Buying a used P5 - advice?

[xis]

Hey folks... am thinking about buying a used P5, have been searching for one for a little bit now. But, as I get serious, I'm wondering... are there any "gotchas" I should be looking for on these cars in particular? (Something that someone new to them wouldn't necessarily know to check out beyond the standard used car routine?)

- If you walked up to a for-sale P5, what are the top 3-5 things you'd look at?

- What problem/signal would make you walk away?

- What is the biggest maintenance headache/problem with a P5, if any?

- Has Ford taking over Mazda made a difference in the quality of the cars? (I have a 92 Protege. Great car, love it.) Or did they buy Mada and just leave it alone?

- Are all the autos the automanual style, or are there 3 distinct tranny types in P5? If there's both auto and automanual, which do you think is better and why (other than shift-like control/better power control)? I'm likely to buy an auto, so this is important to me.

- I've read the forum and some people complain about P5 performance in snow. Is this a real concern? Caveat: I'm a competent driver in snow (I'm from western NY/Buffalo) and we get minimal amounts of it here in balmy Maryland.


I test drove a P5 yesterday that was perrrrrfect, except for high milage (47k).

2003, auto (without the std straight line automatic floor-stick pattern, so I'm thinking maybe the automanual?), dark cloth, very clean, black!, handled well.

Compared it to a 2003 Civic coupe LX (priced $2k higher than the P5, much lower mileage) they had on the lot and it was clunky, heavy and stiff (especially around curves) compared with the P5. Hell, my poor old Protege is a lot more fun to drive than that much newer Civic. Boooring car.

Thanks for any advice!
...xis

 

[vaMP5er]

I bought mine not too long ago with 32k miles on it. I wasn't too worried about the mileage. I have a 2002 automatic (the good old-fashioned auto) and I haven't had any trouble as of yet (now 42k). I have heard that the sport-auto is the first of the trannies to develop problems. I know that 2002 uses the regular auto, not sure about 2002.5. 2003 has sport-auto (not sure if they kept regular autos too). The p5 does handle very well, especially compared to other cars in this price range (I paid $11,000 for one with no options other than floor mats). I live in Richmond, VA and driving in the snow isn't horrible, just don't expect much out of the stock tires. My p5 is black mica, and unless you plan on washing it regularly, look for another color.

 

[Katya4me]

Hey folks... am thinking about buying a used P5, have been searching for one for a little bit now. But, as I get serious, I'm wondering... are there any "gotchas" I should be looking for on these cars in particular? (Something that someone new to them wouldn't necessarily know to check out beyond the standard used car routine?)

- If you walked up to a for-sale P5, what are the top 3-5 things you'd look at?

- What problem/signal would make you walk away?

- What is the biggest maintenance headache/problem with a P5, if any?

The '02s seem to have a few more issues than the '03s, but overall, nothing really. The clutch chatter shouldn't be an issue since you're looking at an auto. The paint likes to chip on all of them, sometimes the windshield cracks, on the rare occasion, someone gets a lemon. A couple of people have had engines replaced under warranty.

- Has Ford taking over Mazda made a difference in the quality of the cars? (I have a 92 Protege. Great car, love it.) Or did they buy Mada and just leave it alone?

Ford bought Mazda in the '70s, took a controlling interest in either '92 or '93. The P5 was still made in Japan. I like the quality of the car and I refused to look at any Fords.

- Are all the autos the automanual style, or are there 3 distinct tranny types in P5? If there's both auto and automanual, which do you think is better and why (other than shift-like control/better power control)? I'm likely to buy an auto, so this is important to me.

The auto in the '02.5+ is the sportmatic, the '02 is a regular auto, but some people have had issues w/ their sportmatic stalling on them. I don't think there is a TSB or a recall for it, but I drive a manual, so I can't guarantee that.

- I've read the forum and some people complain about P5 performance in snow. Is this a real concern? Caveat: I'm a competent driver in snow (I'm from western NY/Buffalo) and we get minimal amounts of it here in balmy Maryland.

It's more the stock tires that cause issues in the snow. If you have good tires on the P5, you should be fine in the snow we get in this area. I live outside of DC and this is my 2nd winter w/ the P5, much better on the Falken ZIEX 512s than last winter on the stockers. Also, if you are in the DC/Baltimore area, you might want to check out the MEC boards: Mazda Enthusiasts Club of DC, MD and VA. Quite a few of us own P5s and at least 1 or 2 are auto.

I test drove a P5 yesterday that was perrrrrfect, except for high milage (47k).

2003, auto (without the std straight line automatic floor-stick pattern, so I'm thinking maybe the automanual?), dark cloth, very clean, black!, handled well.

