Hey,

new here.

I'm 17, my parents just purchased a new 2003 mp5 today and I wanted to get some info if it has racing capabilities? I'm not really on top of cars though but I drove this thing(5 speed manual) and it's pretty tight. I plan on putting some of the after market novelties but I'm wondering will I ever be able to take it to the tracks and shut down some hondas??

Tony

 

Oh, and can I get some links for ordering some cool schit for the mp5?


thx

 

It could make a good track day/circuit battle car.

As for drag racing...even for ***** and giggles, good luck.

 

well tony sup... Ha I'm also 17

aite so my 5 spd '99 LX touring edition 1.8L FP-DE engine protege was good for shutting up a cocky civic driver, he was driving an auto tho, he was running stock tho, so i dunno, but i killed him, so... that should answer your question
I'm also running stock

 

just about any car could be a race car after you put in certain amount of money into it. I guess the first question would be, what kind of racing are you talking about? high speed track, autox, road rally, rallyx, club/performance rally, or drag? autox is usually the cheapest way to go and doesn't hurt the car at all... maybe tires and brake..

have fun! drive safe! keep it legal!

 

Your parents are not going to let you modify and race their car are they?

 

oh yeah... did they buy that car for you or for them? if it's their car, I say don't touch it. No matter how safe or legal you do racing. Something will break sooner or later! And it's won't be a pretty picture if you break their car.

 

Within the next three years I may be the owner of the car, they will allow me to put my money into it for aftermarket parts but I honestly don't think I will be doing any serious racing with it till it's fully mine.

I guess what I'm looking for (for now) is just doing what I can to boost performance, and wondering what kind of potential the car has.

The FAQ is really useful, thx.

Just out of curiosity, after a decent amount of upgrades what kind of HP or 0-60 time would I be looking at?

 

The answer is not much, short of dropping $5k or so on turbocharging, it is very limited what can be done. It is a good fun road car and better enjoyed that way. If you want a race car save your pennies and buy a race car

 

start saving for a turbo kit now!,.....that will be the best mod

stock the 0-60 is around 9 seconds

\turbo your looking at 6.5 seconds

for now i'd be looking at a after market CIA or short ram intake and a cat back exhaust system

 

I gotcha, I shouldn't expect to much out of the performance end then. I'll probably end up with a new muffler and intake though.

Maybe I should look into making it a chick net.

 

Or maybe you should invest in autocrossing and performance driving school before deciding that the car needs more power. You'd be amazed at what a seemingly underpowered car can do with a competant driver behind the wheel.

Mazdas are not, and never really have been, produced with a straight line acceleration mentality; it misses the point of the car.

 

Well said, but I see you have installed a TURBO in your Miata

 

What the hell are you talking about? That Mazda has more performance than you could get out of it in five years of racing. Look your 17 and have been driving for a year (+ or -) you don't know ****. I don't mean sound like an *** but the facts are the facts. Talking more power when you don't know what to do with the power you is b/s. You want to drive and I mean DRIVE. Learn to get your car out a skid, learn how much counter steer is needed to keep the car from spinning around. Learn how to keep you eyes not just on the road because that’s bull, but ahead of you. In fact almost as far ahead as you can see. Then go get some good tires. And when you race for the first time you might just say, "that A-hole might have been right."

Oh a good place to learn is an empty parking lot after it snows. This is a little bit like how the car will act at 80-110 MPH but you'll only be going 15-25MPH. you’re not likely to kill your self at that low of a speed and you’d learn a hell of a lot.

 

that's a good point about driving school. driving school will make your car faster (and safer) then any bolt-on will!!!
most mods you see most people doing in the name of performance are really for looks/style. there is nothing wrong with that, just a fact.
take your car out autocrossing in stock form, you'll be competitive in it's class and you'll become an awesome and faster driver in any car.