Looking at buying a MSP and want advice? Post here!

[Wagonbacker9]

you need to have the pic uploaded... use a hyperlink to where it is uploaded. also, make a thread of your own.

 

[SeR_Cyclops]

Go to www.photobucket.com that is a good place to make an account and upload your pics.

 

[Silverspeed2015]

opened my own thread and put links to pictures

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123767640

 

[HondaEat-R]

Change the gear oil with every oil change? **** that. I think anybody that's over 10psi on the stock turbo is overdue for a 28rs. Whether you're built or not they are simply better no matter how much boost you run.

Until you've ran the stock turbo at 15psi, I'd hold off on the assumption that its not enough fun. I get your point
though. Anyone truly interested in learning about our stock turbo can call Honeywell Garrett to learn about its efficiencies and deficiencies. The efficiency island maps dont tell everything. My turbo works fine, and I'll only upgrade it when its toast. Nowadays I stay around 12psi tops.

 

[HondaEat-R]

you change the gear oil because if you're smart, you're running race gear oil, which has a calcium carbonate in it. as the crystals get crushed, they absorb that stress. Once they're all crushed, its time for a change. its not something most would consider DD-able.

Bingo. PAR didn't include that info when they sold the gears to me, nor did NEO Oil. That's a problem.

 

[Ricktalife]

Until you've ran the stock turbo at 15psi, I'd hold off on the assumption that its not enough fun. I get your point
though. Anyone truly interested in learning about our stock turbo can call Honeywell Garrett to learn about its efficiencies and deficiencies. The efficiency island maps dont tell everything. My turbo works fine, and I'll only upgrade it when its toast. Nowadays I stay around 12psi tops.

Yea I can imagine it would pull like a b****, but I'm just saying the 28rs would be a lot safer and more efficient. Plus it's a good reason to start upgrading all of your other s*** lol.

 

[Hank3]

Is this MSP a good deal?

Looking at the possibility of selling my MS3 and getting into a MSP to put some $$$ in the bank. I love the MS3, but it's simply too nice of a vehicle just to drive to work and back. Out of the two years I've owned it, I barely get into boost and we sure could use money to put towards the house. Kids are on the horizon so every dollar helps

Anyways, there's an '03.5 Yellow MSP I'm looking at with 88K miles. 2 owners and at some point the engine was replaced. Everything else is stock except for the exhaust and I would get the stock exhaust if I decide I want to have a muffler shop put that on. Timing belt has been done, front and rear brake pads have been done. Front rotors replaced. Tranny shifts smoothly and the clutch grabs well. I'm assuming the turbo is stock. Tires have a good a mount of tread left. Only minor issue is at idle, the engine will drop down to 300 RPM every once in a while and then back to normal. The front bumper is from a yellow MP3 so the fog lights are there and not hooked up. Kenwood HU and amp are out...and replaced with just a plain old Mazda OEM HU. Price is $4800 and it's 800 miles away from me.

I could potentially put $9K - $10K in the bank. Wondering if you MSP owners think this is a good deal.

Here's the Carfax report: CLICKY

Pics of the car:

 

[Outlawstar98]

Have any pictures of it?

 

[Hank3]

Just posted them along with the Carfax

 

[BOOSTR]

Seems like a potential candidate given your situation. But seeing how you almost never get into boost then just sell the 3 and get something less expensive that is not turbo.

3.5's did not come with foglights and rpm dip is an easy fix.

 

[Hank3]

Yeah - I'm wondering if one of the previous owners liked the fog light look better and had the bumper switched...or if it got into a minor accident and had it replaced. Not all those incidents pop up in the Carfax reports.

 

[BOOSTR]

Possibly and I also think the 03.5 bumper cover is discontinued so maybe it was in an accident and they used what was available.

 

[Hank3]

True. Well...just toying with the idea is all. Seems like a good deal.

 

[thepope540]

If its in good shape, $4800 is a steal - but there could be some costly repairs needed unless they have already been done.

Questions to ask the owner:

Has the diff been replaced? If so what was put in? - My stock diff went at ~62K miles
How much boost is dialed in? - I threw a rod this winter on 8 psi.
Why was the bumper replaced?
Check engine light - if so, what codes?
What shape is the exhaust manifold in? Any cracks?
When was the motor replaced and why?

You mention that you would have a shop put a stock exhaust on which I'm guessing means that for whatever reason (space, tools, time, know-how) you won't be working on the car yourself. I love my msp, but I have had to put in a diff and now a motor in the past 5K miles. My experience is worse than most, but the msp is a fragile piece. I enjoy working on cars so it hasn't been too big of a deal, but I have still spent a fair amount on parts. If I were paying someone else to do the work it would be a whole other story. If I were you I would put a little more money in the pot and buy one that already has at least a welded diff and maybe a forged motor. Last time I looked there was at least one in the FS forum (already built) and I think the asking was only around $8K. I think it would be a much better investment if you plan to keep the car for a while. Or buy the one for $4800 and keep some money aside for repairs if/when needed. Hope that helps

 

[o0n8]

the rear bumper color seems off to me, and the hook up for the fog lights should be there. The trunk has een debadged so it may have been painted.

