Mazda Protege5

altersys

You really think id have a case? I mean, the service manager would most likely deny my statement.... i dunno if i want to take it that far. Ive fought with so many corporations this year, im just tired of it. why doesnt anyone just believe in customer service anymore?

-Alt

boggse

I think I should point out here that most service managers have the authority to decide what is repaired under warranty and what isn't up to a dollar amount. Perhaps a compromise would be if you offered to cover some of the costs, like the labor costs or something. That is your choice. Personally, I would do what I suggested before with the letter and notifying the DOT.

tincup47

have the service manager contact the zone rep for Mazda to set up an appt. for him to go for a ride and see if they consider the noise excessive. The Service manager of the dealership has no reason to not want to get him involved, if he OK's a replacement, the dealership will be paid to replace the transmission. I think the service manager is afraid that if he goes ahead and approves the replacement that the dealership will end up eating it. I'd try that before getting all these gov't agencies involved. If the Mazda Zone rep refuses to fix your vehicle, then go to that step.

altersys

and determined of hiw own accord, that the sound was not excessive. Personally, I don't think an issue based on a mechanical deficiency should be judged subjectively like that. Anyways, I'll keep you guys informed as to what happens, if anything at all.

Thanks for all your help and support!
-Alt

pciskowski

I have owned my P5 one year as of last Wednesday-red 5sp with no options. I have put on 22,889 miles and put in 776 gallons of gas for an average of 29.5 mpg. I tend to get better mileage around town because I usually go 75-80 on the highway.

Positives-very fun to drive, red paint still looks fantastic, driver seat is very comfortable, overall looks of the car.

Negatives-clutch chatter that the dealer won't fix (although I haven't pushed it too hard yet), interior rattles (see below).

Accessories added-Cargo mat, wheel locks, bumper step, variable wipers (or is that a mod?).

Mods-none, but after the warranty expires...

I put a very negative post on here a couple of months ago about the interior rattles (I think I said I wouldn't buy this car again). I have cooled on that quite a bit. I blame the awful roads here in Memphis as much as I blame the car itself. I drove my wife's 01 Accord the other day, and it has almost as many (if not more). Also, a lot of the rattles go away after the first ten minutes of driving as soon as the tires smooth out.

Overall, I WOULD buy the car again, and I do recommend it.

bmclaughlin1

We have our P5 2002 refresh 8 months now. It is a 5 speed, red, moonroof, 6 disc changer, no ABS, compass/temp gauge, and has approx. 5600 miles on it. It gets between 29-35 mpg and has been absolutely trouble free. It has the occasional rattle. The stock tires are not too good in snow, and we will probably get dedicated snow tires next winter. We absolutely love this car. Our family also has a 2001 Protege ES 5 speed (18,200 mi.) and a 2001 Protege LX auto (2.0 L)(20,500 mi.) They have also been completely trouble free.
The 5 speeds are fun to drive, but I really like our automatic a lot.

Bill

pciskowski

Anyone know where I can see pictures of aftermarket CD Player installs in a P5? I want to see how it will look before I do it.

Thanks!

Phil

wayde

And all is well... perfect. No rattles, no probs... nothin. Handles great! MPG - no clue, I don't calc it, I just drive

White 5 speed no options / tinted windows / magnetic bra

ZoomZoom!

PS - I got my best friend to buy an ES sedan (she didn't care for the hatch look). It's cool when we meet somewhere - white ES next to white P5

bluong1

21 months, 27k miles. Yellow Manual P5 with moonroof/wind defector, tinted windows, special rims, zoom-zoom sticker.

- mileage ~ 29mpg
- 6 oil changes
- waxing 6 times!
- change tire ar 26 k (Awesome Michelin Pilot Exalto, I'm more and more impressed).
- Cold rattle "fixed", air vent (driver side) replaced under warranty.

Pro: Very fun, fun, and fun car, awesome handling capability, responsive steering, solidly built, stylish design, precise manual gearbox, powerful break, low-end-torque engine, practical cargo area. Did I mention the car is fun to drive?

Con: Stock tires wear too quick and noisy. Yellow paint fragile. Bad position of the interior switch for the door-lock. Stereo could be better. Unable to switch off the AC in defrost. No cup-holder in the back.

Bruno

wdrauch

Hi, everyone. I just bought my P5 last week (Laser Blue, manual, sunroof, 6CD changer).

