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

[Ricktalife]

Seems like most of them are on the east coast. (braindead

east side boys representin

 

[MadManMotors]

east side boys representin

Haha - either that or Cali boys crashing into everything.

Well, god help me, I did it. About 7700 and the dealer's going to fix a huge list of items, including the valve (not head, my bad) gasket, bushings and other minor leaks.

Looks like I'm #294 Black Mica...

 

[dstmsp03]

Haha - either that or Cali boys crashing into everything.

Well, god help me, I did it. About 7700 and the dealer's going to fix a huge list of items, including the valve (not head, my bad) gasket, bushings and other minor leaks.

Looks like I'm #294 Black Mica...

haha.. i think the cali boys comment is right on the money!! haha.. keep an eye out for me a buyer out there..

 

[c7scayman]

If you plan to get one from a place called Imports Auto Sales. Just warning you.
Passenger window does not go up unless you use your hands to push it up.
Rear strut is broken. Check engine light is on. Clutch is weak. That is why the car is so cheap with low mileage.

 

[funcrew]

BMW E30 owner looking at MSP

This looks like a good forum, I'm looking forward to learning from your experience with the MSP. My current daily driver is an '88 BMW 325i that I dearly love, but it's 20+ years old and I'm getting tired of fighting the old-car disintegration factor.

To replace the BMW, I'm looking for a small, lightweight 4-door sedan with reasonably good power and tight handling, and most importantly (I live in Las Vegas) reliable air conditioning. I like the MSP for all that, and with the wing removed, the styling is right down my alley. I'm 40+ and not interested in any radical mods, slammed suspension, or a car that has been tracked or autocrossed.

Specifically, I'd like to find a very low-mile adult owned example in one of the more subdued colors, that already has the mild mods done, as shown here:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123677826

I would appreciate any advice on looking for a car (Ebay, Autotrader, this forum?) and links to good where-to-start threads at this forum.

Thanks - It's great to be here.

 

[martispeed]

Yes this is a great forum... oh and Welcome!!!

As for researching, there are many threads on the MSP just search for what your looking for up on the top of the page. If you go down to advanced search (under the search tab) you can search by title, or by post....

Any way, hope you enjoy the forums. Make sure you read up on the MSP and learn about all the quirks!

 

[FunkyCold5]

Welcome to the forum! What's your location?

Andrew

This looks like a good forum, I'm looking forward to learning from your experience with the MSP. My current daily driver is an '88 BMW 325i that I dearly love, but it's 20+ years old and I'm getting tired of fighting the old-car disintegration factor.

To replace the BMW, I'm looking for a small, lightweight 4-door sedan with reasonably good power and tight handling, and most importantly (I live in Las Vegas) reliable air conditioning. I like the MSP for all that, and with the wing removed, the styling is right down my alley. I'm 40+ and not interested in any radical mods, slammed suspension, or a car that has been tracked or autocrossed.

Specifically, I'd like to find a very low-mile adult owned example in one of the more subdued colors, that already has the mild mods done, as shown here:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123677826

I would appreciate any advice on looking for a car (Ebay, Autotrader, this forum?) and links to good where-to-start threads at this forum.

Thanks - It's great to be here.

 

[dstmsp03]

Welcome to the forum! What's your location?

Andrew

he said he was in vegas.. lol..

welcome to the forum, a lot of info can be gained here, check out the FS forum for vehicles for sale on here, if you dont want a radical color, i suggest for 03.5 version titanium grey, sunlight silver or for the 03 version the black mica. the 03 and 03.5 are the same car.. just different color and different appearance such as the 03.5 has a front lip and slightly different rear lip, and a larger spoiler. the 03 version offers factory fogs and sparco accessories on the inside. good luck in your search! and lmk if you want an 03.5 in titanium grey with 62K miles.

