Does anyone out their HATE their MSP?

[StreetStyleJPTI]

Well, if you're reading this then you most likely think I'm a piece of shit for posting this. However, I just don't care anymore, and I'm sick of trying to come up with excuses. I want to know if I am the only one here that hates their Mazdajunk Protege? Seriously, this car has been nothing but trouble since the moment I bought (stock w/40K). It has been an ongoing issue with and without mods. I don't beat on it...I keep up with all the services, etc. Also, No offense to the many owners that love their MSP, but I'm just sick of this car and voicing my own opinion. Whats really sucks is that I still make payments on this shitbox!

[mgerst1]

what problems have you had?

[theEZV]

if you hate it so much go and trade it in and stop feeling sorry for yourself

[njaremka]

maybe the problem comes from buying it used. maybe the previous owner beat the crap out of it, it started acting up, and so it was sold. protege's, and even mazdaspeed's, can be VERY reliable. they just need to be taken care of - and that starts from day one, at zero miles.

[evilmonkeyMSP]

still <3 the MSP

[In4am0sPuN]

I have a Hate/Love relationship w/ my speed... The ONLY major problem I have with the car is that it stalls once in a blue and I still dont know why but that is about it. Another prob that I have is the clunk in the rear but as soon as I get some money up Ill get the Clunk solution from Evolv to fix it
More hate and love w/ it

[Rush]

if you hate it so much go and trade it in and stop feeling sorry for yourself
+1

.. I remember you bitching about your MSP this past winter, after you were driving around on the stock wheels and tires in the snow and got in an accident because of it. If you still have your MSP now, that's your fault and no one else's. Sell it and move on if you hate it so much.

[shane02pro5]

My P5 has been one of the best and problem free cars I've owned and being 36 I've owned a few.

More details would help this thread not be a total failure.

[Spooler]

I can't say I hate my MSP, some days I love it, some days I am disappointed. I think it's the sum of little problems that aggravate some MSP owners. Sway bar bushings are a gongshow (I have sent a letter to Mazda Canada on this topic), manifolds crack, WG break hesitation....I think the car was released without extensive testing and the level of engineering is below what a car enthusiast can expect. However, some owners tend to forget that this is not an EVO or and STI, it's a Protege. So for the price is a good car.

[thaikim]

Ok... so yes there are somedays more frustratingly annoying then others dealing with the quirky MSP, but seriously stop your bitchin man.... If you hate the car so much get rid of it, unless your completely upside down in the loan which would prob make you hate the thing even more.

Either way man I have very little sympathy for you if its been more then 6 months and you still have this piece of "crap" after you've been complaining throughout how much you can't stand this car. It's like constantly griping about how much your girlfriend annoys you or she treats you like shit and yet time has passed and you haven't dumped her ass....

I'm not sure what you expect from your post.... for us to feel sorry for you, or do you want other members chiming in so you don't feel isolated in your disdain towards the MSP....

Bottom line: If you hate the car so much cut your losses and get something else... stop making pointless posts about how much you hate the car.

[StealthWyvern]

The only two things I can't stand about my MSP is the lack of CC and the fact you cant open the damn trunk from the outside without a fuckign key! That is extremly annoying. Also I prefiered the weight in the back like my P5 had but all in all I'm happy with my MSP and will learn to live with its quirks.

[shane02pro5]

Most of the problems with this car have simple inexpensive solutions
...except making it fast!

[BOOSTR]

OP, like its been said cut your losses and get rid of the car.

The only time that I was less than satisfied with my MSP is the first time I felt unflashed hesitation and then having the service manager tell me that Mazda was aware of the problem but had no solution as of yet. So far with 70K, its had 2 warranty services, the flash and bushings. I have no complaints with how the car has treated me.

[StealthWyvern]

OP, like its been said cut your losses and get rid of the car.

The only time that I was less than satisfied with my MSP is the first time I felt unflashed hesitation and then having the service manager tell me that Mazda was aware of the problem but had no solution as of yet. So far with 70K, its had 2 warranty services, the flash and bushings. I have no complaints with how the car has treated me.

Booster,
How long will the dealership reflash a car under warrenty? IE upto a certain amount of miles?

[blkspdfreak]

i love mine, just wish i had more money / time to add to the motor.

