Introduction/Considering purchase

[ag bullet]

Hey there, my name is Jeb and I am considering the purchase of an 02-03 P5. I am curious to reliablity problems that any of you guys have had as well as specific dislikes you have about the car having owned them.

What were the trim levels available for the P5? I know that leather is an option, are moonroofs as well?

Anything I should look for as I pursue one of these?

Thanks in advance for your time.

Jeb

 

[Mike R]

Leather and moonroof are options, as is ABS and side airbags.

As for issues, I couldn't stand the sloppy motor mounts. Most people don't notice it. I've had to replace my shortblock at 30K, had an A/C leak, and it's going in for an airbag malfunction on friday. Other than having to replace the motor it's been great. This car is awesome!

 

[NJP5Guy]

I have had no probs after 16000miles(knock on wood) my biggest complaint is the paint. Mazda could have used a few more layers in my opinion. the paint looks good but is susceptable to stone chips....more than usual. i agree that the motor mounts are too soft. i will replace mine with upgraded ones. the car handles great. has the best "feeling" of any car i've driven. a WRX would be a close second.

 

[CHEFS P5]

mostly stock

My ride has 35,000 with NO engine mods. The car handles great, and gets many looks. I've had NO problems with it and keep it on a very strict maintance schedule. My car has most options except for leather. If I was going to do it again, I would get a 5-speed.
Gas mileage is about 34 MPG, the original tires SUCK

 

[aceP5]

About 10500 miles. No problems whatsoever. Just oil changes and the car runs perfect. i have noticed no problems whatsoever. I test drove a Mazda 3 and I liked my car way more. Like NJP5Guy said, it has a great feel. It is almost as though the car is an extension of your body. It handles great. The only thing that they could have done better was make it faster, but that is what I am doing now with my mods that will start in a few weeks (hopefully). Bottom line, the P5 is a damn good car. In addition, Proteges are in general very reliable and are recommended by consumer reports (why I bought the car). Also, they are very safe. I have the side airbags as well. Also, the 2003.5 comes with the option for a moonroof/6 disc in dash cd player. That is the coolest option, I love it, I usually have 6 discs in at all times. Also, the subwoofer for the 2003.5 isnt that good, but it beats a lot of stock sound systems of cars in its class. Other options that I have are the very nice polished 16" wheels (a bit different looking for 2003 than Chefs P5's 2002s.) I personally like the stock tires but I have heard that they wear out fast. No matter, the car still kicks ass. You should get one.

 

[viVid]

Almost 45,000 miles on mine - no notable problems. The only thing it could really use is more power. My brother has over 50,000 miles in his and he has not had any problems either. Solid little car...

 

[bonesmp5]

I have had no probs after 16000miles(knock on wood) my biggest complaint is the paint. Mazda could have used a few more layers in my opinion. the paint looks good but is susceptable to stone chips....more than usual. i agree that the motor mounts are too soft. i will replace mine with upgraded ones. the car handles great. has the best "feeling" of any car i've driven. a WRX would be a close second.

had mine just over a year and have over 20,000 miles --- I second this complaint about the paint -- comes off tooooo easy ----

 

[mountjonas]

about 46k miles here. my stock tires are just about down to the wear bars. other than the clutch chatter (fixed under warranty), the car has been perfect. yes, the paint is a little thin, but from what i've been reading, just about every economy car suffers from thin paint.

 

[ag bullet]

about 46k miles here. my stock tires are just about down to the wear bars. other than the clutch chatter (fixed under warranty), the car has been perfect. yes, the paint is a little thin, but from what i've been reading, just about every economy car suffers from thin paint.

Thanks for all of the feedback and for being so candid in your replies. I am also considering a Mazda 3 wagon if I can get one at the right price.

 

[NJP5Guy]

Thanks for all of the feedback and for being so candid in your replies. I am also considering a Mazda 3 wagon if I can get one at the right price.

Don't ever say wagon.......IT'S A HATCHBACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sad2)

 

[jflo]

Don't ever say wagon.......IT'S A HATCHBACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!! (sad2)

it's a motherfuggin' wagon. hatchback. same thing. except this thing looks a helluvalot cooler than a generic wagon. do they call the WRX wagon a hatch ? no.

and the 3 hatch is also a very nice car for the price and seems that the quality is top notch.

 

[NJP5Guy]

the wrx is larger though. i just hate it when people call it a station wagon. i could live w/ sport-wagon.

 

[viVid]

Thanks for all of the feedback and for being so candid in your replies. I am also considering a Mazda 3 wagon if I can get one at the right price.

YUK!

 

[gino]

At the tire shop yesterday checking on a couple of replacement ADRs that I flattened in an unavoidable pothole.

This guy walks up and asks, "What make of car is that?"

"Mazda."

"That's one of the best looking cars I've ever seen."

He's right. (bow)

 

[Skurge]

well I have about 33K miles on my 03.5 pro 5......loved every mile of it.....great car....no problems yet

I'm a salesman at a toyota dealership.......anyway everyone here give me compliments on the car....even the owner, I show the car to most of my customers....and they all love it......

overall i'd buy another one if i could

 

[Kansei]

the wrx is larger though. i just hate it when people call it a station wagon. i could live w/ sport-wagon.

Yeah, that's what I used to classify things as wagon or not. If it's longer than the sedan, it's a wagon.

35k miles, not big problems.

Right now I need new front rotors and probably pads, and my A/C light is doing the flicker thing on fan speed 2 (which is a TSB i just haven't called my local mazda stealership yet).

 

[KYMP5]

i had to replace my motor at 28000 miles, but i give my car hell so it didnt suprise me, and they covered it under warranty. Other than the motor, ive had no problems with mine and im at 50k on the odometer now

 

[YelPro03]

13K+ miles and not a problem. Ran over a cobble stone curb and got a flat. The bastards at the tire shop ***** me for $160 for a new tire that matches the other 3 OEM ones. Other than that, just the thin paint issue that's common to our cars. Love the way it drives and handles.

 

[gino]

I'm a salesman at a toyota dealership.......anyway everyone here give me compliments on the car....even the owner, I show the car to most of my customers....and they all love it...

Where are you working next month?

 

[aceP5]

Thanks for all of the feedback and for being so candid in your replies. I am also considering a Mazda 3 wagon if I can get one at the right price.

Like I said, I drove both and I'd take my P5 over the 3 any day of the week. THe 3 is faster but the P5 handles and feels WAY better. See for yourself, go test drive one of each. The P5 feels like a sports car, the 3 feels more like a Matrix. It is too bulky and doesn't have the "youthful pep" of the P5.