How reliable is the MS Protege?
- Thread starter 11Past9
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Outlawstar98
Member
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- 2003 MazdaSpeed Protege / 2013 BRZ
LSD, Wastegate leaking, WEAK RODS.
thats the MAIN issues, running wise its usually a broken LSD case, or a rod breaking.
thats the MAIN issues, running wise its usually a broken LSD case, or a rod breaking.
justanothermp5
Banned
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- Rust Bucket
the ECU, fuel cut is a major issue as well
Outlawstar98
Member
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- 2003 MazdaSpeed Protege / 2013 BRZ
to me thats not a huge issue. I only have a fuel cut when its under 30 outside.
justanothermp5
Banned
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- Rust Bucket
oh..i was just going by what other people say lol ive never had fuel cut in my car
but i have the SSAFC so that may be why
but i have the SSAFC so that may be why
Outlawstar98
Member
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- 2003 MazdaSpeed Protege / 2013 BRZ
SSAFC gets rid of it 100% a UniChip doesnt.
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- Titanium MazdaSpeed Protege
Never had fuel cut with my Unichip, have you ever owned one?
Outlawstar98
Member
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- 2003 MazdaSpeed Protege / 2013 BRZ
JDM Sam told me what is what with those, UniChip doesn't get rid of the Fuel Cut 100%, the SSAFC does. And JDM Sam knows what hes talking about when it comes to the MSP, If you want me to I can go find the post he was talking to me about it (well I think its AIM) but I could just re ask him. And for what they do (uni chip vs SSAFC) the SSAFC is better due to its low price and EASILY programmable.
It's a terribly unreliable car. So much so that in nearly 7 years of owning one and accumulating just about 80K, it had to go to the dealer for pcm flash and a set of bushings. I replaced the side motor mount at 62k and the cylinder head cover gasket at 78K. Oh the horror! I just hate this car.
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I have. On 14psi in about 30 degree weather.
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i've never had fuel cut, stock or modded. my msp's been very reliable, the only issue i have is water getting inside the cabin because of a bad seal. i dont really ever drive it hard tho. yea the bushings squeek but im used to it
Ricktalife
Member
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- 2012 Subaru WRX
It can be a very expensive car to own, but hey I trust it way more than a VW or Audi.
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- 03.5 YLW MSP
I think that question veries a lot base on if its modded or not and how you drive... modding it can lead to a lot of the short comings of this car. If you keep it stock and upgrade the crappy intercooler and pipes you should be fine. If you up the boost then plan on crap breaking. Also the LSD tends to go randomly however I think that also has a lot to do with how you drive it as well.
Edit: These cars are known to have sway bar bushings go out rather fast, turbo mani cracks, crappy plastic hard pipes crack, and the stock WGA going bad. However to me the bushings and WGA are wear and tear items imo.
Edit: These cars are known to have sway bar bushings go out rather fast, turbo mani cracks, crappy plastic hard pipes crack, and the stock WGA going bad. However to me the bushings and WGA are wear and tear items imo.
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i have 152xxx on my MSP......and I just went thru my first alternator. Other than that I have put brakes, oil, etc.......regular maintenance and I never really drive it hard. Im on the original diff(fingers crossed), clutch, and the engine is completely stock. I dont think there is any difference from the MSP to any other car in its price range.......other than they are cool as hell and rare 
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- 03.5 YLW MSP
i have 152xxx on my MSP......and I just went thru my first alternator. Other than that I have put brakes, oil, etc.......regular maintenance and I never really drive it hard. Im on the original diff(fingers crossed), clutch, and the engine is completely stock. I dont think there is any difference from the MSP to any other car in its price range.......other than they are cool as hell and rare
I agree a local guy that has a beat up orange msp only has a 3" j-pipe back perrin exhuast on his msp and has had no issues at alll. It has around 145k ircc on it.
Becca19MSP
Member
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- Mazda, Mazdaspeed Protege
Although it has it's quirks, what car doesn't? I think they're amazing to drive! About the fuel cut issues.. I had problems with that until we relocated my MAF sensor, ever since then it's been perfect.. and i have a unichip. The only weak part in my mind is 3rd gear.. if you buy one that's definitely one thing I'd look into upgrading.
Ricktalife
Member
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- 2012 Subaru WRX
Yea it seems like almost all the problems I had were caused by the previous owner. I'll give you a quick rundown just to show you all the stupid bulls*** they did to save money and make it appear stock.
-Hole in cold pipe covered with electrical tape (probably a BOV)
-Crack in factory airbox
-3 cracks in exhaust manifold (heatshield covered it up)
-POS flowmaster muffler welded onto chopped up stock exhaust
-Driver door speaker missing (wires cut)
-02 protege factory headunit (found junkyard writing upon removal)
-Missing sub/amp box
-All 4 tires dryrotted (the factory originals!)
and my favorite
-Bought it with 8900 on the odometer in August 08, but when I sprung a vacuum leak we removed the valve cover and found junkyard writing on the motor.
Long story short, I would like to go find the douchebag that managed to blow a motor with less than 8900 miles on it and see about a little reimbursement for my troubles. But like I said, other than the problems mentioned above that were caused by careless ownership, it's been a pretty decent car.
-Hole in cold pipe covered with electrical tape (probably a BOV)
-Crack in factory airbox
-3 cracks in exhaust manifold (heatshield covered it up)
-POS flowmaster muffler welded onto chopped up stock exhaust
-Driver door speaker missing (wires cut)
-02 protege factory headunit (found junkyard writing upon removal)
-Missing sub/amp box
-All 4 tires dryrotted (the factory originals!)
and my favorite
-Bought it with 8900 on the odometer in August 08, but when I sprung a vacuum leak we removed the valve cover and found junkyard writing on the motor.
Long story short, I would like to go find the douchebag that managed to blow a motor with less than 8900 miles on it and see about a little reimbursement for my troubles. But like I said, other than the problems mentioned above that were caused by careless ownership, it's been a pretty decent car.
Outlawstar98
Member
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- 2003 MazdaSpeed Protege / 2013 BRZ
Its not how you drive it, I dont beat on my car it it just went, I think its just a random event.
SeR_Cyclops
Member
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- Mazdaspeed Protege
I have got fuel cut on 10psi when it was 15 out side. I have a SS AFC so you cant tell me that it gets rid of it 100% cause I hit fuel cut the other day.
Outlawstar98
Member
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- 2003 MazdaSpeed Protege / 2013 BRZ
it shouldent happen with the SSAFC. I will look into it for you.
