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Mazda Protege5

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Comments

  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    The autodim mirror is a great feature. You will see many posts from people who have it and would never have another car without it....I order it on alot of our cars for inventory....

    It's a little tricky to install but if you have some mechanical abilities you can do it.

    Rich
  • smoke286smoke286 Member Posts: 9
    I'm not really trying to start an argument here, just wondering what excatly is the difference between the two, aside from the look and the anti-sway bar thingie
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    There are few differences. The ones that come to mind are:

    1. The ES does not come with a strut tower brace.
    2. The P5 has a different front bumper, head lights, and fog lights than the ES.
    3. The P5 comes with side skirts.
    4. The ES has 6x9 rear speakers while the P5 has 6.5s.
    5. The P5 weighs a little more.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    6. The P5 is shorter by 4-5in
    7. You can shove more into the P5 than the sedan, nonetheless.
    8. There's more headroom in the rear seats of the P5.
    9. The rear outboard seats in the P5 have adjustable headrests.
    10. P5 has a rubberized whip antenna (more durable?).
    11. P5 now has a subwoofer mounted in the spare.
    12. P5 has a rear wiper & washer.
    13. You can put the MPV wiper stalk into the P5 to get variable intermittent wipers while you have to import the old Canadian 626's stalk to do the same in the ES.
    14. Look under the front suspension. I know the P5 has a stiffener brace in addition to the stabilizer bar (the brace does impede access to the oil filter), not sure of the ES though.
    15. You'll probably hear more noise from the cargo area in the P5.
    16. The P5's rear bumper cover is different as well.
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    17. The P5 has different tail lights.
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    the P5 has longer name. ;-)

    Seriously, what's the color of the gauge and interior light on the ES?
  • lstar1lstar1 Member Posts: 5
    I test drove two manual P5's last week. Both had significant vibration in the stick shift. One was so bad (in all gears and in neutral) that my hand tingled afterwards. (By comparison, my 11-year old Accord has no vibration at all in the stick...never has.) The vibration is keeping me away from this car for now.

    Question: Is this common in P5's? Thanks!
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    It is red on the P5 and the ES. The ES has white gauges, while the P5 has silver.
  • theparallaxtheparallax Member Posts: 361
    The ES and Protege5 both have red illumination on the gauges/radio/hvac.

    DX and LX Protege's have green.
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    Some have complained about this. I never noticed harsh vibes in my 2001 ES, just some minor vibration like all standard shift cars I have ever driven.
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    I have the same opinion as Ted (Boggse).
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    The ES has white gauges, while the P5 has silver.

    Hummm mine are white...

    Bruno
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    Mine (2003) are silver. Mazda lists them as "Silver color gauges with black lettering" Must be a 2003 only item.
  • icvciicvci Member Posts: 1,031
    Silver is new for 2003
  • riopelleriopelle Member Posts: 132
    My P5 stick shook considerably when I got it, to the point where I informed the dealer upon delivery because I feared a future mechanical issue.

    Now, 21K miles later, it has settled down/broken in considerably, as has the entire tranny and powertrain.
  • irnmdnirnmdn Member Posts: 245
    Up $500 from next month.
    I predict $3000 by fall.
  • icvciicvci Member Posts: 1,031
    depends on your market. Not everyone is getting $2250.
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    In the northeast the P5 incentive is dealer cash and not a consumer rebate.
  • dagpotterdagpotter Member Posts: 71
    My dealer in Northern VA shows it in the price, so it just reduces it. Their most expensive P5 is now 15K. Crazy.
  • boxfanboxfan Member Posts: 180
    When do you think we'll know how the 3 will be equipped? (Wheels, engines, airbags, headlights.) I'm tempted to look again at the P5 since they're getting so cheap (2250 incentive is available here in St. Louis), but if the 3 hatchback will be available with side curtain airbags then I'll wait another year and get one of those.

    The local saleswoman I've talked to says that Mazda is very secretive about their new models compared to other companies.
  • irnmdnirnmdn Member Posts: 245
    Where will the 3s assembled - Hiroshima or US?
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    The local saleswoman I've talked to says that Mazda is very secretive about their new models compared to other companies.

    They try, but I think Honda manages that better.
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    Get my car back today at 2:00 PM. Hopefully everything will look good.

    And it's actually a really nice sunny day for a change. Rain again tomorrow but at least for one day I'll have a clean car.

    I have really missed the P5. Been driving my dad's CRV, which I really like, but it's just not fun to drive.
  • baggs32baggs32 Member Posts: 3,229
    "In the northeast the P5 incentive is dealer cash and not a consumer rebate."

    I live in the Northeast, and know exactly what you're talking about. I've never actually bought a car when incentives of any kind were available. I know how factory rebates work. Can you please explain how dealer cash works? More to the point, if I'm qualified for the S-Plan will they subtract the dealer cash from my S-Plan price like they would with a factory rebate?

