MP5 Buying Question

[Ka-Tu]

Hello everyone,

I'm a forum newbie so gimme a break

I currently drive an old school Mazda 626 '88 with 186K miles on it, it still runs! Anyways, I've been REALLY considering getting a new car in the near future and I noticed the Mazda Proteges. My family has a history of owning Mazda's (RX-7 '81 / Truck '80s / My Car) and they seem like very reliable cars. I've heard the newer Proteges are both reliable and underpriced.

I've been looking at both the MP5 and the MazdaSpeed, but leaning way more towards the MP5 (I like both the look and price ) I read a few posts int he MSP forum and it seems like there are a lot of engine / general car problems with it, is this the case with the MP5 as well?

The base price for an MP5 @ mazda.com is ~$17,000 and they have a "$2500 cash back or 0% APR" deal going until Dec '03. So you're probably looking at getting a NEW MP5 for around 14-15k with some haggeling, or am I wrong (cheaper/more expensive)?

I've considered buying a used MP5 (2002 or 2003) but I'd much rather get a new one if the price difference isn't too much. I've also looked at the new Mazda 3's and while they look nice they also seem EXTREMELY cheap, is this the case? Is it worth it to wait for a Mazda3 or somewhat risky buying a first generation car?

Also! I just took a glance at http://www.hiboost.com/ and saw the Turbo boost system for the MP5 (100 HP!?) for $4000. This would be something I would add a few years later if I even do, has anyone installed this, is it worth it?

I know I have many questions, please answer any that you guys/gals can, thanks in advance.

- Jordan

 

[KYMP5]

get the p5 and a turbo kit. you wont be disapointed

 

[uclap5]

no real problems with the p5 except the auto tranny seems to have issues. yeah you can get it for that price.

yes its risky to buy a first year model run.


and finally, welcome! check out the california forum!

 

[KYMP5]

i have a first year run and have had only minor problems. hopefully a used one will have already had all of the problems fixed.

 

[Midnight22]

nada with P5's, they r good to go get stick, u will not regret it!!

 

[Iconoclast]

get a college education, a good paying job, and import a R33.

 

[AbbyVonNormal]

As far as looks go..i would take the P5 over the Mazda 3 any day!!

Just my opinion

 

[RODSCALIP5]

Buy mine for $12000!!!!!!!

BTW I'm taking donations for the show season next year

 

[EXA4DRIVER]

Buy my car

 

[cbcbd]

I'd love to say just get the P5, but just test drive both and see which one you like driving best. BrianV just bought a new MSP for 15,999, or something like that, which is real good and not that far away from the P5.

Unless you like the cargo room and looks of the P5 much more then go for it. As for turboing a car, it'll be expensive, time consuming, and you'll lose all your warranty. If you'd like doing that, have plenty of money and time and could care less about warranty then turbo the P5.
Remember, it's much cheaper/easier to do performance mods on a turbo car.


Test drive both, walk away with the one you like driving the best.

 

[cbcbd]

I read a few posts int he MSP forum and it seems like there are a lot of engine / general car problems with it, is this the case with the MP5 as well?

Again, yes there are some MSP problems that are slowly being fixed (hesitation just got flashed, klunk still being worked on), and there are no general consensus problems with the P5.

But again, if you go with turboing a P5 you could just be making problems on your own (if everything's not kosher), and you have to fix them yourself.

Just a thought.

 

[jdm_mp5]

get a college education, a good paying job, and import a R33.

You mean't R34 right?

 

[NRRfrogmanP5]

mm turbo p5..

 

[1sty]

get a college education, a good paying job, and import a R33.

Ofcoarse thats after you pay off 100K in loans and get laid off 4 times (thumb)

Turbo + protege = fun!!

 

[Bijou-MP5]

$4000.... I need a job...

 

[pingdum]

I know the dealer where I bought mine is now advertising '03 P5s for 12,999. They want to get rid of them. When the 3 arrives the price of the remaining 5s is gonna drop like a stone.

 

[slim23]

I bought mine a week ago in Austin for $13500 with the roof rack, and no haggling. So base model would have been 13250. I think I got a pretty good deal (sticker was $17665). Also if you're a recent college grad within two years, they'll give you an addition 500 off. MSP's are going for ~15500.

 

[tzh]

our new PR5

We got ours 2 weeks ago, thie car is fully loaded, MSRP was 21320. We had $3000 rebate (the Mazda rebate was 2250, now is 2500) graduation rebate 500 and other 250 coupon. The final price was $16606.64

 

[323CiP5]

mp5's are (cool)
but i didn't get a good deal on it

 

[tzh]

Since the M3 is around the corner, dealer try to sell PR5 as many as they can. So you can really bargain for it, but the only problem is sometime you won't able to get the color and options you are looking for...