Glhboy

Hey all, I'm new here and am looking to buy a Protege 5. I sell cars currently at a Nissan dealer in Indianapolis. I also currently have a Spec-V Sentra that I am selling, actually soon to be sold!

I have been looking at the Protege 5 for awhile and it seems that I can get one for a good deal. I have to have an automatic, for the wife, and every option but the polished wheels and leather. Those 2 I do not need.

What are the going prices on these. I've seen anywhere from 10-14,000. I would take either an 02 or 03. What are things I should look for when looking to buy one of these? Are they fun to drive, as I have not driven one yet.

Thanks for your help!

Chris

Protege52003

Welcome to the forum here. People are nice and will help you out to the best of their ablilty.

I love my Protege 5. Have had it since Jan. I owned a Protege ES2.0 for 18 months before getting the PR5. I got the 5 becasue I think it is a sharp car and there are not that many on the road. The car handles well and I have no complaints about it.

I got mine with leather, moonroof/6 dics CD changer for around $16,800 USD before my trade in. Think the price was $18,400 wihch makes my paid price almost 10% off retail.

Think the auto version is $800 on retail and they have some auto-shift version avail, too. I have never looked into that option becasue I have always driven a 5-speed. Dealers might give you the auto at no cost. They did that for my sister........

You can probaly get a used 02' version with all the options you want in the price range you want with say 15-20K miles (maybe less).

I love my car and love the way it drives. It will not be as fast as your spec V but it will handle as well. Will answer any questions that you have. Just PM me or reply here and others will answer, too.

-R

Glhboy

Thanks for the info. $16,800 for your car seems like a great deal, must have been a rebate too. I figured the one I wanted new invoices around $17,500 minus the $1750 rebate and another $500 College Grad cash, but I'm upside down too much on my Spec-V even though I bought it less than invoice at the place I work at. I can sell it for more than a trade-in. I just want to get around $13,500 for it.


I did drive a MP3 last week and I loved it, yes not a lot of power, but I don't need that. Does the MP5 drive similar to that car? How does the stock stereo sound in the MP5? I guess I need to get my *** out and drive one, but have not seen any used ones for sale at all and do not want a new one. I will go to the auction and get one for cheap.

My idea would be to get a used 02 with up to 30,000 miles on it. Thanks again for the help.

Protege52003

Yeah, usually everyone will get killed when trading in their car. When I traded in my ES 2.0 I got almost what i owed on it so did not lose or gain anything except for the 0.0% financing for 5 yrs vs the 4.9 % on the sedan. The monthly price was a little more though becasue the car was a higher price than my sedan. I got an okay deal when everything was done. The dealer had to fix some prices becasue I told him I did not want to go over a certain fixed amount per month, with financing everything. Picked the car up with giving them no money.........

The car drives similar to the MP3. Maybe not as tight, but very close due to MP3 having diferent suspension, wheels ect. I love the way my car handles as it came. I will get some 17's in the future and drop it, too. Have to get a little money first. Just started a new job and took last month off. Cash is a little short now and I don't want to dip into my mutual funds for my car.

The sterio is okay. I had the 5 disc changer come with moonroof package. I could have cared less for it becasue I had an MP3 player. Sold it to a member of this board and it paid for my windows to get tinted. It has 5x7's in the front with tweeters up by the dash and 6.5's in the rear. They are okay for stock speakers. Not much power from the Head unit though.

You can see that I have my whole system upgraded and have put lots of money into my sound system. You get such a better sound when putting in 2 or 3 way speakers or component speakers. Subs are good, too if you like the bass. Love my music loud with good bass.......

Anyway, I did not get any rebates with my car. Just price adjustments to meed my wants. Any dealer should be able to go at least 10% below final MSRP price w/all options in the car (rebates or not?). Shop around and don't settle fast.....

How many miles on your spec-V? I want to drive one of those.....might head down to my girlsfriends dealership where she got her sentra and drive one? Trying to sell used cars in this flooded used car market sucks. Think the price you can get is 20% below KBB value. Maybe better if you get a buyer who wants one bad.......Don't know. Purchasing a car is a terrible way to spend money unless you are going to drive the car to the ground. They lose their value so fast to depreciation.....sucks.

Well, have to jet now.....have to get out kayaking before it gets dard then get to the gym.

-R

Glhboy

I've got 15,500 miles on my Spec-V, bought it new last year. I am only looking to get $13,500 out of it.


I might check into the new Protege 5 if you say you got it for that cheap. I'll have to check into it. New rates and rebates will be out for June too.

Oh here is a pic or two of my Spec.

Protege52003

Looks nice.......

Yeah, you should be able to get a deal on a new Protege 5. Let me know how things go in your search. Good luck.....

-R

Glhboy

Just bought a 02 Protege 5, the dark blue color. Not sure what it's called. Got a HELL of a deal on it!