I Just bought an MP5

[oneflyryd]

First off I want say Hi to everybody here. Yesterday I picked up an 03 Laser Blue Mica MP5. I must say for a econobox this thing is awesome. It is incredibly fun to drive and has a decent amount of spunk. I did search these forums before I purchased and it was very helpful in my decision. The car I purchased has 37000 mi. on it and I gave $12,500 for it. It is pretty much mint and loaded. It is a 5 speed which is what I wanted but everything else is there. So far so good. I will get some pics up as soon as I get a chance. Until I do here is the link to the auto trader add for my car.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=224721021&dealer_id=80116&car_year=2003&model=PROTE5&num_records=25&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=MAZDA&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=17603&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=4
I do plan on some mods nothing to dramatic and the car already has exhaust and window tint. I would like to lower it and do some black 18's. Where is the best place to start with these great little cars?
(headbang)

 

[JoshP5]

That's a nice ride you got there. Looks like you got more than tinted windows and exhaust--also an aftermarket shift knob and painted rear (only? (uhm)) calipers.

18s are a little big on our cars, the consensus is that 17s and a drop are appropriate. Anyway welcome to the forum!

 

[Demoniam]

Looks good, cant waitto see more pics! Those are excellent miles, too! Tons of info, as I'm sure you are finding out!. Lots of cheap/free mods.

 

[Katya4me]

Cool, you're not too far from either the NEPOC or us MECers. Welcome to the Laser Blue P5 crowd. There are plenty of mods available and I will 2nd the recommendation for 17s over 18s. What are your interests, shows, audio, performance? I'm an autox nut myself.

 

[CTt3P5]

Welcome aboard....even if you have been lurking for some time. haha Car looks good and I am jealous of the mileage....pushing 92k on mine.

 

[Donas64]

Welcome! Tons of info on here. The laser blue is lookin REALLY nice. Good luck on the mods and enjoy yor P5!

 

[JLBMP5]

welcome to the group 18s can be done but when I did mine I had to have the fenders rolled all the way to a complete bend at a body shop and if I ride the kids in the back seat and hit a big bump I hear my car scream in pain and rub.
but I also have lowering springs. If your seriousdsly thinking 18s might wanna look into some adjustable coilovers but I havent heard anyone with them and how they ride with 18s.So for now when the Wife and kids wanna go somewhere we pile up in the minivan.

 

[aMaff]

Welcome!

nothing to dramatic ... do some black 18's.

yeah...that's an oxymoron on a P5...18s are HUGE.

Where is the best place to start with these great little cars? (headbang)

Like Katya asked, it depends on what you want to do. If your goal in life is to have the biggest, m4d bl1ng wheels, go for that. If you really want to unlock the car's potential, get some wide 16s and some sticky rubber, and hit the suspension first. Shocks, springs and a rear sway will transform the car more than anything else. This thing's got a chassis to boot!

 

[oneflyryd]

Thanks for all the kind words. I will stick to 17's at your recommendation's. I am not about bling at all. I hate shiny stukk on my car's I am more of a works look guy myself. Thats why I will go with black wheels. I may end up with a polished lip but the majority will be black. As for what I am into I just wanted a fun car to drive. I have been driving lifted rigs for 10 years. I currently have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee w/ 6.5" of lift on 35" Bias ply Swampers. It gets about 9.5 mpg and is not a practical DD. It was built for Rock Crawlin and that is where it shines. For the car I want to stay modest. I think some of the best appearance mods are the ones that are barely noticed. No bright graphix's or flashy neons here. I want a sleeper. I may even turbo it at some point, but that is down the road. What is the highest NA Horse power anyone has seen, without getting crazy on internals?

What are these free and cheap mods you all speak of? I am very interestead in cheap or free Horsepower. I may get into Auto X a little. I was always intrigued by Auto X and I am pretty sure I would enjoy it a lot. I am very excited about this car it is a blast.

One last question I would like to do an intake of some sort. Which seems to be the best for this car CAI or SRI? I was looking at the Injen CAI in Black, is that decent? or is there something better. Thanks again for all your help.

 

[aMaff]

The injen's a good piece. Spendy, but a good piece.

As far as I know on the P5, there's no such thing as free power . I've got a ractive header, e-bay short ram (because that .1 difference in HP doesn't really make me want to spend crazy money for an aem or injen), the racing beat cat back right off of a mazdaspeed protege, and the MP3 ECU, and...well, this is embarassing...

These aren't power monsters. Their forte is handling.

 

[Katya4me]

Andrew, just admit it. Your cars are allergic to power.

Seriously though, for the most part w/ staying N/A, you won't get a lot of HP, but w/ the stock engine block, you really don't want it to try and handle more than even the 165 or so that the MSP has. A built block should probably be the first item on your power list after an ebay intake and a header w/ exhaust.

 

[aMaff]

Andrew, just admit it. Your cars are allergic to power.

(sad2)

don't even joke. I need to get the miazda dynod now that I've fixed the timing.

 

[oneflyryd]

I already have exhaust so I will do the CAI and OBX header first. Then I'll address the suspension and add a rear sway bar as suggested earlier.

 

[Scott]

You paid $12,500? Sorry if this seems rude, but why not just buy an MSP for that much?

 

[oneflyryd]

I needed the hatchback versatility

 

[Protege52003]

looks nice and low milage.......i miss my P5!

-R