2003 P5 low miles, high price??

hevysrf

Member
Local dealer has a 30k mile P5, auto new tires clean carfax,local car. What should I look for when inspecting and test driving? what mpg can I expect? Is there any maintenance that is a "Must Do Now"? Is Timing bely DIY like Miata ? Thanks MartyD
 
Timing belt I believe is every 100k, correct me if I'm wrong. But pop the hood and listen for anything weird while the car is running, go through every button while in the car, and on the test drive get on it just a lil bit.
 
And where are u located? Even though it's got low miles, check for any signs of rust. I'm getting between 29-31 MPG for city driving. Some get lower...some get a little higher. HWY miles should be in the 32-35 zone.
 
Maybe too good to be true, almost everyone that has a P5 loves it and rarely gets rid of it.
Lots of big storms this past Spring. Flip back seats over, look under carpet for signs of past water or dirt. Same goes for under spare tire. CRfax only shows up only if a certain level of $$$ is spent to repair.
30 K and no issues would certainy be a find, but be careful.
Good luck
 
As stated, I would watch for any signs of rust. Although low miles, check the air intake tubes for any cracks (cheap fix). Also, look for any signs that oil may be leaking. Anything else you should not really have to worry about with that low of miles. Price could be tricky. The value for 4 cylinder cars (with good mpg) has once again gone up, so the car could range anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000. My guess is the dealer didn't pay anything over $6,000 for it (black book price).
 
dealer retail would be around $8k here. I'm a dealer btw.

My 03 with 63k miles would sell for around $7k retail and has some minor cosmetic issues.
 
Looked at the car after hours, car looks very nice, no dings, wheels not scuffed. But at the bottom front of the rear wheel wells, where the rear quarter would tie into the floor pan, and rear door, the metal was never treated. That weld is a clump of rust, pieces flaking off. I have had 2 rx7s, 2 miatas,, and a cx7, and have never seen this on a mazda. Does this kill the deal on an $8900 car? Thanks MartyD
 
Why buy a rusty Mazda, when there are plenty of non-rusty ones...?

Don't be lured in by the low mileage.... You are usually better off finding a well maintained higher mileage car, than a low mileage rustbucket.
 
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For reference, I bought a 2002 with 36.5K last year for $7000 from a private seller. The only "issue" I've had with it has been replacing old rubber parts on it (valve cover gasket, motor mounts, PCV valve grommit) because they are all ten years old now. It's also a California car, so rust isn't an issue.

Really, the way it has been treated is more important than the mileage at this point.
 
And where are u located? Even though it's got low miles, check for any signs of rust. I'm getting between 29-31 MPG for city driving. Some get lower...some get a little higher. HWY miles should be in the 32-35 zone.

29-31 city? Is that with a manual tranny? Our auto is lucky to see 20 mpg city. That is the one major disappointment we have with the P, it sucks gas.
 
Maybe too good to be true, almost everyone that has a P5 loves it and rarely gets rid of it.
Lots of big storms this past Spring. Flip back seats over, look under carpet for signs of past water or dirt. Same goes for under spare tire. CRfax only shows up only if a certain level of $$$ is spent to repair.
30 K and no issues would certainy be a find, but be careful.
Good luck


CarFax only shows what has been reported. Our P5 had a "clean" one yet that was not the case.
 
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