Should I keep my P5 or move on? Your thoughts?

[Criscobath]

I own a 2003 Protege5 with 172,000 miles. It runs good, handles good, and looks good. However, it's time for a timing belt in 10,000 miles, the rear O2 sensor needs to be replaced and the front passenger door lock is broken.

The only major work the car has had is the intake replaced (due to it falling apart and dropping screws in the valvetrain, replacement of the front cat and O2 sensor, and the timing belt replaced at 96,000 miles.

I paid off the car in December of 2007. I'd like to keep the car for another 100,000+ miles, but I'm unsure if that's ever been done with a P5 without some major $$$$ thrown at it.

Here's a pic of my car.

Let me know your opinions.

 

[CTt3P5]

I say keep it...biased of course. lol

Browse this thread and you will find that quite a few other owners are doing well over the 150k mark and a couple are over 200k as well. As long as you do the routine maintenance and barring any major rust issues, you should be good.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123709906

 

[FightClubTheory]

^ +1
My P5 has hit over 100k and it's doing just fine--perfect, almost.
Doesn't sound like you have BIG issues, just little things that shouldn't burn too big of a hole into your wallet.
What do you exactly mean by "move on?" Selling it?
I think having a car - especially a decent one - paid off is a great thing.

 

[Criscobath]

No doubt about the paid off part. I have some cash saved to buy another low mileage P5 if need be.

By, "moving on/selling it", I mean if there is a history of these cars having major issues or falling down once past 200,000 miles, I'll sell it and buy another low mileage one or a newer, used, Mazda3.

Thanks for the replies. Very helpful.

 

[mx-p5]

door lock is an easy DIY fix. i've done the wife's already. just need to replace the actuator inside the door, and it can be had for pretty cheap

The timing belt is part of owning a car. even if you upgrade, when it comes time to replacing the timing belt, you won't just sell the car.

if it's in good mechanical condition, i say keep it!

but if you do sell it, can i have the MP5 badges? lol

 

[Criscobath]

Ha!

That passenger MP5 badge is the only one still on the car. I removed the rest some time ago. That passenger fender has been hammered by two different hit and run drivers...I figured that badge has earned it's place on that fender until I replace it.

 

[CTt3P5]

Damn vulture....lol

 

[blueamcat]

I say keep it. It's a beautiful car. Having one paid off is great.

 

[mx-p5]

Damn vulture....lol

hey, whatcha want me to say? lol

i been looking for those dang badges forever!!

 

[CTt3P5]

Keep checking ebay....they used to pop up here and there for cheap.

 

[Criscobath]

I say keep it. It's a beautiful car. Having one paid off is great.

Thanks for the compliment.

It has been one of the favorite cars I've owned. If I keep it, I'm going to replace the front fender and maybe do some flames or something since I can't match the white pearl repaint it had in 2004.

I went to the SEMA show this year and I was thinking about doing the same treatment the roof has on the Ford Flex below. Do you think some white flames w/ heavy flake over the current white paint job would look good?

Or, on second thought, maybe I can live with a dented fender.

 

[Qcpro5]

ewww a flex

 

[katsi]

Keep your car right now

Wait a short while or the economy to come back up...

Honestly, cars are super cheap right now, BUT keeping money in the bank at this time is probrably a lot more important, at least until things pick up.

Ide wait till about february..

That way GM will be determined if they are gonna go out of business or not..and trust me..that will affect the ENTIRE auto industry dramatically, u never know..u could score an amazing deal

Ide personally wait

 

[Criscobath]

Katsi,

That sounds like great advice.

I was kinda on the fence before posting here, but you guys confirmed my gut feeling. It's better to hold onto a paid for P5 while the current economic woes work their way out.

Plus, I like the car and it's holding up pretty well.

Thanks guys!

 

[ghettoracingkid]

Im going to say keep it

the things wrong with it are easy and sort of cheap.

I am going to point out the fact taht the resale is very low with such high mielage. so drive it till it dies.

maintian it and youll be fine. dont let thigns go.

BTW im at 197410

 

[mx-p5]

yeah, there pretty much is no resale value at that point. You'd probably make more parting the car out

so, keep it and drive it till the wheels fall off

 

[ghettoracingkid]

yeah, there pretty much is no resale value at that point. You'd probably make more parting the car out

so, keep it and drive it till the wheels fall off

dibs on driver seat, cup holder, cat converter, lol

 

[raserx]

Dude, the best car car to have? ......A paid off car! All the repairs you mention add up to what.....maybe 1 or 2 car payments? Not to mention higher insurance too. Enjoy being free of monthly payments as long as you can!

 

[Mike R]

Holy crap I wish mine still looked that good!

I'm at 189K, and am not planning on getting rid of mine anytime soon. It's still on the original timing belt, clutch, and the trans is going on it now.

Your problems, are annoying , but not too bad. Especially if you can do em yourself.

And yes, the milage kills the resale, I totalled mine over the summer with 177K and it was only worth like 6500. I fixed it for 50 bucks, and am still beating it daily.

So, in summary, keep it!

 

[Criscobath]

Thanks for all the great advice, guys.

I'm going to keep the car. I'm one of those wacko Dave Ramsey followers, so keeping the bucket another few years makes good dollars and sense.

Best regards,
Jeffrey