New guy, buying a P5 Wednesday

[dieselmiata]

Greetings!

I've always wanted a Protege5, and so I've found myself browsing Craigslist every few months or so for the last few years looking for one. I've finally decided to do something about it, and am going to look at one Wednesday. It's a silver 2002 5 speed with 110K on it and no visible rust on exterior. Granted, I know that doesn't mean it's rust free, but it's a good start.

From what I've read they seem fairly bulletproof, but are there any model specific "issues" I should keep an eye out for? The searches I've run pull up plenty about the rusting, but little else.

Thanks in advance, and I look forward to being part of the community!

 

[hornsfan10609]

They like to rust, but all Mazdas do. They have proven to be very reliable cars over the past 12 years of them being in service, I loved my P5. The 03s are more desirable because of the leather option, 6 disc CD changer and the sport-shift but you are doing it right with the 5 speed anyway. I would look for one that has the ABS/sunroof/side airbags package as that is one of the few options you could get on a P5. And I was never a fan of the roof rack so finding an 03.5 without the rack would be a bonus for me.

 

[Justin2129]

make sure the AC works - search "flickering fan speed," watch the rpms at idle to make sure the egr isn't clogged

 

[dieselmiata]

Ideally I would be flying down to Texas or another southern state to pick up a guaranteed never-seen-salt P5, but since it will be used as my DD/winter vehicle it won't matter much. It will be acting as a second car as I refuse to drive my Miata's in the winter.

I use fluid film liberally to rust-proof my winter vehicles so I should be fine for a while at least. I was unaware that any P5's came with leather, but that's not a deal breaker for me unlike the 5-speed. I refuse to drive anything that doesn't have three pedals.

 

[hornsfan10609]

I like your style, I am the same way regarding manual transmissions. We have plenty of rust free proteges here in Texas, I have had two myself.

 

[dieselmiata]

Thanks Justin. Is the EGR as easy to clean on these as the BP series engines? It's a 10 minute job on them.

I'm from Round Rock originally, (1980-1999) but got stuck here in the frozen north after I got out of the Navy. I use visiting family as an excuse to buy rust free cars down there.

 

[gino]

As horns noted, these are just about bulletproof. My wife's ES has 89k on the clock, my '5 has 188k, both are '03.5s, the last of the series.

Hers has had a timing belt, mine a belt (no water pumps replaced) and a front wheel bearing. I believe that's called reliability. Fortunately, no rust in Colorado. They both run like tops, mine has a few mods that kicked it from 96 stock dynoed WHP, to 119 and continues to be driven fairly hard, with no protests.

If the car's been taken care of and the price seems right, get it.

 

[Justin2129]

Thanks Justin. Is the EGR as easy to clean on these as the BP series engines? It's a 10 minute job on them.

I'm from Round Rock originally, (1980-1999) but got stuck here in the frozen north after I got out of the Navy. I use visiting family as an excuse to buy rust free cars down there.

It's a HUGE pain to do it. and if you just clean it, the problem is likely going to come back very soon. The best fix is to get the egr setup that came from the canadian p5s. It has extra hoses that tap into the coolant system and keep the egr from getting clogged. That's the only permanent fix. I have the canadian EGR but havent installed it yet. I'm thinking of just having a shop install it.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123732861-Canadian-EGR-valve-exposed

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...Cleaning-Rough-Idle-Fix&p=2643171#post2643171

 

[dieselmiata]

Well, the one I was looking at got sold out from under me, but I found another one and picked it up last night. 2002 1-owner car with 102,000 miles. Silver, 5-speed, and the interior is insanely clean, it looks showroom inside. It has a little bit of rust on the rear badge, but none on the wheel wells, the guy I bought it from had it rust proofed yearly. I haven't had a chance to go over it too much, but I will be tearing into it this weekend. I do suspect the clutch slave cylinder is dying, it feels the exact same as when they die on Miatas which is a common problem.

I'll get pictures up as soon as I get some worth sharing.