Compared it to a 2003 Civic coupe LX (priced $2k higher than the P5, much lower mileage) they had on the lot and it was clunky, heavy and stiff (especially around curves) compared with the P5. Hell, my poor old Protege is a lot more fun to drive than that much newer Civic. Boooring car.

Thanks for any advice!
...xis

If you want a subwoofer, look for a '03.5, if you want a roofrack, look for '02-'03. Also, the '02 warranty only went to 36K miles, the later ones go to 48K miles, unless you plan on buying an extended warranty anyway.

 

[xis]

I bought mine not too long ago with 32k miles on it. I wasn't too worried about the mileage. I have a 2002 automatic (the good old-fashioned auto) and I haven't had any trouble as of yet (now 42k). I have heard that the sport-auto is the first of the trannies to develop problems. I know that 2002 uses the regular auto, not sure about 2002.5. 2003 has sport-auto (not sure if they kept regular autos too). The p5 does handle very well, especially compared to other cars in this price range (I paid $11,000 for one with no options other than floor mats). I live in Richmond, VA and driving in the snow isn't horrible, just don't expect much out of the stock tires. My p5 is black mica, and unless you plan on washing it regularly, look for another color.

Hey, thanks for the info, especially on the tranny. I was worried that something "unique" might also be a point of failure. Is yours a "straight-line" all gears in a row style box?

I guess for me the milage seems huge as my 92 only has 128k on it. I tend to keep cars forever, so I'm not sure why I keep thinking about having low miles down the road for resale value, but, a lot of miles makes me cautious.

They are asking $13k for the one I drove, which is pretty loaded up. I figure I could do better from an individual or a small dealer. (This was at a CarMax.)

Sounds like you actually dislike the black? Is black a colour you usually LIKE and this one in particular is a dirt-magnet? My current Protege is black and its not too bad, but, I'm not a fanatic about having a super-clean car either.

Have you used your racks much? I'm guessing I'll have to mod to put my Thule racks on it, but, may hold off if the stock racks are decent. I'd generally have a kayak (~50lbs) up there or a few snowboards.

 

[xis]

Great info!

The '02s seem to have a few more issues than the '03s, but overall, nothing really. The clutch chatter shouldn't be an issue since you're looking at an auto. The paint likes to chip on all of them, sometimes the windshield cracks, on the rare occasion, someone gets a lemon. A couple of people have had engines replaced under warranty.

Bomber info, soooo glad you responded! Thanks especially for the list of diffs on model years (very helpful!), trans issues and the DC Metro board head's up. I really like the idea that Ford isn't strongly involved -- I just don't trust their cars, though I'm sure many have had great luck with them. I really thought I was going to buy a Civic just for the reliability/resale until I drove this car!!!

 

[jonlong]

The black mica is a great looking color, but like any other variation of black, it needs to be taken care of to look good.

The stock rack is good, but aftermarket racks are better if you're going to be carrying different things, such as a bike, kayak, ski/snowboard, etc... If you're only looking to carry a kayak, then it shouldn't be a problem. Your Thule setup should mount onto the factory rack with some adapters (can't remember what they're called, but they're designed to clamp onto the load bars on a factory rack).

 

[xis]

The black mica is a great looking color, but like any other variation of black, it needs to be taken care of to look good.

Gotcha, makes sense. I also like the silver and maybe the blue... and buying used I'm really after mechanical soundness and will cope with colour.

The stock rack is good, but aftermarket racks are better if you're going to be carrying different things, such as a bike, kayak, ski/snowboard, etc... If you're only looking to carry a kayak, then it shouldn't be a problem. Your Thule setup should mount onto the factory rack with some adapters (can't remember what they're called, but they're designed to clamp onto the load bars on a factory rack).

Hmmm... hadn't thought about bikes. I have a trunk-mounted bike rack for my current Protege. Guess I may have to try stuffing my bike in the hatch to start with, LOL! I think maybe you're talking about the "feet" of the rack? Yah, I'll look up what Thule says is the correct model. With 4 doors it should still be easy. So maybe rackless is actually a better buy for me.

...x

 

[misbehave]

I have the 03 with the sportomatic gear box. 30K now, no major problem.
Infact, my car has been problem free so far (knock on wood). The only thing I needed to have the dealer do for me was to reset that ECU thing so that the car idle smoother. It was just a minor thing and all 03 or later model shouldn't have to do this.

Make sure you have the VIN number to have a Carfax check for crashes before you buy.
I only thing I would worry about is if the car have been modded, especially with turbo, but have taken the turbo out before selling.

 

[xis]

I only thing I would worry about is if the car have been modded, especially with turbo, but have taken the turbo out before selling.

Ahhhh... this is exactly the type of info I was hoping for! Is there some tell-tale sign that turbo was added (and then removed)? I haven't seen one modded, so I dunno what might be a give-away that it was taken out. Would an after-market turbo be pretty obvious if left in? Anyone have closeup pix of before and after?

