About to pull the trigger on an MP5. Need price advice.

[nogirlsatgt]

My Prelude was recently totaled, and I'm in the hunt for a new vehicle. I was drawn to the Protege5 because I'm looking for a fun-to-drive daily car that maintains some practicality. I'm 24 and in a rotational engineering program where I relocated every 6 months for 2 years, so having some space for my frequent moves would be nice (I know it's not a Suburban . . . but consider what I am coming from, it's huge).

I drove one today locally and liked it quite a bit, although it was at a Carmax and overpriced for what it was. I've found an '02 (although it looks like it has the 03 wheels and sidemarkers?) with 60k on the clock, the color I'm after (red), moonroof, and luggage rack, with a asking price below $8k. One owner, carfax certified.

This seems like an attractive deal, especially for a dealership. The car is about 190 miles away. Assuming (which I'm not . . .I'll have it inspected) that it checks out mechanically, would you consider it worth the trip at that price? I need to jump on something fairly quickly (next 10 days), so I worry that "holding out" for a better deal may not pan out.

 

[TheMAN]

what you found is an 02.5... definately the best "year" around

 

[Protephile]

That's a good price for a dealer, but I am sure you can talk them down even more.

 

[JoshP5]

Too cheap--something's up.

 

[nogirlsatgt]

Too cheap--something's up.

This one has been listed just shy of $12k recently, and was changed to a "managers special" to get it off the lot. I was planning on trying to find a local Mazda dealer or independent shop to do a pre-purchase inspection.

That's a good price for a dealer, but I am sure you can talk them down even more.

Most of the ones that Autotrader turns up in my area (Atlanta) seem to be in the $10-12k range. At under $8k, it's about $3k below KBB. Granted, I'd get hit with sales tax and BS dealer fees, but this still seems like one of the lowest priced examples (neglecting 100K mile cars) I've run across. BUT, I suppose it never hurts to ask, right?

what you found is an 02.5... definately the best "year" around

Are the 02.5's plauged by the weak shift forks found on 02's? I don't really care if it has the mini-spare subwoofer or not. I'm kinda an audio snob and will end up substituting some aftermarket equipment pronto.

 

[clicknext]

Looks like a good deal. Make sure nothing's wrong with it, no accident record, and get it checked over by a mechanic. Cars that appear to be priced lower than market value are almost always like that for a reason.

 

[nogirlsatgt]

Cars that appear to be priced lower than market value are almost always like that for a reason.

Understood. Would and indpt. shop or a Mazda service center be a better idea for an inspection?

 

[JoshP5]

Still skeptical. I bought my P5 about 6 months ago. Looked around for 2 months until I found the one I bought and still had to compromise. These cars don't stay on lots for long--just look at them and you know why. Manager's special? Whatever. They'll say whatever's necessary to move the car out. Proceed with caution (and patience ).

 

[Shasta]

^^ Totally agree, take your time if you can. Oneday out of the blue I thought I am going to buy a new car, always liked the P5 so started looking. 3 weeks later I found nice dark blue 03, auto, 80K, took it for a drive and didn't like it. I was expecting more I guess, interior had funny odor, like a water leak, looked decent outside till further inspection. Price was 12K not negotiable. Walked from the deal and 2 weeks later just drove through a local Mazda dealer and came cross a mint starry blue, 5 spd, completely loaded including leather, car is like brand new.

The dealership wanted 16K but made a great deal and the rest is history. Oh and by the way a good one does feel and drive right, the bad ones just don't feel the same. After the test drive I knew I was going to own it, you just know.

 

[silverpro5]

watch for rust by the badges on the tail and around the rear wheelwells. i drove 6 P5's before I bought one! granted, I was on a budget and that made it harder.

 

[nogirlsatgt]

Here is a link to the vehicle in question:

http://tkcarsites.homenetinc.com/ph...ol.asp?param_new-used=used&vehicle_id=628695U

I've learned to take what a vehicle looks like in photos with a grain of salt, especially lower resolution ones; but nothing MAJOR jumps out at me from the pictures.

It's interesting because some people say the deal is "too good to be true" while others advocate haggling for an even lower price. I've certainly found stories on here about people picking these little cars up in the $8-9k range.

The Carfax report is clean, indicating a single previous owner from VA. Although, I've learned to take carfax reports with a grain of salt as well, since I know numerous people with accidents that have not popped up in a carfax check.

 

[silverpro5]

I got mine a month ago (02 manual) for 8000 including tax. It has no mechanical issues, no body rust, perfect interior, but 105k miles. It felt like a good deal...? I'm just a college kid so I had to go high or go home as far as the odo is concerned.

If your car is clean that sounds like a pretty good price. I would go drive it! Are there other P5's in its area that you could look at as well? If you have a bunch to look at then it would definitely be worth the trip.

 

[iLisa]

Here is a link to the vehicle in question:

http://tkcarsites.homenetinc.com/philbachmanhonda/details2.asp?from=%2Fphilbachmanhonda%2Fspecials%5Fwiol%2Easp?param%5Fnew%2Dused%3Dused&vehicle_id=628695U

I've learned to take what a vehicle looks like in photos with a grain of salt, especially lower resolution ones; but nothing MAJOR jumps out at me from the pictures.

It's interesting because some people say the deal is "too good to be true" while others advocate haggling for an even lower price. I've certainly found stories on here about people picking these little cars up in the $8-9k range.

The Carfax report is clean, indicating a single previous owner from VA. Although, I've learned to take carfax reports with a grain of salt as well, since I know numerous people with accidents that have not popped up in a carfax check.

Mmm.. previous owner in VA? Did they say where in VA? Maybe we can track them down and ask them questions.

 

[FastMSP]

03 comes with more stuff, so I would get a 03

 

[Foolish]

Hey, welcome to the forum! The ATL area has a dedicated group of Protege nutjobs that get together on a regular basis for various car-related or not car-related social occasions. It's a great group of folks. I'd suggest you contact Shadow102 to look at the car for you (he's a mechanic) but I see it's in Tennessee, so I don't think he'll want to just pop on over there to check it out for you.

Anyway, that sounds like a great deal, and the car does look nice in the pics. Hopefully, it's that good in person!

Good luck.

 

[branden]

i got my 03 for just over 10 from a honda dealership. i drove it one day then went back the next and got it. driving it is really the only way to know if it's good or not. i've driven other p5's since i got mine and trust me when i say you can tell if something's not right. so it might sound to good to be true, but the only way to know is to drive it.

 

[Kansei]

Still skeptical. I bought my P5 about 6 months ago. Looked around for 2 months until I found the one I bought and still had to compromise. These cars don't stay on lots for long--just look at them and you know why. Manager's special? Whatever. They'll say whatever's necessary to move the car out. Proceed with caution (and patience ).

I don't think it's too cheap at all. I bought mine over three years ago for just 3k more than that.. and that was with just 10k miles.

 

[JoshP5]

It's great that you got a nice deal and it's worked out for you. Unfortunately, the same is not guaranteed for nogirlsatgt. The fact is the price is way low. That raises a red flag, so I'm just looking out for the guy.

 

[Riken]

get a silver one. They are faster lol

 

[solkjare]

I got my white 02 P5 auto about 3 months ago with 64K from the dealer 130 miles away from my home. The price was 7900$ in very good exterior and interior conditions. So far no big problem, the only thing i would complain is MPG is so suck. I got on average about 20 mpg, mixed city and Hwy driving. So let mechanic check the car and go for it, good deal.