First Post - Hi all and a couple questions

[Matty]

So I'm looking at buying a MP5 within the next couple days and had some questions. I've found two that I like and need to make a decision quickly on which to buy.

The first is an 02 with 24k for $13,598

The second is an 03 with 27k for $13,900

I haven't seen the 02 yet but will probably test drive tonight.

I've seen the 03 and it's in great shape - very clean, no scratches, dings, etc. If I go with the 03, the interest is about 1.5% less than the 02. Not enough time for a test drive.

Are there any differences between the two that you would make you buy one over the other.

Help?

Thanks!
Matty

 

[low_psi]

Welcome! Good luck with picking between the two.

Maybe some P5 owners can comment on the differences, but they are only minor asthetic changes and stereo options.

 

[mountjonas]

well, there's an 02, 02.5, 03 and 03.5. minor differences in them all. the 02.5's came with a newer cupholder, sportmatic tranny for the auto, new knob for the manual, side markers, newer style wheels, silver faced gauges, and probably other things i can't think of. i believe the 02.5's are identical to the 03's and the 03.5's got the option for a sub-mounted trunk and the roof rack was deleted. i'm sure those with the 03.5's will chime in

 

[memo79]

You should also consider the warranty

2002's come with a 3year/36k mile warranty
2003's come with a 4year/48k warranty.

so considering everything else the same, the 03's better. it's got 3k more miles, and costs roughly $300 more, but the 02's warranty is about up. The 03 will still have about 2 years and 21k miles left on the warranty.

Oh, and the price on the 02 is WAY high. I bought mine over a year ago, with <8k miles for $12k from a dealer.

If the condition of both cars is identical, I say you're better off purchasing the 03.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

the 03 has tweeters up in the mirror area, different color gauge faces and a different cupholder trim piece. mechanically the cars are identical.

 

[Katya4me]

03's had the option of the sparetire sub, but still had the roof rack, the '03.5 came with the roof rack optional and got the subwoofer standard. '02 didn't have the sail panel tweeters, the others do. Also, Laser Blue was only available on the '03 and '03.5.

Both are very good, but I'd try and talk them down a bit on the price if you're in the US, since I got mine w/ 40 miles on it for $14,400 OTD. And I've got a little under 27K miles on my car now.

 

[mountjonas]

oh yeah, 02.5's have the tweeter also and the warranty is 3/50k. welcome by the way.

 

[Matty]

Thanks to all! I think I'm leaning toward the 03 specifically because of the warranty. I'll test drive both and let you all know. Thanks again - I'm very excited to have stumbled across this forum.

You guys rock!
Matty

 

[hellcat]

Go with the 03' if it has a manual tranny and don't pay more than $10,000 no matter how good of condition it is in. I feel that $13K is way too much. Check out blue book etc. A car dealer will only offer you about $9K if you were to sell it to them in great condition.

 

[Sir Nuke]

Hello Matty,

Welcome to the club, we are all car lovers by vitue of our nature. We hope you enjoy our company, as we will certainly enjoy yours. Make your self comfortable here in our little "home away from home", feel free to delve into all the aspects of our shared passion, the Mazda Progete.
Please, when you find yourself wanting to ask a quesiton, use the search feature, and/or the FAQ (Frequently Ask Question's) to see if the subject has been covered before.....however....if your specific question has not been ask or answered, OR you would just like MORE details....feel free to post a thread, we just ask that you attempt to put the question in the most appropriate section of the board.
We also have a FOR SALE section, as well as a Vendors Area located at the bottom of the board in our "MARKETPLACE" area..
Enjoy...and once again, WELCOME TO THE CLUB.
(stash)

to answer your question....NO. no real difference that would make me want one over the other from a production year aspect...but seeing as how one is nearly a year older than the other and has less miles....if the 02 was in as good a shape body wise....I would get the 02.....

 

[GRMYSZN]

Go with the 03' if it has a manual tranny and don't pay more than $10,000 no matter how good of condition it is in. I feel that $13K is way too much. Check out blue book etc. A car dealer will only offer you about $9K if you were to sell it to them in great condition.

You're dreaming if you think you can get a low mileage 03 for 10k. Trade in value at blue book and what you can buy it for are 2 different things. Only way you'll get an 03 for that price is if it were in a wreck and damaged.

 

[blynd_spy]

dreams come true

its not a 5...but i got my 03 lx for $9000 and only 8,000 miles.....

just got to know how hagel (sp?)

 

[NJP5Guy]

So I'm looking at buying a MP5 within the next couple days and had some questions. I've found two that I like and need to make a decision quickly on which to buy.

The first is an 02 with 24k for $13,598

The second is an 03 with 27k for $13,900

I haven't seen the 02 yet but will probably test drive tonight.

I've seen the 03 and it's in great shape - very clean, no scratches, dings, etc. If I go with the 03, the interest is about 1.5% less than the 02. Not enough time for a test drive.

Are there any differences between the two that you would make you buy one over the other.

Help?

Thanks!
Matty

both are over priced. i got mine bone stock for $14500(included taxes and etching all all the fees) brand new. its a 5spd too.

 

[SkinnyJoint]

in regarding to warranty my x girl bought a 02 and it had a 10000, or 7 yr warranty was this just specific to the shop or somthing... cuz i didnt see this option when ppl were listing warranties

 

[kgo]

damn...14,500 OTD? now i really feel like i got ripped when i got mine. i paid 18,600 OTD for my p5. got the sunroof package, ABS package, and ATX. i can't imagine that those 3 options equate to 4100. i guess i just didn't do that good of a job in negotiating. also, chicago tax is 8.75%. i wish i could have dodged that somehow.

 

[GRMYSZN]

damn...14,500 OTD? now i really feel like i got ripped when i got mine. i paid 18,600 OTD for my p5. got the sunroof package, ABS package, and ATX. i can't imagine that those 3 options equate to 4100. i guess i just didn't do that good of a job in negotiating. also, chicago tax is 8.75%. i wish i could have dodged that somehow.

Yea, you got ripped because they weren't even that much new.

 

[jonlong]

Sticker price on mine was right around $20k, brand new, leather interior, sunroof, ABS, side curtain airbags, compass/thermometer auto-dimming rearview mirror, 5spd, 6cd changer, bought it last year off the lot for 16500 OTD.

 

[jonlong]

Oh, and it had the polished wheels.

 

[kgo]

what part of the year did you buy it in....i bought mine around may. just trying to justify to myself that it wasn't too bad of a deal i got whacked with.

 

[NJP5Guy]

i bought mine in may 2003(only had 24 miles on it-from them moving it from one dealer to the other). granted i had no options(how i wanted it) but i think i got a decent deal. wish i had tried talking them down to save a few more bucks. i did though have the college grad discount and a small discount from where i worked. they only amounted to like $600-700.