New to Mazda. Thinking about making an offer on this MP5

[Scotty_biz]

Hi guys, i've been a VW guy for a long time, but i absolutely love the styling of the Protege5. I've found, what seems to be, a pretty decent deal on craigslist. It's a 2002 with 116,000 miles. The seller is the original owner, and he has a stack of maintenance records from over the years. Here is the breakdown of his ad. He's asking for 5,000, but tells me there is a little wiggle room on the price. Does this seem like an ok price for what it is? I don't know much about Japanese cars.

* 116.6K miles
* New timing belt, drive belts, water pump, thermostat, and rear brake pads (installed 3/5/14, less than 100 miles on these)
* Passed CA smog check a couple of days ago, 3/10/14
* Manual 5-speed transmission
* 4-wheel anti-lock (ABS) disc brakes
* Power steering, power brakes
* Dual front airbags + side airbags
* Cold A/C
* Power windows/locks (rear passenger side power lock doesn't work)
* Alloy wheels with locks
* Upgraded Alpine stereo with XM radio, AM/FM/CD, and iPod integration
* Power sunroof (slide works, tilt button is broken)
* Tinted windows
* Fog lights
* Clean title, never wrecked

The pictures show it is in pretty good shape, only a few minor dings, and a small scratch on the front bumper on the passenger side. I'd like to make him an offer this weekend, but any input from people more knowledgeable on these cars would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for any input or suggestions.

 

[MaxPower]

Looks like it's in great shape... and the timing belt/waterpump is done. The moonroof controls and power lock actuator can easily be cheaply replaced. The only thing I can think the car might need is new struts, which after 12 years and 117kmi are probably past their prime (a great chance to upgrade the springs/struts).

Assuming the car is a So. Cal car and is rust-free, I think $4500 would buy you years of reliable, practical, fun car.

 

[Hank3]

Looks really good from the pics.

 

[kms1990]

seems like a good car ask if the coil packs have ever been replaced, theyre cheapish but worth asking about just to know. as above it most likely needs new struts. and those issues with the lock and sunroof button can be fixed easily. i would say if it drives good then go for it.

 

[TURBOJ1]

Make sure when you test drive the transmission engages smoothly

 

[Scotty_biz]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions, guys.

I just set up a meet on Saturday. Tells me the coil packs have not been replaced, so i'll look into that if i pull the trigger. Also the struts were replaced at 65k. I still might entertain the idea of coilovers. I absolutely loved my KW v2's when i had my GTi. Any particular brands that are specifically good for the Mazda? Any to shy away from. I probably wouldn't get into the tinkering side for a little bit, but it's nice to get a feel for what works, and what doesn't.

 

[Hank3]

Tokicos are solid as far as struts go for the P5. Hope everything checks out OK this Saturday.

 

[02protege5wagon]

Man if you were here in NC there is a guy that is selling his fully built and turboed P5 for $5900. I'm not sure if it sold yet but its still on craigslist so I'm guessing its not. This looks good though, I really think I got lucky with my car because mine has 108,000 but the paint was horrible and some interior parts were messing but the motor checked out and he had proof of all maintenance done on it. I talked him down to $2000 lol. Hopefully you can talk him down to a good price.

 

[MaxPower]

If you're interested in coilovers, the YellowSpeed group buy in the Protege for sale forum are a decent price.

 

[Scotty_biz]

I picked it up this weekend. I've already driven about 240 miles, and it appears to run great. Got it for 4500, i probably could've gone a little lower, but it had already been a long day. I absolutely love it so far. I'll throw a few pictures up sometime this week. I've got a couple small ideas floating around in my head, but for the most part i'd just like it to be a reliable daily driver for a while.

Thanks for all the advice and input you guys offered.

 

[kms1990]

first things first if you plan on staying stock on the air intake get a k &n panel filter for it (autozone,rock auto,orielly's ect will all either have or be able to order it) it helps my mpg and power somewhat. i notice less power when i swap in a regular filter (first car i have put a k &n drop in (not whole intake) that i have noticed a real difference in power with but every car i have had one in has gotten slightly better mpg after the k &n was put in (i mainly use these to minimize cost as $50 now and $11 for 3 or more cleaning with the kit,which i do once a year saves money over a 1x a year $20 paper filter and helps save a slight bit on gas)

go ahead and get new coils, its worth the $90ish bucks to have that peace of mind. i am using kyb struts on my p5 (stock ride height and springs, i am a poor college student so not much performance parts money floating around) and they ride a little rough but they hold nice in the turns.

if it needs tires i recommend michilens or the yokohama yk580's i have had both and they both handle great the yk 580's are cheaper and have a better mileage warranty though so i tend to have better remarks for them, plus the yk580s are harder rubber but still have great road hold, i think the orange peel thing they do to make them more sticky helps alot.

watch the clutch feel as its getting up there in age and mileage if its ligght and swift your still good, if it starts feeling stiff then you may investigate a new clutch. rockauto has great prices on them i got the exedy oe replacement and an autozone flywheel, which seems just as good as oem and was a good price

 

[MaxPower]

Congratulations! That's a lot of great car for the money. I agree new coils are cheap peace of mind, especially since California mandates expensive replacement catalytic converters. Hit up e-bay or rockauto.com for the lock actuator and the replacement sunroof controls, or send a PM to ScratchNSniff and ask him if he has them.

