MS Protege Daily driving reliability

[c7scayman]

Hey, I have wanted an MSP for about 5 years now and almost bought one on a few occasions. I have a RWD sports car I track that I am using as a DD now. I was thinking of buying an MSP as a daily driver. I am a spirited driver, but I do not plan to race it on the track. It will be purely used for daily driving. No modifications at all. All Stock.

I found an 03.5 titanium gray for $5000 with 75,000 miles on engine and 145,000 miles on body. Engine was replaced by Mazda under warranty. Paper work is available. It has factory size 17 inch aftermarket wheels, not the usual gray wheels that come with MSP's. It is in great condition. Even the steering wheel looks fine. I understand that the steering wheels lose their color pretty fast due to sun damage and skin oil. Sounds like a good deal? Clean Title.

Would it be reliable for daily driving for the next 2-3 years? Assuming all maintenance is done with some daily spirited driving(after engine warms up). I drive about 7000 miles per year and again I plan to keep it for 3 years max so I would sell the car when it reaches around 96,000 miles or less. Would it be hard to sell since the engine has been replaced?

I just recently sold my old high mileage 96 Protege which I had for 8 years. It was a great car that I daily drove very hard with minimal problems, but suddenly the 2nd gear synchro went followed by the oil leaking main trans seal and both front axles.

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[MX5RACER]

With replacement of things like the wastegate actuator and regular maintenance, these cars are fine for DD. If you stay at stock boost levels, you should be fine.

 

[SCMP3]

I think I know the car your looking at. I think its a member here. Any pics of the car

 

[protege3690]

I think I know the car your looking at. I think its a member here. Any pics of the car

me too i think hes talking about VIPMSP's titanium that hes selling. but ive had my car as my DD for going on 4 years now. nothing ever serious wrong just basic maint kept it running right. when the mod bug bites is when i believe these cars start getting tempermental

 

[Preferio]

If you drive like a normal person, it'll be fine...

 

[Sport23]

My MSP has been my daily for 9 1/2 years now. The only time it left me stranded was my own fault. I know others have not had as much luck but these cars can be fine for daily driving. With a sporty car this old it all depends on how it has been driven, maintained and if (and how) it has been modified.

 

[orangeade]

I've used mine as a daily driver since new. I have to say its been a very reliable car thus far. I've taken it through the mountain passes on a few occasions and it's been fantastic through the curves. The only major problem, if you can call it major, was an overheating issue last year which a new thermostat took care of.

 

[BOOSTR]

Even modified it can be a great daily driver. Bought mine brand new and now has close to 98,000. Original engine, turbo,bpv,wastegate, clutch, LSD and everything else except for what I removed and replaced for enhanced performance. Starts everytime I turn the key. So yeah in my experience it has a very reliable daily driver.

 

[protege3690]

Even modified it can be a great daily driver. Bought mine brand new and now has close to 98,000. Original engine, turbo,bpv,wastegate, clutch, LSD and everything else except for what I removed and replaced for enhanced performance. Starts everytime I turn the key. So yeah in my experience it has a very reliable daily driver.

agreed 115k and still rolling on original engine trans lsd, clutch was replaced before i bought mine, but all in all a reliable car. i agree with what Preferio said. depends how u drive this car. as we can all agree these cars arent Hondas that can get beat to hell and run dry with no oil in them and continue driving lol

 

[c7scayman]

I think I know the car your looking at. I think its a member here. Any pics of the car

Yes he is a member. I could get a pic, but i'm too lazy to link it to this thread.

I have driven an MSP in the past. It was in great condition except for some reason the passenger window did not stay in the door when you closed the window. It went out of the door frame. You had to hold it in as it was going up and move your fingers away at the last second. It also did not feel like it was turbocharged, or anymore powerful than a 130hp Protege DX. So I think the turbo was bad on the Silver 03.5 I drove.

So how are the turbochargers? How long do they typically last? I read 60,000 miles in general. Again, I am keeping it stock. Stock PSI, stock Intake, stock everything.

 

[Sport23]

Garrett ball bearing turbos are very good. If you change the oil on a regular basis and don't overheat it then it should last easily over 100k. I think that 200k is doable on a well maintained car.

 

[VIPMSP]

 

[jeremy irons]

my car has 200,000KMS on it, original engine, LSD, trans and turbo. thats like 120,000Miles

 

[VIPMSP]

Hey, I have wanted an MSP for about 5 years now and almost bought one on a few occasions. I have a RWD sports car I track that I am using as a DD now. I was thinking of buying an MSP as a daily driver. I am a spirited driver, but I do not plan to race it on the track. It will be purely used for daily driving. No modifications at all. All Stock.

I found an 03.5 titanium gray for $5000 with 75,000 miles on engine and 145,000 miles on body. Engine was replaced by Mazda under warranty. Paper work is available. It has factory size 17 inch aftermarket wheels, not the usual gray wheels that come with MSP's. It is in great condition. Even the steering wheel looks fine. I understand that the steering wheels lose their color pretty fast due to sun damage and skin oil. Sounds like a good deal? Clean Title.

to clarify, this is the mod list:

Injen Cold Air Intake
Vibrant 3" inch turbo back exhaust(catless)
Forge adjustable wastegate(5psi spring)
CX Racing FMIC
AWR engine & transmission mounts
Corksport SS brake lines and clutch line
Eibach pro-kit lowering Springs
Tokico Blues Struts
Alpine speakers all around.
Kartboy short throw shifter
Twiggy Exhaust Cam

and i'm fairly sure the wheels are 17x7.5 Rota Battles... powdercoated gunmetal, but curbrashed as well.

the original steering wheel was beat, so i got a new one in much better condition. i wanted the interior to be super clean, and it is.

Would it be reliable for daily driving for the next 2-3 years? Assuming all maintenance is done with some daily spirited driving(after engine warms up). I drive about 7000 miles per year and again I plan to keep it for 3 years max so I would sell the car when it reaches around 96,000 miles or less.

i've had my silver MSP since july 2009 (bought w/ 72,000 mi) currently sitting @ 101,500. stock motor/trans/LSD/rods/pistons/turbo. just bolt ons. (not for long tho!).

it's all about proper maintenance and expanding your knowledge on the FS-DET via mazds247.