Test driving a 2002 p5 today!

[joelbah]

I am very interested in buying a 2002 p5. I need something that can hold a fair amount of music gear (I'm a traveling musician), with good mpg (hoping for around 30) and that's fun to drive. I love the look of the p5. I'm going to test drive one today. Anything I should look for during the test drive?

It's got 90,000 miles on it, for $7700. My Dad lives about 2 hours away from me and he found one with 70,000 miles on it for $6000, both from dealerships. He's going to go test drive that one for me today. The cheaper one is from canada. Supposedly that's why it is cheaper because people don't want to buy it because they are afraid of rust problems developing. $6000 seems like an amazing deal though right?

If this car works out, I'll will definitely become more active on this board because I'm sure you all have a lot of wisdom, so thanks in advance.

 

[StealthWyvern]

Most people dont want cars or trucks from up north due to the salt causing rust issues.

 

[speed1016]

yeah Ive heard the samething about cars from up north. I cant speak from experience but 6 grand sounds good. I hope you get a great deal and car. Welcome!

 

[joelbah]

Well, I test drove the p5. It was definitely a very fun to drive. It was an auto trans. My Dad test drove another one that was a straight drive. They both seemed to drive well, but the straight drive is a much better deal and I think I would much prefer it over an automatic.

My transmission guy told me that a lot of 2002 protege's have automatic transmission failures because of a low drum support that is made of aluminum instead of steel, so that's another reason I'm leaning heavily toward the straight drive. Anyone else heard of this low drum support failure?

My dad is supposedly going this morning to take it by his mechanic and then if it checks out, we are going to throw down a down payment. I can't wait.

 

[DuRWooD]

Just say "no" to automatic

 

[altspace]

Interesting, I don't think I've ever heard a manual or stick shift called, "straight drive". That a Canada thing? In any case, it's much more fun. Ever better if you replace the "ore" with a short shifter. Good luck.

 

[ScratchNSniff]

^^^Wow...I thought everyone called it a straight drive...and to the OP...I believe that is a bit much for the car...try to talk them down a bit...

 

[joelbah]

^^^Wow...I thought everyone called it a straight drive...and to the OP...I believe that is a bit much for the car...try to talk them down a bit...

You think $6000 is a bit much? I thought that was a pretty awesome deal, considering the Kelley Blue Book value for the car is $9525. I mean either way I will try to talk them down a bit but is that really not a great price?

 

[DuRWooD]

You think $6000 is a bit much? I thought that was a pretty awesome deal, considering the Kelley Blue Book value for the car is $9525. I mean either way I will try to talk them down a bit but is that really not a great price?

I'm just going to say you might want to shop around a bit.

 

[ScratchNSniff]

Yours
2002 p5
70,000 Miles
From Canade (most likely rust somewhere)
Straight Drive
Price: $6,000

Mine
03 P5
42,000 Miles
From Texas
Straight Drive
Also got brand new tires/brakes/fluid change/Extended 100,000mile warranty
Bought in January 2008
Price: $8,400


For $2,400 less you get:

No warranty
1 Year older car
28,000 more miles
Possible to high chance of rust

 

[StealthWyvern]

Interesting, I don't think I've ever heard a manual or stick shift called, "straight drive". That a Canada thing? In any case, it's much more fun. Ever better if you replace the "ore" with a short shifter. Good luck.

+2

^^^Wow...I thought everyone called it a straight drive...and to the OP...I believe that is a bit much for the car...try to talk them down a bit...

and thats a new term for me as well! I wasn't to sure if you was talking about the normal automatic or the tiptronic auto trans their for a bit.

 

[joelbah]

Hey ScratchNSniff, I just noticed you are from Greer. I live in Greenville. The car is actually in columbia, that's where I'm from and my Dad still lives there. Assuming this deal works out, it's good to know another p5 owner in the area.

yeah sounds like you got a great deal. But I still think

here is the good news. The previous owner was from canada but he was a Grad student at South Carolina for the past few years, so I doubt the car spent many winters up in Canada....

I actually just got a call from my Dad. He took it to his mechanic and he said everything looks good. The rust doesn't look like it is going to be a big problem. there is a little on the oil pan, and parts of the exhaust system might need to be replaced in the next few years, but that's pretty inexpensive. It might still serve as a bargaining chip on the price. Can't wait to get behind the wheel. Now I just have to get all my info together for the financing.

 

[ScratchNSniff]

Hey ScratchNSniff, I just noticed you are from Greer. I live in Greenville. The car is actually in columbia, that's where I'm from and my Dad still lives there. Assuming this deal works out, it's good to know another p5 owner in the area.

yeah sounds like you got a great deal. But I still think

here is the good news. The previous owner was from canada but he was a Grad student at South Carolina for the past few years, so I doubt the car spent many winters up in Canada....

I actually just got a call from my Dad. He took it to his mechanic and he said everything looks good. The rust doesn't look like it is going to be a big problem. there is a little on the oil pan, and parts of the exhaust system might need to be replaced in the next few years, but that's pretty inexpensive. It might still serve as a bargaining chip on the price. Can't wait to get behind the wheel. Now I just have to get all my info together for the financing.

Cool...we will have to meet up once you get it...there is also another site you should check out (carolinamazdas.com)...I am now guessing that the other one you checked out is the silver on Mr. Taylor has for sale down at Taylor's Auto Sales in Duncan...

I think he has had it now for a little over a month and originally had it listed at 9,000...it is an automatic though...

Let me know when you get it...

 

[DuRWooD]

My car is an '02 with 200K km, spent every winter in Canada, the only spot of rust was where I scratched it accidentally, and even that was easy to fix. If a car is well looked after, rust can be prevented. I do see some proteges running around here with lots of rust though.