    I'm trying to estimate prices right now so I can convince the wife that the P5 is worth $50 more per month than a ZX5. She already knows that the 6 is worth the extra $70-$100 per month, but that may be too much with a bambino on the way. Being able to take advantage of both the S-Plan and the dealer cash would be a big plus.

    Thanks!
  • icvciicvci Member Posts: 1,031
    Baggs, any incentives are added on top of the S-Plan price. It may be tricky getting the dealer to give up his dealer cash but, customer cash is a different story.
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    boxfan....I suspect we should get some details about 60 days before the release of the MZ3.

    baggs....Dealer cash turns into customer cash on an S-plan sale...At least that's how its supposed to work...Most dealers won't give you a hard time on the dealer cash..the P5 is selling well but its not in massive demand and short supply.

    Rich
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    Got the car back and the paint looks perfect. Scratch is gone, color match was dead on, couldn't be happier.

    At least for now anyway. I guess things can change as the time goes on.
  • baggs32baggs32 Member Posts: 3,229
    Thanks for the pricing help guys. Getting the dealer cash too will take a (the one I drove) red P5 5-speed with leather, SAB/ABS, bumper guard, and perimeter alarm down to the same price level as a ZX5. The P5 is definitely a nicer car.

    I think we'll still wait a few months to see what happens with MZ6 prices though. I really like that car.

    Oh, funny story about that red P5 mentioned above. The salesman went back to get it for us to drive and was taking a long time so I decided to look out the window and see where he was. Lo and behold, he's got the hood up and a battery pack in his hand. It seems that that little red P5 hadn't been started up in quite some time and the battery was dead!

    Not a good sign, but understandable.
  • allen53flallen53fl Member Posts: 41
    Couldn't be happier!!!! Have absolutely NO complaints at all. No rattles, getting about 26mph (mixed city/highway) so far. A/C works GREAT, (FL can be very warm and humid you know). Oh and btw, no vibrating stick shift in mine at all, it's smooth as silk.

    Only one small nit-pik item though: wish they would replace the cig lighter/ashtray setup with maybe a cubbyhole for the cell phone &/or change holder. No big deal.

    I would also like to remove the license plate holder contraption (if possible), but I can live w/it as is. No big deal, (maybe too involved/complicated ordeal, ummmm...think: lazy).
    <g>

    Not a lot of P5's around here, so it's kinda nice driving something "different". When at the car wash or shopping, several people have ask me "is that a new car? Who makes that?", and "nice car!". I appreciate it.

    Thank you Mazda, especially for the smiles per gallon!

    Allen
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    especially for the smiles per gallon!

    Ditto and very clever!
  • allen53flallen53fl Member Posts: 41
    But I can't really take credit for the "smiles per gallon". I read it sometime ago/somewhere ago on this(???) board. many moons/msgs ago.

    Didn't you just move to France? How do you like it? I hope they are "treating you well". We were in Paris 04/2000 and loved it! (Joe Allen Restaurant has great food, btw). Do you see many/any Mazda's or P5's there?

    Allen
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    yes, I'm in France right now, in a small town in South-East sandwiched by three Alpes mountains. The town is called Grenoble. My P5 is still on the boat somewhere in the Atlantic and it will join me end this month. I feel P5 would be the perfect car for the curving and scenic countryside and mountain roads here. I have testdrove few french cars when I was visiting here last Xmas. The Peugeot 307 are very nice but weighty and nowhere comparable to the vivacity of the P5. The new Renault Megane has an eccentric shape, probably too modern, even for me. Also I have seem an Alfa-Romeo that strikingly resemble the concept Mazda3. The only Mazda I have seen so far on the road is the Mazda6, both sedan and hachback. The M6 is highly praised by local media. Protege5 is named Mazda 323 in France. They are equipped with 1.3l gasoline, 1.6l gasoline, or 2.0l diesel engine. The yellow color is not available. I'm afraid my bright yellow will turn a lot of heads on the street. Oh last thing: the food is trully excellent...

    Cheers,

    Bruno
  • allen53flallen53fl Member Posts: 41
    WOW! Thanks for the peek of your "adventure". Sounds awesome! I agree, the food is great, and what is nice, they generally don't serve you huge portions like they do in the states. Just enough, so you are full/content. I really noticed that a lot of people over there are not overweight like they are here....

    When I first got my P5, it reminded me a lot of the Volvo V40 5 spd I drove in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Fun little wagon, and it had great pickup, (almost seemed like it was a turbo!). Too bad the V40 only comes in AT for the states, I just might have considered it if had a MT.

    Once your babe arrives, please keep us posted on your road adventures!

    Allen
  • icvciicvci Member Posts: 1,031
    Sounds like fun. I spent a couple of weeks in southern France a couple of years ago. A week in Oppede, one in Nice (actually, just outside of Nice on the Var) and three days in St. Martin Vesubie. Had a fantastic time. I know what you mean about those mountain roads. And the P5 will definitely be fun on them.

