Proud new owner of a 2003 Proteg5 with 25k original miles

Dan G

Member
:
2003 Mazda Proteg5
Proud new owner of a 2003 Proteg5 with 25k original miles

Hi all, I'm new here, although I've been a lurker for quite a long time. I used to have a 2008 Mazdaspeed3, which was in my opinion one of the best all-around cars ever made. Sadly, I no longer have it, but recently I found an amazing deal on Craigslist for a 2003 Proteg5.

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Absolute mint condition, 25k original miles! It was literally an old church lady's car (found a little knitted cross in the center console, along with a slip of paper with her pastor's contact info) and has all of the original receipts from the dealer and all of the dealer maintenance records in the glovebox from the time she bought it until now. She bumped the front left fender, no structural or mechanical damage, but the insurance totaled it anyway (I found the original auction photos, it's ridiculous what insurance companies will total).

I picked it up for $5000, including fender repair.

I'm going to love this car, it's the best deal I've ever come across for a car. As an old man I'm going to reflect back on my Mazdaspeed3, but this car will likely provide me with more memories overall.
 
The insurance totaled it? So it's salvage? That's the nicest salvage car I've ever seen. Great deal.
 
$5k for a car with 25,000 miles on it? Great deal. A used one in 2005 with that many miles would probably have gone for $12000.
 
Yeah, totally ridiculous. I feel sorry for the old lady. They could have cut her a check for $1000-$2000 and had the fender fixed and it would have cost her much less than buying a new car. Insurance is a snare and a racket.
 
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