Bam Posted October 3, 2005 Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 We are looking around for a new vehicle for the wifey and she liked this 2002 Mazda Protege wagon. It's got 58k on it, fully loaded, auto, black on black w/ chrome rims etc. The dealer is asking $7,999. Good deal or no? Any experience with quality or reliability? We just want something that gets good gas mileage while having room. Particularly looking at 4 door hatchbacks. Thanks Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboRust Posted October 3, 2005 Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 We are looking around for a new vehicle for the wifey and she liked this 2002 Mazda Protege wagon. It's got 58k on it, fully loaded, auto, black on black w/ chrome rims etc. The dealer is asking $7,999. Good deal or no? Any experience with quality or reliability? We just want something that gets good gas mileage while having room. Particularly looking at 4 door hatchbacks. Thanks Matt great cars handle great kinda slow, huge aftermarket, we almost picked one up before Des got her contour but the prices were still way high that is pretty cheap for one bring it up to me so i can look it over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallard Posted October 3, 2005 Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 Sounds like a good deal. Make sure to get it checked out before you buy to make sure there's nothing seriously wrong with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted October 3, 2005 Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 He traded our 02 silver pro 5 in not too long ago (went to the 3). It was and is a great car. Only thing i was upset with the oem rotors warped at around 30k but I was defently hard on the car. Also if you can drive a stick I would opt for that over the auto. your price sounds kinda low when we traded our car in (back in june) they were being sold at dealers for as low as 10k and as high as 13k. Would have someone look the car over. Luck on your search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bam Posted October 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 Thanks yeah I'll definitely get Derek to check it out. It did sound cheap to me for such a new car w/ not a ton of miles. I wouldn't mind a stick, but that's the reason we're getting her a new car, her current car is a 2004 Toyota Matrix and its a stick, her first one and while she drives it just fine she hates it, and wants an auto again... Thanks guys, I'll search for aftermarket support, maybe she'll let me slam it on some 20's....i kid, i kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted October 3, 2005 Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 Oh and one other thing it comes from the factory with dunlop 9000 sports they are a rgreat 3 seaon tire but since they are Z rated they really sucked in the winter. so the first thing i would look at are tires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallard Posted October 3, 2005 Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 Yeah, the car definately needs some winter tires. There is decent aftermarket support for the car, but they are mostly what I would call "ricer" products. However, all the MSP stuff will bolt on to that car so you could do a cheap brake and suspension upgrade if you want to make the car a little more fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bam Posted October 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 Hey Mallard, what did they change from the P5 to your Madzaspeed in terms of suspension and breaks? Just stiffen it up or lower it as well? Larger rotors/calipers or what? Does it swap right in or would I have to change out other parts as well? Thanks Matt Oh and yeah I've got a setup of Bridgestone turanza's for winter duties for her car, but I doubt with 58k on the p5 its still on original tires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallard Posted October 3, 2005 Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 Suspension was Tokico shocks, Eibach springs, Racing Beat sway bars. It lowered the car about an inch and are slightly stiffer springs (145 lb/in front/117.5 lb/in rear vs. 121/95.5). I *think* the MSP rear sway bar will work on a P5, but I can't say positively that the rear subframe is the same. Although I'm pretty sure a few guys on the Mazda forum have them. The brakes are larger rotors and different calipers. (10.8" front rotors/11.0" solid rears, single piston calipers all around.) It's all parts bin stuff, I think they were from a 626, but don't quote me on that. There is a vender on the forum putting together a group buy on all the brake components to upgrade Protege's to the MSP stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bam Posted October 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 Which forum is the GB on? Thanks for the info, maybe I'll see if I can find a mazdaspeed protege to test drive to see if i like the handling/ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallard Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 http://www.msprotege.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=161 Click on "GI: budget big brake upgrade kit" You could probably source all the parts from the dealer yourself if you wanted to also. I'd take you for a ride in mine next time I'm home, but it's not stock anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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