 

[funcrew]

he said he was in vegas.. lol..

welcome to the forum, a lot of info can be gained here, check out the FS forum for vehicles for sale on here, if you dont want a radical color, i suggest for 03.5 version titanium grey, sunlight silver or for the 03 version the black mica. the 03 and 03.5 are the same car.. just different color and different appearance such as the 03.5 has a front lip and slightly different rear lip, and a larger spoiler. the 03 version offers factory fogs and sparco accessories on the inside. good luck in your search! and lmk if you want an 03.5 in titanium grey with 62K miles.

What is "lmk"? I'm too old to text. Also, thanks to the mod for moving this into the proper thread.

 

[nate0123]

"let me know"

 

[veganxxx]

Question about buying msp

hi i wanna get an msp it has 115k miles on for $6000 its clean i just wanna know will it last with that amount of miles on it , and i have one more question is the motor in mp3 same as msp except the turbo , with one would be a better choice mp3 or msp

 

[Metallic36]

You could probably find one that's already built with a new engine, etc. for around $8k-$9k on here.. that seems like a lot of miles for a stock one, and no doubt you will eventually have to replace the basics - turbo, wga, etc.

 

[Ricktalife]

yes, the motor is the same in both the mp3 and the msp. mazda just decided to slap a turbo on it and call it a speed.

 

[SCMP3]

i bought mine for $7800 with 132k miles. its still running ok but u will have to replace a fex things. my wga went out like a month after i bought it and my alternator went out a week later. then my water pump went out 3 months ago.(about 140K miles). it all just depends on what kinda shape its in. mine has been all general maintenance (that the previous owner didnt do) so far. so i would look it over good. not trying to run You awy from it. just some things to think about.

 

[disturbedfan121]

might be getting a 03 msp for dirt cheap. like so cheap i can't resist. i'm just going to be using for a daily no mods, its got 120k on it. after reading a lot i should be looking out for the diff mainly. i currently have a turbo car so i know what to look for there. but is the diff the main msp specific thing to look out for?

 

[Wagonbacker9]

might be getting a 03 msp for dirt cheap. like so cheap i can't resist. i'm just going to be using for a daily no mods, its got 120k on it. after reading a lot i should be looking out for the diff mainly. i currently have a turbo car so i know what to look for there. but is the diff the main msp specific thing to look out for?

yep.... the other stuff is minor.

the factory engine mounts are too soft and tear which can contribute to diff failure, the rear sway bushings suck and wear quickly, the stereo likes to blow up, but really, all you care about is if a welded diff was installed yet. if not, plan on it.

 

[disturbedfan121]

weld the diff? like same principle for difters? it make their cars turn like s***. cause it skitches out and whatnot. wouldn't the same thing happen?
anyone know a good msp shop in jersey? preferably central?

 

[Wagonbacker9]

sayin "welding the diff" on an MSP is NOT the same thing as saying welding the diff on any other car.

What we're talking about is welding the ring gear to the center section, NOT the spider gears. Yes, its stupid, but what are ya gonna do? lol Confused the hell outa me for the first month or so that I was on here too.

 

[disturbedfan121]

lol ok i was gonna say...

 

[gtxracer]

New to the forced induction world

Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a MSP as a DD. I currently have a Nissan Titan and I commute 300+ miles a week so the gas is starting to get to me. I have my eye on a local MSP, '03, blue, 120K, 1 owner, he used it as a commuter. Clean CARFAX with a score of 86, 3 month/3000 mile warranty from the dealer it's at and they're asking $6K for it.

What should I be looking for? The salesman said it might need new rear strut bushings since he heard some small noises. They're a small 3 person mom and pop dealer so he wasn't trying to sell me on gimmicks or anything I didn't already know. I've never owned a turbo car before. Actually, I've never owned a car period. I've always had a Jeep or a 4x4 truck but now I need a commuter. Don't worry, I still have a Jeep in the garage

So what are the common problems, especially with the high miles? Should I just skip it altogether and look for another one? Should I be worried about turbo shaft play? Anyone have a checklist or a recommended mechanic in the Portland/Seattle area? I will want to get the car checked out before I finalize anything.