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Mazda Protege5

15859616364154

Comments

  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    I don't know about the auto, but my 5 speed is getting 25 around town, and right at 30 on the highway. I do drive the vehicle hard.
  • elec3elec3 Member Posts: 160
    toyotated: Depends on how you drive it. If you drive pretty conservatively, you'll get the AT shifting at about 2800-3000RPMs and if you don't speed and drive a fair bit of highway, you will certainly get the advertised MPG or better. If, on the other hand, you like to run the RPMs up to redline, do a lot of extra-legal speed highway driving, or drive mostly in stop and go traffic around town, your mileage may be worse than advertised. But not by more than a few MPG.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I used to drive my 2001 Protege ES hard (5000rpm or so downshifts mostly, 80+mph on the highway) and used to get 24-26mpg out of it on regular gas. I have a Jetta turbo now, and it gets about the same mileage while going alot faster (though it does use premium).
  • sunbyrnesunbyrne Member Posts: 210
    I have the 5-speed, and I certainly drive it more aggressively than the automatic would. Nonetheless, I generally get 27 in a roughly 50/50 mix of city/highway.
  • SporinSporin Member Posts: 1,066
    I have a manula and have never gotten less tehn 28mpg or more then 32.

    I can't imagine not buying the car I truly prefer just because another car wil get me 5 or 6 more MPG.

    If MPG is that important to you you should be in a VW TDi, or one of the Hybrids.
  • toyotatedtoyotated Member Posts: 11
    Thanks for the feeback everyone. It's helpful. I like to accelerate quickly and do a lot of city/freeway driving here in Los Angeles. If anyone else has some insight it would be much appreciated.
  • mazdadude1mazdadude1 Member Posts: 49
    Got the advertised gas mileage in my automatic p5 when I checked it last at about 1,000 miles. Driving "conservatively" at that time on the interstate I got right at 31mpg; in town about 26mpg. Now, I drive more agressively and haven't bothered to check... the driving is way too much fun. :-)
  • toyotatedtoyotated Member Posts: 11
    I meant to say thanks for the FEEDBACK. I should have used the spell checker.
  • lolmanlolman Member Posts: 10
    I have an automatic, when I drive highway only (long trips) I get 28-30 mpg going about 85mph. However in stop and go (every day) driving I only get 20-22 mpg. I do accelerate pretty hard at stop signs and traffic lights though.
  • elec3elec3 Member Posts: 160
    toyotated: I should mention that the Protege5 would make an excellent commuter car. I've found that it's very well suited for zipping in and out of expressway style traffic. It has plenty of power between 60 and 80mph, handles great, and is small enough to squeeze into openings in traffic. IF you're that kind of driver of course ;)
  • toyotatedtoyotated Member Posts: 11
    I zip, I zoom, I squeeze. I do whatever it takes to get around in this city. I just need to make sure I'm not wasting money on gas and that I have enough room to haul all my gear.
  • badboyeeebadboyeee Member Posts: 26
    does anybody know exactly what mazda did to the p5's for the mid-cycle refresh?
  • reitrofreitrof Member Posts: 122
    After putting on Artic Alpines in Nov and having no winter here in Boston, I decided to pull them off and put the mags back on yesterday. I saw a note about people having trouble getting the steel rims off. I sprayed the hubs with WD-40 the day before and let it sit overnight.

    The next day the rears came off no problem but both fronts I had to tap a couple of times on the tires(not rims) with a hammer and they came off easy.

    Cleaned up the car and washed it and it looks great. Love that yellow color and I am still getting comments about it
  • xeonesxeones Member Posts: 12
    I have had a 2002P5 since Oct 01...I have classic red and love red cars but every time I see a pic of the yellow I can't help but think twice.

    I say pic because that is the only time I've ever seen a yellow one...The only others I saw on the street were red, silver (ICK BORING), black.

    WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHAT PEOPLE have done to the radio
  • mnkyboymnkyboy Member Posts: 108
    Many people ask me "are you sure you want a yellow car?" before I purchased my P5. Let me tell you, I have NO regrets. I love my P5! It gets alot of looks. I was looking at the red P5, which IMO is nice looking also. Be happy you have a VERY nice car! :)
  • elec3elec3 Member Posts: 160
    But the dealership sold it and I had to take what was left with the equipment I wanted. I ended up with a silver one, which is ok. It looks great when it's clean and good when it's dirty. That's important because it tends to be very windy and dusty here. If I had had my pick of all the colors (I bought off the lot instead of ordering) I think I would have gotten the blue. It's a great color, not too many cars that color, but it's also subdued and doesn't say "Look at me!" nearly as much as the red or yellow.

