Possible 37k mileage purchase

[nchiarel]

Hey guys,

So I finally found a black, standard, low miles MP5. It has 37,xxx miles and he is asking 6,900. Meticulously cared for by an older couple and all maintenance records included. 30k mile service just got done. Mechanically it is "excellent".

Problems include corroding oil pan (he has a replacement for me included in price), rusted wheel wells and chipped rims.

He said he would get the rusted wheel wells fixed and then the price would be 7,500. The wheels on this car look different than some other MP5's I am seeing. Let me know what you guys think.

How much can I expect to spend to repair the wheel wells, and fix/buy new wheels?

BTW I would have to travel 600 miles for it, but i found a flight for 150 bucks.

Thanks.

 

[walkingchaos]

those are the early 2002 wheels, i have a set of those im refinishing. $600 for the rust repair and repaint should be about right. The finished on those wheels is aweful! mine were all pitted and flaking. you can expect to pay anywhere from 500 - 1500$ for wheels and tires depending on whether you buy new/used, how big, what brand . . . . goodluck

 

[MSP2024]

were those wheels spraypainted? also for 7500 you can find a used msp in better condition

 

[walkingchaos]

ya looks like they were sprayed on the car . . . with no masking. I can understand why, the ones i had in that style were in s*** shape. Bad finish.

 

[nchiarel]

Well, I am not really worried about those little cosmetic imperfections. Do you guys think this is a good deal at 6,900 as is? The closest I have found is a 70,xxx miles for 8,000 so I am pretty set on this one, should I not be?

 

[nchiarel]

Oh, and I don't want a MSP, I am getting this car replacing my Audi S4 so I am not even going to try to get anything "performance minded" because nothing will compare. I just want a reliable daily driver that will run forever.

 

[MSP2024]

IMHO 6900 is alot for a p5 the mp3 goes for that much p5s atleast in my area are going for 3500 to5000
tops but that mileage is good for sure haah

 

[walkingchaos]

that mileage is insane, id give it a thumbs up.

 

[nchiarel]

Thanks guys, I think I am going to book this flight and git er dunnn. I will be getting another set of wheels to put winters on anyway so I will have the crappy ones be winters and the new later style stock wheels be summers. And I will probably just have him leave the wheel well rust and have a guy close to me take care of it when I get sick of looking at it.

As sad as I am to get rid of my car, I am excited to get this puppy.

 

[azuelke]

I think its a decent price for having that low of miles. Don't wait too long on that rust... its spreads terribly fast.

 

[nchiarel]

yeah, the rust will be taken care of soon. The wheels had just been brushed and he said those pictures are old and he is taking some more to show me the tires don't look like that.

He also lowered the price to 6,800 so I'm in for sure as long as I sell my car tomorrow.

 

[ijbrekke]

I bought my 2002 last summer with 36,500 miles for $7000 even. But keep in mind I live in California, so no rust issues, and the car was meticulously taken care of by a little old lady before me. There's nothing wrong with it. Just throwing my situation in for perspective.

 

[bazooka joe]

i'd stay away, if you can wait, find one from down south...that rust is like cancer, a year from now it will be back and you'll be spending more to fix it and kicking yourself for not getting a rust free car with a few more miles. just my 2 cents

 

[Josue6WGN]

^+1

I wouldn't trust him to get it repaired either. For all you know, he could be taking it to Maaco, having them slap some bondo in there, and passing it off as something that is going to last.

 

[Hank3]

If booking an airline ticket is in consideration for getting your P5, may want to look at these:

http://funcarsforsale.com/inventory/view/1081731/2002-Mazda-Protege5 - 5 Speed, 50k Miles, One Owner

http://funcarsforsale.com/inventory...rotege5 - 5 Speed, High Miles/Great Condition

The seller is awesome and he'll go over and beyond to make you a happy camper. A lot of great reviews from the Miata folks that have purchased from him.

 

[nchiarel]

Huh, so you guys think this rust is a big issue? I Am considering booking a flight, but I'm in Boston so Texas is out of the question. There is one in New Jersey for 8,900 but has 70k miles. That is about as far as I would drive from.

 

[bazooka joe]

yes, stay away from the rust buckets! many of the p5's from the north east and "rust" belt states have huge rust issues, and i don't mean surface rust. i have a rust problem on my driver and pass doors, hatch, and in the engine bay. i drove my car 8 winters here in the boston area. washed it reg, even the undercarriage.
here you go...check this out!
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123780416-Protege5-Show-us-your-rust!&highlight=rust

 

[MaxPower]

I'd stay away from that rust bucket. Despite the low miles, the high amount of rust betrays what was a tough life for that car. Also, the rust cancer will metastasize through that body very, very quickly. The two P5's you have mentioned are both overpriced. Try the Boston craigslist... there are plenty of Protege5's on there that are rust-free and decent deals.