Mazda Protege5

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Comments

  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    What head unit did you pick, and if you had to deal with the rear support bracket, how'd you do it?
  • upsdudeupsdude Member Posts: 7
    I replaced it with the Blaupunkt BPV660, ordered through Crutchfield. It came with everything you need. I was amazed at how easy the old came out and the new went in. Speaker replacement went just as smooth, just a little more time-consuming. Support brackets never entered the picture.
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    Crutchfield is a great choice. I have purchased things from them and had nothing but good service, fast delivery and good prices....as you found the Mazda radios are easy to remove.
  • hurler4hurler4 Member Posts: 104
    There is a new 2002 black Protege5 with a 5-speed at a dealer near me. I've worked the price down to $15,100. It has the following options:

    OPTIONS
    * MID-CYCLE REFRESH
    * POWER SLIDING GLASS MOONROOF
    * ABS WITH SIDE AIRBAGS

    ACCESSORIES
    * CASSETTE PLAYER
    * CARGO NET
    * CARPETED FLOOR MATS
    * AUTO DIMMING MIRROR W/COMPASS &TEMP
    * MOONROOF DEFLECTOR
    * REAR BUMPER GUARD

    Does this sound like a good deal? The MSRP is $19,100. Does anyone think it's possible to get a better deal? I saw one at another dealer for $5000 off ($19,300 down to $14,300), but it's an automatic).
  • hurler4hurler4 Member Posts: 104
    There is a new 2002 black Protege5 with a 5-speed at a dealer near me. I've worked the price down to $15,100. It has the following options:

    OPTIONS
    * MID-CYCLE REFRESH
    * POWER SLIDING GLASS MOONROOF
    * ABS WITH SIDE AIRBAGS

    ACCESSORIES
    * CASSETTE PLAYER
    * CARGO NET
    * CARPETED FLOOR MATS
    * AUTO DIMMING MIRROR W/COMPASS &TEMP
    * MOONROOF DEFLECTOR
    * REAR BUMPER GUARD

    Does this sound like a good deal? The MSRP is $19,100. Does anyone think it's possible to get a better deal? I saw one at another dealer for $5000 off ($19,300 down to $14,300), but it's an automatic).
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    seems like good deal to me.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    Sounds like a great deal to me.

    Good luck. :)
  • iamziamz Member Posts: 542
    I found the Sylvania Cool Blue lights were whiter and brighter than the standard Sylvania Halogens that came with my car. Also, even though they are called Cool Blue, they don't have that cheesy blue tint that you see on some cars that are pretending to have HIDs.
  • wondergreenwondergreen Member Posts: 6
    I've been reading up on the P5 and have liked what I've read, and seen. So, today I test drove the 5 speed manual, with ABS, leather seats, bumper protector, and moonroof (no 6CD changer). Fun car, want one! Mazda's 0% interest for the entire length of the loan is a great incentive! However, the price tag of 18,400 for the options listed above, seems a little high. I did get a quote for 16,200 for a basic model with only the ABS option. What's up? Should I expect to get one for less? The options I'm really interested in are the moonroof, 6cd changer, and the ABS, and the mid-cycle refresh (don't need the leather). If I have to pay 18,450 for this, I feel like the car has jumped to a whole other class as far as pricing goes. Any thoughts?
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    My wife got hers for low $16k (not including taxes etc.) for a silver 2003 P5 with leather (I don't like it, but she does), sportshift AT, cassette player and cargo tray.

    They were having a "sales event" and were able to just beat S-plan pricing (we qualified for that), so she didn't have to do much haggling. It didn't hurt that the salesman remembered us from when I bought my '99 Protege LX from him.

    Check Edmund's TMV pricing guide for an idea of what the average selling price is in your area.
  • eteaetea Member Posts: 30
    Bruno,

    when should it release then? if it's not announced now, it wont be in fall, no? so no 2004 for mazda?

    any official comments, specs.. or other insiders than the two pics above?

    also, that means that the car wont be as reliable and the finish will have the same quality standard? (no offense, but every Toyota Camry that comes from the us has a bad interior finish, while the ones from japan are nicely biult...)

    That really was the strong point of the P5, being built in Japan (and why I love Subaru..!)
  • isseyvooisseyvoo Member Posts: 121
    We took the plunge this weekend and bought a 2003 Pro5, 5 sp., ABS/side airbag, 6 disk changer/sunroof packages, plus sunroof wind deflector, wheel locks, roof rack, rear bumper guard. Wanted silver, but took the midnight blue in stock since dealer gave a better price. $16,800. Was this a good deal? At any rate, it's a tight handling, great-feeling little car. I think we will be pleased with it. (I haven't yet been permitted to drive it. -- Payback for being possessive about my Olds Alero.)
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    Invoice on that car would be $17,174, so yes, I would say that is a good deal.
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Yes, the Protege5 is asembled at Hofu I, close to Yamaguchi.
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    and no one bothered to welcome isseyvoo as a new P5 owner??? manners people! manners!
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    hi isseyvoo, and congrats on the new purchase, you'll love your P5 like everyone else here does :-)
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Welcome to the PRO family! Hope you enjoy many miles out of your P5. My ES has 50.000kms as of last week and was bought in July 2001. I don't regret or think twice about buying this car. One of the best decisions I've made!