    Personally I found the meals to be HUGE. Of course, if I had the 5 course lunch (and a pastis) ;), I didn't have a big dinner. Had a lot of chevre but never saw a goat. That was a big joke with my wife and I. Find the mystical goat and get an hour long message.
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Of course, if I had the 5 course lunch

    Yes: Entrée, salade, plat principal, fromage, dessert, fruits, café. And the whole thing with accompanied by few bottles of wine. That's our way of lunch during the weekend among friends and family. The whole thing can easily last several hours! Unfortunately, during the week, we are forced for a much smaller lunch. Strikes and manifestations take a lot of time, you know... ;-)

    To be on topic, P5 is really nice and the mileage should be good enough for the high price of gas here.

    Bruno
  • icvciicvci Member Posts: 1,031
    That's supposed to be an hour long massage.

    Did you get to go to Monaco for the GP?
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Nop! For once Schumacher didn't win. BTW, according to the news today, he will stay at Ferrari until end 2006 season.
  • icvciicvci Member Posts: 1,031
    I was fortunate enough to go to the time trials on the Thursday prior to the actual race. The train from Nice to Monaco was quite an adventure.

    It was really a blast. I couldn't believe the things some people did to see the race. The entire hillside next to the palace was covered with spectators. All of whom, the Jaguar fans were convinced, were Germans rooting for Schumi.

    Quite an event. My wife, father-in-law and mother-in-law weren't as excited as me. They just wanted to see the city.

    Ohhhh how I long for a pain bagnet.

    I love my P5 (on topic).
  • olevetolevet Member Posts: 1
    Ecstatic new owner of an &#146;03, vivid yellow Protege5 manual. Picked it up last Thursday and have really enjoyed tooling around town, especially after driving an S10 Chevy PU for the past 11 years. After more than a year&#146;s research and test driving Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Chevy, Ford, etc. there was no question the Protege5 was superior. No real complaints so far just praise for this spunky, practical and exceptionally well-built auto. Do have a question, however. I&#146;m not real delighted with the tires that came with the car. Would like recommendations on replacements to enhance handling and ride. Recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Your Dunlop SP are still brand new, what are you going to do with them? I replace mine with the Michelin Pilot Exalto 205/40R16. Not sure that the handling would enhance (but not worse either), but ride is definitively better, even though the sidewall reduce a little.

    Bruno
  • icvciicvci Member Posts: 1,031
    Unless you go to a wider tire, I can't imagine getting more handling performance than the Dunlops offer.

    Personally, I love the OEM tires and wouldn't change a thing.
  • acuintegraacuintegra Member Posts: 12
    Hiyas...I'm trying to lock in a deal on a MP5 but my dealer has been telling me that all MP5's have roofracks on them. Maybe it's a northeast thing but to me, if it's an option, I don't want it! Did anyone else have this same problem when shopping for their MP5? btw, as of now, the dealer was actually going to refund me back my deposit b'c he could not find what I was looking for.
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    has roofrack as standard equipment.

    you can easily take them off, however :-)
  • acuintegraacuintegra Member Posts: 12
    dealer told me that the roofrack cannot be removed. He said I am able to remove the cross bars on the rr but not the actual rack itself. I'm trying to figure out if he's lying or not!

    btw, rr was not part of the standard equipment. if i was to get it, i will have to pay for it just so I can take it off and not use it!
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    Roof Rack is now an option as they made the subwoofer standard.

    When I was picking my car up the other day I went through the lot and some had the rack and some didn't. And when I say didn't, I mean no rails at all, not just removing the cross bars. I really like it without rails, but I'm not willing to tear out my headliner to remove mine.

    Now here I may be wrong, but I've read that even though it's an option, that it's a dealer ordered option and that if it has the rack the dealer doesn't take it off and if it doesn't the dealer doesn't add it. (and just to be clear, rack means the cross bars and side rails, not just cross bars).
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    i need to keep up! lol
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    I think I'm going to steal it!
  • acuintegraacuintegra Member Posts: 12
    Meinrad, I think you are correct. the way I was thinking that it was an option, I told the dealer why not just take it off and he couldn't. He did a search for my specifications in Black or dk blue pro5, leather, abs/sab, and snrf on an auto and just couldn't find anything! nonetheless, I'm going to try another dealer just to see if he was bsing me.
  • acuintegraacuintegra Member Posts: 12
    What are the prices going for on Pro5s? Not to be funny but would invoice - the full $2250 be a good price or is there another rebate that I don't know of?
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    It's pretty easy to check dealer inventories all around your area.

    I can't say if it's 100% accurate, but might give you an idea if your dealer is hoping you'll just buy off his lot.
This discussion has been closed.