Looking at getting a P5, any tips?

F

flier129

Member
Ive been looking at getting a p5 or even a mp3 for a DD. I usually deal with miatas so I am familiar with mazda. I was just wondering if you guys had any buying tips for me.

I know when looking at miatas I usually check under the CAS at the back of the head to see if the o-ring is leaking and how much. Check behind the t-belt cover to check cam-gear o-rings. On 94+ cars I'll check the MAF plug for any corrosion. Ill look at the bottom left part of the drivers seat to see how much wear it has. 89-91 cars I usually can check by VIN number to see if it has a short-nose crank issue.

Is there anything protege specific that would be good to check out on a car?

Also if anyone has or knows a nice mp3 or p5 for sale thats not extremely far away from Knoxville and isn't too far up north, please let me know!
 
Last edited:
Yes, I searched thru the FS on these forums. I'd like to have that mp3, but its in Socal, lol. Zak's red p5 looks nice but I won't touch anything north of Cinncinnati.

I usually use searchtempest.com for craigslist and I've found quite a few. emailed/texted/called on about 5-6 p5's and haven't got anything back yet. But I did that Monday so I might hear something today.

I definitely want to go private party, I can't afford and don't want to afford a car-lot premium.

thx for the feedback


oh yeah, meant to ask. Can p5's handle higher mileage fine? Found one locally with 141k miles.
 
Common problems:
  • Rust around the wheel wells
  • EGR coking
  • flickering AC fans
  • blowing headlight bulbs every ~6 mos.
  • PCV clogged
  • needing to add a quart of oil ever ~1,000 miles
  • rattling noises in the cabin, especially from the rear hatch area
  • dim gauge lighting
  • wheel bearings going bad

I've experienced almost all of these thus far and am at 109,000 miles. Other than these things, the car is really fun to drive and it looks great.
 
localkineguy said:
Common problems:
  • Rust around the wheel wells
  • EGR coking
  • flickering AC fans
  • blowing headlight bulbs every ~6 mos.
  • PCV clogged
  • needing to add a quart of oil ever ~1,000 miles
  • rattling noises in the cabin, especially from the rear hatch area
  • dim gauge lighting
  • wheel bearings going bad

I've experienced almost all of these thus far and am at 109,000 miles. Other than these things, the car is really fun to drive and it looks great.
Click to expand...

Thank You! exactly what I was looking for.

Few questions, if you don't mind.

Rust, the main reason I don't go north of Cinncinnati heh. Is it a PITA to repair if it has some?

Dont have emissions here in TN but Im sure the EGR would throw a CEL.

By flickering do you mean, coming on and off, making noise or??

It seems clogged PCV'S are a Mazda thing, its happened with my miatas.

What causes oil consumption to add a quart every 1000 miles? Leaks, burnt out the exhaust?

What kind of mileage do you see before the wheel bearings go bad?
 
Hank3 said:
The flickering AC problem is VERY common...and is not limited to just P5s. It's in all of the 3rd gen Proteges, IIRC. However, there's a pretty easy fix:

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123710367
Click to expand...

Oh ok.

I've soldered quite few things in the engine bay on my miata so I think I could fix the AC flickering. Actually do many ppl use dielectric grease instead of hot glue after you solder the contacts?

Im hopefully going to go look at these two p5's tomorrow:
http://tricities.craigslist.org/cto/1771061652.html
http://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/1742486066.html
 
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and the stock intake is common to dry rot and crack like a mofo...also the motor mounts....replace with good aftermarket and it be golden.....i got 116k and i haven't noticed oil consumption.....
 
My stock intake was taped up due to cracks, I bought a new RAI but I totalled my car before installing it.
 
Hrmm cracked intake could make a car run bad, glad I know that, could be a good bargaining tool lol.

So motormounts go out even on DD use too? I heard they go bad with roadracing and autox but I thought they could hold up on the street. I always like the feeling of new poly bushings, where ever they may be.
 
Ensure the recall for VICS/VTCS screws was performed (if the VIN falls near the range).

Yes, stock motor mounts are weak (to isolate a pretty rough idling engine).

Over all a very reliable car. 200K miles and no major issues for me.

No oil consumption with mine. PCV exhibits signs of blow by (oil fouling) though.
 
Thats a good deal on that MP3, even with a missing rear skirt and RB catback. I would try to find one with less than 100k but I prefer lower mileage vehicles.
 
localkineguy said:
Common problems:
  • Rust around the wheel wells
  • EGR coking
  • flickering AC fans
  • blowing headlight bulbs every ~6 mos.
  • PCV clogged
  • needing to add a quart of oil ever ~1,000 miles
  • rattling noises in the cabin, especially from the rear hatch area
  • dim gauge lighting
  • wheel bearings going bad

I've experienced almost all of these thus far and am at 109,000 miles. Other than these things, the car is really fun to drive and it looks great.
Click to expand...


mmm i guess am one of the lucky ones.... knock on wood.. my has 170K second owner and has none of these problems
 
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