High Miles Purchase too risky?

[nchiarel]

Hey guys, I am looking to get a Protege 5 because they're reliable and I drive 60 miles a day to work. Should a 165k mile MP5 scare me? Just had the following work done:

Alternator and Belts (that's all it says)
Valve Cover Gasket
Rear Brake Pads, Rotors, Calipers

Has some rust on the wheel wells and the left rear quarter panel is a bit damaged.

Asking 3,500

Blue
5 Speed

Thanks!

 

[PRO5.REL]

well,

165k The Timing needs to be changed thats a $600-700 Job
that should be with timing belts tensioner etc.

As for the rust how bad is it?
rate it from 1-10

QP damage in the rear is another rate
1-10

from the looks of it id buy that p5 2500 and thats a deal!

 

[nchiarel]

Haven't seen the car in person yet.

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/2256834648.html

 

[Justin2129]

i paid $3500 for 120k miles, no rust, and no damage. all it needed was a timing belt

i agree with PRO5.REL, $2500 is better

 

[MaxPower]

At 165k, the car is ready to start having major problems. $2k max for me.

 

[MaxPower]

Given the crinkle in the back left, I wouldn't bother with this car. Spend a little more if you can ($4500-5000) and get a car in much better shape.

 

[nchiarel]

Thanks guys, I am really wondering more if these cars are reliable after this mileage and how many miles they usually run for if taken care of. I don't mind the little things that don't leave me stranded but I don't want this to be a project car or leave me sitting at home when I'm supposed to be at work.

Is the timing belt the biggest thing to worry about?

Thanks

 

[tweety2300]

Depends on how well the car has been taken care of could be getting ready to blow up or last 100k miles with no major problems

 

[Sport23]

It really does depend on how the car was taken care of. My wife and I bought our P5 a year ago with 186,000. It runs great and has been an awesome car. Ours was from inland Texas so there was no rust and it was an extremely clean one owner car. The overall condition of the car is what made us go for it (and I have a spare engine in my garage.) I've seen a lot of lower mileage P5's that were thrashed so it really depends on the car.

 

[talltim]

got my 2001 Protogege ES with 135k for 2600 needs 2 tires and 02 sensor and maybe an intake manifold tuning valve. Straight body good interior

 

[cbrcrx]

I've only owned two P5s, but mine have been very reliable. I sold my last one with 178k and no problems for $4800. The one I have now has 157k with zero problems also. The only thing I can't deal with is rust. Luckily neither of mine had any. I think they are very reliable and the most fun you can have in a sport/economy car.

 

[tweety2300]

also with that many miles it may be due for a clutch depending on how it was driven and where i personally wouldnt buy it if it has body damage especially if the damage has been there for awhile.

 

[manny122]

i got mine a few months ago paid 2800 for it and it had 115xxx miles on it but by the looks of that car i wouldn't get it that panel is going to cost a lot to get fix... you can go in my profile and see the pictures not perfect but good. so 3500 for the one your looking at not worth it.( to me personally)

 

[P5 Fan]

Posted twice sorry

 

[P5 Fan]

I would also pass on this car at that price, I paid 3695.00 for my 2003 P5 with 75,000 miles.(129,00 kilometers) The car had problems but it was fixed as part of the sale (safety check) It needed a gas tank, wheel bearings, rear calipers,fog lights. The previous owner did not really take care of it he let it go. It's now in great shape with only one issue...the EGR valve gets stuck at low rpm's. I was told it's a 400.00 job. I don't regret buying this car.

 

[rustychops41]

The plastic air intake tubes are all rotting nowadays, causing a lean condition CEL code often which lead many to try new 02 sensors and such. And the automatic transaxles are not known for longetivety. A/C buttons flicker and cut the AC on and off in certain positions, and check wheel bearings.