[bhosMSPRO]

my car is around 117K miles right now.. been takin care of from the previous owners and by me as well.. got a few mods done to it and plan on a few more.. all mait. has been done regularly and havent had any major problems with it.. every car has their problems, no matter what you buy, you will run into specific problems with just about any make and model on the road.. the biggest problem i have noticed is that my stock turbo mani is starting to crack, other than that, no other stock parts have been replaced unless an upgrade went in their place (stock LSD as well is still on the car)

--overall, i wouldnt get rid of the car for anything else in its price range, hence the fact i bought it in the first place

[BOOSTR]

Boostr,
How long will the dealership reflash a car under warrenty? IE upto a certain amount of miles?

slight thread jack: but warranty was 4 years /50,000 miles; whichever came first. I believe the dealer will only charge you $100 since its out of warrany.

[orangeade]

i can't say i hate the car but i can say that i hate mazda...their customer service truly sucks.....i haven't had any of the major problems yet other than my water pump might be on the way out along with my extend warranty...dealers just seem to put it off saying it's fine...what makes them think i'll bring it back to them after warranty is up to get it fixed....jerks....

to top it off....just found that my trunk lid is rusting....noticed the paint peeling on the bottom corner when it's open on the driver side.......took a closer look and the paint is bubbling all along the bottom seam and half way up the sides......will they cover it? well they're doing their best to avoid having to do so....if that's not a manufacturing defect i don't know what is......

anyone else having this issue on the inside of the trunk lid?

[starscream2k1]

I like my MSP for the most part... but people here i think are missing 1 big thing...

This is the FIRST Mazdaspeed car offered by Mazda directly in North America. I mean they have had other turbo cars, but not as extensive as this in looks, handling, interior, sound, or advertising. I mean it was a big first for Mazda, and honestly a BIG first for the "econo box pocket rocket". I mean its how i see it. The other pocker rocket econo boxes that come out are improvments over this in some way, BUT NOT ALL, thats STILL a MSP quality. Even the new Mazdaspeed 3 it has the balls, but NO beauty incomparison to what mazda did for the MSP. The Mazdaspeed 6 same story. The SRT4 looks iffy, improved the motor but the interior is garbage (no real extra's). SS cobalt the SC engine is i dunno interesting, the interior is alright but no where close to MSP territory and the exterior aint that bad, but overall not as much or as extensive as teh MSP. You have to see that the MSP has a class of its own... hell door sills with Mazdaspeed, pedals, shiftknob, gauge cluster, engine cover, heatshield...yes all small things but they addup, oh they soo add up its all the small things.

[StreetStyleJPTI]

Believe me, If I could get rid of it I would have a long time ago. I've tried and I've tried...non-stop. I can't get shit for it. I would be way, way upside down. So I'm kind of stuck! I'm always looking and going to stealerships. No one wants this car...I always here, "its a Protege." I know all cars have their specific problems...Chevy's 2.2L's with the head gasket issues, the straight 6 Grand Cherokee's/some Dodge's especially the Caravan and their water pumps/transmission's...etc. Again, my intentions are not to make anyone feel like shit about their car.

[StreetStyleJPTI]

Ok... so yes there are somedays more frustratingly annoying then others dealing with the quirky MSP, but seriously stop your bitchin man.... If you hate the car so much get rid of it, unless your completely upside down in the loan which would prob make you hate the thing even more.

Either way man I have very little sympathy for you if its been more then 6 months and you still have this piece of "crap" after you've been complaining throughout how much you can't stand this car. It's like constantly griping about how much your girlfriend annoys you or she treats you like shit and yet time has passed and you haven't dumped her ass....

I'm not sure what you expect from your post.... for us to feel sorry for you, or do you want other members chiming in so you don't feel isolated in your disdain towards the MSP....

Bottom line: If you hate the car so much cut your losses and get something else... stop making pointless posts about how much you hate the car.



I'm obviously not looking for sympathy, actually, It's dumb to think that. Like I said in the first post, I was just wondering if I was the only one that hated their car. Again, I'm just voicing an opinion...not bitching. The car and its problems are my own and obviously no one else's. I'm sorry to see that you are way too sensitive about this. As far as I know, I believe this is the only thread I have complaining about my car. Where has freedom of speech gone? I don't believe these are "fighting" words? I have been as professional and polite about this as any reasonable person would have been. How about some respect? I apologize if I hurt your feelings....if you think this thread is pointless, then stay the fuck out.

