Trade my MSP for a ti?

[Rickman]

Hi guys, I just signed up to get some user opinions.

I'm currently driving an '03.5 Mazdaspeed Protege (traded from a p5). I am more of a "handling" guy than a "power" guy. I'm all about the lateral G's. I come from a MKI Toyota MR2 background, and currently still have an '87 that's being rebuilt.

The MSP is great, and handles really good as well. But there's something about it that's just not ME.

I was out and about earlier today and saw a really nice black ti on the road, and it was so nice looking. Something about "ugly" euro wagons gets me every time. I think I love the VW corrado because it looks sorta like a ti.

There are no 318ti's in my area that have less than 60-75k miles on them. But they range from $5-9k depending on the year, condition etc.

I want a nice low maintenance car that gets fairly decent mileage will possibly get my monthly car payments down a bit.

Most of the 318ti's for sale in my area are automatics. How is the tranny? Will I miss shifting if I get an auto? I'm reading around here as well, but is there anything else I should look out for?

Thanks in advance guys (& gals if there are any here)

-rick

[needle332rur]

Look for a Sport or a Club Sport and do not get a automatic. They are real fun cars that are a little down on power but handle great. The "ti" handles most like the BMW E30 M3 which is one of the most sought after BMW's around. Your bugget is right on too.

Good Luck

[nick_hegel]

Originally Posted by Rickman

There are no 318ti's in my area that have less than 60-75k miles on them. But they range from $5-9k depending on the year, condition etc.

I want a nice low maintenance car that gets fairly decent mileage will possibly get my monthly car payments down a bit.

Most of the 318ti's for sale in my area are automatics. How is the tranny? Will I miss shifting if I get an auto? I'm reading around here as well, but is there anything else I should look out for?

Thanks in advance guys (& gals if there are any here)

-rick

Hi rick and welcome to the site. I'd be happy to find a TI under 100k. Right now my car is just about to cross 160k. The only major repairs that have come up are a new clutch and flywheel. That was due more to my learning to drive a 5-speed and wearing on the parts.

I would avoid getting an automatic, but I just have a bias towards manuals. Honestly, you seem like an driving enthusiast and would most likely missing the shifting.

IMO the maintenence on these ti's is pretty simple. And if you have troubles and complications there is more likely than not someone on this site that can help you out.

You'll find this site quite handy!

[weezer]

Welcome to the club......
Look on Ebay or Autotrader, there are always some out there under 90k, depending on where you live. I live in the DC area and on a given day there's always 3-4 for sale in fairly good condition. I got mine last year, a '97 Active for $7k and had only 69k on it. I lucked out, would've paid around $9-10k from the dealer.Those Mazdaspeeds are pretty rare, correct? Why sell it? It's an awesome handling car and probably cheaper maintenance than a bimmer. Turbos are more durable than it used to so......
Go for the manual, better and shorter ratios. Good luck.

[318technic]

if you enjoy shifting hold out for a manual, they're a ton of fun! i understand your fancy for "ugly euro wagons"...the the folks had a manual corrado ( miss it) and replaced it with an auto 318ti, great but missed shifting, i had an older jetta that was auto...still missed shifting. after i got rid of the jetta found another 318ti by accident with a 5-speed and i wouldn't have it any other way. the mpg are great, i just went 16 days without filling up the tank, and yes it is my daily driver, and yes i do drive to work everyday

good luck with the search!

keep us posted

[Rickman]

I'm not set on getting rid of my MSP, but like I said, it's just not really ME. I tend to bond with my cars, but I just can't get into the MSP as much as my previous cars. As far as being rare, mine is #2320 of 2500. It's worth $14-16k depending on where I sell/trade it. I owe like $11,500 on it.

If I can get $13k+ out of it, and buy a sub $10k 318ti I'll be able to get my monthly payments under $200 a month. This is important to me because I just started my own business and every little bit saved helps. But if I'm going to have to turn around and dump a bunch of money in maintenance on a used car it might not be worth it.

I love the way the ti's look, finding one that's in good shape is the problem.

[PettitWC]

Hey man, welcome to the group. I would go with a manual too and the sport package because there's a big difference in the support the seats offer you not to mention the more obvious traits of a sport package (exterior/handling type stuff).

[myblueTI]

My sister had an 03.5 mazda speed and it was pretty sweet to drive. It was alot faster than my Ti but mine is an auto. But the run down is that the mazda was a great car and it was fun to drive but its just not the same as driving around in a bmw ... chicks dig it. I really liked driving her car mostly because it was a manual and it wasnt mine so i would give it hell when i drove it. But the Ti will be cheaper and with that extra money you can bolt on a super charger and it will be fast enough

[cali-ti]

Originally Posted by Rickman

Hi guys, I just signed up to get some user opinions.

I'm currently driving an '03.5 Mazdaspeed Protege (traded from a p5). I am more of a "handling" guy than a "power" guy. I'm all about the lateral G's. I come from a MKI Toyota MR2 background, and currently still have an '87 that's being rebuilt.

The MSP is great, and handles really good as well. But there's something about it that's just not ME.

I was out and about earlier today and saw a really nice black ti on the road, and it was so nice looking. Something about "ugly" euro wagons gets me every time. I think I love the VW corrado because it looks sorta like a ti.

There are no 318ti's in my area that have less than 60-75k miles on them. But they range from $5-9k depending on the year, condition etc.

I want a nice low maintenance car that gets fairly decent mileage will possibly get my monthly car payments down a bit.

Most of the 318ti's for sale in my area are automatics. How is the tranny? Will I miss shifting if I get an auto? I'm reading around here as well, but is there anything else I should look out for?

Thanks in advance guys (& gals if there are any here)

-rick

manual with sport package or club sport. FUN to drive with manual. i hate slushboxes. no 4 should ever be sold with an automatic. i drove one that was a sport package, in the color i wanted and everything ... couldn't deal with the auto and got the one i still have now. i've been working on making it more "sporty" over time. luckily, i found this site a year or so ago

you NEED to be able to keep up with routine maintenance. look for one with complete service history if possible. there aren't many common problems with the ti's. as aceyx pointed out in a thread here a few days ago, most of the people on here are posting about (1) common problems (2) mods. i think that says something. i'm still on my stock clutch if that says anything

[not2fast]

MSP's are fun cars. My brother has one and it handles pretty good for a FWD. The limited slip rocks, but the car really should have had another 30hp.

I was looking for a 318ti, but just bought a 325i. The 6 cylinder really is nice and the extra doors help me. Just find a 318ti to drive and see if you like it before you move on. BTW: MR2's rock.

[myblueTI]

If i was to keep my sisters i would add a bigger turbo and a fmic to add about another 70hp then i would take out the back seats to lighten the car up.

[Rickman]

The msp is nice, and it handles great, but like someone mentioned... It's FWD. I never have liked that. It's also very limited as far as how much power you can give it... and even then it's still FWD. I am an MR2 guy at heart, and I've owned a load of RWD cars.

I'm going to look at this today:

"1995 BMW M3, 98,978 mi, 1of200Rare CLUB SPORT ti, 6cyl, M3 Cams, Dinan throttle hi-flow, Mcoupe Susp, 5spdl, Exhaust, Fast and Solid, sound sys/cd,230hp, 2 tone interior."

What should this person be asking for this car?

[not2fast]

Looks like this car.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995-...QQcmdZViewItem

Wonder why it is for sale again?

[Rickman]

It does look like the same car. I haven't had a chance to look at it yet though.
I saw it here.

[not2fast]

Compare the VINs to see if they are the same car. Odds are it is. It is not to common to do a 2.5L conversion.