What to look for…
 

I'm picking up the 2003 MP5 on Monday and just wanted to know what I should be looking for at delivery. What are some of the common problems that arise within the first few weeks?

Brian

Re: What to look for…
 

Brian, you shouldn't expect ANY problems within the first few weeks....or at all for that matter...HOWEVER, what you should do at delivery is this:

1. always pick up the car during the day...when you have the advantage of sunlight to see better.

2. CLOSELY inspect the outside of the car for any defects that may have occured during shipping/delivery to the dealer....small dents, scratches, cracks, chips......do not accept anything other than perfection...its what you paid for.

3. CLOSELY inspect the INSIDE of the car for the same things as the outside......Operate EVERYTHING....ensure that all functions work....even the radio, take one of your own CD's to play to make sure that works too.

4. look under the hood....make sure its all clean and that there is no evidence of any leakage from anywhere.

5. IF you are getting a P5 with a roof rack...ENSURE you get the pieces that fill in the spots on the rack if you remove the cross bars.

Guess that is about it that I can think of off of the top of my head....

Re: Re: What to look for…
 

That is exactly what I needed. I'm new to the Protegé, but always had RX7s and have become quite familiar with the common gremlins i.e. cheap plastics, bad cold-solder joints, etc.. I appreciate all the input!

Well, here's the latest. The wife called from work and asked if she could get the triptronic trx instead. I called the dealer, he's prepping a black auto for her now. Added $850 to the final cost, but from what you guys are saying the new autostick is nice. I'll need to change my sig :)

heh, getting a nice spanking new P5 that probably will go 7-10 years without any major problems is a good change of pace from that ol' FC littered with common old car problems huh? :D

Luckily no problems with the FC. Runs perfectly, but come March I'm rebuilding with 3mm seals and all new Mazda parts in preparation for my mods and the streetport. Looking for 300hp :) The MP5 will be the wife's car. My daily is 2000 Exploder—I drive the 7 on weekends.

Brian

glad to hear the TII is doing great, mine's just been tuned up recently and running well also. Many of our fellow FC owners aren't as fortunate as us though :rolleyes: