Goodbye P5, But what to replace it?

[katsi]

Hey all...So the time has finally come...The p5 has to go away now..Financial difficulties have resulted in filing for a BK..and along with that I owe almost
10k on the p5 still...its got 118k miles and a few problems that will cost quite a bit to fix..so the smart but sad thing to do is let it go and start over..

So, what would YOU replace your p5 with if in this situation. Granted the prefered spending limit (to keep debt from piling back up) is around $5k - $6k.

What would be a worthy step-in.
Right now Im looking at Cobalts, Jetta's, Miatas..etc..

 

[The ManLaw]

cobalts are probably going through recalls like the toyota's. vw parts can get WAY costly, and miata.....mmm miata....thats my vote.

 

[katsi]

Im thinkin miata as well. From what ive read over the years they are pretty bullet proof. The 1.8 motor is apparently pretty strong.

 

[bit]

For $5-6K I would say you could buy yourself a very nice P5. But.......From what you listed Miata.

 

[BoostedPR5]

Jetta with 2.reliable in it.
Cobalts I'm not a fan my roommate has one with hardly any miles on it like 15K and the door fell off? wtf?

Miata...meh.

 

[Brian_K]

miata would be a lot of fun. maybe an older impreza rs? ive seen a few in my area for 4-6k. lol last week i also saw a msp for 4.5k or you could go oldschool with a corolla gts

 

[bafilio1]

A few great cars that i've owned or friends have owned that have been pretty bullet proof and are under 6k are:
Mazda6
Grand am GT (I love mine)
Miata
01 Scooby Roo Imprezza 2.5RS N/A only bullet proof (but its 2door)
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (you can get a 03 for 6k... this was the most reliable vehicle I ever had.. mine was a 04 overlander edition. wonderufl )

 

[faridk89]

For $5-6K I would say you could buy yourself a very nice P5. But.......From what you listed Miata.

+1

my buddy has his auction license and got me a sweet deal for 3900 for a 02 with 120KM which is like 75k miles...havnt had a problem with it since september... get another p5

 

[JC-MP5]

Miata or an RS Impreza.

 

[mountjonas]

miata

 

[The ManLaw]

i'd say miata over impreza RS, better gas milage and if you already know mazda's pretty well then might as well

 

[jersey_emt]

If you can deal with a Miata being your only car, then that is an awesome choice. You simply can't get any more bang for your buck in your price range in the fun-to-drive department than a used Miata. And they are very reliable and can withstand high mileage easily.

But they have absolutely no trunk space at all. And they can be uncomfortable if you're tall or wide. There's also the obvious lack of a back seat, which even if you never have more than one passenger, you also lose any cargo capacity of a back seat.

And being from Phoenix, you don't have to worry about snow. But they do surprisingly well in the snow with proper snow tires anyways -- even though it's RWD, the 50/50 weight distribution does wonders.

Just be sure that you can live with the tiny size if you go the Miata route. If you can, by all means, go for it. You'll love it. And you'll also be staying in the Mazda family.

 

[fatti03msp]

like it was stated before... the jetta is expensive to repair. My buddy had a 1.8t.

Had basic bolts on's and went threw so many drive shafts and coilpacks. I know the coilpacks cost big money too.

not a huge fan of the cobalt, but i have heard alot of good things about the ecotec motor.

Ever look into picking up a 626? My roommate had one and i LOVED it. I think i drove it more then he did lol.

 

[dtre83]

I had to trade my 91 miata in for my 03 p5 bc i had a kid but they are awesome cars to drive as long as you dont need to haul anything or anyone. make sure the soft top is good, i had to deal with leaky top in the houston rain with no ac. but i am definately thinking of gettin another one if not rx-7 but the bp motor is great in 1.6 or 1.8 form. and the 50/50 weight distrubution makes it handle like a race car even in the pouring rain with bald tires. so just make sure you dont need the extra room ( not easy to fit pregnant women into)

 

[dtre83]

what about an 04 mazda 3 2.3? like pro 5 but better

 

[fatti03msp]

what about an 04 mazda 3 2.3? like pro 5 but better

i was thinking the same thing, but he wants to keep the car between 5-6k

 

[TWISFM]

another p5....

 

[protege5407]

i would go with a jetta... my bro has one and its really good. but if not a miata

 

[sleet_22]

This could be fun...
MX-5

 

[katsi]

Thanks for the replies and input everyone i really appreciate it. I am still on the search, I found a 2002 626 with 68k miles on it fully loaded, v6 whole nine yards for only $3.5k ...Damn thing sold while i was otw to the dealership..I have quite a few miatas in mind that I could pick up tomorrow if i wanted to, but the thing is, im starting to kinda realize the inconveniance factor of it. Not that I really cart anyone besides me and the lady around and never really need the room..I do however occasionally pick up friends and do stuff, (friends that are too bum to bye a car) so that could be a potential hold up..but then I think about it and with the exception of an occasional hold up (which i could arrange someone else to drive) there really isnt anything holding me back from getting one. Im only 5'6 so height and comfort arnt an issue.

They are still on my list thats for sure, great thing about AZ is that there are a TONNN of miatas for sale. So if i dont find something else it may just end up being what I get