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Comments
Rattle: same thing - passenger side door. Thought it was the aftermarket speakers that I installed, but I'm seeing a few people with this problem so I'm starting to think its not my doing.
Tires: The stock dunlops are actually one of the highest rated "ultra-high performance all-season" tires at tirerack.com. I think they actually got the highest rating for snow traction within this category. I've had no problem in the snow, although you're right - we've had little so far. One other point - apparently Dunlop does not sell tires in Canada! So if you need a replacement you'll have to go back to the dealer or go to a different brand. That's a little disappointing after reading the tirerack.com stuff.
Noise level - yes, the noise level is higher than my dad's Maxima. But this is an economy car so I'm not too concerned about it given that almost everything else about the car is awesome for this price.
Power - not much to be said. Could use another 50HP, but not at 8000RPM like the 180hp engine in the Matrix (what a stupid engine for that car!)
Stereo: A bit disappointing, but again I remember that this is an economy car. So I saved up some cash over the months, and have now replaced the speakers, head unit, and now I'm saving for a small sub. Sounds great now...
I can't believe that Dunlops are unavailable in Canada. Do you remember that publicity campaign that Dunlop put on, to have Canadians with the family name of "Dunlop" to legally change it to "Dunlop-Tire"?! I forget how many people actually did this, but they were all to share some $$$ amount. I doubt Dunlop would do this, and then NOT sell tires in Canada, but stranger things have happened (just ask Salé and Pelletier).
cdnp5,
My criticisms of the P5 are really minor, to my mind. At the risk of repeating myself: I love this car!
I too hear the rattling noise coming from the front passenger door!!! Anyone has had this problem fixed??? There was a discussion in the Protege5 problems board on this topic... I think we need to take our cars to the dealership to get the front passenger door checked
Apart from this, and another discomfort at the armrests, I am very comfortable with my car - and just LOVE the beauty!!!
I find the armrests too small and not serving the purpose - being a little tall, I prefer pushing the seat all the way back (to the last-but-1 slot) - and when I do this, I find I cannot use the arm rests (at least the one on the left - I don't think the one on the right is called an arm-rest at all!!!) - after I drive along for some time, my arms start aching a bit and I have to move them around a little before resting them... Anyone else here thinks the arm-rests need some more padding??? BTW, is it possible to increase the height or size of the armrests???
Mustang87, After reading your post on the Pro5 having 7 hooks, today evening I looked at the hatch, and I wasn't able to find the 7 hooks - I was able to find only 2 - well, I don't have the best eyes 8-) - I might have been looking at the wrong place. Could you please say where these hooks are hiding in my hatch??? Do they have covers which I have to pull out???
And Ginto, I still enjoy "exclusivity" here - haven't seen any other Pro5 on the roads here - am waiting for the opportunity to wave at a co-Pro5'er
I LOVE MY PRO5
I just passed 8000 miles on mine, and I still smile every time I walk out to the parking lot at the end of my work day. Two of my neighbors and one of the workers at my son's day care tell me every time they see me how cool they think my car is. (The girl at day care is probably 18 and she's VERY emphatic about this.) Random people in parking lots ask me what I think about the car--and what is it. (Obviously those people don't watch enough ESPN or they'd certainly know from the zoom-zoom carpet bombing.)
My current rant and rave list:
Raves:
* Handling. Man, I do love the handling.
* Versatility. I can carry five, or stuff, or five and some stuff with the roof rack. Excellent.
* Comfort. Great seats, enough room in back for rear-facing baby seat.
* Styling. I've never owned a car that got this much attention before.
* I like the leather-wrapped steering wheel and white dials.
* Good ergonomics on the stereo.
* I never thought I'd have any use for a moonroof, but I love it!
* Handling. It's just so sweet around the corners.
* Excellent brakes, especially with EBD.
* Mileage is decent, particularly for how fun it is to drive.
* Doesn't suck up the whole garage, amazing considering how much interior space there is.
* Good ergonomics on the cruise control.
* Reliability. Not a single problem so far, good chance that'll continue.
* Friendly torque curve, especially with the stick.
* Did I mention the handling?
Rants:
* Cupholders suck.
* Center console/armrest is too small for both of those tasks.
* Only one intermittent wiper setting.
* Door lock sticks up into arm when you rest it on the door.
* Speakers and speaker placement leave a lot to be desired.
* Rear defroster should be on a timer.
* Car should be 4" longer to give a smidge more room in cargo area.
The "raves" are generally much more important things than the "rants," I think.