Likes: color/styling, handling, shift feel, clutch feel (I'm now convinced that my Miata's clutch is defective), brakes, smoothness of power delivery

dislikes: stereo sounds like I'm listening to music underwater, engine too quiet (I'm used to my Miata's Monsterflow intake)

questions:
1. recommendations on speaker upgrades??
2. recommendations on intake kits??\
3. has anyone tried to install the auto-dimming mirror themselves as an accessory?

Sorry, if I'm repeating any questions, that have been answered previously.

Bill

wdrauch

Bruno,
In your "cons" you list "unable to shut off a/c in defrost". I'm curious to know why you feel this is a con. Most OEM's nowadays build in this feature because it helps speed up the defrost function.

bill

esto

I too would love to be able to turn off the a/c when the air is coming out the vents by the window. The window is not fogged in any way; I just want unconditioned air to blow out there. Why the hell can't I turn the a/c off?? I hate this "feature" in every car I've been in.

meinrad

it doesn't really bother me like it does other, I too wish that the a/c only came on when I hit the A/C button.

I don't see what's wrong with putting in the manual that for defrosting, also use A/C.

Some people are too dumb to understand this, which is why I think they just started making it automatic.

To illustrate some stupidity, I'll relay this annoying ride I once had. Riding with 6 people in a mini-van on a wet 40 degree day. All the windows were fogging up so I mentioned to the driver to hit the defrost. He promptly cranked the heat and the fan till we were all roasting. Sure the windows clear, but we were cooked. So then he shut the whole thing down. I tried explaining to him that he could set a comfortable fan speed and temperature and just hit the A/C button. But he didn't understand and wouldn't do it. He was like many others who are conviced that A/C is only for hot weather, they don't understand that it pulls the moisture out of the air. So we had a wonderful 2.5 hour drive of alternating blasting heat and fogged up windows.

bluong1

Esto and Meinrad have answered for me, thanks! I can live with a system in which the AC is automatically on when one hits the defrost, but I would like to be still able to switch it off independently to the defrost. Sometime a compromise is better than the brute-force!

Bruno

Kirstie_H

Join us tonight, 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET for another round of automotive trivia and member-to-member chat. Test your skills (or multiple choice guessing ability) against other Town Hall members.

http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html

Hope to see you there!

wdrauch

"meinrad" is right that the reason automakers do this is because people are stupid and don't know to turn on the a/c when in defrost mode. They are also usually too stupid to realize that you can crank up the temperature knob, but leave the a/c on so that you are getting hot, dry air across the windows. The other thing some people screw up is that they wonder why their windows are fogging up, but they are in recirculation mode instead of fresh air. So, many automakers also set it so that you can't be in recirc when in defrost.

I work for an automotive a/c supplier, so I've seen that you can't please everyone. Generally, automakers will take the safe route and idiot-proof things because you can't count on people to read the owner's manual. Also, there are federal safety regulations for the time to defrost your window, so they don't want to be extra careful to make sure they meet the specification.

pciskowski

Make sure the "Midrange" level is not too high. It comes from the factory half way or all the way up. This is what makes it sound so bad. I have mine turned down to 1, the bass a little over half, and the treble about 3/4. The sound is good enough to live with for now, but I hope to replace it with an MP3 player later this year.

esto

Has anyone done the replacement of the P5's wiper stalk to the one from the MPV, to get the variable intermittent feature? If so, could you please post instructions? I recently got the MPV stalk, but I don't know what needs to be disassembled in order to do the switch. Does the steering wheel really have to come off? Thanks.

Erik

protege_fan

Where you can find instructions, unfortunately Edmunds policies forbid me from posting links. Email me (address should be in my profile) and I can help you out.

revka

Just to clarify: Our policy forbids linking to websites that also include automotive message boards or chats. Sorry, this is something management feels strongly about.

However, please be aware that it's okay to link to automotive websites that do not host message boards or chats.

Please email me if you have any questions/comments on this matter, so we don't take this discussion off topic any further. Okay? You can read also what our Town Hall manager (Sylvia) has to say about this policy in our Ask the Hosts discussion, (From Post #1383.)

And let's get back to the subject of this discussion. Thanks!

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards

protege_fan

Splitting hairs.

Anyway, Rider69 from ANOTHER forum had this useful post:
I know for a fact that the stalk and control assembly from an MPV will plug right in and work fine for our P5s as I have checked it out with our MPV. The module can be purchased from the dealership for about $110 but I am not sure of the part number. Basically, the stalk and the module is one unit. Remove the steering wheel column covers and there are like 3 or 4 screws that have to be removed and then the module unplugs. Drop in the new one and replace covers. Should take about 15 minutes to do. If you use the MPV one (maybe the tribute too) you can have variable speed intermittent wipers along with retaining control of the rear wiper. So I would assume that the ones out of a Millenia or a 626 would work for a Protege Sedan.

