Deciding... should I go with the Protege 5???

[ggb]

So I am looking for a wagon with good looks like the P5. I'd like good handling and decent power but I have to keep the price tag under 14g. Im looking for a used 2002 or newer. I thought I was convinced with the P5 but after reading many of the posts here it doesn't seem too reliable. I want a car that will last me into the mid 100k miles. Also, its gonna have to be an auto. With all this said, what car do you think it should be? Is the p5 still the best?

Thanks,
-ggb racing

Other cars i've been thinking about:
WRX Wagon, Mitsubishi Outlander, etc.

 

[TxSpeed59]

The P5 is reliable.. I had 2 of them(one mine, one was the wifes) and still have one.. I traded mine in for a MSP.. Just don't put a turbo on it and you'll be set...

 

[Captain KRM P5]

The P5 is reliable.. I had 2 of them(one mine, one was the wifes) and still have one.. I traded mine in for a MSP.. Just don't put a turbo on it and you'll be set...

coming from a guy who has one with a turbo - whats wrong with putting a turbo on it?

 

[ggb]

Turbo

I think he's saying since its gonna be auto, i wont have to worry about blowing it with tooo high psi.

 

[lasermp5]

P5 is very reliable. Has some of the highest ratings for such things. I love mine a lot... only real downside is power. Nothing you can't fix with a turbo... but then reliablity becomes a little shady. It really does have enough power for just milling around and having a little fun, but when you're a car enthusiast, it really gets to you after awhile... why I just keep telling myself I'm gonna get a tubo someday

 

[TxSpeed59]

coming from a guy who has one with a turbo - whats wrong with putting a turbo on it?

There's nothing wrong with having a turbo'd P5.. Just from a reliability stand point, adding a turbo can(not always) shorten the lifespan of any car. I was going to turbo my P5, but decided to get a MSP so that I could have my turbo with a warranty

 

[acidbug]

P5 is very reliable..I had Nitrous..and now have turbo..Car has close to 50k..and no problems at all!

Chas

 

[msubullyfan]

If you have to get an auto, I'd definitely get a P5 because of the manu-matic transmission. Hey, it's definitely not as fun as a manual, but it sure beats the heck outta a straight no-fun automatic.

Very reliable! You should be able to get a used one pretty well loaded down for much less than $14k. Check www.cars.com and www.autotrader.com to see what used ones are listing for.

I say get a sunroof and the leather interior!

 

[ggb]

Any other guide sites besides cars.com and autotrader.com?

 

[Esteban Toledo]

Any other guide sites besides cars.com and autotrader.com?

www.edmunds.com is a resourceful site. The p5 is a very reliable car. However, there have been a few people here who have had problems w/ their sportronic autos. I know "+Friction" had some issues.

 

[Red Zeppelin]

I have a 2003 Sport AT-----(I've never used the manual yet, though.) Okay, okay---I'm gonne get some of my club boys to show me how!

Anyway---I've got everything but leather seats, and got it for 11,000K.
I think I got a great deal---bought it with only 6500 miles on it.

A friend has a 95 Protege that she just turned over 200K.....I'd say that's pretty reliable.

 

[akhilleus]

www.kellybluebook.com gives good prices too

 

[Sir Nuke]

Get the P5...its very reliable....you will find that the people here that have trouble for the most part are those that abuse their cars with racing and the like.....I have two 2002's....both have been totally trouble free, and I have done nothing but the normal maintenance on both of them. Great looking car....they have OUTSTANDING handling, they will run circles and corners around most anything with four wheels....and as for performance...well they are peppy...just don't expect to get whiplash from pushing on the gas peddle.

 

[Pretzellogic]

You're asking a bunch of Protege enthusiasts whether you should get a Protege or not? What kind of answer do you think your were gonna get?

Seriously, pick one up. It's a driver's car in practical clothing; you can't beat it.

 

[batmang]

protege5's rock man. i got almost a year ago for 11,200 before taxes and extended warranty. ended up running 14k. it was used, 2002, 5 speed, and had only 19k miles. i havent had one problem with it and im at 31k miles. awesome car.

 

[maitai92]

P5 is one of the most relaible car out on the road. Its even rated as "best buy" used car for reliability , value and not to mention the outsanding looks of it.

 

[ggb]

K I am set on a P5, now the trouble of finding one... Im around the bay area, heading up to sacramento this weekend. Looking for one under $14k, less than 20k miles, not black color, auto trans... If anyone sees one let me know @ jeffmohr@grabandgobig.com
Thanks!

 

[dulinkwent]

try www.carbuyingtips.com

 

[msubullyfan]

K I am set on a P5, now the trouble of finding one... Im around the bay area, heading up to sacramento this weekend. Looking for one under $14k, less than 20k miles, not black color, auto trans... If anyone sees one let me know @ jeffmohr@grabandgobig.com
Thanks!

Here are a few I found that match your criteria. Don't let the distance from your location be a problem... it's always worth travelling to get the car you want. Just add $300 to the price of the car for airfare (maybe less). You've got your first road trip in the car built in on the way home!

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&paId=150260662&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=250&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&recnum=1&leadExists=true&criteria=K-automatic%7CE-ALL%7CM-_30_%7CG-20000%7CH-%7CD-_5827_%7CN-N%7CR-10000%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CX-popular%7CZ-70810&aff=national

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/results.jtmpl?model=PROTE5&body_style=&color=&max_mileage=30000&doors=&engine=&fuel=&drive=&transmission=AUT&start_year=1984&end_year=2005&min_price=0&max_price=14000&distance=any&advanced=&advcd_on=y&make=MAZDA&address=70810&search_type=used&x=39&y=6


cardist=948

 

[rookie]

^ what they said...

I had my P5 for a year now with 0 problems... looking forward to 3 more years with it (yes)

When I researched the car I was also very worried about reliability... so was comparing the Matrix to P5... man, P5 blew Matrix right out of the water in that regard per what people say on Edmunds.com...