...x

 

[Katya4me]

Laser Blue and Sunlight Silver both look pretty clean even when dirty.

Oh, and you probably should not spend any more than $11K for a used P5.

 

[xis]

Pricing

Laser Blue and Sunlight Silver both look pretty clean even when dirty. Oh, and you probably should not spend any more than $11K for a used P5.

LOL. I told the CarMax guy I thought it was severely overpriced, figuring they would negotiate, but, doesn't seem like it. Not even a "well, we can work with you..." sort of spiel. Oh well.

Thanks for the reality check... I DO NOT want to get ripped off.

 

[jonlong]

It would be hard to tell if the car had been modded in the past if all the stock parts were put back in. The best thing to do would be to go on a nice sunny day, and check out the engine compartment. Look for scratches, patterns of rust, nuts and bolts, etc... to see if it looks like someone has recently removed or added things to the engine. Another option would be to take a nice digital picture (preferrably high megapixel) and post it here for us to look at.

 

[misbehave]

Laser Blue and Sunlight Silver both look pretty clean even when dirty.

Oh, and you probably should not spend any more than $11K for a used P5.

Sunlight Silver look clean when dirty, yes! Laser blue, no!
I have the laser blue.

 

[misbehave]

It would be hard to tell if the car had been modded in the past if all the stock parts were put back in. The best thing to do would be to go on a nice sunny day, and check out the engine compartment. Look for scratches, patterns of rust, nuts and bolts, etc... to see if it looks like someone has recently removed or added things to the engine. Another option would be to take a nice digital picture (preferrably high megapixel) and post it here for us to look at.

One of the signs is if the over all engine compartment is dirty but the stock air intake box (all the parts and piping) is clean. That will atleast tell you the car had custom intake.

 

[xis]

Mods (and mods no more)

Thanks! This is all very helpful stuff. I'll absolutely take pix and post them if I find one that's looking like a possibility.

Calling dealers today gave me a headache. (smash) Crazy, the lot of them. One lets his employees drive the P5 as a daily driver AND uses the car as a shuttle bus for his employees. He's put 2k miles on it in 2 months. Still, he has the right combo of options and its only got 10k on it now... seems suspicious though.

Several others are apparently using them as bait and switch... call/email and they try to sell you a Lancer or a Matrix. Huh? Or the "we don't have that one anymore, but, we have this one... @ $2k higher price."

I've looked on autotrader, autobytel, cars.com, eBay, vehix, craigslist, local papers... am I overlooking a source? Seems the majority are in the $12-15k range and very few for sale by owner. I'd like to buy from a real live person. Preferably a sweet old lady who only drove it to church, of course.

...x

 

[misbehave]

Thanks! This is all very helpful stuff. I'll absolutely take pix and post them if I find one that's looking like a possibility.

Calling dealers today gave me a headache. (smash) Crazy, the lot of them. One lets his employees drive the P5 as a daily driver AND uses the car as a shuttle bus for his employees. He's put 2k miles on it in 2 months. Still, he has the right combo of options and its only got 10k on it now... seems suspicious though.

Several others are apparently using them as bait and switch... call/email and they try to sell you a Lancer or a Matrix. Huh? Or the "we don't have that one anymore, but, we have this one... @ $2k higher price."

I've looked on autotrader, autobytel, cars.com, eBay, vehix, craigslist, local papers... am I overlooking a source? Seems the majority are in the $12-15k range and very few for sale by owner. I'd like to buy from a real live person. Preferably a sweet old lady who only drove it to church, of course.

...x

I wouldn't buy that one for sure, unless it's riduclously cheap.

 

[iLisa]

welcome to Mazda family! Where in Maryland are u from?

 

[xis]

Used Car Shennanigans

I wouldn't buy that one for sure, unless it's riduclously cheap.

I'm with you there. Its not ultra-cheap. Close to $12k and "price somewhat negotiable." But, its got suspicious all over it. He got it at an auction. Its pretty durn low miles. He's driving it around heavily. Trying to get it not to look sooo rolled back? I dunno. I just don't trust used car folks. :/ He DID say I could take it home (1.25 hours from the dealer at least) and have "my mechanic" look at it.

 

[xis]

welcome to Mazda family! Where in Maryland are u from?

Hi, Lisakay, thanks for the hello. I'm in Greenbelt... not exactly the cultural mecca of MD, but, I'm walking distance to work. You're from NoVA?

 

[iLisa]

Hi, Lisakay, thanks for the hello. I'm in Greenbelt... not exactly the cultural mecca of MD, but, I'm walking distance to work. You're from NoVA?

yep.. I live in Arlington. My sister works in Greenbelt (at NASA).