Mazda Protege5

maltb

2000 was the last year it was optional on the ES.

silver_bullet

I don't happen to like the look of bogus "aerodynamic" add-ons on bread-and-butter family cars. IMO they clutter the lines of an otherwise okay looking car, add weight, and perform no useful function. Why should I have to pay for what I don't want, especially if I find it offensive? I class non-functional wings with such nonsense as coffee can tailpipes, plus 2 and plus 3 wheel/tire packages, Altezza tail lights, and stick-on graphics. IMO, "sporty" is built in, not bolted on.

maltb

To paraphrase what you wrote: the Pontiac Grand Prix doesn't make your juices flow.

dsm6

To paraprhase again, the bright orange Mazdaspeed 3 doesn't make your juices flow.

maltb

Unless you are on the inside.

mdaffron

Orange juice!

Got any Vodka?

Meade

silver_bullet

I would have to wear a bag over my head to drive a Pontiac If I could order a Mazdaspeed P5 in white, I'd be all over that! A Mazdaspeed 3 WITHOUT a wing in a more subtle color would be fine as well - and yes, I'll take the Racing Hart wheels... but keep the silly boom boom stereo, please.

silver_bullet

I'm about to turn 46 - that probably has a little to do with why I dislike boy racer nonsense. Seeing a middle-aged guy in an orange Mazdaspeed 3 would look about as silly as the the middle-aged guys at the mall wearing homeboy baggy shorts and complicated sneakers along with an earring or two. I find it amusing that car makers are adding these styling gimmicks to cars that are really too expensive for their target audience. Are there really that many kids who can afford to spend $18K-$20K on a new car? Scary...

protege_fan

You're right...I don't think that there are many kids that can afford $18-20K cars...but there are many mommies and daddies that buy their kids whatever the heck they want, including $18-20K cars...sad really.

Heck, I've seen 18 year old kids with brand new Mercedes or Bimmers...makes me wanna hurl.

meinrad

with that? If I had lots of money my kid would drive a nice car. Isn't that an advantage of having lots of money?

On the other hand, I know lots of kids that could afford the MS3. They don't have any other expenses so all their money from working goes into the bank, big down payment on car, then the car payment is easy. My nephew works doubles every weekend and easily makes enough money for his Ford SVT something or other.

mdaffron

But in my opinion, the Protege ES, with the spoiler, in a darker color (mine's Emerald Mica) is downright elegant looking with a touch of sportiness. Here's a link to a pic of my car:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mazdaprotege/files/Zoomster.jpg

Meade

protege_fan

Even if I was rich, I wouldn't be buying my car Mercedes or Bimmers...they'd be getting a Protege or the like.

I'd rather spend the money on things like eduacation, trips, etc. rather than some car.

And they'd be working for the car too...no free rides.

I guess it depends on what you mean by rich....millions, billions?? It's all relative I guess...What's $50K, when you have millions? Maybe my view would be different if I was actually rich?

mdaffron

You're buying your car a car?

Meade

mdaffron

In looking at that pic whose link I posted a few posts back, it occurred to me that the spoiler continues the upward-sloping wedge shape the car conveys from the hood, along the lower windowsills and to the back window. Without the spoiler, that imaginary line then curves downward along the trunk lid. With the spoiler, that angular look continues all the way to the back of the car. I've seen Larry's (protegextwo) 2000 ES, which is exactly like mine except it doesn't have the spoiler. No offense to Larry's car, but in my opinion (for what it's worth), his car doesn't look as sporty -- kinda plain in the rear.

Meade

P.S. I realize this isn't on topic for this discussion -- but hey, I didn't bring up this thread. If you guys want we can move this thread where it belongs, in the Protege sedans discussion.

meinrad

You can leave it here, just reminds us of how much better looking our P5's are than any of the sedans! LoL!

mdaffron

We have a Protege ES and a Protege5 in our driveway.

Here are two rear shots, one of Larry's non-spoilered ES and one of my spoilered ES (is "spoilered" a word anyway?!), for comparison. Note how plain-Jane the rear of his car looks!

Meade

dsm6

Exacty. But we were talking about show, not go. I suppose reversing those two roles is pretty novel for you Mazda guys. ;-)

BTW, are you saying you don't like the cladding on the P5?

silver_bullet

Like I said, it's all personal preference - I'd vote for Larry's car.

mdaffron

So much for taste. I bet you like the new Accord too.