    Dinu
  • iamziamz Member Posts: 542
    Anyone care to report what your RPMs are when cruising at 60 mph. I drive an automatic and at 60 mph my RPMs are between 2500-2600.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    I will check in 10 mins when I leave work. I have the auto 2.0 engine.

    I'll let you know by tomorow morning.

    Dinu
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    so this discussion would be recognizable. For those interested, here's a direct link to our new Mazda3 Hatch discussion. And back to the subject of the Protege5. Thanks!


    Revka

    Host/Hatchbacks & Wagon

  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    Please check your email. Thanks.

    Revka
    Host/Hatchbacks & Wagons
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    assuming +5% of overreading of the tachometer (I investigate long time on this problem, and it appear 5% is the right number), the *reading* RPM should be 2532 rpm.

    Bruno
  • iamziamz Member Posts: 542
    I just wanted to make sure my overdrive was working properly. If your calculations show 2532 than I'm satisfied. I keep thinking about the people who have reported really poor mileage from their P5s. I am just surprised with my own driving that after over 35,000 miles, only one tank hit 30 mpg. My average in the summer is 27-28 and in the winter about 24-25. I'd say close to 95% of my driving is highway
  • isseyvooisseyvoo Member Posts: 121
    Thanks to The_Big_H and dinu01 for the kind words of welcome!

    Our Pro5 has had the "Check Engine" light illuminated since we got it on Saturday. The salesman said "They all do that. Don't worry about it. The mechanic will reset it when you bring it in for detailing." Does this sound right? It doesn't seem to be acting funny or anything and we've already driven it a couple hundred miles.
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    It sounds like the gas cap could not have been on tight enough. This will cause a Check Engine Light (CEL).

    They should be able to pull the code for the light and tell you exactly what it is....I think.
  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    Your salesman is showing his ignorance. They do not all do that, and they are not supposed to. If it is not flashing it is very likely not a major problem, but they should check out the code. It could very well be that the gas cap was loose and set it off, but it could be something else. The OBDII emissions monitoring system has likely had a component go out of range and that has triggered the light.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    "It sounds like the gas cap could not have been on tight enough. This will cause a Check Engine Light (CEL)."

    I have NEVER had a CEL light go on from a loose gas cap in any of the 6 cars that I have owned including my OBDII compliant 2001 Protege ES. Here in MN during the winter, I fill the car while it's running, so the gas cap is not only loose, it's completely off. I've always thought that explanation for the CEL light from dealers was a complete load of crap.
  • waydewayde Member Posts: 198
    this is actually a reason to cause the check engine light to come on --- and quite common. I too live in MN and after 3 years explaining this to customers I know... I never lied/made up stories to cover anything up. Worked for an Acura dealership.
    This is a VERY legitimate reason for the light to come on.
    As to why you're light(s) never came on - I don't know.
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    when I was kid, all gas stations required the engine must be off before filling gas.
  • iamziamz Member Posts: 542
    "....I fill the car while it's running,..."

    I realize it's unlikely anything could happen, but it is illegal to leave your car running while filling up your tank (at least in MN).
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    It is also a good way to get your car stolen.
  • eteaetea Member Posts: 30
    It also is a good way to get killed.. I invite you to read that CNN news article:

    http://www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/12/20/yh.cov.pump.fires/index.html

    "Few American motorists know that static electricity around gas pumps can ignite a deadly fire. "

    Also from : http://www.kbmoll.com/invest/iv_static.htm

    "
    PEI and the American Petroleum Institute (API) recommend the following tips to avoid potentially harmful situations when refueling:
     
    Turn off your vehicle engine while refueling. Put your vehicle in park and/or set the emergency brake. Disable or turn off any auxiliary sources of ignition such as a camper or trailer heater, cooking units, or pilot lights.
    "

    I just totally hope you are kidding about filling the car while it is running, unless using a hand gas tank, cold climate (reduces static electricity) and ground yourself before/after on the car... just can't believe everybody does not stop its car..

    Anyway, I wont elaborate on the subject, I've already been enough OT!

    Etea
  • capn_krotchcapn_krotch Member Posts: 9
    i've noticed that when i'm doing 80 and up on the highway in 5th, the revs get way up there on my 2003 protege5, it does 85 at 4000. Now, i used to drive a 94 maxima and as far as i remember the revs were never that high at such speeds. i understand that the max had a v6 as opposed to this one's i4 but never imagined such a difference. is this normal? more importantly, is holding the car at such a speed and such rpms bad for the engine?

