looking at buying a P5 but...... Clutch noise?

[HA-Y-N]

whats up mazda fam. So i recently found a 2003 mp5 for sale. the only problem is a scraping or grinding noise coming from the transmission as the clutch is engaging/engaged and while driving. The owner says she was just cruising through town when she heard a loud pop or thud followed by the scraping noise so she immediately pulled over and got it towed to the dealership she bought it from. after inspecting the car they told her there is nothing they can do because they do not do transmission work. I suspect the clutch material burst into a million pieces and the plastic plate and rivets are now rubbing on the flywheel or the throw out bearing went out. Now my question to you guys is if you think the clutch/throwout bearing is the problem or if the transmission itself needs work? i have never heard of a stock prote blowing up a tranny but maybe you guys have. She is asking 600 so i can guaranteed talk her down to 500 as she is leaving the hawaiian islands on saturday and "needs the money". You guys think its worth it.

 

[Jackie chan]

For 500, I'd say definately. Even if it needs a tranny, thats not a bad deal at all if the rest of the car is in good shape.

 

[HA-Y-N]

Yeah I'm pretty sure I'm gonna buy it. Hopefully it's just the clutch. I have never rebuilt a manual transmission but I am a mechanic and I definitely want to learn how. Perfect excuse I guess. I just don't know what the hell that noise is though, anyone have a throwout bearing go bad? Simalr symptoms?

 

[HA-Y-N]

well its officially mine. tried to tow it to my place of employment (Mechanic/Garage) myself but got stuck in gear so i had to pay for a real tow. I have spent 605$ so far including the tow. im pretty sure its just the throwout bearing. Ill know for sure in a couple days. hopefully i can pull the trans tonight after work. i would post pics but dont know how. for 500 shes a beauty. im so stoked. This is my 8th protege but first wagon

 

[HA-Y-N]

it came with an extra Intake Mani in the trunk too haha

 

[HA-Y-N]

sooooo it turns out i got a bad transmission... lucky me lol. i do have an auto trans laying around but would need alot of parts to complete the swap. I,m looking for another 5-speed but the 2.0l's are scarce here in Maui, HI. My question now is what transmissions are compatible with the FS-DE? There are alot of 1.8l or 1.6l proteges. What are my options?