[shane02pro5]

You still haven't given one reason for hating this car...that's what we all want to know!

The things you hate about it may be common problems with simple solutions!

[kipper88]

waaahhh....i'm sad about stuff.

[Rush]

As far as I know, I believe this is the only thread I have complaining about my car.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123689227

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123692951

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123684077

That was just doing a quick search. You've obviously hated the car for some time. So put some effort into selling it, not trading it in. It might take months, but if you're persistent, it'll happen.


You still haven't given one reason for hating this car...that's what we all want to know!

The things you hate about it may be common problems with simple solutions!
Indeed.

[thaikim]

I'm obviously not looking for sympathy, actually, It's dumb to think that. Like I said in the first post, I was just wondering if I was the only one that hated their car. Again, I'm just voicing an opinion...not bitching. The car and its problems are my own and obviously no one else's. I'm sorry to see that you are way too sensitive about this. As far as I know, I believe this is the only thread I have complaining about my car. Where has freedom of speech gone? I don't believe these are "fighting" words? I have been as professional and polite about this as any reasonable person would have been. How about some respect? I apologize if I hurt your feelings....if you think this thread is pointless, then stay the fuck out.

Well I'm not trying to start an e-battle and I too apologize if I came off the wrong way... I just do not see the logic in keeping a car you hate... You're asking for others opinions and I have given you mine however harsh it may have come across. If you're that disatisfied with your car then get something else...

[fishdonotbounce]

I've got a great solution to this problem. I'll come to your house with a buddy and you can let me have the car for free! That way you get rid of the car AAANNND it goes into the hands of someone who will take care of it and appreciate it like it is supposed to be appreciated. Then, you can get yourself a new Civic Si and rumble around town with your newfound VTak power. :D

[SteelWarrior]

lol i work at a dealership, ill tell you how to get out


Find a car you like. If you want say a Dodge Srt4 and you want to unload your MSP. Accept first, that the blackbook on a MSP in Canada is around 10 000.... so your likely to take a few grand loss (typically happens if your on 5 year or longer lease/finance terms). tell the dealership you want to have your loan bought out, and you want to buy the new car.

So say the car your buying is 25 000
you owe 10 000 on your and your trade gets appraised at 9000

then you take 9000 off of 10 000 and your left with a difference of 1000 dollars

the car your buying is now a 26 000 dollar vehicle. and you can finance from that price


there you go...no excuse...you wont get what you paid for it, so accept that now

[lexus806]

I like my MSP for the most part... but people here i think are missing 1 big thing...

This is the FIRST Mazdaspeed car offered by Mazda directly in North America. I mean they have had other turbo cars, but not as extensive as this in looks, handling, interior, sound, or advertising. I mean it was a big first for Mazda, and honestly a BIG first for the "econo box pocket rocket". I mean its how i see it. The other pocker rocket econo boxes that come out are improvments over this in some way, BUT NOT ALL, thats STILL a MSP quality. Even the new Mazdaspeed 3 it has the balls, but NO beauty incomparison to what mazda did for the MSP. The Mazdaspeed 6 same story. The SRT4 looks iffy, improved the motor but the interior is garbage (no real extra's). SS cobalt the SC engine is i dunno interesting, the interior is alright but no where close to MSP territory and the exterior aint that bad, but overall not as much or as extensive as teh MSP. You have to see that the MSP has a class of its own... hell door sills with Mazdaspeed, pedals, shiftknob, gauge cluster, engine cover, heatshield...yes all small things but they addup, oh they soo add up its all the small things.



those rx8 wheels look damn good on your ride. arent they 18s?

[starscream2k1]

those rx8 wheels look damn good on your ride. arent they 18s?

yeppers. on the stock MSP suspension too. Had to go with 215/35/18 tires. however the front end sits a bit too high for my liking. so the hunt begins for some springs :P LOL but yeah back to topic!

/end threadjack

[StreetStyleJPTI]

Well I'm not trying to start an e-battle and I too apologize if I came off the wrong way... I just do not see the logic in keeping a car you hate... You're asking for others opinions and I have given you mine however harsh it may have come across. If you're that disatisfied with your car then get something else...

