Buying a 6month old Mazdaspeed

[bcrx7]

Hello everyone,
Since my RX-7 is dedicated race car now, I am planning to get a new car and I know someone who is selling their 6month old Mazdaspeed Protege with around 8000kms on it.
I think I'm gonna go ahead and buy it. But just wondering if there are anything I can check to make sure the car has not been abused too badly.

Cheers,
Omid
bcrx7.com admin

[alexlitov]

No boost controler is a plus...

[bcrx7]

No boost controler is a plus...

Why is that??

[AutoBox]

boost controller and no fuel management = abuse (thumb)

[bcrx7]

sounds good to me...

[Artur1976]

check the tires with so few miles they should still look very good. Look at the edges if there is alot of wear there the car could have been raced in autox. Ask about oil changes. Look for rust on break rotors. That and do a good walk around the car to inspect for paint chips.

[Newf]

pop the hood make sure there is no coolant leaks ( green crap on engine anywhere). Take it for a drive and hit as many bumps as you can find. Check for Clunk. Check for the MAzda ECU Flash sticker on the car as well to see if it was updated.

Anything with a boost controller, I'd be weary of it.

[Pkay]

1) make sure its a 2003 not a 2003.5 :)

2) ask if its been flashed

[Pkay]

pop the hood make sure there is no coolant leaks ( green crap on engine anywhere). Take it for a drive and hit as many bumps as you can find. Check for Clunk. Check for the MAzda ECU Flash sticker on the car as well to see if it was updated.

Anything with a boost controller, I'd be weary of it.
not all dealerships use the flashed sticker... best to ask since half of the dealerships didnt use them

[bcrx7]

What is the difference between the 2003 and 2003.5? Is the 2003.5 the second half of year production? How can I tell which one it is?

[ONRAILS]

1) make sure its a 2003 not a 2003.5 :)

2) ask if its been flashed
lol... I like #1.
How much is he going to sell it? Also, the warranty should be transferable, so all that stuff like the flash, clunk, etc... will still be covered. I would look at the "wear" things, like clutch and stuff.

[AJsMSP]

The difference between and 03 and 03.5 are the 03 has front factory fog lights. The 03.5 has a differnet front lip and different spoiler and the wheels are slightly darker than the 03.

['Sploder]

What he said ^^ ! and yay for another BC'er !

[Pkay]

2003 has fog lights, different interior, different exhaust tip, different spoiler....

2003 interior looks a lot better IMO and lack of fog lights sucks.

[bcrx7]

Thanks everyone for the replies. This car is Titanium Gray and I was told in Canada only 2003.5 came in Titanium gray, so i guess this car is 2003.5
So basically the only big difference is the front fog lights.

[mp5jeff]

race car in what? 1/4 mile or track?, also, what's done under the hood, 13b swap, or what? i need to see it painted to acctualy get a good idea, that pic kinda sux(no offense)

[alexlitov]

2003 - Only black and orange MSP were available
2003.5 - Titanium, Laser Blue, Silver, Yellow....

[Horse]

yeah - basically -

Ti only in 2003.5 but there are other detail changes between 03 and 03.5 - the rear wing, front and rear lips, shifter and pedals, paint colors, fogs, ect ect - they are different- but only on the detail level-

[mp5jeff]

^^03.5 have no fog lights right?

[bcrx7]

I like the fog light. Perhaps I can swap the earilier ones in.
Well I will test drive the car this week, but I am sure the car is fine. Time for a new car, I drive a 91 DOHC Protege currently, time for something faster and newer.


race car in what? 1/4 mile or track?, also, what's done under the hood, 13b swap, or what? i need to see it painted to acctualy get a good idea, that pic kinda sux(no offense)

Track, SCCA GT series. The car is a GSL-SE, so it did already come with 13B. The current motor is a j-bridgeport 13B which should push close to 300HP at the crank. The fuel computer is megasquirt. THe front suspension is from FC, the whole front end is swapped from FC. tire size are 315x35x17 in back and 265x40x17 in fronts.

More pictures at www.bcrx7.com/omid.php

The car has primer on it currently, so it is all one color. I'll see if I can take some pictures this weekend.

[mp5jeff]

bridgeported eh? i love the sound of a bridgeported motor!, sounds mean.

[EVILSRT]

Ahhhh, nice to see everyone getting along now.

[mspdfreak]

Ask for all paperwork since the car was purchased, i.e., oil changes, maintenance, dealer service.

[bcrx7]

I was reading about the flashed ECU and how it can change the timing that might cause detonation. Is there anyway to check to see if the car got that done if there is no sticker?

[low_psi]

call your local dealer and give them the VIN. they should be able to track all warrranty work.