Used Msp vs Ford ST. Torn.

[rickyfinch07]

Alright gentleman, I'll make it short and sweet. I have a 2003.5 msp almost bone stock.
I'll be deploying again soon to Afghanistan and that will allow me to spend around $25,000 for a car. I love my msp. But it definitely has it quirks. Im looking hard at a new Ford Fiesta ST. Or a year or two old Focus ST.
What would you do? Totally rebuild and paint your current car for considerable less or go new with the ST.

Before it is mentioned I have looked extensively at the Mazda speed 3, but I'm just not considering it. It leaves much to be desired in the fit and finish area.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts,
Ricky Finch

 

[duren03msp]

IMO, with $25,000 I would buy a used EVO or STI with at minimum a good body. then invest the rest of the cash which would be anywhere from 7-10k and slap on a GTX turbo, intake and turbo manifolds, cams, turboback exhaust, EWG and a good tune. if tuned correctly those engines can easily hold 500hp. plenty enough for the street.

......or fully build the MSP!!!

 

[rickyfinch07]

Good options, no doubt. But I think a dd 500 hp car is begging for breakage over a little time. Seriously thinking about sinking some money into the Msp and having a whole new car that way. A 250-300 hp Msp would be boat loads of fun. Still be pretty reliable and be well inside of my max budget.

 

[TX Speed Demon]

If you can deal with a two seater I would get a lightly used Nissan 370z. You can find them with about 30k miles for low $20s to high teens. They are great fun even stock, and the interior is way better than an MSP, evo or sti. If you're willing to get one with more miles there are a few with turbo kits on them for sale on the370z.com that are just outside your current budget.

otherwise unless you really love the MSP I would go with the focus st. A friend of mine has one and it's a great little car, even stock. With a few bolt one and a Cobb accessport it could be pretty fun and much more reliable than a 12 year old, rebuilt protege. To really build a stock MSP correctly you're looking at $8-10K before you touch the transmission or suspension. You could eat up 1/2 your budget pretty easily. Could take it all if you painted, or built the transmission to handle 300+ whp. And even then you'd have an old car where things can go wrong as your daily driver. If this is your only car I wouldn't suggest it.

if this is your only car you might be wise to buy a lightly used base civic or sentra then take your time rebuilding the MSP. It will take a bit longer but you won't be SOL when it's down.

 

[daonly1around]

save it?




HAHA, this is a car forum right?

 

[rickyfinch07]

Ok I'll clarify a bit further as far as my needs go. I need a sedan, wife and kids ;-). Also looking for sporty but practical. The more mpg the better. And although it'll be a daily driver. It is not my only vehicle. I'm not wanting a super car. Just something that is fun to drive, able to hold all my family and won't break the bank with repairs when they happen.
As far as building my Msp if I do for that route. I'd forge the engine, maybe a slightly bigger turbo, basic rebuild of transmission, replace any parts that need it. A good paint job and wheels and tires. I actually like the stock interior, so that wouldn't change.
The Focus does look like a fantastic deal 20k for used ones optioned out with less than 20k miles.
I also checked out the 2015 wrx today. It looks promising but somewhat out of my price range.
Thanks again ppl

 

[rickyfinch07]

Ok I'll clarify a bit further as far as my needs go. I need a sedan, wife and kids ;-). Also looking for sporty but practical. The more mpg the better. And although it'll be a daily driver. It is not my only vehicle. I'm not wanting a super car. Just something that is fun to drive, able to hold all my family and won't break the bank with repairs when they happen.
As far as building my Msp if I do for that route. I'd forge the engine, maybe a slightly bigger turbo, basic rebuild of transmission, replace any parts that need it. A good paint job and wheels and tires. I actually like the stock interior, so that wouldn't change.
The Focus does look like a fantastic deal 20k for used ones optioned out with less than 20k miles.
I also checked out the 2015 wrx today. It looks promising but somewhat out of my price range.
Thanks again ppl

 

[hornsfan10609]

MSP would definitely be a far more unique car and have much more of a cool factor for sure. Focus ST definitely gets my pick over the Fiesta, but honestly I don't see how you could pick a Focus and say the MS3 has poor fit and finish, IMO.

 

[hornsfan10609]

Best option: build the MSP and buy a decently priced, reliable, economical daily driver with the rest. Have your cake and eat it too