Looking at getting a P5.

[paylew]

Well the husband is looking at getting a newer car, something that he can carry the kid in and we found a P5 locally today. Here's a quick run down on it.

Yellow, 5 speed manual transmission, approximately 83,600 miles

- Alpine CD player with IPod control
- All fluids changed within the last year, and oil changed regularly
- New tint installed on windows within the last 6 months
- Brakes changed within the last year

Modifications
- Kart Boy short shifter
- Racing Beat Exhaust
- OBX header
- AEM intake
- also have original intake and header

We met with the owner and took the car for a drive. Got on the interstate with it. It drives great, no squeaks or rattles. The heat blows hot and the A/C blows cold. The interior is in great shape. The only issues are with the paint. The car has a clean title, never been wrecked. The owner is in the Air Force so he brought it with him from Hawaii (might be the attributing factor to the faded paint). He's owned the car since 11,000 miles and puts very few miles on it because everything he needs is on base. He's selling it to get a minivan since his 3rd kid is on the way. Here are a few pictures of the car. He's currently looking to get $5000 for it but said that he is pretty flexible on the price. Just looking to see what you guys think the car is worth.

 

[BlackCherry]

5000 doesn't sound bad to me. I bought my red p5 59,000 from my neighbor two years ago haven't regretted it since. Only thing is that I've heard bad things about the yellow p5's paint, apparently they don't have any clear coat from what I've heard, could be wrong.

 

[R-X-R]

anything below KBB is a good deal after u buy, sell me the strut tower with braces

 

[paylew]

The clear is faded on the spoiler the worst. Overall the paint just doesn't match up from panel to panel. Not that it's going to be used for anything other than driving day to day.

 

[localkineguy]

I paid $5000 for my 2003 Mazda Protege 5 about 3 months ago, it had 100k miles. I think yours is a good deal!

 

[bazooka joe]

not a bad deal...cars pretty reliable.....i have 141k on my 2, still going strong! ya, the yellow paint was a problem

 

[BlackCherry]

Looks good, if you're going to get it make sure you clean up the engine bay a little. Check for rust, if appearance is a big part of your car, you might be looking at a new paint job one of these days, other than that it's a great car.

 

[Ride92]

The pics don't show the paint problems that well, but a good full detail, with muti-stage buffing could probably bring that paint back in a big way. Or you get a Dual Action Buffer like a Porter cable and try it your self. The Yellow is a single stage paint so it should take correction well. Other then that, looks like it's in good shape. The CAI doesn't look an AEM to me but that doesn't really matter. 5 grand would be a steal.

 

[u812many73]

The pics don't show the paint problems that well, but a good full detail, with muti-stage buffing could probably bring that paint back in a big way. Or you get a Dual Action Buffer like a Porter cable and try it your self. The Yellow is a single stage paint so it should take correction well. Other then that, looks like it's in good shape. The CAI doesn't look an AEM to me but that doesn't really matter. 5 grand would be a steal.

A good exterior detail would probably do this car a lot of justice. On that note though, that engine bay and paint condition make my 177,000 mile P5 look new!



That mileage makes it a worth while investment to me.

 

[Matt V]

I would say skip out on the car. Unless you're willing to pay for a professional detail, the car will need to be repainted.

 

[paylew]

The pics don't show the paint problems that well, but a good full detail, with muti-stage buffing could probably bring that paint back in a big way. Or you get a Dual Action Buffer like a Porter cable and try it your self. The Yellow is a single stage paint so it should take correction well. Other then that, looks like it's in good shape. The CAI doesn't look an AEM to me but that doesn't really matter. 5 grand would be a steal.

Thanks! I'm sure he'd have no issue with doing it himself or getting someone to do it. The interior is what really sold him. It's pristine, the only bad spot is indention marks on the rear seat, passenger side. The current owner puts his car seat there. Not a big deal since that's where we'll be putting ours.

A good exterior detail would probably do this car a lot of justice. On that note though, that engine bay and paint condition make my 177,000 mile P5 look new!

That mileage makes it a worth while investment to me.

I will have him look into it. He's been friends with a few body shop guys and is supposed to be taking a second look at the car with one of them to see the paint. The only thing that would for sure need clear is the spoiler. It's pretty rough.

I would say skip out on the car. Unless you're willing to pay for a professional detail, the car will need to be repainted.

What do you think are the odds that the detail would fix the issues. I think we're planning on offering lower than what he's asking now since he said he's pretty flexible with the price.

 

[BANANA]

considering I bought mine for twice as much with half the milage three months ago, sounds like a good deal.

 

[P-Funk!]

They have been good cars - go for it!
Negotiate for the paint job.

Offer $4,400 and get it done.

 

[Ride92]

I think your odds are very high that a proper detail paint correction will bring hte car back close to show room shine, may not be 100% perfect but damn close to it.

 

[paylew]

I appreciate all of the advice and will definitely let him know what you guys have said. The paint's not even really that big of an issue to him but know that it's potentially fixable sure doesn't hurt to know.

 

[EvilJen]

Has the car been in an accident? Maybe it's my bad eyesight but the front bumper looks funky in this pic. (scratch)

We had a yellow P5 and the paint on the back bumper was starting to fade like this. A good coat of wax was able to help ours out a little bit.

*Edit: I see it says it's never been in an accident. So maybe I'm just (screwy)??

 

[paylew]

It looks like it's popped out just slightly by the head light. When we went and looked at it that was not the case. I've been having issues with my front bumper doing the same. Easy fix just a pain in the ass to take the bumper back off to heat the tabs up and bend them down.

 

[HelionTBone]

I overpaid for mine and I'm still happy. A little over a year ago I bought my 2003 (auto, leather, sunroof, etc) with 65K miles for $9500. It was a bit over KBB private party, but I couldn't resist. I have never regretted it.

I'd concur with the others and make sure it has a clean history. Perhaps even negotiate but $4000 to $5000 seems ok.

Since its coming from Hawaii you might see even more rust than the rest of us (salt in the air).

Have fun - zoom zoom

 

[paylew]

I'll have double check for rust when he goes to look at it again. He emailed the owner and apparently the bumper mounts to the headlight bracket. The tab that holds the bumper there is broke. Any one have any more info on that?

 

[Tzar177]

I'll have double check for rust when he goes to look at it again. He emailed the owner and apparently the bumper mounts to the headlight bracket. The tab that holds the bumper there is broke. Any one have any more info on that?

Those tabs are notorious for breaking. You can order replacement tabs at the dealer and you will have to remove the bumper and headlight to install them