gravylookout
Member
- :
- Mazda Protege5
I recently totaled my 1995 Nissan Altima (low speed accident, no one was injured) that I had been driving for the past 14 years. It had just crossed the 200k mark and I loved that car so much! It had some quirks here and there but it was my baby. I live in the middle of nowhere but I had the opportunity to visit some family this past weekend in a major city and decided to shop around for a new car. Originally I was dead set on buying a newer Altima but after several hours of internet searches there was only one car that stood out for me. A quick test drive and I knew that we belonged together...
2002 Mazda Protege5 hatchback in white. 125k miles, automatic transmission, sunroof, front and rear disk breaks, 6CD player and tape deck (the Altima got 2 AM stations and that was it). The previous owner had done a lot of work to the car himself. Fixing rust spots (this car rusts a lot, I'm sure you guys are aware), he also included summer tires on the alloy wheels and winter tires with steelies, roof rack cross bars, remote start (I live WAY up north, major plus). It's pretty much everything that I was hoping for in a newer used car. I hope it's not against the rules to talk about prices, I'm new to car forums in general (not a lot you can do with a 95 Altima) but I paid 3.7k
Anyways, I'm glad to see you have the 2/AC setting thing stickied, that was one of the first things I noticed on my 320 mile trip back home. I got 28mpg btw, which is awesome. What I really want to know is...
What is AWESOME about this car and what SUCKS about this car? What do I need to know now to avoid problems in the future? I want to get this car up to 200k and beyond. I've never really worked on a car myself aside from changing an alternator but this car makes me want to get my hands dirty. What's the best way to handle the rust? Is it easy to do the breaks yourself? The power steering seems a little stiff, is that normal? The spare tire well gathers water, what's up with that? My father says that this is the last year that they manufactured the car in Japan, is that true? I'm taking the car to my trusted mechanic later this week for a look-over, anything specific I should have him check? My fog lamps don't work and I've switched out the fuse, will buying new bulbs work?
Also, I've been looking at some pictures and everyone's P5s look amazing! I can't wait to get the car to a stable place where I can afford to do some aesthetic modifications. I'm super excited to join your community, thank you in advance for being so helpful.
-Gravy
2002 Mazda Protege5 hatchback in white. 125k miles, automatic transmission, sunroof, front and rear disk breaks, 6CD player and tape deck (the Altima got 2 AM stations and that was it). The previous owner had done a lot of work to the car himself. Fixing rust spots (this car rusts a lot, I'm sure you guys are aware), he also included summer tires on the alloy wheels and winter tires with steelies, roof rack cross bars, remote start (I live WAY up north, major plus). It's pretty much everything that I was hoping for in a newer used car. I hope it's not against the rules to talk about prices, I'm new to car forums in general (not a lot you can do with a 95 Altima) but I paid 3.7k
Anyways, I'm glad to see you have the 2/AC setting thing stickied, that was one of the first things I noticed on my 320 mile trip back home. I got 28mpg btw, which is awesome. What I really want to know is...
What is AWESOME about this car and what SUCKS about this car? What do I need to know now to avoid problems in the future? I want to get this car up to 200k and beyond. I've never really worked on a car myself aside from changing an alternator but this car makes me want to get my hands dirty. What's the best way to handle the rust? Is it easy to do the breaks yourself? The power steering seems a little stiff, is that normal? The spare tire well gathers water, what's up with that? My father says that this is the last year that they manufactured the car in Japan, is that true? I'm taking the car to my trusted mechanic later this week for a look-over, anything specific I should have him check? My fog lamps don't work and I've switched out the fuse, will buying new bulbs work?
Also, I've been looking at some pictures and everyone's P5s look amazing! I can't wait to get the car to a stable place where I can afford to do some aesthetic modifications. I'm super excited to join your community, thank you in advance for being so helpful.
-Gravy