Hi everyone. I have been really looking at the Mazdaspeed Portege as my next car. To do this though, I would be trading in my 2004 Focus. So needless to say, I will be signicantly backwards on the financal side.

Anyways, with that said, what are your thoughts about buying one used? The vehicle is at a Ford Dealer near my house (helps with my trade in a bit). It's a Black 2003 with 35,000 miles on it. Looks to be taken car of. Pretty clean. Everything looks stock too. Brake pads look a little low though. Ohh and I think it hasn't gotten the re-flash yet. Had a stuble when I got on it a little during my test drive. Still pulls pretty hard though!!!

So I would really like your guys input on the car. What things should I look out for? Is a used MSP going to be ok. Should I trust anyone with a turbo ?

Thanks in advance!

 

I would go through the engine compartment. Look at the heat sheild (if it has one) bolts and the screw heads on the air intake. Look to see if they have any marks. If this bolts have marks then you know its been moded and they just put it back stock. You can also do this on the body parts. MOST body places dont paint the inside parts, if its been wrecked and the bolts are not painted or you can tell if there has been a wrench on them I would walk away. And any time you buy a used car get the extended warranty.

 

thanks for the info!! I'll have to take a closer look. Just wish it wasn't so cold and snowy up in MI.

 

I own a 03.5 MSP which I bought new in Sept-03. It's been great fun & thrilling to drive on my 40 mile commute.
I suggest getting a full CarFax history/inspection report on any used car, it worth the $30-35 bucks. You never know if it was a flood damage car or what. If it passes the CarFax, then take it to a trusted mechanic (different from the dealer you're buyig from) to give it a once over, this is worth the $50-75 bucks.

If it works out you buy it, definitely get a winter tire package for it. I've got Bridgestone Blizzarks that are great on snow and ice.

Good luck.

 

I own an 03.5 sunlight silver msp and I love my car. It has its fair share of problems and watch out for boosting in 4th and fift gear, People have blown motors doing this. Mostly in fifth. Oh and definately get a winter package I barely made it through winter in Colorado and we have pretty nice winters out here.

 

what do you mean boosting and blowing up anything in 4th or 5th gear, are you talking about stock boost?

 

With a car that is only a year old i wouldn't trade it in. You are gonna get killed on financing. If it was a car that you would never have the chance again to get I would think about it. But there is no reason to pay that kinda price when you could just wait a little bit and buy the car without the crazy fees. But that is just my 2 cents I could be wrong.

 

Yes stock boost there has been people that have blown there motors in fifth gear. Some guy over at msprotege.com blew his motor in 2nd gear with only a CAI.

 

hmm news to me, i dont think it a boost problem but more of a driver problem. Roddimus whats your take on this

 

I agree, if these cars were known for blowing under factory boost there would have been a recal. If some one blew there motor it's because they drove the **** out of it.

 

I have heard that our internals are really weak and when I heard that this guy blew up his msp in 2nd gear at around 4500 rpm(I think thats what it was) I started to freak. Especially since I also only have a CAI. It really pissed me off because its like we can't even drive our cars. But after reading some of the stuff I try to never boost in fifth.

 

I can't say for sure, but I've been looking and reading for about 2 yrs and the only time our cars blow is about 5-6500 RPMs and mostly on hard right hand turns. We have a starvation problem just like the Miatas and when people auto cross them they reve up to high taking the turns which causes the oil problems. It takes a while to blow a motor but it can happen. All you have to do is take the oil pan off and put a bafull in it. This will hold the oil in place until you get out of the turn. Our cars great handleing cars but they are not ment to auto cross. If you plan on driving like that you will need to do a few things to it. I would also go to 15in wheels. This will help get you to the higher RPMs faster.
Yes our rods are week but they are good for 230 whp. If you replace the rods you could go higher. But then you have to worry about the transmition. It likes to blow at about 250+whp.

 

This is good info, i'm also looking at an MSP. And I will be using it to autox, so thanks for the info.