Better buy; '02 or '03 ES?

[empyre180]

I'm looking at two Protege ESs right now, both manual 5 speeds. One is an '02, the other an '03. The '03 would cost me about $1300 more, but I'm not sure it's worth the extra $$$. The '02 I'm looking at appears to be in flawless, like new condition. Both are in great shape actually. The '02 has 63k mi. while the '03 has 48k. The '03 comes with a 6 disc in dash CD player. Other than that, the two cars seem identical, with exception of color. I like both colors so that's not an issue. Neither has ABS. The '02 is coming from a Mazda enthusiast, so I'm confident it has been impeccably taken care of. Not that the other hasn't been, they just aren't as into Mazda's as the '02 owner.

Any thoughts?

[dmitrik4]

i believe there was a refresh between '02 and '03; nothing major. mostly cosmetic stuff like clear side markers.

my '02 is technically an '02.5 (mazda loves its half model years), and is identical to an '03.

if you feel better about the '02, AND it's cheaper, why not go with that one? the mileage difference is not that big. has the '02 has the timing belt and other 60k service done?

it's too bad i'm not quite ready to sell mine.

[empyre180]

i believe there was a refresh between '02 and '03; nothing major. mostly cosmetic stuff like clear side markers.

my '02 is technically an '02.5 (mazda loves its half model years), and is identical to an '03.

if you feel better about the '02, AND it's cheaper, why not go with that one? the mileage difference is not that big. has the '02 has the timing belt and other 60k service done?

it's too bad i'm not quite ready to sell mine.

Yes, I believe the timing belt was replaced a matter of weeks ago, tires too. It just went through Mazda's Full Circle Inspection and passed everything.

[neoturner]

not that it is an exact science but the kelly blue book private on these two years for the same car is almost identical so I'd go with the cheaper one.

[Chicoloco]

"Yes, I believe the timing belt was replaced a matter of weeks ago, tires too. It just went through Mazda's Full Circle Inspection and passed everything."

+1

Do you care much about a cd changer than a single cd?

[empyre180]

"Yes, I believe the timing belt was replaced a matter of weeks ago, tires too. It just went through Mazda's Full Circle Inspection and passed everything."

+1

Do you care much about a cd changer than a single cd?

No, the 6-disc changer is certainley low on the list of priorities...by no means a deal-breaker.

I was just told that the person who was going to sell me the '02 ES isn't able to sell now. They were going to buy a newer car, but that car was ragged on previously. So no new car for them, no ES for me. boo hoo. The other ES I was considering, the '03, is about $1k too much for me.

So I went from two options back to none.