So I testdrove a...

[TBR]

...2003 Mazda Protege5. 5MT, light blue, 99,000 miles for $6500 (terrific deal). It was loaded with 6 disc changer, leather, and the sunroof. I originally scheduled the testd rive for Tuesday, but the owner canceled because "it is supposed to storm." (6 hours later it rained for 15 minutes) I didn't drive it very long, but my impressions were pretty positive. It was similar in road noise to the Prelude, which isn't too good (of course I won't know for sure until I get it on my least favorite stretch of rough pavement). The ride was firm. The shifter was excellent, the clutch was easy to operate (I was much smoother in it than I normally am in the Prelude). I had the 38 year old current owner, a woman, in the passenger seat so I didn't flog it. But, the 2.0l sounded nice and it stayed relatively flat when going around a u-turn lane. The driving position was comfortable.

The car is in good shape, but there was a significant gouge in the back bumper. That said, the leather looks brand new and all of the power features worked with much more promptness than I am accustomed to ('90s Honda power window motors FTL). The back had some room (much more so than the Prelude, obviously) and I was very impressed with the size of the cargo hold.

My parents are thinking about it...but I have the money and I potentially already have a buyer lined up for the Prelude (and he didn't balk at $3500, Teuton).

[TheIntrepid]

Good stuff.

[the Teuton]

If you can sell your Prelude for $3,500, I would be impressed.  The Mazda sounds like a good car.

[Cookie Monster]

Sounds awesome. I think that's the color MrH wanted too!

[TheIntrepid]

Sounds awesome. I think that's the color MrH wanted too!

yeah and it has leather, too! Mike's going to have a boner.

Seriously, I despise the Proteg? but the Proteg?5 is a very nice, sharp little car..

[Raza]

Get it.

[TBR]

I am waiting on my parents to decide, don't want to get on their bad side when I am looking at $45k/year in college expenses for the next 4 years.

I don't particularly like the color, I'd prefer black or the darker blue. But, this is available.

[Secret Chimp]

How is it with hitting curbs? Feel solid?

[The Pirate]

Hehehe, you made note of the feel of the clutch and shifter.  I think those are the weak points in this car.  Other than that, it's a blast, and I do like mine.  I don't know about your Honda, but mine had an amazingly tight turning radius.  In comparison, the turning radius in the Protege[5] is rather underwhelming.  Not trying to sway you, but that's something to consider. 

All in all, they are well-built, tough little cars.

[S204STi]

How is it with hitting curbs? Feel solid?

Huh? 

[2o6]

You want $3500 for your Prelude???

[Raza]

You want $3500 for your Prelude???

Sucker born every minute, they say.  If he can get it, good for him.  I wouldn't touch a car with 300k+ miles unless it was something very special.

[TBR]

The engine has 100,000 miles on it, in theory the odometer could also read 100,000 but the previous owner never had it turned back.

[Raza]

The engine has 100,000 miles on it, in theory the odometer could also read 100,000 but the previous owner never had it turned back.

And engine isn't worth much if the rest of the car falls apart.  Seriously though, best of luck to you.  You're not trying to sell it me, which is good for you.

[TBR]

I am just trying to explain that, if the odometer had been reset, I could ethically and legally sell it as a car with 100k on it. Quite simply the engine is the "wear" component that lasts the longest. Any car with 300k+ on it has already has the brakes and suspension stuff replaced at least once. The other stuff might need some grease on occasion, but other than that it is fine.

Edit- To clarify, the engine is the only mileage dependent component that is expensive (next up would be the clutch, a $500-600 fix).

[TBR]

I don't think I am going to buy it. My dad told me I could, but with strong disencouragement (guilt parenting at its best). I guess I'll just sink $200-300 into the Prelude.

I do have an option for the Outback ('04 Wagon 5MT, for those of you that don't know) if the Prelude starts having major problems.

[ifcar]

A better option I think would be to get the $3500 for the Prelude now while you still can, then buy a car you can afford with your own money.

[TBR]

I have over $10,000 in the bank, it isn't a question of whether or not I can afford it. It is a question of whether or not I should choose to afford it.

[ifcar]

Then where do your parents come into it?

[TBR]

Because I am eighteen years old and I am looking at a University that costs $45k/year.

[TheIntrepid]

Tim, before you start shopping around for cars like you have been in the last little while, maybe you should sit down and make a list of pros and cons (maybe with your parents) and decide whether or not it's a logical thing to do. Decide whether or not a new car is a good idea before you start looking for them, because believe it or not, you will find the perfect car and then it will piss you off when you can't buy it.

[SVT666]

Make do with what you got until you are out of school.  Then you can buy a better car.

[Raza]

Tim, before you start shopping around for cars like you have been in the last little while, maybe you should sit down and make a list of pros and cons (maybe with your parents) and decide whether or not it's a logical thing to do. Decide whether or not a new car is a good idea before you start looking for them, because believe it or not, you will find the perfect car and then it will piss you off when you can't buy it.

It makes more sense to have a Protege5 than a Prelude through college. 

[TheIntrepid]

It makes more sense to have a Protege5 than a Prelude through college. 

As a car, yes. Financially, it's only him and his parents who can decide if it's a good idea or not.

[The Pirate]

As a car, yes. Financially, it's only him and his parents who can decide if it's a good idea or not.

Shut up, foo'.  It's always a good idea to buy a Proteg

[Raza]

As a car, yes. Financially, it's only him and his parents who can decide if it's a good idea or not.

He essentially spends $3000 to get a newer car with fewer miles that is more practical (and perhaps cheaper to insure) than his current car, without an appreciable loss of performance (or possibly even a gain).  He has $10,000 in the bank. 

Seems like a no-brainer.

[2o6]

He essentially spends $3000 to get a newer car with fewer miles that is more practical (and perhaps cheaper to insure) than his current car, without an appreciable loss of performance (or possibly even a gain).  He has $10,000 in the bank. 

Seems like a no-brainer.

I'd hold out. You say the Prelude is in good mechanical standing, finish HS, then buy something newer, and more sound.

[The Pirate]

He essentially spends $3000 to get a newer car with fewer miles that is more practical (and perhaps cheaper to insure) than his current car, without an appreciable loss of performance (or possibly even a gain).  He has $10,000 in the bank. 

Seems like a no-brainer.

Proteg? ain't exactly a cheap car to insure.  For insurance purposes, the ES and P5 are classified in the sporty car realm.  I was a bit surprised when my bill came in.  I agree with everything else in your post though.  It'd be a much more useful car for an out of state college student, and should be cheaper to maintain than the Prelude at this point.

[Raza]

Proteg? ain't exactly a cheap car to insure.  For insurance purposes, the ES and P5 are classified in the sporty car realm.  I was a bit surprised when my bill came in.  I agree with everything else in your post though.  It'd be a much more useful car for an out of state college student, and should be cheaper to maintain than the Prelude at this point.

My Passat is a larger car, but still a sedan.  I've used every available inch of space in that car.  Timmo's going to use that extra room.  I've moved in and out of apartments more than I care to count.  I'd have loved a Passat wagon.

[The Pirate]

My Passat is a larger car, but still a sedan.  I've used every available inch of space in that car.  Timmo's going to use that extra room.  I've moved in and out of apartments more than I care to count.  I'd have loved a Passat wagon.

Oh, I'm not arguing the practicality at all.  I'm in full agreement there.  In fact, I myself could really use a larger car right now.