Should I Buy The MazdaSpeed Protege?

[ProtegeSpeed303]

Ok, I was at the dealership the other day test driving a MazdaSpeed Protege and i loved it. It had the HKS BOV on it which sounds amazing and it seems to run really good besides the bushings which i heard go out on these alot. Bu the one thing i was concerned about is that the air/fuel ratio gauge was jumping back and forth from lean to rich when i was sitting at idle. Is this a normal issue with these? or can any aftermarket parts cause that? Thanks!!!!

 

[vodapas77]

Yes, some after market parts can make that worse. But, since I'm guessing that it is a narrow band air/fuel gauge you can pretty well disregard it anyhow. (Mostly good for nothing but a light show.) You might also notice some idle problems if the BOV isn't recirced as these cars run rich enough as it is without releasing air, that has already been accounted for by the MAF, to the atmosphere.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

if its just a cheap little air/fuel ratio gauge it will sweep back and forth like that at idle... its really only affective when you're accelerating and even at that point its still kinda useless since its a narrow band im sure.

How many miles on it? What year, color? How much were they asking?

 

[orphman]

if its just a cheap little air/fuel ratio gauge it will sweep back and forth like that at idle... its really only affective when you're accelerating.

How many miles on it? What year, color? How much were they asking?

ditto... only cuz im interested... evilmon... has much more knowledge i jsut love msp's so take his advice.. id tel lyou to buy any msp that runs

 

[03promaz]

Where are you from? I see the 303 if that stands for Aurora, CO and the car is at Gateway Mazda watch out they are very shady. Got my car there.

 

[ProtegeSpeed303]

Its a 2003 and it has 56000 miles on it and they are ask $14,900

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

thats kinda pricey, thats only $4.5k less than when i bougth mine brand new (and i kinda overpaid lol)...not sure where you are located but here's a couple people on the boards selling theirs for cheaper.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123665930

clean-lots of mods http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123674472

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123669187

 

[ProtegeSpeed303]

But i have to trade a car in so thats why i have to stick to dealerships. how much do you think i could talk them down

 

[We Are Ninja]

I got mine for 14.2 a year and a half ago with literally half the miles on it.

Should you buy that particular car? I dunno. Should you buy a MSP? Hellz yes.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

i see...well being that its a dealer, i doubt you'll be able to talk them down much...

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

+1

Do some more shopping. If you need to unload your car first maybe sell it to a carmax or something?

where are you located?

I got mine for 14.2 a year and a half ago with literally half the miles on it.

Should you buy that particular car? I dunno. Should you buy a MSP? Hellz yes.

 

[msp35]

12k honestly should be the ceiling for an unmodified pristine stock MSP.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

(werd) unfortunately you'll never see that price for one at a dealer.

12k honestly should be the ceiling for an unmodified pristine stock MSP.

 

[msp35]

doesn't mean you can't negotiate.
No dealer will give over 10k for an MSP regardless of condition right now. Blackbook is 9500 on the MSP. At 12k they are still makeing a fairly decent profit.

Protegespeed303: negotiate the price down. nearly 15k is WAY TOO MUCH.

 

[crashkelly]

i think he should just stress the fact the car is modified and he might be able to get them to knock a few dollars off.

 

[ProtegeSpeed303]

Well this car is for my lady so what would you do in my situation,

We have a 99 Jetta worth $3000 and own $7500 which has major electrical problems and why im trying to get rid of it so fast and i cant find any other MSP out there, What would you do in my situation? The car is $14,900 so it will be like $17 or 18 out the door. But i have to take a loss on the jetta.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

yeeeesh...for being upside down on the jetta that much and paying way much on the MSP, thats not gonna be fun...

 

[ProtegeSpeed303]

Well give me some suggestions guys. What would you do? Am i stupid for letting her do it? Here are some pics of the car. I mean this is basicly all she can get approved for. if she can even get approved for this much. she is only 18. im 19. so her credit is not built up long enought but it is perfect. no late payments or anything. and o im in utah

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

my main concern is that we have no idea how this vehicle was treated by the original owner. I see hardpipes and an upgraded Side mount intercooler.

It would just really suck for your G/f to buy this and owe almost double what its worth just to have it blow up a week later because it was abused....its happened before.

 

[crashkelly]

wow it has hardpipes and an upgraded SMIC...still not worth as much as they are selling it for...