It started at around 3k miles and at 10k miles, it is completely gone! :-) Not sure what happened but I'm not complaining. I think it was a looks speaker wiring harness or something and maybe it has finally settled. Who knows?!
:-D
If anyone knows where I can find a list of Canadian dealers, please let me know cause these tires are awesome...
just a stupid though from me: sometime the side mirror can still be manually "adjusted" a little bit father, even after the electric button hits the maximum limit. I just have to slide down the windows and push the mirror outward.
I like to adjust both mirrors with some additional outward angles (may be 5-10 degree?) after the rear of the car disappears from my view. I found the P5 mirrors are fine for that.
Bruno
http://www.mazdastuff.com/product.cfm?ProductID=1044
I'm still comparing cars (Matrix, P5, CRV, Forester) and am wondering: Does the rear seat in the P5 fold completely flat? I read some review that said they don't. I snowboard, bike, and ski, and this is an important feature.
Here are some pics I took of mine to illustrate...
Sorry they are so dark.
Bruno
Also, has anyone heard a rumor that the P5 will have 140 hp in 2003? I read it on some site, but can't remember where.
1) Does the P5 have rear heater ducts? The reviewer for the Detroit News said it doesn't.
http://pc99.detnews.com/autosconsumer/autoreviews/index.hbs?myrec=41
2) Does the P5 have a timing belt or a timing chain?
3) How is driving the manual in city traffic? Another reviewer for a major newspaper said 1st gear was a nightmare in stop and go traffic (not that it's every much fun in that situation). He said the car lurched in 1st gear whenever he went from a stop.
I don't own a P5, else I'd look for you.
-juice
2) I believe it's a belt
3) First stinks for stop and go. I tend to lug 2nd as gently as I can. I always start in 1st though. (matter of fact I don't think I've ever drive a manual in rush our traffic that 1st gear didn't stink. chuckle)
I'm pretty sure there are rear heater ducts.
Pretty sure it's a belt. Very few manufacturers use chains. I know Suzuki does.
The car is geared low with quite a bit of low end torque for this small of an engine. So this does take some getting used to. It can be touchy and I have adapted to going up into second prett quickly. First is purely for starts from a standstill IMO.
2) timing belt.
3) dunno, drives an auto.
btw i don't own a p5, but i have the sedan, and i'm pretty certain the 3 things you asked are the same for both cars.
However, a MAZDA Rep told me they are developing "bike attachment clamps" with one of their suppliers that should be available mid-March. That would be great, since I haven't found a manufacturer that makes a good adapter for the P5 and I would like to take the bike to the trails without having to fold down the seats everytime (and make full use of the roof rack MAZDA was so kind to give us.)
I think I'm going to buy the cargo tray, for $50 it seems like a cheap way of protecting the rear carpet, especially when putting a dog in the car.
Bruno
I counted 7 hooks or thingies that can be used as hooks. 2 in the opposite corners behind/under the taillights. 2 in the oposite corners of where the hatch floor meets with the rear seatbacks. the metal is attached to the straps which makes them adjustable. you might have to dig them up from carpet, there is a special slit in it. 2 hooks on the seatbacks, how can you miss those. You might argue that they are not hooks but i don't see why you can't use them as ones. I have a special organized attached in between those two and it contains paper towels, cotton towel, flashlight, screwdriver, window cleaner, quick detailer (for when there is a sharp shooting bird above). And there is 1 hook that is located in the center just behind/under where the hatch lock is. You have to lean inside the car and then look down to see it. 7 in all.
And I fully agree with all the comments that have been said about the car. I too have a buzzing noise coming from the passenger side, sounds like its betweenthe doors in the B-pillar.
I have removed the square cover from the back of the center armrest/console and there is so much room between the outside wall of the box and the inside wall of the inner box (where you put the stuff). It can be seen from the back. Why didn't they just make it bigger. I plan on installing an ashtray thingie from the millenia in there. They seem to be the same size.
10,000 miles with my '02 Protegé5 so I thought I'd post an update.
Problems? I had a rattle/buzz in my passenger door. It happened between 2600-2700 RPM's and at first I thought it was the glove box or change or something. I emptied the car completely and still had it, definately inside the pass. door.
It started at around 3k miles and at 10k miles, it is completely gone! Not sure what happened but I'm not complaining. I think it was a loose speaker wiring harness or something and maybe it has finally settled. Who knows?!
That's it! The car has been absolutely perfect other that that. It starts easily in the coldest weather, it revs smoothly and sweetly to redline, shifts are solid and positive, I couldn't be happier with it.
