Looking at a MSP and would like your opinion

[Adam_Ant]

Looking at buying a MSP. Just had a couple questions about maintenance and gas mileage. What kind of mileage do they get stock or with light mods and what kind of maintenance do they need. Are they high priced when it comes to normal maintenance. What kind of gas is everyone using 87 or 93 octane. I test drove the one today it has about 70000 miles on it and seems to be in good shape. The steering felt loose and the shifting felt stiff compared to my Redline is this normal. The car was alot of fun to drive and it seems it would be good for a family beings its a four door. Just wanting some input, thanks for the help.

 

[jeremyfl]

Welcome to the boards, their is a lot of good information on here.

Gas needs to be premium 93 or higher. As far as mileage I never seem to get good mileage on my cars.

Steering should feel tight and responsive always has on my msp, shifting I would agree is stiff compared to other cars I have driven.

The car is definately fun and unique as you dont see them everyday.

I recently had my engine go on me and after many delays I am rebuilding.

 

[ruskiMSP]

Maintenance isn't any different from any other car... Gas mileage, depends on how you drive it because it is a turbo..City i get anywhere from 15-21, highway about 25. 91 octane or higher, because once again, it is a turbo. steering shouldn't be too loose....car has its issues, search the forums, most are minor...
whats it priced for???

 

[Adam_Ant]

There asking 11,995. What kind of radio does it come with stock this one has a silver radio and the hard pipe from the turbo to the intercooler has been replased and has a bov in it. Also the intake filter has been relocated really colose to the ground. It seems to be in good shape minus a burn on the passenger front door. So it really doesnt get that better of gas mileage than my current car. The Redline gets maybe high 20s at best. Its just so hard to stay off the gas you know. Also my wife complained about the car feeling jerky could this be do to the aftermarket bov.

 

[ruskiMSP]

It comes with a silver kenwood that flips over, and back..
Intake filter close to the ground? you mean cold air intake??? 12K seems like a tid bit much for 80K Miles.

 

[Adam_Ant]

The radio is silver but doesnt say kenwood on it. The intake might be cold air but theres no brand marking on it or anything else under the hood. The car has 70 on it and the blue book was around 14. You think I should talk them down more. Are there any good mods to do to the car. I love my Redline but there isnt alot of support for it. Is there support for the MSP.

 

[ruskiMSP]

theres plenty of good mods for this car, just depends how much u want to spend...

 

[Buca]

It comes with a silver kenwood that flips over, and back..
Intake filter close to the ground? you mean cold air intake??? 12K seems like a tid bit much for 80K Miles.

I agree, around here that is high for the mileage. I might have a blazing yellow forsale in the next month or so, and steering should be nice and tight, that's what makes these cars so fun.....

 

[jeremy1210]

Hey is the car located at Weinle auto sales in western hills? If so I test drove that car back in feb when I was looking to buy one. I beleive there was also an oil leak around the turbo and the sub and amp from the trunk.

I thought that 70k miles was high for a 03.5 year model... I'm not trying to disuade you, just giving my opinions of the car

The radio is silver but doesnt say kenwood on it. The intake might be cold air but theres no brand marking on it or anything else under the hood. The car has 70 on it and the blue book was around 14. You think I should talk them down more. Are there any good mods to do to the car. I love my Redline but there isnt alot of support for it. Is there support for the MSP.

 

[Adam_Ant]

Ya thats the car. I noticed the sub and amp were missing. I also saw the oil leak. Did you notice the steering was off or was it just me.

 

[ItsSlow]

Just walk away.. Sounds like that car has had its ride around the block a time or 2.. or just offer them 9500 and see if they take it.. If they dont, walk away because with the condition its in, its not worth 12k..

 

[cbr600rx7]

Handling should be tight and responsive and the clutch is a lot stiffer then the redlines. I only run 93 BP up in NC its the best fuel around. I see around 24 mpg and maybe 28 on interstate as long as im staying out of boost witch is harder then it seams (laugh) . Its a good car and fun to drive.

 

[AlienInv8r]

12k is definitely too much for that many miles. If you look around you should be able to find one with less miles for that price. I was selling mine with less mileage for about that price (debating on still keeping it).

Shifting is stiffer than your average car, and steering should be tight and responsive.

 

[cbr600rx7]

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/features/0301scc_mazda_protege/ This might help

 

[ChopstickHero]

add some engine management and tune it. it will lean the air/fuel mixture as well as give you some better power and gas mileage. i get about 28-30mpg every tank with mixed city/highway.

 

[We Are Ninja]

12k is definitely too much for that many miles. If you look around you should be able to find one with less miles for that price. I was selling mine with less mileage for about that price (debating on still keeping it).

Shifting is stiffer than your average car, and steering should be tight and responsive.

Werd. I paid 14K for mine with 26000 miles a year and a half ago...

 

[kamon8404]

I paid 13.9K for mine with 32XXX miles.

You have to use 93 octane. If you don't you will be sorry.

The clutch in my car is super stiff, but I prefer that way now after driving it for awhile.

I got 30 miles/gal even on the highway with some city driving mixed in. Keep in mind, I'm also the DSM AFC and that definitely leans out the map. Before the AFC I was getting around 27ish ... that was with mostly city driving though.

 

[MSpeed2397]

Dude, if you want to check out an MSP in cinci that's close to stock shoot me a PM. There are some differences in mine, but it has all the stock problems that you should be aware of haha. Anyways, PM me if you want to check it out sometime (I had mine for sale a while ago but decided on keeping it).

Thanks,
Mark