Tips & What To Expect

[tinfoil]

Good day folks. I hope that I've not posted a dup thread here, but I did go through a number without finding an obvious one. Anyways....

I've been considering purchasing a new car for some time to replace my beloved Grand Prix GTP. About a month ago, my wife forced my hand on the matter when she bounced it off of an F150 pickup. Two lessons learned, don't buy an F150 (thing had twice as much damage as the GTP) and next time buy a 5speed so she can't drive it ;>

So, the shortlist was as follows: a yellow P5, black P5 or red P5. The yellow one won.

I've read about a bagillion reviews and read through some forums as well. However, I've not really found the info I am looking for. When I pick this thing up next week (03 P5, 60,000KM (I think that's about 35,000miles?)), what sort of things need I be expecting. With my GTP, I knew that every 100k, I needed to do the timing (or else) but I didn't find that out until .. well, else happened.

So, my question, after much useless information, is that what sort of knowledge do you, the wise and wizened P5 owners, have to impart on a n00b such as me? Every car has it's own hidden gotchas, so what are the P5's?

 

[RyanJayG]

do you have the owners manual in the glovebox? it has the "recommended" maintainance schedual in it iirc.

other than that, if left stock, or relatively so the car will probably run forever. its a very solid car.

and congrats on the yellow... its a no-brainer

 

[JCell]

the p5 really doen't have any problems as long as left stock

 

[tinfoil]

do you have the owners manual in the glovebox? it has the "recommended" maintainance schedual in it iirc.

other than that, if left stock, or relatively so the car will probably run forever. its a very solid car.

and congrats on the yellow... its a no-brainer

That would break my perfect track record of floating through life blissfully unaware though, Ryan!

I'm sure there is a manual, but I do not take delivery until next week. With my last vehicle, as much as I loved it, I was at the garage so much that I believe I put one of his children through medical school. I'm just doing some research to determine if I will be putting his other child through school or not. Of course, I suppose I should have done that prior to purchasing the car but that would have been the smart thing to do.

So far it seems to be a far site more dependable than my previous vehicle, though. And ya, the yellow was a no brainer. Black and red were on the list at my wife's request. However, since she wrote off my car, my rock beats her scissors.

 

[Douggie]

Goto www.mymazda.com

Register an account and you can see a maintenance schedule when you login.


<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="553"> <tbody><tr><td>
</td> <td class="body11">I:
</td> <td class="body30b">
INSPECT, REPAIR, CLEAN, ADJUST OR REPLACE IF NECESSARY</td> <td>

</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td>

</td> <td class="body11">R:</td> <td class="body30b">REPLACE</td> <td>

</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td>

</td> <td class="body11">L:</td> <td class="body30b">LUBRICATE</td></tr></tbody> </table>

 

[tinfoil]

Ahh Fantastic! Thanks Douggie!

Now, something I've not yet seen is roughly how much is it to replace a clutch in these? My wife will, invariably, want to drive the P5. She has driven a stick before many years ago. She managed to stall the car 6 times in the same intersection, much to the shargrin of the motorists behind her. Needless to say, I have some concern over replacing the clutch atleast once before she gets the hang of it. Besides, I can never know the competancy of the previous owner. Perhaps s/he didn't get the hang of it either?

 

[Pretzellogic]

Ahh Fantastic! Thanks Douggie!

Now, something I've not yet seen is roughly how much is it to replace a clutch in these? My wife will, invariably, want to drive the P5. She has driven a stick before many years ago. She managed to stall the car 6 times in the same intersection, much to the shargrin of the motorists behind her. Needless to say, I have some concern over replacing the clutch atleast once before she gets the hang of it. Besides, I can never know the competancy of the previous owner. Perhaps s/he didn't get the hang of it either?

My memory is a little fuzzy, but I seem to recall it being somewhere in the $500 range when I put in my Clutchmasters IIR. I must be blocking the memory.

Welcome to the site! There are a bunch of little things you can do to your car that will not effect the reliability at all, but will make it more fun to drive (ie: kartboy bushings, new intake, suspension mods). Or, you could be an absolutle idiot and begin really screwing with it, like me (freak)

 

[lundevall]

Welcome. You have made a good choice. They are expensive to maintain though (if you consider upgrading them as maintaining them). I loved mine stock 4 months ago, now I cant even remember all that money ago. I do love it and they will go forever if taken care of. Yellow rocks!!!

 

[jbswads]

Goto www.mymazda.com

Register an account and you can see a maintenance schedule when you login.


<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="553"> <tbody><tr><td>
</td> <td class="body11">I:
</td> <td class="body30b">
INSPECT, REPAIR, CLEAN, ADJUST OR REPLACE IF NECESSARY</td> <td>

</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td>

</td> <td class="body11">R:</td> <td class="body30b">REPLACE</td> <td>

</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td>

</td> <td class="body11">L:</td> <td class="body30b">LUBRICATE</td></tr></tbody> </table>

hehe.....he said "lubricate"

 

[Jack Daniels]

Coming from a guy with a Buick Regal GS (same supercharged 3.8L as the GTP), the P5 is relatively light feeling, handles well and is fun to drive. It's also very practical. Carrys four people with no problem and the roof rack can hold a ton of weight. My only complaint, is it's sorely lacking in horsepower and it really needs a taller 5th or a 6th OD gear. 3500 RPM on the highway is too much. All in all for the price, it's a damn nice little car.