I finally did it! Emerald Green Baby!!!

[empyre180]

For those of you who have become familiar with me on this forum in recent months, and even those of you who haven't, I've finally done it. After 4+ months of frustrating searches and close-but-no-cigar deals, I have finally found, negotiated, and purchased the Protege of my dreams...well maybe not my dreams...I mean, it doesn't fly, go under water, or anything like that...but it is sweet nonetheless. This car has actually exceeded all my expectations.

I am now the proud owner of a 2002 Emerald Green Protege ES, with a 5 speed manual transmission. It is even equipped with the ABS/side airbag package. When I purchased the car, it had 42346 miles.

I originally saw it on Ebay, listed by a Ford dealer just outside of Philly. I bid on it, was even the highest bidder, but still didn't meet the reserve price. After the acution ended, the dealer contacted me and we began negotiations. Over the course of about a week, offers, counter-offers, counter-counter offers, we came to what I believe to be a very fair price. I felt good about it, so I put a deposit down and flew to Philly (from Tampa). The dealer picked me up from the airport and drove me to the dealership, about 35 minutes away. I saw the car, fell in love with it, drove it, confirmed my initial instincts, and then dropped the ducketts. I made the deal and drove back to Seminole, Fl.

For all of you who have answered my questions, replied to my posts, and given me advice throughout this process, I sincerely thank you all.

I will post pics soon! Hopefully sometime tomorrow.

You guys (and gals) ROCK!!!

[awsmp5]

awesome choice! can i ask how much you got it for?

[empyre180]

awesome choice! can i ask how much you got it for?

$9125 out the door.
--$9060 for the car, $55 doc. fee, $10 in-transit tag

I wasn't going to go there, but since you asked....Their original asking price on their web site was 12.9k.(way too high)..Then they had it "on sale" for 10.5k...I had bid $8500 on Ebay, so we negotiated from those numbers. I'm well aware of the retail/wholsale values...kbb, nada, edmunds, blackbook, so I felt the 9125 was fair.

All that's done now. Time to just enjoy driving again.

I'll tell you what....driving over a thousand miles in a day and a half is a great way to get familiar with a new car. Hell of a test drive.

[Boosted03MSP]

Congrats man. I hope you really enjoy it. 9100 an change seems a little high though. I got my Mazdaspeed with 29K miles for 11,230 and its a year newer also. Either way though, Its great to get a new car, and glad you found the one you have been waiting for :)

[empyre180]

Congrats man. I hope you really enjoy it. 9100 an change seems a little high though. I got my Mazdaspeed with 29K miles for 11,230 and its a year newer also. Either way though, Its great to get a new car, and glad you found the one you have been waiting for :)

Thanks! 9100 is high for a private-party sale.(8800)...I would agree. But this was from a dealer, and 9100 is a decent amount less than retail values. Being that they put it through a fairly substantial inspection process, plus a short-term warranty...the peace of mind is worth the couple extra $$$. They were actually a pleasure to deal with. I've never quite felt that way about other dealers before.

And like I said before, all that's done. I'm quite happy, and I look forward to actually enjoying driving. I don't want to get caught up with how much $$ was involved. It's time to enjoy the new ride.

And like you said, it is really great to get exactly what I've been looking (waiting) for...and then some.

[99 Pro]

Congrats on the purchase dude. Glad to see that you got what you were looking for all along. Enjoy the new ride!

P.S. What is the first mod (hahahaha). (poke)

[empyre180]

Congrats on the purchase dude. Glad to see that you got what you were looking for all along. Enjoy the new ride!

P.S. What is the first mod (hahahaha). (poke)

Thanks man. Considering I got exactly what I wanted, it was well worth the wait.

First mod, eh? How about my Alpine deck and some top notch RCA cables? Does that count? That's about it. I had Sound Advice replace the factory system yesterday...much improved. It already had a JL Audio 4300 amp, but it was hooked up to the factory deck...no RCA cables or anything, so I took care of that. Before, I was getting some wierd feedback from the engine as I accellerated...like a high pitched whine coming through the speakers. Also, when I adjusted my side mirrors, it gave off a very scratchy, gritty feedback through the speakers. But it only did these things when the stereo was off. Sounds real nice now that I put in a deck with RCA cables. And now the amp actually turns off when the stereo is off, unlike the previous setup. Nothing wild; No sub yet, but it sounds full and crisp...and no wierd noises feeding back. That was annoying.

I'm not sure how quickly I'm going to start modding things. We'll see... I do think I'd enjoy a short shifter though. Maybe engine mounts and strut bars (is it strut bars or sway bars?...I forget which is which).

[atticus1398]

congrats. see you at mazdapalooza!

[empyre180]

Here are some crappy cell phone pics of my new ES. I can't seem to find my real camera. This is the best I could do for now.

[empyre180]

last two current pics.

[Zaurusman]

Looks good! And almost identical to my '03. :D

[DiS]

Nice man! Congratulations on the new toy! Oh AND you got aftermarket wheels with the car too (thumb) Glad to see that everything went through.

[empyre180]

Nice man! Congratulations on the new toy! Oh AND you got aftermarket wheels with the car too (thumb) Glad to see that everything went through.

Thanks, I'm thrilled with the car. Nice bonus to have it come with some nice wheels and a barely worn set of Pirellis.