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

[BadBandar]

That price sounds pretty damn good for that many miles. Your approaching everything in a right way. Good job.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

haha if that car wasn't yellow I'd be all over it. thats the one thats like 20 mins from my parents' house. lol

 

[03.5MSP1]

Well I appreciate all but one of the replies. But are those things that thaikim said true? I really don't want to be purchasing a headache, I want a fun and reliable daily driver

 

[wickedjra]

i LOVE my MSP! Definitely a "hobby" and you will put money into it. but you will love driving it. But do not expect it to be the big kid on the block. It's perfect for me, as it is my family car and my fun drive when the kids aren't in it.

 

[Jboost]

Well I appreciate all but one of the replies. But are those things that thaikim said true? I really don't want to be purchasing a headache, I want a fun and reliable daily driver

Some are true, however i think that worrying about blowing the motor is something that people worry about to much. I still have trouble beleiving half the storys something about " i was pulling away from a stop light at 1/8th throttle and it just ****** blew up!!" doesn't sit right with me. The real story probably goes "This kid in a kitted civic reved at me so i launched the **** out of my car bounced rev limiter and shifted hard into second and bogged down and then it blew up!" seems much more realistic.
I love my car, it handles great gets good gas milage(spelling??) and is quick enough to entertain me on a dull day. Yes there are day's I wish I had started off with a better platform, but my friends also drive STI's, big turbo GTI's, Turbo'd B-series integras, and a 1.5jz twin turbo supra. I have bigger dreams for this car but am limited by cash flow and time. Like I stated before you have truly realistic goals and shouldn't have problems with were you want the car to be. Plus you live in MN so you should buy it just so I have someone to talk to on the forum about our poopy weather.

 

[Stolen]

So I have to spend money to make it reliable?

 

[03.5MSP1]

Some are true, however i think that worrying about blowing the motor is something that people worry about to much. I still have trouble beleiving half the storys something about " i was pulling away from a stop light at 1/8th throttle and it just ****** blew up!!" doesn't sit right with me. The real story probably goes "This kid in a kitted civic reved at me so i launched the **** out of my car bounced rev limiter and shifted hard into second and bogged down and then it blew up!" seems much more realistic.
I love my car, it handles great gets good gas milage(spelling??) and is quick enough to entertain me on a dull day. Yes there are day's I wish I had started off with a better platform, but my friends also drive STI's, big turbo GTI's, Turbo'd B-series integras, and a 1.5jz twin turbo supra. I have bigger dreams for this car but am limited by cash flow and time. Like I stated before you have truly realistic goals and shouldn't have problems with were you want the car to be. Plus you live in MN so you should buy it just so I have someone to talk to on the forum about our poopy weather.

Thanks for the input. I think this car will work out good for me, it just sucks that I keep reading about all of these semi-serious things that the MSPs have a problem with. As much as my last Quaiffe differential was fun, I'd rather not have to purchase another one...

 

[BOOSTR]

So I have to spend money to make it reliable?

In a word, no. The car will be as reliable as you make it by the way you use it and maintain it. In 5 years of ownership and 69K+ miles, I've replaced the head unit, bushings, battery and kartboy exhaust hangers because they all failed. Everything else that I did(mods) was out of choice and not need.

Don't believe all the myths about the car. 90% of the time the driver and their right foot is responsible for any problems encountered. The other 10% is either bad luck or just a part that gave out.

 

[BOOSTR]

Quit reading fictional accounts. By fictional, I mean that they just happened randomly and the way each car was used and or treated prior to the major problem occuring almost never gets incorporated into the post.

 

[Stolen]

^ that answered a ton of questions I've had in my head, thanks.

 

[Rush]

I've decided to combine all of these 'looking at buying a used MSP' threads into one large one that'll be Stickied at the top of the Lounge. Just like people here are wondering about how to go about selling their MSPs .. there's gonna be those people who are wondering what to look for when purchasing a MSP!

So anyone that's looking at a MSP to possibly purchase, please post your situation here for feedback!

 

[2.0t03speed]

wow how long did this take you lol

 

[Stolen]

But now I don't know where my car went :-(

 

[Rush]

But now I don't know where my car went :-(

If you wanna call it that:

http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/mazda-mazdaspeed_protege-cars135905429


I REALLY am thinking about getting one...what are your opinions on MSP or a Mazdaspeed3?

.. There it is. All you had to do was scroll through a few pages and quote your own post.

 

[Stolen]

I was being sarcastic, lol

 

[Stolen]

..but thanks

 

[xboxlivemonkey]

wtf guys , just get a protege 5 , boost it , and enjoy some head aches lmao

 

[solo_ryder]

Hi Guys,

I am also a new guy to the forum and I have been trolling around for a few days trying to pick up some info. ATM I have a MX3 with a bunch of mods and I have owned that for some time. However, I am looking at getting a newer car now and a close friend wants to purchase my car outright. I am located in BC Canada and I have always loved the looks of the MSP. I have started searching craigslist and all the car sale sites to see if I can find one for sale. I have a few hits but one has caught my eye, mostly because of the price.. Here is a link:

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/car/684538332.html

Its an american car in Canada, with 54k Miles (86k km's) and the price seems negotiable. I just need to know a few things..

- What should I look for in this car as problems if I do go to test drive it?
- What is the difference between the 03 and the 03.5 car besides general body styling?
- It seems he changed the timing belt already? Is this motor a interference motor?

Here is another car that I have been looking at, although I am not a fan of yellow. I prefer the titanium or the spicy orange:

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/car/655375990.html

 

[mazdaspeedwerx]

you could ask them if they are on one of the protege forums and ask what thier screen name is so you could find some post. good way to find out what mods were on or if it has current problems. thats assuming they are on a forum.

 

[solo_ryder]

Ok, will do. I found another one at a local repo place, very reasonably priced too. I still need to sell my mx3 though