When the old MP3 broke down, I started searching for parts. I have most of that figured out now, but while I was searching there was a local MSP for sale at $1500 that advertised a leaking water pump. Not knowing exactly what I was going to do with mine, I figured I would at least check it out to see what goodies it might have.
At the end of the day it was a 2003.5 basically stock at 110,000 miles with an air intake, some carbon fiber inserts, some window tint. It wasn't great on the exterior, but wasn't anything a paint job wouldn't cure. Interior looks nice except for the driver seat. It wasn't running at the time, empty on coolant. It also has some alarm wired up that prevented it from turning over for one reason or another. The guy did have the real title though, do I didn't worry about theft.
I toyed with it a little while, but initially decided just to let it go and fix my MP3 as is and just let someone else pick this guy up. Well, I guess I was the only guy interested; and the seller reached out to me again. He told me he put water in it, and did get it to start. He said he drove around the block, but that it was running rough and very weak. I told him I'd give him $800, figuring he would blow it off; but he didn't. At least at that price, wheels, tires, spoilers, and turbo bits make me money; but I think I want to get her running again too.
So, now I have an MP3 with the entire engine torn apart in my garage, and a MSP sitting outside. I'm going to stick with fixing the MP3 and probably put it up for sale, then turn my attention to the MSP. I did have him try to turn it over again to drive it on the trailer. It did turn, I heard compression (not just dead turning), but it wouldn't start. He said he thought it was flooded. We pushed it on, I got all the paperwork done, and now its out there looking at me.
I've never had a turbo before, so I'll be reaching out in the future. First question is probably going to be how to take the alarm out. I am willing to get in there and do head gaskets with all of the above if that's what it takes to get it running; but I'm also willing to try advice from others. I'm also suspicious the turbo is gone, solely because anybody who knows anything about a car knows turbo bits are worth something. Any way to check without it running at all?
At the end of the day it was a 2003.5 basically stock at 110,000 miles with an air intake, some carbon fiber inserts, some window tint. It wasn't great on the exterior, but wasn't anything a paint job wouldn't cure. Interior looks nice except for the driver seat. It wasn't running at the time, empty on coolant. It also has some alarm wired up that prevented it from turning over for one reason or another. The guy did have the real title though, do I didn't worry about theft.
I toyed with it a little while, but initially decided just to let it go and fix my MP3 as is and just let someone else pick this guy up. Well, I guess I was the only guy interested; and the seller reached out to me again. He told me he put water in it, and did get it to start. He said he drove around the block, but that it was running rough and very weak. I told him I'd give him $800, figuring he would blow it off; but he didn't. At least at that price, wheels, tires, spoilers, and turbo bits make me money; but I think I want to get her running again too.
So, now I have an MP3 with the entire engine torn apart in my garage, and a MSP sitting outside. I'm going to stick with fixing the MP3 and probably put it up for sale, then turn my attention to the MSP. I did have him try to turn it over again to drive it on the trailer. It did turn, I heard compression (not just dead turning), but it wouldn't start. He said he thought it was flooded. We pushed it on, I got all the paperwork done, and now its out there looking at me.
I've never had a turbo before, so I'll be reaching out in the future. First question is probably going to be how to take the alarm out. I am willing to get in there and do head gaskets with all of the above if that's what it takes to get it running; but I'm also willing to try advice from others. I'm also suspicious the turbo is gone, solely because anybody who knows anything about a car knows turbo bits are worth something. Any way to check without it running at all?