 

[MaxPower]

Also, you should inspect the accordion tube from the air filter to the throttle body carefully to look for any cracks. If it hasn't been replaced yet, it's ready to be. An aftermarket replacement is only $30 and as preventative maintenance can head off future engine problems.

 

[CodyScott]

DO ITTTT
I love mine

 

[00bluees]

Looks like a good deal. These cars still fetch decent money it seems everywhere but here in Ontario and in Quebec as well. I picked up my 03 with sunroof and factory leather, very near Mint , with 260k highway kilometres for $2300. There are only a few out there with asking prices above $4k, and they don't get it unless they are 100% mint and ultra low km.

 

[Scotty_biz]

Thanks for all the advice! I will take everything into consideration. You guys have any links for a How to for the coil packs, or just a list of how to's in general? I have a complete shop at my disposal during the week (a good friend of mine owns Monster Miata in San Marcos, Ca) so i should have everything to get the job done. Eager to get acquainted with non Euro makes and enthusiasts.

 

[pcb]

Here's the How-To links:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?124-How-To

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123713820-How-To-Quick-Links

P.S. The coils are really easy takes 10 minutes. Two bolts each, unplug and remove. Be careful pulling the boot out of the cylinder,.. the end can fall off (if it wasn't glued on properly) then you've gotta get out the vacuum and coat hangers.

 

[Harlock]

Also, you should inspect the accordion tube from the air filter to the throttle body carefully to look for any cracks. If it hasn't been replaced yet, it's ready to be. An aftermarket replacement is only $30 and as preventative maintenance can head off future engine problems.

Mine dried out and developed cracks at around 160K miles, engine light came on and went in and replaced it. good to check into that as then you won't have a period where unfiltered air is making its way into the engine.

Also, did the 2002 suffer the same butterfly valve screw defect as the 03? If so make sure it has had that service bulletin / recall work performed on it. Screws came out of my intake valve and into the engine at 30,000 miles and destroyed the engine. Mazda gave me a brand new engine for free under warranty. This was before they officially recalled it. Cost them at a lot of money until they figured it out. But a huge prop to Mazda for doing it no questions asked; I had much worse experiences with defects on my Subaru.

The door locks are the only other problem I've had. They fail easily in the desert heat here. There is a plastic worm gear that just sheers off when it gets too warm. I've regrettably become an expert at removing the interior door panels to replace the lock actuators. Same thing on my ford truck, they all seem to use the same actuators.

Other than that it's been the most reliable car I've ever owned, since they replaced the engine I've done nothing but change the oil, except for changing the timing belt once.

-M

 

[pcb]

Also, did the 2002 suffer the same butterfly valve screw defect as the 03? If so make sure it has had that service bulletin / recall work performed on it.

You can call your local dealer with your VIN and they can tell you if you're on the recall list and if the work has been done. They can also tell you all the work that has been to your car at any Mazda dealer. (I found out my rear calipers and struts had been replaced)

 

[Scotty_biz]

Mine dried out and developed cracks at around 160K miles, engine light came on and went in and replaced it. good to check into that as then you won't have a period where unfiltered air is making its way into the engine.

Also, did the 2002 suffer the same butterfly valve screw defect as the 03? If so make sure it has had that service bulletin / recall work performed on it. Screws came out of my intake valve and into the engine at 30,000 miles and destroyed the engine. Mazda gave me a brand new engine for free under warranty. This was before they officially recalled it. Cost them at a lot of money until they figured it out. But a huge prop to Mazda for doing it no questions asked; I had much worse experiences with defects on my Subaru.

The door locks are the only other problem I've had. They fail easily in the desert heat here. There is a plastic worm gear that just sheers off when it gets too warm. I've regrettably become an expert at removing the interior door panels to replace the lock actuators. Same thing on my ford truck, they all seem to use the same actuators.

Other than that it's been the most reliable car I've ever owned, since they replaced the engine I've done nothing but change the oil, except for changing the timing belt once.

-M

You mean this? https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)