him and he will vouch for me and my car.

 

[mspdfreak]

I would say NO. I love my MSP too but i have 29k miles and blew an O2Sensor, Vacuum lines. Ive only done a few mods but my warranty is gone now.

Im just waiting for something else to happen. They're ticking time bombs. BBBBOMMMBBB!!!!

I would go fo a SRT4, same price range.

WTF? How can your warranty be up at 29k? Warranty is 4 yrs./50k miles!

 

[otmsp]

nice ride dude!

 

[Zoom-Zoom03]

nice ride dude!

Thank you sir, if you want to but it it is for sale, I am getting an EVO, (I need to go FASTER!!!!!!!!!!!)