New MSP 2003.5 Owner... Any Tips?

[Kypatrick]

I'm new to the MSP family. Any hints or tips? Things I should look at on my car that might have been previosly neglected?

Prod#540
Blazin Yellow Mica(rtfm)

[VermZ06]

congrats on the speed! how many miles are on it? Is it modded or previously modded? If the owner took care of the car and didn't beat on the stock engine too much, there really shouldn't be too many issues with it other than the infamous clunk, HU dying out, and if you're really lucky the lsd. My car is still pretty much stock and have had no problems at all with the lsd, but isn't too high on milage yet either.

[vinnie mack]

Welcome and congrats! VermZ06 pretty much spelled out the main problem areas. Just surf the forum there is plenty of information to be soaked up.. i'm still finding things out, it's been almost a year lol.

[SergMSP]

welcome man, the msp is alot of fun, be good to it and it will be good to you...got a sweet color too...(thumb)

[orng1]

Congratulations on your MSP purchase and welcome. These guys are right, but also becareful when moding the car if you decide to as these cars don't have a very stong block or LSD for that matter. Just read through some of the larger threads and you will get most of what you need and if your still in doubt ask. PM's are cool too, don't be afraid.

[Andrewsmc]

Hey CONGRATS MAN! we are new too, 1month old baby haha. Think to beware of is the "clunk" mine only does it when its cold but besides that we LOVE the car it is just too fun man. Have a blast you will learn alot in just a few days.

[Kypatrick]

Thanks! It has roughly 31000 miles on it. I actually bought it in June but just recently found this Forum. It only had like 25,000 miles when i got it and the sticker was $13,900, It sounded like a pretty good deal. I have heard about the LSD, heard its pretty fragile and the fix is a 1200 Quaffe unit. Also i beleive the "clunk" you are referring to is the suspension right? I read last nite about somebody having a cracked manifold, is this common??

[Boosted03MSP]

Congrats on the purchase. Dont run the boost up like many new owners. keep it around or below 10psi. Otherwise the weak internals will blow. Just keep surfing through the forum and you will read alot of great info on the car. Also besides the clunk, LSD, and shitty headunit, many owners experiance issues with the crappy subwoofer in the rear deck. Otherwise ti is an awesome car and you will definately enjoy it :)

[kamon8404]

Well Congrats on finding the fourm.

Getting stronger Motor Mounts will help save your lsd. They help stop the crazy engine rock. Plus you can get a welded lsd that won't break for about 600. Much less than the quaife.

The headunit, yea it sucks. Doesn't pretty much every headunit that comes with any car suck?

The clunk has to do with the rear sway bar bushings. You have get an amazing fix for about 130. Just search for the anti-clunk bracket.

Well I would definately love to hear your goals for HP and all that to help you decide where to take your car. Make out some goals and let us know.

[MSpeed2397]

Welcome to the forums man, where in KY are you from? If close to cinci, check out the Ohio section of the forums and look up the spring meet coming up.

[VermZ06]

Haven't heard much on cracked manifolds, I wouldn't worry about it.

Oh and one more thing...you probably won't have to worry much about this since you live down south, but if your msp has OE potenza tires on it they're dangerous as hell if you get caught in the snow or a fair amount of rain. They also don't have very good wet traction, and the tire wears extremely fast. Mine lasted 17K. You should try the Falken ZIEZ 512 tires that are $77 over at tires.com. These tires are great for all season performance and actually work in the snow. I drove in 3 inches of snow with 'em last year...unbelieveable. They handle pretty well too, although they give up a little compared to the potenza's in the sharp twisties. The ride is a bit better as well. oh and happy turkey day!

[kamon8404]

Nice tip on the 512s vermz06. Great info to have!

[Alejo_NIN]

dude, welcome....always glad to see another yellow msp'er..

you'll love to hate this car...just don't give up...
a friend of mine with a yellow msp let HATE take over LOVE and now he's selling his...
a shame.. :(
but good find!!

welcome again

[Wbriggs19061]

i definately agree with Alejo nin..its a love hate relationship lol good luck with everything.

[Kypatrick]

Welcome to the forums man, where in KY are you from? If close to cinci, check out the Ohio section of the forums and look up the spring meet coming up.

I Live in Louisville (about 2 hrs from Cinnci) have anymore Info bout the Meet? I met a guy in Florence KY who pointed me to this site. He has a Titanium Silver(think its the right color) 2003.5. His name is Brandon Taylor, sound familiar?

The car is Stock, except for Rims and Stereo. The thing seemed to have been gutted before i bought it. No head Unit,Sub or Amp. Just empty space. No big loss tho apparently.

[Alejo_NIN]

radio is a piece of shit.
subwoofer is a piece of shit and always gets in the way of the trunk space
amp is a piece of shit
cabling is a piece of shit

[Wbriggs19061]

lol yea i took the fuse (at the battery) out for the amp/sub and put in a new headunit and it sounds shitload better..

[Kypatrick]

radio is a piece of shit.
subwoofer is a piece of shit and always gets in the way of the trunk space
amp is a piece of shit
cabling is a piece of shit

LOL

[kamon8404]

So anything else that you have questions on?

[terbow]

and u dont need a quiafe, u can get a new lsd and weld it (theres lots of posts, and protegegarage.com can help u) itll end up being alot less money for you.

[Kypatrick]

and u dont need a quiafe, u can get a new lsd and weld it (theres lots of posts, and protegegarage.com can help u) itll end up being alot less money for you.

Yea, I seen that on the Protege Garage website.