Again, I'm NOT trying to keep this car at all!!! I tried the private sale thing...nothing. I tried trading it in, and I am just way to upside down. As for problems, the car has never driven right from the moment I bought it. Here is a list of problems/parts I've had to replace since I have owned it:

- MAF
- Factory turbo pipes
- Rear MM
- Front MM
- Transmission mount
- Coil packs
- A/C
- Front calipers (both sides)
- Slave cylinder
- Rear lip
- Sway bar endlinks
- Battery X2
- The stud on the shift linkage snapped
- Heater core
- Throttle body/gasket/studs
- Exhaust manifold as well as two exhaust manifold studs
- Purge solenoid
- Altenator
- A/C condensor
- CAT
- Exhaust
- Thermostat X2
- Fuel pump
- Axle

Thats what I can think of...plus I have had an erratic idle/car runs like shit for about 8 months now and this is what I have replaced:

- MAF
- Plugs X3
- Coil packs X2
- TPS
- ICV
- EGR valve
- Spark plug wires (the only 2 the MSP has)
- Fuel pump
- All the vacuum lines
- Intake manifold including gaskets

- Checked vacuum it is fine...

[fishdonotbounce]

Sounds like you rushed into buying the car and didn't properly inspect it. Even if you bought it from a private seller, you should have still made sure that the car would run right. When you become second owner, you're at the mercy of what the guy or girl before you did to the car. That car could have beat to shit in that amount of time, and therefore giving you a car that would have all the problems that you now have.

Like it's been said man, we're a pretty cool community here and most people are more than glad to help you, but when you bitch and moan about how terrible the MSP is, you should expect people to dislike that and even get mad. Either accept the fact that you're prolly not getting over 9-10k out of the car or keep driving the car and keep bitching and moaning some more.

[BOOSTR]

Short sale and cut your losses. Seems like you got one of the 5% of production run lemons given all the crap you replaced. You'll never get right side up and you just have to face that. Not trying to be an ass at all. Bite the bullet and trade it in and get what you want. Work an extra job if you have to inorder to make the payments.

[YuYuRena]

Sorry to hear you have so much grief with your MSP. Personally I love my MSP, sure sometimes I love it less when I see a MS3, SRT4, Cobalt SS, or even my brother's Focus SVT. I would not say I hate it.

[StreetStyleJPTI]

Car was fine when I test drove it. Bone stock. Looked over it with a friend of mine that is a mechanic.

[BlkZoomZoom]

Again, I'm NOT trying to keep this car at all!!! I tried the private sale thing...nothing. I tried trading it in, and I am just way to upside down. As for problems, the car has never driven right from the moment I bought it. Here is a list of problems/parts I've had to replace since I have owned it:

- MAF
- Factory turbo pipes
- Rear MM
- Front MM
- Transmission mount
- Coil packs
- A/C
- Front calipers (both sides)
- Slave cylinder
- Rear lip
- Sway bar endlinks
- Battery X2
- The stud on the shift linkage snapped
- Heater core
- Throttle body/gasket/studs
- Exhaust manifold as well as two exhaust manifold studs
- Purge solenoid
- Altenator
- A/C condensor
- CAT
- Exhaust
- Thermostat X2
- Fuel pump
- Axle

Thats what I can think of...plus I have had an erratic idle/car runs like shit for about 8 months now and this is what I have replaced:

- MAF
- Plugs X3
- Coil packs X2
- TPS
- ICV
- EGR valve
- Spark plug wires (the only 2 the MSP has)
- Fuel pump
- All the vacuum lines
- Intake manifold including gaskets

- Checked vacuum it is fine...


Maybe you should try diagnosing the car instead of throwing parts at it?
Rough idle? Any codes? P0300? Tap on the cam sensor lightly while the car is running?

[kura808]

i wanted a msp :( most in hawaii were modded like hell and if not raced..so it is kinda hard to find a "virgin"


haha but yea like every1 said, u should really sell it. no sense in driving ur "pos"..honestly...i really think the person b4 u might have drove it to hell and back..maybe ur mechanic missed a few things in his inspection?

[dstmsp03]

mine pisses me off all the time.. but i am slowly working out the kinks from the previous owner.. almost $10k later.. haha.. but i do love the car.. especially when ppl get in it and say its the biggest sleeper car they have ever ridden in

[StreetStyleJPTI]

Yes, I had the MAF codes and thats when I replaced that. Other than that, I've had the P507, and once in a while the P300.

