New to the forums, trying to buy a p5

[kinkbmxco]

Well, my Infiniti G20 is beginning to croak so I am in the market for a new car. At first I was looking at p5's then the successor mazda3 hatch caught my attention. After some thought, I have determined it would be in my best interest to stick with a p5 and save myself some cash for other things.
So ive been scouring autotrader, craigslist, and other similar sites and finding most p5's around $10,000! (I live in Washington btw) Well I just found someone selling a Silver 2002 p5 manual tranny with 62,000 miles. Haven't had the chance to test drive it, but from the sound of it, it's in tip top mechanical shape. There is a few scratches on the car and the front bumper has a pretty big dent/scrape on it from driving over a parking curb...? It's pretty ugly looking
Buyer is asking $8000 but said price is negotiable.
Relative to other prices I have seen this seems like a good deal, but about what KBB says.
Assuming the car is in good shape mechanically what would you guys suggest I offer.
I have been looking around these forums for a couple months now, and as I am nearing the time where I am ready to buy, I have come to ask the experts. Thanks

[Redcoat]

If you like this particular car as a whole, deduct the price of a new bumper + painting (figure maybe $700-$800?) from the asking price. I would offer $7,000 (if the rest of the car checks out) and see where it goes from there. Don't forget to check the Carfax report on it.

Anyone else have any ideas?

[Crazy D]

If you like this particular car as a whole, deduct the price of a new bumper + painting (figure maybe $700-$800?) from the asking price. I would offer $7,000 (if the rest of the car checks out) and see where it goes from there. Don't forget to check the Carfax report on it.

Anyone else have any ideas?

I 2nd that

[Riken]

$7000 sounds about right. Great car and fun to drive. You will enjoy it. It took me 3-4 months to find my MP5. I was looking for a Silver 5 speed MP5. And well found her like 300 miles away. Drive it not just for 5 minutes, but for 20 or so, Test everything, brakes, steering and so on. Check the engine bay, under the car. Just drive it. You will feel it that its the right car or not. Let us know if you have any other questions, post pics if you have any.

[kinkbmxco]

So I wrote her back and she offered $7200. Here is an attachment of the picture... I guess it's really not THAT bad at all maybe some touch up paint could fix it up well enough? I know it's going to annoy me though. There is another person around here selling an 03 with 83,000 miles for 8,200 but... its an automatic. My first car was a manual, second car was an auto, now I want a manual again...
What do you guys think?

[StealthWyvern]

That can be fixed easyly. Either way I would go for it. When Ipurchased mine used it had a crack in the same spot but on both sides... now mine didnt look scrapped like that. It sounds like a good deal. Personally I'd go check it out and if you like it jump on it.

[Riken]

If thats the only thing wrong with the 5 then go get her right now, offer them 7100. They will maybe com back with 7150. Keep us updated.

[Qcpro5]

sounds reasonable, Welcome to the family! :D

[kinkbmxco]

I am very pleased with the community support and involvement here. I was expecting maybe 1 reply to my thread haha. So I emailed her back telling her $7100 and seeing if she would like to schedule a meeting tomorrow. I am not very car savvy so if I do get it, I probably won't be doing much modding on it maybe a little tint and a CAI...
So what would be the best way to go about fixing that dent and those scratches?
oh yeah and thanks for everyones hasty input! Have a great Thanksgiving today.

[StealthWyvern]

I am very pleased with the community support and involvement here. I was expecting maybe 1 reply to my thread haha. So I emailed her back telling her $7100 and seeing if she would like to schedule a meeting tomorrow. I am not very car savvy so if I do get it, I probably won't be doing much modding on it maybe a little tint and a CAI...
So what would be the best way to go about fixing that dent and those scratches?
oh yeah and thanks for everyones hasty input! Have a great Thanksgiving today.

Personally I would just get a new bumper skin. I found a place online that the skin was 150 for aftermarket OEM replacement. hen get it painted.

[Riken]

Personally I would just get a new bumper skin. I found a place online that the skin was 150 for aftermarket OEM replacement. hen get it painted.

Yep skin will be the best thing to do, Not hard to install. Then take it to your local body shop and have them paint it.

[kinkbmxco]

Went to go look at the car today and didn't end up getting it. It was a little more banged up then she lead me to believe. A lot of scratches all throughout the car, cigarette burns on the upholstery a couple other dents, and the rims were really badly scraped, so bad the tire was all torn up. I got kind of bad vibes too. So I am still in the market if anyone spots one up in the Washington area let me know.

[JWilson]

Are you in Washington state or D.C.?

[mx-p5]

Hope your search goes well. Took 3 months to find my wife's 03 auto with low enough miles in white. She was quite picky

Took only 2 weeks to find mine. Slightly less picky, but, stumbled on a fairly good deal.

Keep us posted on the search and feel free to ask any questions.

But, also, don't forget to make use of the search function. There's A LOT of good information that's already been covered, so, check it out.

And, as stated, welcome to the family!

Tylor

[kinkbmxco]

I live in Washington State. Most of the p5's around here are a little out of my price range, and I am fairly picky too. My car is really starting to cause me grief so time is running out. I am expanding my horizons and thinking that if I find a nice Protege ES or LX sedan, I can settle for that, there is some really nice looking ones on this forum. I am keeping my eyes peeled. Thanks for the support!

[D-Cash24]

Nice choice on moving from the G20 to the P5, i also had a 94 G20 that cost more money to keep running than the initial investment. hope you can find a P5 and join the family.