Since mid-December I have been running 195/55-15 Michelin Arctic Alpins on 15" steel wheels. This was a "Minus-1" package from Tire Rack and cost $514 shipped to my home. I did the change-over myself. These tires are simply amazing in packed snow and ice.
Running cost have been low. The car requires 87 octane gas and get's between 28 and 31 MPG. Oil change every 5k. Insurance is about half of what I paid for my Passat.
I've carried so much STUFF in this car. With the seats folded flat, I've lugged 3 months worth of recycling, and a weeks worth of camping gear plus the pooch without any trouble. My wife, 2 friends, and myself, plus all our luggage and groceries for a long weekend at Smuggler's notch were no problem either. My friend Dan expressed shock at how much stuff we packed into the car that weekend.
A lot has been made of how "weak" this engine is. Frankly, I don't see it. The car requires a shift to 3rd to hit 60 and I think that accounts for the low measured 0-60 times. The car is geared pretty low which makes for a LOT of fun at sane speeds. WIth it's 50-series summer tires, it sticks like glue. I run out of ballz before I run out of traction.
So to sum up, we are very happy with the car. It is the perfect combination of cost, capability and fun-to-drive. It get's plenty of looks, and there aren't many around in my area so it has some exclusivity. There were a few car that I thought about waiting for.. the Matrix/Vibe, the SE-R Spec-V, and even the Altima. I'm glad I didn't wait. Those cars have all come in at higher price points. My Pro5 was $17.5k out the door, and I can't think of ANY car I'd rather have at that price.
Keep us updated on what you find out.
It started as a very suttle sound which I hoped would go away, but has got steadily louder. It's not annoying but I hate having a rattle in a new car with only 2k.
Is this something that the dealer would even bother with?? Has anyone tried??
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
That's a tough sell when in the same showroom they had Subaru Impreza TS wagons for $17k, and P5s at the same dealer (different location) starting around $16k.
That's gonna be a tough sell, at least until prices settle down.
-juice
"I've heard complaints from other [P5] owners that it runs out of breath above 80 [mph]"
This critic as well as "2.0L engine are not willing to rev" also surprise me. Sometime when I get distract on an empty road, my cruising speed went from 80mph up to 90mph without realizing it. I brought the tachometer for the first time to the redline few days ago, and my goodness, it rev so smooth and nicely. I think there is a noticible difference in term of performance between a brand new engine and the one loosing up like yours and mine.
Bruno
Mine happily and easily revs to redline. I love it. :-D
Also, is there any major differences between different brands of oil? Oil is oil if you go by the API rating, right?
-juice
The main advantage of synthetic oil is it can maintain the right viscosity at more extreme temperatures, cold as well as hot. Otherwise there is no significant difference. In other words, synthetic oil could sing "everything you can do, I can do better". ;-)
Personally I use regular oil on my P5. Winter in Houston can barely qualify as ... winter. Why should I waste my money?
Bruno
At least that's what I've read.
In your post, how many miles would a "new" engine have to have before its not "slippery"?
Some high prformance cars come with Synthetic in the crankcase: Viper, 'Vette, BMW M-cars, etc. Those engines are built way differently and to much different tolerances then our Pro's engines though.
Unless you are in a very harsh enviroment, I don't see the point in full-Synthetic oil in our low-compression, naturally aspirated engines. Personally, I'm going with good quality dino-juice every 4k or 5k.
Thanks!
How about the regular protege mud guards? Or the 626 ones? Does anybody know if they'd fit? I don't think the Miata ones would work, they're body colored and meant to fit on differently.
vf
By the way, it was a great looking car. Dark green paint job.
*Also, forgot to mention, the thing had to be brand new, so I'm not talking about the old 626 hatchback. This thing had to be a 2002-2003 model year car.
www.trussvillemazda.com
See if they offer them.
-juice
However, I wonder if the car is trying to play with me. For one day, the clutch pedal made a very audible, almost rusty "screek" noise. The next morning it was gone, and hasn't ever come back. Then, one day, the stick started to make a loud rubber "squeak" whenever switching between first and second. Again, the next morning, silent as ever :-) Maybe I'm starting to imagine things...
I really love the car, though. Almost 7000 miles,
consistent 30 mpg, no problems whatsoever. I was driving to the Lake Kissimmee State Park the other day and came across a "snaking road" warning sign. It literally did put a smile on my lips ;-) That thing handles like a dream.