;-)

Meade

protege_fan

Well rather than admit that I've made a mistake (and since it's too late to edit....), yes, if I was rich, I'd buy my car a car...so that in crappy weather it'd be able to hide out in the garage, and I could take its car out.

maltb

you could eat off of Larry's car. I'd be a little leery about Meade's.

Edited courtesy of Wordman.

silver_bullet

Based on the little I've seen, the new Accord looks about as boring as the old one - it won't be on my shopping list. I guess I lean toward unadorned vehicles... I'm into vintage motorcycles, so that may be where my taste comes from. Classic bikes are pretty honest machines, and tend to contain little in the way of non-functional bits.

mdaffron

Hee hee. I am Wordman.

Why do you feel so comfortable about eating off of Larry's car? Is it because he manages a Cracker Barrel restaurant? A little grits 'n red-eye gravy with that Emerald Mica special? Ah -- a benefit of having no spoiler -- more table space for the biscuits and corn pudding! Wait -- that ain't corn puddin' -- it's a birdy turdy! Just remember -- Larry lives closer to New Jersey than I do!

Actually, if you're going by that most recent pic of my car, I must defend myself. That pic was taken at the second Mid-Atlantic Protege Picnic last October, and I had to drive 100 miles in the rain to get there. Larry was anal enough to bring all of his car-detailing stuff with him and basically re-washed his car when he got there.

I just washed my car Wednesday. Zoomster is gleaming mighty prettily right now!

Meade

ppk_ppk

for those interested

http://www.hondabeat.com/news/accord2003.cfm

well, looks like honda has got it all wrong this time - i think this was a hasty re-design brought about by altima and new camry... does the front of the sedan remind u of the honda civic si???

kuro

I posted the following on the Tribute board, but have yet to get a response. I assume that the factory Protege alarm system is the same on both vehicles. Any of you aggressive or adventurous types figured the following out? BTW, my daughter has a '00 Pro and loves it.

"Just purchased a 2003 LX V6. Noticed that the remote for the door locking system has a panic switch that sounds and lights like a burgler alarm. Is it possible that when you order the alarm system, some technician just flips a switch or makes a connection? Has anyone figured a way to activiate the system or do you really need additional equipment?"

protege_fan

Yeah! Really close to the new SI front end! Mikey no likey!!

ppk_ppk

for those interested

http://www.hondabeat.com/news/accord2003.cfm

well, looks like honda has got it all wrong this time - i think this was a hasty re-design brought about by altima and new camry... does the front of the sedan remind u of the honda civic si???

dinu01

Well anyways. The interior looks great (inleather as in the pic - even though leather is not for drivers as we all know) and I like the truck/rear of the car, but that fron reminds me of the Civic and of the Insight. Yikes!

Dinu

pciskowski

Going out this morning at 5:30 I hit an unmarked construction hole in the street. Result-I need two new tires and rims! Luckily no suspension damage, but I'm still sick. I guess that's one way to fix the rim that I scratched (I'm trying to find the bright side). However, the tires are on national backorder, so I will be down for (hopefully only) a few days. Does $750 for 2 wheels, tires, and an alignment sound reasonable? This is from my local Mazda dealer.

By the way, my lug nuts were on too tight, and I almost couldn't get them off. I tried calling for Mazda roadside assistance, and they said they couldn't help because they considered it an accident?!?! What? Luckily I finally got them off.

the_big_h

$750 for 2 OEM wheels and tires are WAY TOO EXPENSIVE for what you get (stock tire with somewhat heavy rims). Have you considered going aftermarket and get a full set of high quality rims/tires for couple hundred more?

OEM rims are a ripoff to replace. If I ever damage more than 1 rim on my car I'm switching to aftermarket.

subyaudidude

Check out either

http://forum.protegemp3.com or

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/index.php

Both sites have classifieds sections, and there are always people on there selling their stock wheels and tires. They usually go for around $350/$400 for ALL FOUR (wheels and tires)!!!
When I can afford it, I'll probably buy a set and switch the tires over to winter tires, then switch back and forth, saving the four bought tires for when my stock tires wear out.

pciskowski

Thanks for the info. I knew they were on Ebay from time to time, but I didn't know where else to look. I'm going to try these sites.

I'm worried about the other two wheels anyway, so I'd like to get a complete set.

