Noticed this thread, and thought I would share my "life changing" experience in my 2000 Protege LX.

Driving in early May of this year, headed to Tulsa on the 'pike. Hit a sudden VERY heavy rainstorm, so I dropped it to 65mph (in 75 zone) to help with visibility, and to avoid those "OH ****" front end hydroplane incidents over low spots on the road. Was on an uphill climb when suddenly the rear end of the car is swinging around to the right, VERY RAPIDLY! I tried to catch it, realized it was past that point so I tried to bring it around and stop the car. Car continued to spin, almost completing a full 360 before the right rear corner connected with the center median retaining wall at approx. 20mph (OHP estimated speed at impact). Car then continued to rotate the full 360 at which point I am headed uproad again.. Pulled onto shoulder to check out the damage.



$5100 damage. Frame rail bent, obvious damage, etc.. After car is sent for repair, I didn't feel right about ever driving it again, especially since the Mazda dealer fixing it wanted me to sign paperwork stating that Mazda did not endorse the repair, and that they could not ensure it's crashworthiness after the repair. Oh, and they had never done a "rear clipping" repair before either.. So, needless to say, I negotiated a trade, and all my neighbors think I found the world's greatest bodyshop-



Basically the same payments, didn't go upside down, and am now driving a far better car.. at least when my wife lets me.

Turbo

 

so wait, you went from a midnight blue (it looks blue) 2000 LX sedan to a midnight blue 2002 P5? Sounds like a path I might be interested in taking