 

[Hank3]

If its in good shape, $4800 is a steal - but there could be some costly repairs needed unless they have already been done.

Questions to ask the owner:

Has the diff been replaced? If so what was put in? - My stock diff went at ~62K miles
How much boost is dialed in? - I threw a rod this winter on 8 psi.
Why was the bumper replaced?
Check engine light - if so, what codes?
What shape is the exhaust manifold in? Any cracks?
When was the motor replaced and why?

You mention that you would have a shop put a stock exhaust on which I'm guessing means that for whatever reason (space, tools, time, know-how) you won't be working on the car yourself. I love my msp, but I have had to put in a diff and now a motor in the past 5K miles. My experience is worse than most, but the msp is a fragile piece. I enjoy working on cars so it hasn't been too big of a deal, but I have still spent a fair amount on parts. If I were paying someone else to do the work it would be a whole other story. If I were you I would put a little more money in the pot and buy one that already has at least a welded diff and maybe a forged motor. Last time I looked there was at least one in the FS forum (already built) and I think the asking was only around $8K. I think it would be a much better investment if you plan to keep the car for a while. Or buy the one for $4800 and keep some money aside for repairs if/when needed. Hope that helps

I have no problems doing work on the MSP. I've worked on my friends MP3 before and my wife has an '02 Protege. Owned a '02 WRX before the MS3 that I did a good amount of mdos on, too. Granted, they Proteges I've toyed aorund with were not turbo'd, but I'm familiar with the car in a general sense. Was posting this in here since you guys have way more knowledge on the quirks and inrticacies of the MSPs

The dealer doesn't have too much history on the car since he purchased it from an auction. All of the questions you pose are VERY valid and I would ask them, but I'm afraid the answers would be limited. Probably a good enough reason to not pursue I suppose. The stock exhaust was cut off and needs to be welded on according to the seller.

We're not in a rush or desperate to sell the MS3 since we own that and have no payments. Just kinda perusing around to see what deals are out there and if it would make sense.

 

[Hank3]

the rear bumper color seems off to me, and the hook up for the fog lights should be there. The trunk has een debadged so it may have been painted.

Yeah, the rear bumper looks a little off in the pics, but it may be the angle/lighting? Who knows, that could've been damaged too. Good eye on the debadging - didn't catch that.

This is the reason I'm posting in here, so you guys can see if anything is off

 

[o0n8]

with the radio and sub box missing, mp3 or msp 03 front, new engine, trunk/bumper not matching, it's a good deal for a project if you have something or dd if it's a step up from what you have.
but that's just my thoughts

 

[SCMP3]

and it has a pro5 radio....

 

[MSPat]

Looking into this MSP! Need opinions!

Hey all! New member, I have always had a thing for the MSP, and now that they have came down somewhat in price iv been looking around for one. I came across this one on Autotrader, Seems clean and well done. I know how these cars dont like to push alot of boost and like to throw rods at stock boost.

This one seems to be one of the better ones iv came across in my price range, let me know if I should stay away or really look into it.

Thanks.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...rice=&cardist=324&standard=false&rdpage=thumb




In case the link fails heres the decription...
Nicely modified rare MazdaSpeed Protege (production number 608) properly tuned, which puts down 190 whp 194 ft/lbs tq at 9 psi on stock T25 turbo. This car is a blast to drive, handles very well. Great car for many purposes that gets low to high twenties mpg city and highway.#### Mods: Injen cold air intake. Vibrant exhaust system. Perrin front mount intercooler. Greddy Type S BOV (relocated MAF to prevent stalling). Thunder exhaust manifold (JetHot coated). ATP wastegate actuator. MPI Tuner. GM 3 Bar MAP sensor. JoeP Fuel Cut Defender. FM O2 signal voltage clamp. 750cc secondary injector.#### Drivetrain: Exedy Stage 1 Organic Clutch. Replacement LSD Revision 3. AWR front and rear motor mounts. KartBoy exhaust hangers. KartBoy shifter bushings. New tires @ 60,000, Falcon Azenis RT-615.#### Suspension/Brakes: Tein S Tech springs (front). Falken springs (rear). Rotora Front & Rear Slotted Rotors. Axxis Deluxe Plus Organic Brake Pads (Front & Rear). Techna-Fit SS Brake Line Kit.#### Exterior: Non-MSP tail lights with turn signal portion painted amber. MP3 amber sidemarkers. Nokya yellow fog light bulbs.#### Interior: Autometer Ultralite Boost Gauge. Autometer Ultralite Oil Pressure(now on pillar pod-not as pictured). GReddy Profec-B Spec II electronic boost controller. StreetRings (bezels around gauges in factory gauge cluster). Apex'1 Auto Timer.#### Full disclosure: Oil Pressure gauge is not hooked up. Front wind splitter is cracked due to contact with a Fox. Front bumper does not fit perfectly on driver side. Small tear in tint on rear driver side window.