Basically, it sounds like only the cover of the column has to be removed.

Good luck!

pciskowski

I did mine, and it is just like the instructions above. Took about 10 minutes. I got it for $85 including shipping. It works and looks great.

esto

It's the removal of the steering wheel column covers that has me beat. There are 3 screws on the bottom that I removed, but the cover was still in one solid piece. Are there any screws on top somewhere that I need to find? Or is the cover in two pieces that need to be pulled apart somehow; if so, what needs to be done to get them apart?

pciskowski

The cover snaps together around the steering wheel column. It looks like one solid piece, but it just fits together really well. I very carefully inserted a screwdriver into the opening by the turn signal and cracked it open. From there it came apart easily.

esto

Well, I'm stuck. There is no way the steering column cover is coming apart on my P5. I've already gouged the plastic on both sides of the column trying to get a screwdriver and other very flat things in there. No dice. Another simple mod that just doesn't work for me :-( This isn't the first time...

protege_fan

Crap. That doesn't sound any good. Email me at NOSPAMmaniaxtw@hotmail.com (remove the NOSPAM portion of this address). I can link you to a site that shows pics of the column removed that may help you out.

golfboy

Hi everyone,

I posted this problem I'm having on here before, but I haven't been on the town hall for awhile so I'm not sure if I had any helpful responses...

I recently had my windows tinted and now I'm finding that my rear defroster doesn't work. To be perfectly honest I'm not even sure if it was working before I had the tint film installed, but I'm worried that if I take it to the dealer they'll just blame it on the tint installation to get out of a warranty fix. Does anybody here have any similar issues with their defroster and if so...any advice?

boggse

Mine worked fine after I had my windows tinted. I would make sure that the tinters didn't disconnect it before taking it to the dealer. Most tint shops warranty their work, and if they somehow damaged your defroster the warranty would cover that. Good luck!

arb_16

My girlfriend and I recently decided on the P5 after looking at Corolla - nice but too loud and low powered and Accord - lots of car for the money but too "big" in terms of turning radius, etc.

Just wondering what's the best price I can get on the P5? The carsdirect price in my area is $100 over invoice (before rebates) and local dealers are selling at $300-500 over invoice.
Thanks.

mazdafun

My wife got it for about invoice, but it was a "special" sales event for existing customers (like they wouldn't give that price to anyone else...we just got a postcard in advance of it), a little better than the "S-plan" price, which is a little over invoice.

tetonman

Depends on where you live and the options you want (as always...). Here in Chicago area, P5s are selling at invoice or below. For P5 with 5 speed manual and no other options, the prices are somewhere between $300-$500 below invoice. Of course that is below dealer invoice, which is generally about $100-$200 above the invoice price listed on Edmunds or Intellichoice...

I'm not sure how they are selling in CA, but if you like the car and believe that $100 over invoice is a good deal, buy it. You won't regret it for a $100 or so. It's a really good car and so much fun to drive!

golfboy

I just checked the electrical connections to the heater wires on my back window and sure enough they were disconnected! Kind of embarrassing to learn how easy a fix it was! Thanks to boggse for the advice.

altersys

Yeah, it seems impossible at first (well, it seems more like you have to exert so much force that you will damage the cover- and as you found out, you will if you dont apply the force in the right location).

What I did was use a flathead screwdriver, and CAREFULLY insert it in between the two column cover halves on the right side next to the wiper stalk opening on the column cover. Just slowly insert the tip of the flathead and when you've got it decently lodged in there, pry the flathead in one single motion upward (or downwards) but DO NOT wiggle it up and down... this will scratch the seam. Just push slowly and firmly until it pops- and it will. Then you can pry the cover off by hand at that point to further reduce the possibility of scratching.

FWIW, if you scratched your cover already, you could buy a new one or find one at a junk yard.

good luck,
-Alt

subyaudidude

I just did the first oil change on the P5. Yeah, I know - I'm 200 miles late. Anyways - who, in the name of Zeus, designed this engine and put the oil filter up top where it's nearly impossible to get to? Geez, Louise what a PITA that was. Of course, I probably should've taken the metal brace/plate off from underneath the car first, but still ... that was a major pain to do. Anyways, I'm done now. I put in Castrol Syntec blend. I didn't feel the need for full synthetic (I usually use Mobil 1), and since I couldn't find Mobil's synthetic blend, I decided to go with the Castrol.

icvci

Black mica, Charcoal, ABS/Sidebags, Moonroof/6 disc, Roof rack (now an option, wouldn't have ordered it but, they wouldn't remove it), subwoofer (now standard).

