what to look for on used MSP

[Dr.Claw]

hey guys, looks like i may get back into the mazdaspeed game

there is a sweet 03 black mica msp in town

62,000 miles has fmic, hard pipes, 3inch cat back, boost and a/f guage
drilled rotors

I took it for a test drive and it felt strong. It had a hestation halfway throught he power band which i assume a reflash would eliminate.

anyways what are somethings to look for?
signs of tranny abuse?
signs of engine damage?
common problems or easy to spot problems on msp's?

im seriously thinking about it, because i can get a great price on it to the tune of about 10k even...

i appricate in advance any help

 

[Velocifero]

you know what I think.

 

[Dr.Claw]

sure do!!! plus i found anothe rone black as well, less miles, same price less mods

 

[SeR_Cyclops]

less mods ftw b/c you know the more mods the more its been ragged on.... true dat

 

[Brian MP5T]

You could look to see if a Boost Controller was installed on the Vac line to the Wastegate

 

[Dr.Claw]

yea didnt see that, the tap for the boost gauge looked professionally done, as well as the o2 tap for the weaksauce light show a/f guage

the work on the car looks top notch, minus the altezzas

 

[gearhead]

Have the rear sway bar bushings fixed!

 

[livelyjay]

Having more mods doesn't necessarily mean it has been ragged on more. My car had FMIC, CF hood, CAI done to it along with a P5 radiator and P5 AC condenser. With 28000 miles the guy still had the stock tires on it, which barely lasted 18k on my friends, and he did beat the crap out of his car (and his is stock). So, mods don't always tell how much a car has been beat on.

 

[JCell]

yeah, but odds are if you mod it, you run it harder than the general public

 

[Alejo_NIN]

dude, don't buy it!

is not worth it

 

[xtrememps]

yeah, but odds are if you mod it, you run it harder than the general public

I'm not so sure about that. I used to beat the s*** out of my last car and it was fully stock. Now I'm more careful about my MSP since I've put more money and time into it (dunno)

 

[gearhead]

If I know the previous owner and have witnessed his/her mechanical ability in person, then I say mods are fine. Especially if that person is willing to stand behind their work. Then again, I bought my MSP from a dealer and it had a BOV and a boost guage hacked into it - that was it. The boost guage was t'd into the MAP sensor (boost + barometric pressure) and registered 12 psi. on the guage!! I freaked out on the dealer and they lowered the price accordingly So you can use mods as a bargaining tool as well

Anyway, I would also look for the "spring mod" on the wastegate actuator. While this can be argued to be a good or bad mod, it will stick out as something you could badger them about.

 

[crashkelly]

yeah, but odds are if you mod it, you run it harder than the general public

Honestly I can agree with you on one level, but on another buying a car is a total crapshoot!

There are guys who mod every car they own but totally baby them and there are other guys that have a stock car and just beat the s*** out of it. I say stake the guys place out and follow him around while he is driving to see if he beats on his cars!

 

[lisevolution]

The other thing is I had my car modded, didn't beat the s*** out of it but I took my mods off for the sheer fact of selling will be easier without them because the common view is that if it's modded than it's been beat up. If you know cars, you can tell if the work was doen right. I know more people who beat the s*** out of stock cars than modded for the fact that they don't want their investment to blow up... It's always a crap shoot and you just have to trust your instinct and mechanic. This goes especially for a private seller car, always ask to take it to your personal mechanic or a dealer mechanic for a check-up before buying. If the person balks there's a reason for it.

 

[Dr.Claw]

well i pulled the trigger, checked it boosting stock psi... pulls great, feels like it does need the reflash so i feel like the previous owner babied it...
got a great deal on it... sticker was 12,9 but i got it for 500 over what they got it for at the auction.

im sure scotty will give everyone his opinion once he see's it

 

[Velocifero]

well i pulled the trigger, checked it boosting stock psi... pulls great, feels like it does need the reflash so i feel like the previous owner babied it...
got a great deal on it... sticker was 12,9 but i got it for 500 over what they got it for at the auction.

im sure scotty will give everyone his opinion once he see's it

Me

 

[Dr.Claw]

YEAAAAHHHH !!! when you see it at some point in the next oh i dont know 2 or so years

 

[mazdaspeedwerx]

I beat my car everytime i drive it. alot of money has gone into it. I also beat my truck. no money has gone into it. I just I like to beat things I guess

 

[Dr.Claw]

like to beat things????? you said it not me.....we know what you beat

 

[Velocifero]

I beat my car everytime i drive it. alot of money has gone into it. I also beat my truck. no money has gone into it. I just I like to beat things I guess

It takes a man to admit that he beats it hard everyday, sometimes I have to take it slow and smooth, use lotion even.