    As for the radio, I equalized it to sound better, installed a small sub in the hatch, and said "Eh...good enough for now."
  • sunbyrnesunbyrne Member Posts: 210
    I think the best looking color on the P5 is actually the dark blue, but I went with silver for two reasons: my wife's 99 LX is dark blue, and dark exterior with the black interior in Texas is a bad plan.

    As for the stereo, I'll probably keep the HU because I like the large knobs and color match, but the factory speakers have got to go, probably in May I'll have time to do it. Right now I'm leaning towards Infinitys, and maybe adding a small amp, but no sub--I need that cargo space!
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    Except mine has my 2000 Emerald Mica ES and my wife's 2002 Pure White P5. It was nice to see a similarly equipped driveway!

    Meade in Virginia
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    ... on my wife's Protege5 this weekend. There's some pics of it on the Yahoo! group:


    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mazdaprotege/


    Meade

  • SporinSporin Member Posts: 1,066
    I tried taking of my steelies and Alpins this weekend but was unsuccessful. They were "frozen" on tight even with plenty of careful tapping, bopping, and whapping.

    Where do you spray the WD-40?
  • dsm6dsm6 Member Posts: 813
    I'd spray them where the wheel meets the rotor around the studs. I'd use the long nozzle to spray in around the base of the studs. Make sure to wipe any excess off the rotors, assuming you're able to get the wheel off.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Mid-cycle refresh? How 'bout offering the engine from the MP3 in the P5? I bet buyers would flock to them.

    -juice
  • mustang87mustang87 Member Posts: 129
    the engine in the mp3 is the same as p5. only difference is racing beat muffler, upper intake and timing. Thats it. it only makes 10hp more and that is doubtfull. it dynoes at 110hp and focus with the 130hp at the flywheel dynoes at 110 also. p5 dynoes at 100hp. Which means that both mp3 and protege5 are about 10hp short of advertised hp.

    whats the big deal about mp3?. its a beatiufl car and package as a whole but there is no "engine from the mp3".
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Maybe that poster meanr the forthcoming "MPS" and not MP3. Rumors say the MPS will have a 2.0 turbo engine good for 170 or so hp. That will make the car move as well as it handles. :)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    MP3 won a C&D comparo among a group of several quicker cars. Small differences in tuning can create big benefits. If it's as easy as that, all the more reason to do it, right?

    -juice
  • krotinekrotine Member Posts: 93
    I too installed this option... right after I had sratched the bumper unloading my bike... :(

    Price was about $31.00

    krotine
  • coznefxcoznefx Member Posts: 35
    had my on by day two...now if I could just find the cargo tray...dealer says the damn thing is back-ordered with no ETA. Anybody know where I can find one?
  • reitrofreitrof Member Posts: 122
    Hi Sporin,

    Just like dsm6 said, right around the open center of the rim which you can see the metal hub. Spray around where the steel rim touches the hub. You don't need much and I let it sit overnight. If not then spray again and let sit for another day.

    Next time I think I will put a little lithium grease on the hub before mounting the steel rims next time.

    Colors. I saw the yellow on the TV ad's and was hesitant till I saw one in person. In NorthEast car colors are pretty boring. I have yet to see another yellow on the road aside from the dealer's demo. After a long day at work just seeing the car gives me a lift. Defintely haven't lost it in the parking lot!
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    I'm still looking for the tray too. The local dealer has it ordered for me but has given me no idea when it will arrive.
  • cbmortoncbmorton Member Posts: 252
    Glad I was able to get my cargo tray on delivery; didn't realise it was such a hot item. Well worth it, for those who are waiting. Nice and deep, thick plastic, and easy to pop out for cleaning.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    Where the heck have you been? We put out an APB on you about a week ago! Come on back to the Yahoo! group!!!

    Meade
  • fern88fern88 Member Posts: 42
    I called Mazda today and the only 2 upgrades they know about are the leather seating and the 'sport auto' which is the auto with a manual gear shifter.
    ETA is mid year :-\
  • vilainefemmevilainefemme Member Posts: 49
    Here are pics of my new car. Yeah, it looks like all the rest of the silver P5s but eventually I'll get the windows tinted and think about other mods.

    http://www.jadetech.com/~jhill/car.htm


    vf

  • sunbyrnesunbyrne Member Posts: 210
    Very nice pics. I like your comment there, too, about being excited to see it every time. I've had my silver P5 (manual, with sunroof) for seven months now and I still feel that way.
  • mp5freakmp5freak Member Posts: 51
    A few weeks ago someone ripped off my Mazda badge from the front of my P5. Pissed me off - I would have loved to catch the guy in action...

    Anyway, does anyone know how easy it is to get a new one from the dealer? How much would they charge for that peice of plastic?

