2003/2003.5/2004 msp

[miken1]

Okay,

I'm a newbie here but not to forums in general. I did a search for information but I couldn't find anything.

I posted a Craigslist ad about wanting a Mazdaspeed Protege. I found out this week I can only take out a used car loan on cars that are 2004 and newer, not 2003 and below. I've been contacted by a guy who says that he has a 2004 MSP...but I was doing some research and it seems that Mazda only came out with a 2003 and a 2003.5. On some sites, people say 2003.5 = 2004. Needless to say....I'm pretty darn confused. It's a yellow model which seems to be a 2003.5 (or an 04 if that exists.)

I'm waiting for an email back from this guy for clarification. I'm going to be hopefully taking a look at it tomorrow....but in the mean time I thought I'd ask the experts.

So, is the 2003.5 considered a 2004 by a bank for financing and do 2004 models of the MSP exist?

Thanks!

 

[haze20]

There are no 2004 MSP's. 03's are black and orange only and 03.5 are the yellow, blue, silver and titanium.

 

[miken1]

There are no 2004 MSP's. 03's are black and orange only and 03.5 are the yellow, blue, silver and titanium.

So I guess:
1) He must be just flat out lying to me that it's a 2004 MSP (it's a 2003.5)
2) The bank will most likely consider it a 2003 still...?

 

[haze20]

Correct.

 

[Outlawstar98]

Yes, all MSP's are 2003.

You could just take out a personal loan for the car.

 

[miken1]

Yes, all MSP's are 2003.

You could just take out a personal loan for the car.

The bank I'm at said that for 2003 and older cars I have to take out an unsecured loan @ 15.99%. Their used car loans are down around 5% - 6%.

I wonder if another bank would offer a used car loan for a 2003? Time to do some research I guess haha

 

[disturbedfan121]

don't take an auto loan.....take a personal loan. low interest rates and they don't need to know what its for exactly.

 

[John_C]

Check out penfed.org they have used auto loans for 3.99% / 60mos, amazing deal.

they are supposed to be for DOD employees/military but anyone can join penfed as long as you donate $20 to the military families association (i think its a good cause) - they have instructions on the website

 

[Ricktalife]

Well technically I think the 2003.5 came out in summer of 2004 did it not? If so you could just pull that loophole over the bank's head.

 

[Rush]

^^ No. The 03.5 MSPs came out in the summer of 2003. I bought mine that July.

To the OP -- anyone that tells you they have anything OTHER than a 2003 or 2003.5 MSP is lying.