Once upon a time, there was this girl who had a RX-7. She loved the way the rotary engine sounded and especially the way it handled. But by the time she got it, the transmission was unable to be saved, and she had to get rid of it.

So she ended up getting a P5. She loved it. But she didn't have it more than 6 months when she was driving on the 210 freeway to work one day and some a-hole not paying attention ran into a jeep Cherokee that pushed into her P5, and then pushed her into an Accord. Resulting in a totaled P5!

Devastated by the accident she decided to go a totally different route and got an Acura RSX (not the type-s). It's really nice and she loves the extra power, but she desperately misses the room of the P5 and especially the way the Mazdas handled.

So now she drives around the RSX and is envious of the P5 drivers she sees on the road.

Which brings me to the point of the story......Does anyone know of a brand new, if not close to new P5 for sale? Or any advice on how she can get one? I'm not really looking for a used car, because the P5 I'm going to get will be with me for a long time, I'm talking about passing it down to my kids-long time (and I'm not even married yet).

 

This late in the game there aren't any more 'new' ones around...but you can keep an eye on ebay!

 

you might want to check with local dealerships. i found a '03 pr5 with 5k. they called it a program car. not sure what that means. my guess is it was the car you would test drive before you buy.
good luck!

 

check www.cars.com there are a few 2003 P5 with less then 5k.

 

So the P5 handled way better than the Acura does?

I'm not doubting you. I have an '03 ES and it has lovely handling. Would like more power but it's not bad with the 5-spd (had Sentra SE-R before and it was -definitely- quicker). I'm more of a handling guy in the end. I guess most real drivers are.

My friend has a V6 Maxima SE with 260 horsepower and a 6-speed-- it does 0-60 in 6 seconds. But he swears that his wife's P5 is a much better handling car. (Even though theoretically not as grippy.)

 

Keep in mind that if the engine is maintained properly and the car is washed and vacuumed fairly regularly, waxed twice a year, 50k miles is just getting broken in good. Mine has 51k and I swear it runs stronger and stronger as it ages. Not the first squeak or rattle either. I bet these cars will go well over 200k with no trouble.

 

All that advice was great! Thanks so much.

I went to a local dealer last night and found a silver one, 02 with 20,000 miles on it. My guy being the awesome car nut that he is instantly noticed that it had been in an accident. We didn't feel good about it so we left. Just for the hell of it he dragged me to a Toyota dealership to check out the Matrix. I have to say The Matrix is one of my least favorite cars (as well as that stupid Kia P5 knock off and the Focus). Needless to say, I didn't walk away loving The Matrix, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. (Don't worry, I'm not going to get one)

I will definently check out cars.com, but does anyone know about buying cars on ebay? Have you heard of any horror stories?

 

I love my good handling cars too, but going from the RX7 to P5 really taught me to appreciate the power. Which makes me think about the Suby wagon. Best of both worlds no?

 

Got the P5, love it. BUT, if only I could have affored the WRX wagon......(shaking my fist....)

 

I'm selling my P5, too small for me, my wife, and 2 kids. It has 17,000 miles. And the only mod is a Matrix muffler. It came from the dealership with Euro's.

Take a look in the protege for sale/wanted section. I love it to death, just wish it was just a little bigger.

 

For a brief moment, I thought this story was about me!!

I found my P5 on www.autotrader.com. Maybe you'll have the same luck?

 

you want a p5 over your rsx? hmm...how weird. I want to get an RSX type S bad but dont have the funds. Hopefully next year I'll get it.

 

don't get me wrong, i really like my rsx. i have few complaints if any about it. but i just really love my wagons. the back seat in the rsx is just for show, no human being sitting in the back of an rsx can honestly they're comfortbale and not getting claustrophobic. Ideally I'd take a Suby WRX wagon, I figure it's got the best of both worlds, handling and power-but it's also got the high price tag. I always thought of the P5 as a good affordable substitute. I think the p5s are a great deal for what you pay for them. As for Mazda's in general, I think they're one of the better Japanese car companies out there

 

I have no complaints about my P5 either, besides the back seat is just a little too small for 2 child seats. Oh everyone can fit in, but my wife wants a little more room. And now that I have my Maxima back up and running, we really don't have a use for it anymore.