If anyone else on this site wants to sell their stock wheels and tires now, let me know.

subyaudidude

This guys selling his for $400 + shipping, and he only lives about 300 miles away from you.

http://forum.protegemp3.com/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6312

reitrof

I know we have been kicking mileage around and I thought I would give you my latest. I recently did a long trip with 2 adults and 2 kids, sometimes 3 according to my wife, and luggage and got 34 mpg at about 70 mph. I did another with the roof rack on and a cartop carrier from Sears under the same conditions and it dropped to 29 mpg.

Also this was the first time for using my roof rack. It has been off the car since I bought it. What a pain to get it on and off the car. I also don't like that the front bar is not adjustable. Could use a redesign.

vocus

I know what you mean about kids whose parents purchase them $18-20K cars. That does make me sick. I just hate being classified in that group sometimes. My 2002 Jetta is loaded, had a sticker price of almost $25K. My 2001 Protege was loaded as well, with a sticker price just North of $18K. I am 24 now, was 22 when I bought the Protege. Paid for both of them myself. So not all young people with nice cars have their parents as a resource.

pciskowski

Are the Canadian wheels/tires the same as the US?

Thanks!

Phil Ciskowski

subyaudidude

I believe the pre-refresh wheels (US) and the Canadian wheels are the same. With the mid-year refresh, the US wheels changed, but I don't think Canada got the new wheels in their "refresh."

iamz

Does anyone know of any aftermarket brake rotors available for the P5 yet?

vocus

I am sure there are. The ones from the Protege ES (2001+) are the same, just so you know. Good luck.

iamz

Can't find any rotors for the 2001-2002 Protege ES either. I give up.

reitrof

Jamz,

http://www.srmotorsports.com/protege.htm has them.

the_big_h

http://www.precisionbrakescompany.com/

they have brake rotors (slotted, crossdrilled, slotted AND crossdrilled) for just about every car under the sun. They also sell high performance brake pads for Proteges

enjoy!

iamz

Thanks!

dwryter

Greetings, fellow P5ers. Anybody here have the autodimming mirror with electronic compass? Do you know how it works? More importantly, how well does it work? My P5's right-side visor collides with the standard mirror and I anticipate the dealer will remove and relocate the mirror on P5's first service visit Wednesday. Seems a propitious time to switch to the one with a compass, if it accurately shows direction of travel. Thanks!

bmclaughlin1

We had the dealer install the temp/compass mirror on our P-5, and our 01 LX Protege. No problems with it, and it seems to work well.

Bill

cappyk

I installed the mirror that I purchased for $188.00 from Mazdastuff.com. Install time was about 2.5 hours.

The compass is very accurate, surprisingly so, as is the ambient temperature reading. The day/night feature works great. The problem of the right side visor hitting the mirror remains, but it rarely bothers me. I do not regret the purchase in the least.

Do you realize that in order for the dealer to move the mirror placement they'd have to remove the glued on metal patch that holds the mirror to the windshield? The new fancy mirror will be in the same place as the old one unless they move that metal tab...

CappyK

stropro5

Can't take credit for this... it was on a previous post months ago...

To fix the Visor bumping into the Mirror problem, you simply pivot the mirror down where the arm connects to the windshield, not where the mirror connects to the little arm. Apparently, the assembly both pivots at the windshield and at the mirror (instead of just at the mirror like on my own car).

I adjusted the pivot between the windshield and the mirror arm and have never had interference with the visor since.

taddison

Does anyone have reliable info on when the next generation P5 is due out?

Automotive News says this:

"The redesigned 2004 Protege will share a platform and components with the next-generation Ford Focus and the Volvo 40 series but will resemble neither car.

...

Mazda says production of the 2004 Protege will start early in 2003."

http://www.autonews.com/files/protege827.htm

I can't believe it's coming out this soon or surely we would have heard more about it by now. Also, Mazda will be busy launching the Mazda6 and RX-8 in early 2003.

seminole_kev

that's pretty much what I've heard. Remember that the Protege has been out for a while and the Pro5 (323) has been out in other markets for the same amount of time. It's coming up on the end of its production cycle.

hardoo

You wrote: "Does anyone have reliable info on when the next generation P5 is due out?"

Count me among those concerned with the potential quality of the redesign. I understand Ford's logic -- they want to build three million-selling vehicles off of the same platform to lower costs and maximize profits. But part of the appeal of the P5 is that it's still made in Japan far away from Ford's tinkering. I shudder to think of the P5 with a Focus' reliability record.

Pat