Thinking of buying

[sethm]

Hey, I found a great deal on an MP3 just wondering how mazdas are these days, we had one when I was a kid and it was kind of junk. Are there any main problems with the MP3 or Protege 5 other than being a little underpowered? If so you can email me at sethamiller@hotmail.com or call at 765-532-8005 but I need to know soon, so I don't miss the auction...

Thanks, great forum you have here

 

[1sty]

MP3's have several known issues. Tranny breakdowns, clutch slip, inducing wheel hop, all struts skeek when cold, rear sway bar bushings clunk loudly,

The only issues that mazda has adressed yet is the rear bushings.

Knowing What I do know i wouldn't have bought my MP3.

 

[Kooldino]

MP3's have several known issues. Tranny breakdowns, clutch slip, inducing wheel hop, all struts skeek when cold, rear sway bar bushings clunk loudly,

The only issues that mazda has adressed yet is the rear bushings.

Knowing What I do know i wouldn't have bought my MP3.

Wow, way to love your car, man.

Even if I knew of the issues ahead of time, I still would have bought my mp3. Dollar for dollar, you can't find a car with more than our mp3s have.

Let's take a look at the problems you list...
1-tranny breakdowns - This has only happened to about 5 people, and I'm pretty sure the warranty covered the repair in all cases.
2-clutch slip - true, i get it too (in the morning mostly...for the first few mins I drive), but eventually you'll be replacing your clutch anyway...especially if you're making your car faster.
3-wheel hop - Yes, it sucks, but almost every front wheel drive car out there has it. If you wanna get rid of it, get polyurethane motor mounts.
4-all struts skeek when cold - I dunno about this one...but if it's a problem with you, I'd reccomend some silicon lube
5-rear sway bar bushings clunk loudly - Yup that's a problem, but mazda will fix it for free.

Anyway, as far as bidding goes...assuming it's in PERFECT condition...I'd say DO NOT bid higher than specified in this formula i just made up...

For every 1,000 miles the car has, subtract $300 from $18,000. So if the car has 1,000 miles, stay under $17,7. If the car has 10,000 miles, stay under $15K. 20K miles, stay around 12K. If you can get it with 20K miles for 12K, that's a steal.

 

[APEXistud]

Concidering that some MP3's have all those issues, mine must be a gem then. I've only experienced a little swaybar clunking which can simply be cured by turning up the stereo. I say get the MP3 and save up for to slap the Mazdaspeed turbo on it

 

[Kooldino]

Concidering that some MP3's have all those issues, mine must be a gem then. I've only experienced a little swaybar clunking which can simply be cured by turning up the stereo. I say get the MP3 and save up for to slap the Mazdaspeed turbo on it

Screw that, for the same money, you can go with a REAL turbo setup...not some weak setup that will get you 170 at the CRANK.

 

[1sty]

The fact of the repair being free is irrelavent its that fact that I have to waste my time getting my car to and from the dealer atleast twice a month for something and it looks like those somethings are getting more serious. I loose money everytime I have to bring the car in becuase i have to take off of work to do it. I didn't get a new car to deal with this s***. Not to mention Mazda is about the worst company when it comes to admitting their cars have problems. How long did we all have to b**** to get them to adress the rear sway bar clunk. I can only imagine how long it will take to have them adress the clutch. Oh and by the way my slipping clutch is inducing the ******* wheel hop bad, the car bounces like crazy for a few seconds. Also a bad cluth insent such a small matter for the majority of people that aren't adding performnce mods to their cars.

 

[manuel]

what multimillion company wants to admit they have a defective product?...btw, i still havent heard the infamous "clunk", no transmission troubles, nothing.

btw: the mazdaspeed is a WEAK STOCK setup. im sure with some tuning, you could get more out of it, but im not a car buff so i really wouldnt know. what car has a "strong" turbo setup? that isnt a SPORTS car....??

 

[70]

Just buy the MP3...It's worth it.

And yes, I am posting little messages all over becuase I'm about seven posts away from 500...