Got s-plan, $1000 off, and 3.8% financing. (Nice hook up!)

Friggin sweet. Who the heck is complaining about noise? You should be shot! This car is a dream. Stereo isn't nearly as bad as some would have you believe. Personally, I think a pair of new 6 and a halfs and this system will sound perfect (I'm not an audiophile).

Now for some tint. Anyone with tint give me prices and things to watch out for.

boggse

I always get Formula One tint.

http://www.formulaone.com/

A P5 should cost ~$300 for the top of the line metallic tint. AAA gives a discount if you have it.

icvci

They don't have any locations in Michigan. Anyone else?

protege_fan

I'd look for a good name tint like Llumar or 3M. I haven't gotten around to getting my tint yet, but I think I'd go w/ a metallic tint vs a non-metallic one.

Also be sure to check into your local State's laws in regards to tinting.

icvci

What's the difference between metallic and non metallic (other than the obvious)?

protege_fan

The metallic tints are better at reflecting heat than the non-metallic ones. They're also supposed to be less prone to fading.

baggs32

icvci,
My wife just found out that she gets some kind of discount through her work too (it says the vehicles will be priced at the manufacturer's invoice). It's for all Ford or GM brands/products and I am currently looking to buy something that has four doors, stickers for about $20,000, and is sporty. I've narrowed it down to the Focus SVT, Mazda 6i, and Mazda Protege5. How did you get another $1000 off of the Protege5? I can't find any deals other than those for financing.

I really really like the Protege5 but the Focus SVT would actually be a little cheaper if Ford ever begins to offer rebates on it again. Plus it is faster.

icvci

In my region they are offering 4.9% for 60 (Actually, I don't know if they are offering 4.9% but with good credit you can get that through peoplefirst.com so, 4.9% is the worst you can do.) with $1000 cash back or 3.9% for 60 with $500 back. I went in to the dealer with a pre-approval at 4.49% and was going to take the $1000 cash back. The salesperson (who does a ton of work for the company I work for) talked to his finance guy and got me 3.8% and the $1000.

I know the West Coast currently gets 0% for 60 on the P5.

New incentives were announced today on the Protege sedan, 0% for 60. There is also 0% for 60 on the Miata now too. Everything should be posted on web sites soon.

The 6i lease at $239 is nice.

Don't know if insurance is a factor for you, it was for me, and the SVT wasn't a realistic option. I also had trouble locating a 5 door SVT when I was interested.

icvci

If you aren't in a hurry and you want the power of an SVT you may want to wait for the Mazda3. Personally, I like the look of the current P5 more than that of the 3.

The price will reflect the added performance though. And there most likely won't be any major incentives on the 3 for awhile.

baggs32

Thanks. No cash back here just yet. We only get the 0.0%/2.9%/3.9% for 36/48/60 months deals.

"Don't know if insurance is a factor for you, it was for me, and the SVT wasn't a realistic option."

I don't think insurance will be a problem, but filling it with premium might be. I'll just have to take some test drives to see if it's worth it.

"If you aren't in a hurry and you want the power of an SVT you may want to wait for the Mazda3. Personally, I like the look of the current P5 more than that of the 3."

I can wait until somewhere around December and I don't think the 3 will satisfy my needs at that point. Mazda is notorious for requiring you to add extra option packages when you choose a popular one. The 3 might get pricey if they continue that trend.

I'm still leaning heavily toward the Protege5 though. It's mainly going to be used to move my, behind to and from work so it seems to be the perfect fit. I don't want to go overboard or the wife won't let me buy a Mustang in a few years.

icvci

Looks like incentives are getting a bit sweeter in many markets this week. Check with the dealer for more details.

audia8q

Where did all of the P5 fans go??

meinrad

1. Sitting in the waiting room for clutch replacement.

2. Out having fun driving.

pciskowski

1. Out of the waiting room

2. Testing out the new clutch. So far, so good!

subyaudidude

1. not having to go to the waiting room (woohoo!).

2. out washing my P5 and having fun driving it.

bluong1

1. having fun driving it and

2. busy exporting it to France in 2 weeks and making people there very jealous.