    The only consolation is that the front badge is mounted on the plastic front grill. Therefore, when the silver badge was removed, now you see the black plastic outline of the badge. So it looks like a mazda symbol in stealth mode. Kinda like it a bit, but I'd still rather have my silver badge back. I'm just happy they didn't wreck my paint or otherwise damage my car...
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Man, that just stinks. Unbelievable.


    Try http://www.trussvillemazda.com/, they are a wholesaler with pretty good prices. My local dealer charges outrageous prices, a gas cap for my Miata was $28!


    -juice

  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    It's only about $11 from a US dealer.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    I guess that's one way to tell when your vehicle is "cool."

    Hope they didn't damage your P5 while absconding with your logo.

    Still, nobody better attempt to take my logo.
  • coznefxcoznefx Member Posts: 35
    Has anybody seen the latest CR? Mazda came in dead last in their annual subscriber survey, averaging 31.5 problems for every 100 vehicles made. By contrast, the average Japanese make has 15 per 100.
  • TupTup Member Posts: 200
    Mazda's reliability is probably being affected by all the rebadged Ford's being sold as Mazdas.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    The B4000 (Ranger) and Tribute (Mazda-designed mostly, but Ford-built).

    Check out their cars (Protege, Millenia, 626, Miata) and the MPV and you'll note they're all above or well above average (half or full red circle).
  • SporinSporin Member Posts: 1,066
    "Tribute (Mazda-designed mostly, but Ford-built)." -- mazdafun

    WIth the Tribute being, essentially, a Ford Escape in different clothing, how is it exactly that it is "Mazda-designed mostly??"

    You are right though, the B400 and the Tribute ar bringing down the curve. The Protege is a CR Best Pick and has carried very high scores in it's reliability testing for many years.
  • bigfish2178bigfish2178 Member Posts: 14
    I've had my P5 since last July and I hadn't seen a single other P5 on the road (and my job regularly takes my from NY to Albany to Buffalo). However, since Sunday I've seen 2 silver, one had red calipers and mirrored tint, 2 black, might have been same one seen 2 different times, a red, a blue (same color as mine), and a white. All of them within 3 miles of my house. The only thing that dishearten's me is that not 1 single driver waved back when I waved at them.
  • SporinSporin Member Posts: 1,066
    What made the MP3 win the C&D comparo had nothing to do with speed. It was handling, braking, value, and design.

    BTW... the Protegé5 beat the MP3 through the slalom in a Motor Trend test. Better weight distribution or something like that.
  • SporinSporin Member Posts: 1,066
    "Tribute (Mazda-designed mostly, but Ford-built)." -- mazdafun

    WIth the Tribute being, essentially, a Ford Escape in different clothing, how is it exactly that it is "Mazda-designed mostly??"

    You are right though, the B400 and the Tribute ar bringing down the curve. The Protege is a CR Best Pick and has carried very high scores in it's reliability testing for many years.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    The Escape is based on the Tribute platform, not the other way around. Just like the '91 and after Escorts were really reworked 323s and Proteges (usually the previous gen...i.e. '91 Escort based on the 323, not the then-new Protege). Of course, Ford would have the general public believe the Tribute is based on the Escape and the Protege is based on the Escort (read their history pages on the Escort on their web site...it's really nauseating how false it is after 1991).

    If you check around, the Escape/Tribute is derived from the Mazda 626 platform (a variant of which -the Capella, a narrow version- is the basis for the current gen3 Proteges). The chassis was designed by Mazda engineers, but the tranny and engines (the 6cyl for sure, not too sure about the 4) were from Ford's parts bin (probably had too many lying around nobody else wanted). Also, Ford retuned the suspension on the Escape to handle more softly than the Tribute. However, they're all built here in the US. Don't know why the Escape/Tribute are so c*****y compared to the 626 since at least some 626s are also built in the US now.
  • SporinSporin Member Posts: 1,066
    That's all news to me but I've done some checking and I think you are at least partly-correct:

    From Auto.com

    "In this case the underpinnings owe at least some tribute to the Mazda 626 sedan. Just how much is hard to say, because both Ford and Mazda have waffled on this issue. The answer is something like this: not as much as we were first led to believe but more than the two companies are now willing to admit."

    I was under the impression is was based on the last-generation Mondeo platform but that may have been derived from the 626 platform.

    Still, the problems they are having are very Ford-like. :-(
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    The problems tend to be build and supplier related. When you nickel and dime your suppliers to death, you aren't going to get a superior product. Jamie Kitman has a nice piece about this in the March Automobile Mag.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The engine (Duratec) and tranny (CD4E) are pure Ford, and I believe it's built in a Ford plant.

    Look at the MPV - though it shares similar Ford parts, it's built in a Mazda plant and not a clone of any Ford, and reliability is much better.

    That says a lot to me.

    -juice
This discussion has been closed.