 

[DooMer_MP3]

I am still in love with my MP3. $ for $ this car is an incredible deal. The car gets so many looks wherever it goes, and often the "nice car" comment. I love that. I must have also been blessed with a gem rolleyes: ) because the only problem my car has had is the clunking noise. I live in Wisconsin, and in almost a year, it has happened twice, NOT twice a month.

My car is in the shop right now getting its oil changed and getting new bushings (different part number now) that will hopefully fix the problem. The customer care at my dealership is fantastic. The mechanic called some people he knew at my request to try and get some additional info. He also talked to the chief Protege engineer who told him about the new bushings they're trying out to fix the problem. He also said the new parts should prevent it from happening so quickly, but they are still working on a permanent fix. Each dealership can be very different though.

So yeah, I still love my MP3 and think it is about the best car I could've bought for the money. I am also excited about the growing aftermarket the MP3 and P5 have generated. Get this car!!!

Chris

 

[vegasmp3]

All cars have problems, wether it is a lexus or jaguar..........I got my swaybar on my mp3 fixed as soon as I heard the cluking....my dealership new what was going on then, i was one of the first to get mine fixed about 4 months ago. When this problem was happening to most of the mp3. So maybe your dealership sucks.

 

[MP3 Paul]

I think the MP3 is worth it! The price that you pay, you can actually get a car with super car handling! Did you read the Road and Track in November 2001. The MP3 beated the Ferrari 360 Modena and Corvette Z06 at slalom at 68mph!!!!!!

And it has the best stereo that you can get from a stock car!!!

 

[scott42]

agree..

With pretty much everyone...but mostly 1st MP3 in NH...I guess its because my dealership sucks...I still have yet to get the clunk fixed, and won't be able to until I can figure out a way to get it to happen when I'm actually there with one of them in the car...they won't investigate, they won't try and fix it...they HAVE to hear it themselves, and don't have the time or patience to be arranging times that I can leave work or what not to try and get them to hear it...they blow its thier fault, not so much the car's or mazda's even at this point...
but like many have said, $ for $ it is damn nice.
Looking back though, I would have kept my 240 a little longer and saved some more for a nicer used car (2 or 3yr old BMW 325, IS300 or something) The handling is cool and all, but I've been getting tired of the road noise and the harsh ride I guess I'm getting old... god help the fkr that messes with me on the highway and gets off the same exit though...I'll pass that sob on the outside on the exit ramp tried it the other day actually, and could have done it, but backed off...I guess I had left my balls at home...

 

[cjstringer]

BUY IT

As an MP3 owner, in Indy myself, I would recommend you buy it. Dealerships suck. They all do. Never been to a competent one yet. The car may have some minor squeaks and knocks, but it's a performance car, so I deal with it. In Indy, you'll stand out. I've seen one other and it was from Bloomington.
If you decide to get it, I'd better see you at an Indy SCCA autocross. (indyscca.org) I race Columbus and Indy. The car rules GS. Haven't been beat yet in Columbus. Indy has a lot of Neon ACR drivers on Race tires, so it's a different story, but I'll be getting racers asap, so I'll even the score.
Let me know if you have any Q's. I'll be glad to help!

 

[1sty]

Re: agree..

With pretty much everyone...but mostly 1st MP3 in NH...I guess its because my dealership sucks...I still have yet to get the clunk fixed, and won't be able to until I can figure out a way to get it to happen when I'm actually there with one of them in the car...they won't investigate, they won't try and fix it...they HAVE to hear it themselves, and don't have the time or patience to be arranging times that I can leave work or what not to try and get them to hear it...they blow its thier fault, not so much the car's or mazda's even at this point...
but like many have said, $ for $ it is damn nice.
Looking back though, I would have kept my 240 a little longer and saved some more for a nicer used car (2 or 3yr old BMW 325, IS300 or something) The handling is cool and all, but I've been getting tired of the road noise and the harsh ride I guess I'm getting old... god help the fkr that messes with me on the highway and gets off the same exit though...I'll pass that sob on the outside on the exit ramp tried it the other day actually, and could have done it, but backed off...I guess I had left my balls at home...

Call Mazda directly and complain about the dealer. Mazda now has the part in their database and should be doing wareenty replacement for the clunking.