    #2: what kidn of low beam bulbs does a 2003 pr5 use? i got a set of H7s and they dont fit. sylvania's website only had specs for the 2002 and it said H7 for the low beams. i got a pair and they dotn fit :/.

    any help is greatlyt appreciated ;]
  • iamziamz Member Posts: 542
    When you remove the original low beam bulbs from the electrical connector, there will still be an adapter attached to the bulb. You need to separate the metal body of the bulb from the plastic adapter that fits into the electrical connector on the wiring harness.
  • iamziamz Member Posts: 542
    I haven't driven at 85 but that sounds about right. At 60 mph, RPMs are about 2500, and at 70 mph they are at about 3000. At 85 you should be approaching 4000 RPMs. I think it's kind of high myself, and question the gearing choice by Mazda.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    My 01 ES does about the same.

    It runs at about 4500 RPMs at 90-95MPH.

    It's annoying on the highway, but goo b/c you have LOTS of power - my car still feels it has plenty to give even at 105mph - highest speed I've gone with it.

    Dinu
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Mine (AT) runs just bellow 4000 rpm at 85mph. Yeap, Mazda gears shorter than most others cars, resulting a peppy engine. Don't worry about the reliability, the engine thing is designed to run like that.

    I did push mine to its maximum speed, reading 111mph. The car was still pulling strong at this speed until the electronic kicks in and cut the fuel.

    Bruno
  • capn_krotchcapn_krotch Member Posts: 9
    checked them out again, u were absolutely right, iamz. threw the adapters on em and they're in, thanks alot.

    i dont know if i would agree with dinu01 though. it took mine a while to get up to 100 with the pedal to the floor. i understand that high rpms mean more power but i just didn't feel it. thanks for the input...
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    It was just me in the car, A/C off, tires properly inflated to 32. I have the 2.0 ES w/auto. The ES could have kept going, but I didn't push it further. Don't forget the P5 has more weight than the sedans, even though it is shorter. Could that be part of the difference?

    And yes, it does take tie to get to 100 - the PRO is NOT the quickest small car out there. I was saying it has more "oomph" left even at 100.

    Dinu
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Agree. It -16C, with windchill -30C today in Toronto and I don't see anyone leaving their car "on" to re-fuel.

    Dinu
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Many that I could think of for cars like the Protege/Protege5. Few examples

    - the VTCS (and VICS) equipped by the FS-DE 2.0L engine can becomes active anytime, and the relay which control them could create a spark.
    - the engine get hotter and the electronic decides to turn the fan on -> the relay can create a spark.
    - while Runing, an electronic circuitry (radio, etc...) could suddenly fail. When it fails, it create a sudden cut of the electric current. If the circuitry has a big inductance, it will induce a large voltage and create a spark. (same principle is used for spark plug ignition)

    Bruno
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    we should push our cars up to the pump in consideration for others...lol
  • capitanocapitano Member Posts: 509
    I am Protege5 devastated. I protege5 thought protege5 that protege5 my post protege5 was protege5 just protege5 fine.

    But protege5 I now protege5 know protege5 that I protege5 must protege5 strive to protege5 keep my protege5 posts more protege5 on topic protege5 which of protege5 course is protege5 the protege5.

    Got it?
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    I knew it was you. Glad that the Protege5 is more forgiving.
  • wondergreenwondergreen Member Posts: 6
    Just bought a '03 P5, silver, moonroof+6cd, 5spd, ABS+side bags, 16"polished alloys, window tint+clear bra, wheel locks. I love it more every time I drive it! I loved the handling the very minute I drove it off the lot. Today I took into the foothills and hit golden gate canyon road up to Nederland. I love the suspension and road stability, it's very fun around the curves - no sway. I quickly got used to the engine's powerband tendencies. It seems to like the pedal in first and second gear up through 2-3000 rpm, then as you go through 3rd thru 5th gears, it tends to need only the first few inches of pedal (on flat road) to obtain a nice, zippy torque. If you keep the rpm's at around 2500 to 4000, the throttle response is very crisp and you don't need much pedal as long as you're in the right gear. I found that at 60mph in 5th gear, the rpm's run about 3000, and that's about when the power kicks in and the throttle is very responsive. The engine seems to like high rpm's for the best power. It makes it difficult in the mountains to get a lot of power on an incline, but it does the trick if you keep the gearing a little lower. Great handling! Extremely fun to drive!
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    glad you like it.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    On a lark, I stopped by my local Mazda dealership since it was nearby while I was running errands. They have a bright yellow P5 with SAB/ABS and the autostick, pretty much how I'd option one out (I think the P5 looks best in bright yellow or red, although my wife's '03 P5 looks classy in silver).

    Dang. My 99LX isn't old enough to let go, and the RX8 is shortly coming out (if I fit, it may be my early mid-life crisis vehicle), and I'm trying to wait for the 6 hatch/wagon and Mazda3 wagon. Too many nice cars, too little money and parking space. :)
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Yes, the yellow seems to be invented for the P5. I have seen many car in yellow: Miata, Mercedes SLK, Saturn (?), Focus, etc... none of those can be compared with a bright yellow P5.

    Bruno
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    Well, I removed the roof rack from my P5 last night. My wife says it looks horrible without the rack, like the car is "bald." It is her daily driver, so I suppose I will be putting it back on tonight.
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    My wife made me put ours back on for the winter. She doesn't like it without either.

    It comes off in the summer though for the sunroof.

    At least it's an easy process.....
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