Thinking Of Getting An Mp3 Need Advice

[jgardner18]

I just joined this site. I was looking into trading in my current car to get a Mazda MP3. I've always loved the look of this car, and I'd love to put some civic drivers in their place by modding one of these babys. Anyway, I figured I'd get some advice and opinions from owners that have already had the chance to experience this ride. How hard or easy are they to mod? Are there performance parts such as ECU upgrades, and are the stock internals capable of handling a turbo? Also, what kind of numbers are you guys seeing at the track. If anyone wants to share their experiences with me I'd greatly appreciate it. I am going to test drive one at a dealer tomorrow. It's a 2000, with 60,000 miles on it. 5 speed, in bright yellow. I'm already thinking carbon fiber hood, and tein springs would make this car look sharp.

 

[AznXstazy]

good choice to start with if your getin it. and yellow mp3s are way rarer than blue mp3s. 1000 blue mp3 and 500 yellow mp3s were made all together. as for turbo... we get good dyno numbers from it. but our internals suck mostly. there are upgrades for internals, there not cheap though.... but as for killin civics hehe i can own them pretty much with just intake. as long as its not a si or anything special like engine swaped or anything. this forum is great. great people to work with too. trust me i been to other forums n no other forum is like msprotege.com. but ya if u do get teh mp3 post some pics!

 

[Captain KRM P5]

pat dehaan has a highly modified yellow mp3 that has dynoed at over 350whp and run well into the 12 second range in the quarter mile. he is no longer on this forum but you can spot his car over at cardomain.com

 

[ChopstickHero]

check on the price of the MP3 and see if you can find a MSP (Mazdaspeed Turbo), the price difference may not be that much and you can start modding with a turbocharged car instead of an NA one.

 

[jgardner18]

MSP is mazda speed turbo? Can you swap the ECU on these cars? anyone else have any comments, I figured there would be lots to say. Is this a car that is fun to own, are you guys happy with your purchase?

 

[jgardner18]

I've always loved the styling on this car. I think it would be great with a couple of mods. Stock is 140hp? Will this car handle a KKK turbo?

 

[AznXstazy]

mp3s came with 140hp. msp (mazda speed protege) came with 170 stock. the ecu can be swaped... but really no point. might want to get a emu instead, the mp3 ecu is the most different one. the p5 n msp n mp3 are interchangable. but i havnt read about anyone needing to swap ecu unless it was a mp3 going turbo charged. thats because the mp3 more advance timing. and ya u could always get a msp much better start, but remember not as rare as a mp3 =)

 

[Captain KRM P5]

there is no reason to put a mazdaspeed protege ecu into the mp3 unless you turbo the car

 

[Revs]

They handle very well, something like 0.90 lateral g's and very well balanced, but for straight line power they fall short. Only way to make impressive power is to boost the engine, sticking with n/a and adding i/h/e might get you 15-20whp which in my opinion is a waste.

 

[MP3Architect]

mp3's are GREAT cars to drive. i just sold mine last month, but i miss her everyday. i upgraded to a mazdaspeed though so i get the same great handling only with more speed. the only car ive EVER driven in my life that was close with the handling was a new corvette a few months ago. over the past 2 years i have driven my mp3 or my mazdaspeed (same suspension)every day. now that my mp3 is gone and my mazdaspeed is in for repairs (i wrecked it) i am left with a stratus as a rental. its total night and day with the difference of driving. i actually feel sort of unsafe taking turns in the stratus because forthe last 2 years ive had total control in almost every turn. theres really no comparison.and the suspenion isn't just for racing. its saved me from plenty of would have been accidents by being able to swerve much better than any other car on the road.the handling is trully top notch. if you have any other questions feel free to ask.

 

[Protege2K]

mp3's are GREAT cars to drive. i just sold mine last month, but i miss her everyday. i upgraded to a mazdaspeed though so i get the same great handling only with more speed. the only car ive EVER driven in my life that was close with the handling was a new corvette a few months ago. over the past 2 years i have driven my mp3 or my mazdaspeed (same suspension)every day. now that my mp3 is gone and my mazdaspeed is in for repairs (i wrecked it) i am left with a stratus as a rental. its total night and day with the difference of driving. i actually feel sort of unsafe taking turns in the stratus because forthe last 2 years ive had total control in almost every turn. theres really no comparison.and the suspenion isn't just for racing. its saved me from plenty of would have been accidents by being able to swerve much better than any other car on the road.the handling is trully top notch. if you have any other questions feel free to ask.

Repost

 

[winty87]

Skeet...I love my MP3. Got it in July, Best birthday present ever

 

[MP3Architect]

Repost

i know. (cheers)

 

[julius77]

got my mp3 Saturday. Life is great... Use to be a honda man.. F-Hondas

 

[jgardner18]

Thanks guys. I drove the car today. This one was owned by a mazda technician that traded it in to get a WRX. The car had an aftermarket exhaust that sounded sweet. I loved the drive. The steering is stiff, very solid. And the suspension is very tight. I felt very confident heading into corners, although I feel that in a straight line I felt it could use more power. I think I'd be better suited for the Mazdaspeed. But, to keep payments where I want them, I can't find a Mazdaspeed for the price I want. It seems that the intake on the MP3 is pretty good already. Does adding a CAI help that much? You guys have a sweet car, glad I at least got to drive it. Like I said I've always loved this car, I think I'd be happier with the turbo though. I'll let you guys know.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

add a turbo kit to the car down the line

 

[MP3Architect]

how much you lookin at spending? ive seen some msp's go as low as 11.5k recently. some of them may been ran pretty hard though. some good ones have gone for as low as 13k though. keep a look out.

 

[vcinsanity1523]

If you enjoy "driving" your cars especially around a track MP3's are always a nice way to go