Buying an '02 P5 - What to lookout for?

9

905shmick

Member
A big hello from snowy Toronto Canada!

I'm looking to buy an '02 5-speed P5 with 154K KM (96K Miles) on it and I was wondering if there are any known "issues" that I should be looking for such as known rust development spots, fluid leaks or anything of the sort.

Thanks and hopefully I'll be back on the board with my own P5 soon!

-- Steve
 
Rust spots form remarkably quickly above the back emblem, the one that says "Protege5." When I was looking for mine, a whole bunch of P5's had rust in that spot. Another bad place for rust is the rear wheel wells (so I was told by a fellow P5 owner one day), and it can rust up into the body panel above the wheel, which is a very expensive replace. As for fluid leaks, I have not experienced anything.
The biggest "issue" with the P5 is once you buy one, all of your money either goes into a)paying it off, or b)buying mods. It's called the mod-bug. And it will get you.
On that note, I can't think of anything else. Welcome to the boards, from one Canadian to another!
 
ive had mine for over 2 years, it just hit 60k miles this week, no issues yet...prolly just jinxed myself but its all for the better good.
 
coming up to 6 years for me not a single issue. I had mine rust proofed the week I got it so that was never a problem. I also have 50,000 KM so I wouldn't be the best person to say the car is problem free but thanks to God for me it has been up to now. Without a doubt the car is a joy to drive.

Little annoyances: Since I dropped the car there are rattling noises that have started. But thats a given.
 
Myself have a 02 P5 in canada too~! Rust is a little problem for this car...mine has it on the hatch emblem like other users...and head light burning quick is a big issue for this car too~! So finally I changed to HID and that don't border me no more~!
 
905shmick said:
A big hello from snowy Toronto Canada!

I'm looking to buy an '02 5-speed P5 with 154K KM (96K Miles) on it and I was wondering if there are any known "issues" that I should be looking for such as known rust development spots, fluid leaks or anything of the sort.

Thanks and hopefully I'll be back on the board with my own P5 soon!

-- Steve
Click to expand...

did you have one in mind already? and how much are you paying for it?
 
Check to see if the recall on the butterfly valves on the intake manifold was taken care of. It usually can be found in the Carfax report. If not fixed, the valves can come loose and fly into the engine and mby bounce around in the cylinders. I had that happen to me but it went in and out and only banged on the spark plug screwing that up. I got lucky.
 
Well, I saw that '02 this evening and it was in rough physical shape. It had some rust below the Protege5 badge and the rear wheel wells. It also looked like the owner had some sort of stone guard sprayed all over the vehicle as it was a rough matte coating and underneath it was the nice shiny paint. The coating on the rims was also shot and peeling quite bad. It also didn't have A/C.

The hunt continues...
 
No A/C? Really? That's odd. I didn't even realize that was an option lol. Or was it removed? Don't worry though, you'll find one. Took me a month of solid looking before I found mine.
 
I don't have a/c in mine and it's and early 02 112000kms on her. It never came on mine and I don't want it. I personally hate a/c, after two min your a popsicle with a headache.

Rust is an issue but I've never had any on the hatch just on the outide of my back wheel well which I'm fixing this summer. Paint is an issue in general. Chips real easy.

If you're looking to buy one with that many kms on it, make sure you check the timing belt/ belts in general and hoses for cracks and whatnot.

They are a noisy car so don't be alarmed. It's the imfamous clunk and is normal. It's also a very rigid car to drive, second gear is often temparmental and the clutch takes some getting used to.

Seized calipers are common are also common.

Other than that nothing I can't think of anything that normal maintance won't take care of. It's a blast to drive, very reliable can comfortable. But parts are not cheap.

and welcome from another Canuck.
 
Yeah, I'm continuing my search. I might also look into a Mazda 3 Sport if the pickings are too slim for the P5.

My first Mazda was a '93 MX3 1.8 V6 that I got in '97 and I absolutely loved that car. It was so beautifully balanced and handled like a dream. I also remember that the transmission in it was extremely strong because I know I beat the snot out of it and it just took it without complaining. The tranny in my GTI VR6 wouldn't take that kind of abuse.
 
Yeah the headlight issue seems somewhat prominent, I've had one headlamp(low beam) plug melt a week after I bought mine and since then I just discovered that the newer(1.75 years old) plug we used to replace the melted one has some nice brown almost burnt colour to it. I will be switching to HID's soon anyways so no biggy. Mine also has the embelem rust, found a guy who is gonna do it for $250 complete.
 
Go for it dude. Doesn't hurt to try negotiating. Looks like mine lol.
Make sure to check the mileage on it. If it's decently low (>80k), then go for it.
 
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