[shane02pro5]

That list would total quite a bit of modding $$$!

I'm sorry for all your troubles...that is certainly not common!
I was trying to track down my idling problems for TOO LONG.

Finally after countless boost leak tests sensor replacements egr replacement. 90% of it was the halfass tune out of the box from Juan. I'm sure that since I was one of the first few Hiboost guys I was still on a down and dirty map to say the least!

[StreetStyleJPTI]

It sucks because of been trying to save for my toy; a Grand National. I guess all I can do now is continue answering the never ending question, "Hey, is that an EVO?"

[RallyeRedSi]

Had a love/hate relationship. Some days she was the best than some days she was a bitch.

[BadBandar]

I personally love my MSP. I use to have a auto 1.6L protege and i hated that car. When i saw the msp come out i was in love. I wanted it so badly. Just last year i saw my msp on sale. I could have gotten a MS3, Evo, Sti or s2000 but i chose the MSP. Just because of its rarity and because of the love i had for it. And ive never had as many issues as you have. If i did ill work around them not complain about them.

[MAZDA_SPEED]

i really dont blame the op..msp weren't tuned right by mazda..mazda flaked out on us and just slapped a turbo on a es and called it a day. everybody would agree that mazda tuned it like shit. and the list the op posted, ive seen some of those parts break on other people cars. there are over 1000+ thread alone in the problem section ...but this guy thats the cake..sorry bro, sell it and by a ms3..at least mazda did something right. off topic: but im guess since this vehicle is a performance car mazda wont recall any parts?

[blaineog]

Love My MSP, but yeah they have a really Shitty tune out of the box, which isn't easy to alter. Thanks to the forum, there are tried and tested solutions for most of the problems. Besides I really like having a limited production car.

[Mazdaspeed2oo35]

The only thing i have to say is , if you don't believe in your car, he/she sure wont believe on you.. i had lot's of problems and lot's of parts breaking since day 1 i bought my car and it was brand new 0 miles on it. but i sure decided to keep it, deal with it, treat it good, give it some love, and now she's giving me back what i have done to her. all i have to say that I'm the happiest man in the whole freaking world and feel proud to own a Limited Edition Protégé not to say a Mazdaspeed !!!! i would never sell it, trade it for any other car in the market, no matter price, model or year, I feel proud and why not to say i own one of a kind Car !!!!!

[StreetStyleJPTI]

I guess that's my only option seeing how I spent the weekend trying to trade it in.

[MAZDA_SPEED]

The only thing i have to say is , if you don't believe in your car, he/she sure wont believe on you.. i had lot's of problems and lot's of parts breaking since day 1 i bought my car and it was brand new 0 miles on it. but i sure decided to keep it, deal with it, treat it good, give it some love, and now she's giving me back what i have done to her. all i have to say that I'm the happiest man in the whole freaking world and feel proud to own a Limited Edition Protégé not to say a Mazdaspeed !!!! i would never sell it, trade it for any other car in the market, no matter price, model or year, I feel proud and why not to say i own one of a kind Car !!!!!

dude, your car looks awesome, i wouldnt trade it in either (bow);)

[livelyjay]

I bought mine used with 28k on the clock and the following mods: CAI, FMIC, CF hood. I sold all the parts and put it back to stock. I loved it modded, I love it stock. If I crashed the car today I would go out and get another one.

[StealthWyvern]

I bought mine used with 28k on the clock and the following mods: CAI, FMIC, CF hood. I sold all the parts and put it back to stock. I loved it modded, I love it stock. If I crashed the car today I would go out and get another one.

Why put it back stock? Was it not runnign right or something?

[livelyjay]

Why put it back stock? Was it not runnign right or something?

FMIC was too much for stock boost. Even with SS-AFC the car still bogged under heavy acceleration when shifting gears. Professional tune may have fixed it, but I didn't really care. Running car in SCCA with mods would have put me in class where I would have gotten killed, so I put it back to stock. Drives much better stock than with the mods.

[shane02pro5]

You don't hear those words spoken about a MSP very often!


Drives much better stock than with the mods.

[livelyjay]

You don't hear those words spoken about a MSP very often!

It was only because I was at stock boost with FMIC. Had I put on a SMIC it would have driven better than stock, but then I would get owned in DSP class with the killer BMW 323is cars that run national events. I can't afford everything that needs to be done to run DSP.