[kinkbmxco]

Yeah, getting parts for that car can be expensive, but it hasn't really given me too much of a headache up until recently.
So there is another Silver Protege available around here with 82,000 miles. Looks like its in pretty good shape. Its an 03 with an automatic Tranny.
They are asking $9000 which seems kind of high considering the miles (maybe im wrong.)
But the real issue that I have is I want a manual transmission!!!
Assuming the seller can lower the price, do you think I should just wait until I find a car with a manual tranny. I don't want to buy an auto and regret it every time I drive it...
Anyone here want a manual, end up getting an automatic, and end up happy?

[Riken]

That price it too high. And you wont be happy with a automatic.

Here not sure if its far form you.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=234191265&dealer_id=61546527&car_year=2003&num_records=25&model=PROTE5&systime=1196512551640&make2=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&search_type=both&distance=500&marketZipError=false&search_lang=&first_record=26&make=MAZDA&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=98126&advanced=&end_year=2008&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=477&superSpotlight=

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=231158882&dealer_id=54743285&car_year=2002&num_records=25&model=PROTE5&systime=1196512551640&make2=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&search_type=both&distance=500&marketZipError=false&search_lang=&first_record=26&make=MAZDA&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=98126&advanced=&end_year=2008&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=500&superSpotlight=

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=233913886&dealer_id=61517959&car_year=2002&model=PROTE5&num_records=&systime=1196512357015&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=300&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=MAZDA&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=98126&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=96&superSpotlight=

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=233913886&dealer_id=61517959&car_year=2002&model=PROTE5&num_records=&systime=1196512357015&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=300&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=MAZDA&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=98126&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=96&superSpotlight=

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=234745035&dealer_id=577925&car_year=2002&model=PROTE5&num_records=25&systime=1196512551640&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=500&marketZipError=false&search_lang=&make=MAZDA&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=98126&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=361&superSpotlight=

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=234887540&dealer_id=61623383&car_year=2002&num_records=25&model=PROTE5&systime=1196512551640&make2=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&search_type=both&distance=500&marketZipError=false&search_lang=&first_record=26&make=MAZDA&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=98126&advanced=&end_year=2008&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=500&superSpotlight=

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=232833707&dealer_id=100002580&car_year=2002&num_records=25&model=PROTE5&systime=1196512551640&make2=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&search_type=both&distance=500&marketZipError=false&search_lang=&first_record=26&make=MAZDA&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=98126&advanced=&end_year=2008&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=500&superSpotlight=

[Tag1]

Hey kinkbmxco, I just joined this forum too. I ride as well, and am looking to get a P5 asap. Seems like plenty of storage in the back for the ol' 20"s to fit in...which you may not get in the sedan...

[bazooka joe]

[quote=Riken;3531034]That price it too high. And you wont be happy with a automatic.
no love for the at.....:(

[Riken]

[quote=Riken;3531034]That price it too high. And you wont be happy with a automatic.
no love for the at.....:(

lol sorry, Just that my experience, going from a manual to a auto its a big difference, to me it just does not feel fun to drive. ( this is my opinion not a fact)

The only auto I had was a 89 Rx7 GXL oh and what wifys cars. And I sold it quick cause it didnt feel right to me, all I wanted to do was to drive my other car.

[kinkbmxco]

Hey kinkbmxco, I just joined this forum too. I ride as well, and am looking to get a P5 asap. Seems like plenty of storage in the back for the ol' 20"s to fit in...which you may not get in the sedan...

Unfortunately my bike has not seen any action in almost a year. Last February I was trying a hop over double peg on a kinked rail and totally missed my front peg and really tweaked my knee. Now I am off my moms medical and my knee still feels horrible. Its sad because riding seriously was my life and now its like I quit cold turkey. Its not worth it to really destroy my body and potentially spend a lot on medical bills. But ill always love bmx... its almost something that is part of me, I am sure you can relate.

I am glad there is some reinforcement here to persuade me to avoid the Automatic

I am going to Vegas in January, and I have taken a look at a couple of the p5s over there on craigslist and they are a lot cheaper, with less miles, and some even have leather interior! Maybe ill have to buy one over there and drive it back!

Thanks for those riken

[Tag1]

Unfortunately my bike has not seen any action in almost a year. Last February I was trying a hop over double peg on a kinked rail and totally missed my front peg and really tweaked my knee. Now I am off my moms medical and my knee still feels horrible. Its sad because riding seriously was my life and now its like I quit cold turkey. Its not worth it to really destroy my body and potentially spend a lot on medical bills. But ill always love bmx... its almost something that is part of me, I am sure you can relate.

I am glad there is some reinforcement here to persuade me to avoid the Automatic

I am going to Vegas in January, and I have taken a look at a couple of the p5s over there on craigslist and they are a lot cheaper, with less miles, and some even have leather interior! Maybe ill have to buy one over there and drive it back!

Thanks for those riken

Dang man, yeah I'm 23 and don't have insurance either...part of the reason why I stay away from rails! Have you tried just easing back into it, maybe only riding tranny for a while?

Also, definitely don't get an auto! Manuals are way more fun to drive, better on gas, and less expensive in the long run (replacing a clutch compared to a whole auto-transmission)...

[hoanmy]

hey kinkbmxco, I actually owned the protege5 that you were looking at back in november. I bought it off of the chick for $6500 and I asked her to get a new bumper (painted and at no extra cost) and fix all of the scractches and she did. God bless hippies with loaded parents. I'll post up pictures soon.