Whats going on with all the problems?

[daperspeed]

Why do I say that?

Well it seems every other thread on the MSP board is about a blown up turbo or a failing LSD, a blown engine or some other problem. I have upwards of 14K on my MSP and she is running great. But then again I see the problems some of the owners are having...and I wonder have I been lucky so far or is the MSP a reliable car and the stories on the board are exceptions caused by abuse?

I think the MSP is very reliable if kept stock..what say you?

 

[mspdfreak]

You're absolutely right. The only people blowing motors are the ones who can't be happy unless they're crankin' up the boost. I, too, have about 14k, run stock, and car runs like new. But hey,like I said before...
If you've got the money to blow, what the hell.

This car is VERY reliable if driven responsibly.

 

[laracroft]

hmmm... I'm kinda getting the gitters too. But Mazda KNEW that some people would modify their cars when they bought them, so they used cheap parts (I read it on a website from them somewhere.. wish I kept the link, I think I came across it by accident).

Who knew that these cars were so damn sensitive??? But every other turbo car out there has mods done, why isnt their engine's blowing like some of the members on here? My car gave ME a scare the other day when it made a rattling noise and white smoke came out the back. But as soon as I put coolant and the temp. went down, everything was fine again?? So I'm kinda baffled myself. My car's boost usually runs anywhere between 7-9 psi, I check all my fluids and hoses every few days to be safe and so far.. so good. But if you think about it.. there has also been P5's and MP3's that are boosted that have had a blown engines here and there too. So who can say for sure? But at 160 hp and dyno'd even lower at STOCK, how can people compete in a market where every other turbo runs better numbers and costs near the same thing as ours? I don't think enough testing was done and after all... they made the Speeds for only about 1 1/2 years. Makes you feel better knowing you have a "rare" car, but at what cost and do they care?

 

[mspdfreak]

It's not that mazda used "cheap" parts, they just used the parts designed to run a long time reliably at 14ohp. They saved money by not beefing up the internals, so when people play with fire, they get burned.
But I know that before I bought my car, I researched it thoroughly, and so I knew they basically just slapped the turbo on at the ports. But hey, my car runs like I expect it to, and would not blame mazda if I blew my engine because I started playing with the boost.
You just can't get $30,000 performance out of an $18,000 car without taking some risks.

 

[2K3 MSP]

But hey, my car runs like I expect it to, and would not blame mazda if I blew my engine because I started playing with the boost.
You just can't get $30,000 performance out of an $18,000 car without taking some risks.

Exactly. I'm over 47,000 hard driven miles and wouldn't even think to blame Mazda if my car ever blew up.

 

[girth]

MSP motor with factory tune = turd

 

[thunder]

some people think that all engineers working at car companies are incompetents, well they set the car to meet a certain target, not to exeed it! There's still a bit of room for improvement, but after that it's thin ice.
My car runs beautifully, exept for the infamous clunk I had no issues at all.

 

[BlkZoomZoom]

If left alone Protege's are practically bulletproof. Everycar will break in some way if abused and not taken care of. Every persons car that I "play" with is under the understanding that they have to pay to play. I even payed for my lsd....and I work with mazda.

 

[1sty]

Time catches up with everyone.
A stock protege, even an MSP is capable of 200,000 miles without any major issues. What makes someone think they can add 50% more power and have this remian true is beyond me. Especialy when they are using the safety magins set by the engineers to make power with out setting new margins.

 

[dbacksfan]

I have read the comments defending Mazda and I understand that position to a point. This car is not an EVO or STi yet those references are made on these boards everyday. But what about all the problems these cars have everyday that are not related to increase in boost or abuse. The rotor problems, the suspension squeaks, the cars needing to be flashed? All of the MSP's I know of here in Phoenix have had their LSD's replaced. I have always owned Acuras and Hondas. 3 Accords, 5 Civics, 1 Legend and 1 RSX Types S. None of those cars ever had any service work done other that routine maintenance. My RSX was tuned extensively. Much more than my MSP. My MSP has stock boost and has been to Mazda 5 times in 12 months. Blowing up turbo and motors is one thing. But these other problems, they are just poor planning and carelessness. My two cents!!!

 

[hello2000]

Yeah, when my engine blew I didn't b***h about the warranty. I knew the risks before I started and now I'm paying for it. If you make the decision to mod your car, be prepared to handle the consequences!

 

[daperspeed]

I dont know..(in reference to the poster above)..I think Mazda is a good company, IMHO comparable to Honda. I think the MSP is a fantastic piece of engineering when it is operated within its design parameters (ie stock). The performance for 17K is unbelievable. *sigh* I guess Im still in love with my car *

 

[1sty]

I dont know..(in reference to the poster above)..I think Mazda is a good company, IMHO comparable to Honda. I think the MSP is a fantastic piece of engineering when it is operated within its design parameters (ie stock). The performance for 17K is unbelievable. *sigh* I guess Im still in love with my car *

I have to agree.
Take any other sport compact made after 2001 and increase the power output 50% without the proper supporting parts and the results will be no different.

 

[msp03.5]

I almost traded in my msp because I was tired of lil problems with the stereo the sub blowing all the time, The clunk and so forth but I love the fact that you never see it on the road. That to me is worth it and I know what happens when messing with these or any other cars when upping the performance so in that case the only one to blame is yourself.

 

[TX Speed Demon]

19 months, 28,000 miles and one really bad accident ($12,000 in repairs) and my MSP still drives like brand new. Only problems have been the clunk and my stereo went out once. I have been stock as far as power enhancements until now. Now that the 36,000 mile mark is less than a year away the first set of major mods is allready on order

 

[lamp3]

Man, for me, i pay 300 a month for a Very well rounded car! I just dont under stand why people can't be happy to just open up the exhaust cork, let her breath a little better, maybe some better brakes and a fatter rear sway bar, and just enjoy the s*** out of it? And leave the friggin boost ALONE?

It sure is a hell of alotta fun for 3 bills a month, and I'm a big car nut have owned much more powerful vehicles in the past...

I think if anyone bought this car with the inpression they could make huge horsepower and go out at night to chew up and spit out vettes, was having dilusions of grandjure (spelling?).

If ya need huge horse power, buy something that makes it, or was designed to make it. Thats what I never understood about everyone and thier brother running out, buying a civic and expecting to make it the fastest thing on the road.....................and not blow up on top of that.

......rant over, sorry..lol.

 

[wicked]

I bought this car with the intent of modding it,I know the risks,and I know I through my warrenty out the window along time ago.


I am one of those people who buy a car thats slow on purpose.it's not as fun to mod a already fast car.

I like to feel the progress in the seat of my pants

 

[sickspeed94]

(mswerd) ^^VERY well put^^ something i find myself explaning that to all my friends who want evos, i swear NO ONE that i hknow knows what they're talking baout when it comes to deh cars. they all ask why i bought my car when the i could have gotten a used evo for "only about 8 grand more" hah. whatever, i love my car, no one will ever change that... and i get it back monday!

 

[yashooa]

48,000 miles here most of it at 12PSI. My car is in great shape except the dang front bushings pop and will be replaced by the dealer soon. All in all just a broken exhaust, 3 sets of rear swaybar bushings, and soon to be a new set of front swaybar bushings.
On the whole I have driven the car very "spiritedly" over the last yr and change with a huge grin on my face. This is a geat little car.

 

[K-S-W]

The msp is a better car if you mod it. Yea mazda can't compare to honda and acura quality. I like my msp ok, but it is cheap thrown together quality. Then again this is my 100 import and I like the precision of Acura. I like the speed of a modded msp better.
Some reason I can't afford the best of both. ( whatever )