Mazda Protege5

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Comments

  • mtnbiker3mtnbiker3 Member Posts: 8
    Hello everyone, this is my first post here. I've been following this topic for some time, along with several other hatchback and wagon related topics. I currently drive a 95 Ford Ranger that I have had since new. Now it has almost 140K miles on it, I need to make room for our first baby due late March, and I am sick of driving a darn truck! I have been yearning for something sporty, but I also need room for the little one, as well as something that will get me and my bike to the trailhead. Sure, I'd love a WRX, but I really think that may be overkill for me. I don't think I would utilize it's potential near enough to warrant the cost - price, premium gas, insurance, lower mileage, tickets, etc. I keep finding myself back here to the P5, with it's sporty suspension, relative economy, price, looks, and so on.

    Enough background, now a couple of questions. I've seen it mentioned a few times, so I know a few of you out there are cyclists - how is the P5 as a "bike car?" I am a little concerned that I will regret not getting a bigger wagon like a Legacy Outback or GT, new 2003 Forester (I know, not terribly sporty,) or maybe even waiting for the Mazda 6 wagon. I will have a roof rack for when I'm taking more than just me, but I will just be sliding the bike into the back the rest of the time. How well do your bikes fit back there?

    I had been planning on waiting at least several more months to make a decision, but the prospect of a low incentive rate has my interest peaked, hence, my posting here today. I have seen a few posts regarding super low rates - 1.9%, .9%, and even message #2845 above stating 0% for 48 months until May. But I can't find anything about low rates on P5's anywhere. Edmunds shows nothing, & Mazda's website makes no mention of special rates. So are there really special rates on the P5? Is it just a few areas that have them? Any reliable sources where I may find these rates? I suppose a dealer may be helpful, but I like to know these things prior to going to the dealer. Any help here would be welcomed.

    Thanks everyone.
  • cbmortoncbmorton Member Posts: 252
    As long as leather remains optional and doesn't become standard, that should keep everyone happy. I had leather in my previous car before getting my P5 and I'm glad to be rid of it. Looked and smelled great, but it was freezing cold in winter, hot and sweaty in summer and more work to look after (needs to be conditioned and kept scratch- and puncture-free). I couldn't wait to get into the P5 with its great cloth seats. I know leather has its fans, but I find cloth more comfortable and practical, if not as visually appealing. To each their own!
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    Others can answer you bike questions better than me, but most say they pop their bike in the hatch no problem.

    As for rates, I guess they sometimes vary by region. I think 0% for 48 is just for the Protege, not the P5. I just got my P5 a few weeks ago, and I got 3.9 for 60 months. The dealer said it was 1.9 for 36 or 3.9 for 48 and 60.
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    no changes to the engine...just the the availability of the sport shift auto trans. and some interior upgrades. Nothing that will change the P5 in a big way.

    We have been adding leather to quite a few P5's and it's been popular. I just hope the factory leather will be priced right and good quality.
  • shriqueshrique Member Posts: 338
    Is there somewhere that i can read about this? Mainly I'm just looking for specs and such.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    "tiptronic."

    Meade
  • maryboo19maryboo19 Member Posts: 21
    Thanks Audia8q for the update. Leather and tiptronic tranny aren't important to me, so I'll keep my order the way it is. However, if possible could you find out what kind of interior changes are planned?

    Thanks
  • chocodogchocodog Member Posts: 9
    Really surprised to see a yellow Pro5 in the "used" lot of our local Subaru dealer (trade in for a WRX???). This is in flemington NJ. So, maybe someone can pick up a bargain...

    At 2500 miles, I'm getting about 29 to 30 mpg in my manual P5. The change over to the K&N air filter seemed to add a little extra mpg.

    My only (very small) complaint after 2 months is the "lock/unlock" toggle switch on the driver's door. For some reason, I hit it with my palm every time I open the door as I'm exiting the car. I'm pretty small, so maybe it's only a problem for 5 ft. 2 inch driver? I would like to see it placed farther back.

    Luckily, I haven't locked myself out yet!

    I, too have a very slight buzzing noise, which goes away (if you can believe this) when I pull out the ashtray an inch or so. Honest. I may have to take up smoking!
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    Just because a dealer has a car in its used car inventory doesn't mean it was taken on a trade for the brand that they sell new. Dealers will get cars from auctions or sometimes trade between their stores if they know they can get more for a vehicle at a particular location.

    So next time you see a 911 at a hyundai store, don't assume that the tiburon is a better vehicle. :)
  • chocodogchocodog Member Posts: 9
    Really surprised to see a yellow Pro5 in the "used" lot of our local Subaru dealer (trade in for a WRX???). This is in flemington NJ. So, maybe someone can pick up a bargain...

    At 2500 miles, I'm getting about 29 to 30 mpg in my manual P5. The change over to the K&N air filter seemed to add a little extra mpg.

    My only (very small) complaint after 2 months is the "lock/unlock" toggle switch on the driver's door. For some reason, I hit it with my palm every time I open the door as I'm exiting the car. I'm pretty small, so maybe it's only a problem for 5 ft. 2 inch driver? I would like to see it placed farther back.

    Luckily, I haven't locked myself out yet!

    I, too have a very slight buzzing noise, which goes away (if you can believe this) when I pull out the ashtray an inch or so. Honest. I may have to take up smoking!
  • phoenixmp5phoenixmp5 Member Posts: 60
    Does anyone know if the "Tiptronic" shifter can be added on?
  • SporinSporin Member Posts: 1,066
    I bet it could be, but at extreme costs. You would have to swap out the entire tranny.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    "You would have to swap out the entire tranny"

    And PCM.

    You are better off selling yours and getting another.
  • jskhojskho Member Posts: 107
    Any idea if promotional rates are or will be available?
    ashutoshsm mentioned 0% for 48 months. Which market are you in?
    Maybe audia8q will have some insider info?
    Thanks.
  • mazdadude1mazdadude1 Member Posts: 49
    Hey mtnbiker3, I have what I think is called a "city cruiser" by Giant and it fit in my mp5 after I took the easily removed handlebars off. This is of course with the rear seatbacks down. Good luck with your decision. I have absolutely no regrets with my decision and the Subaru Outback Sport was my other option. The mp5 won the most smiles from me as I test drove each. And I like the mp5's exterior and interior look better. Subjective, perhaps, but important. later
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    Incentives on the P5 in the northeast are....

    1.9% up to 36 months
    3.9% from 37-60 months

    with approved credit tiers 0-2. Much higher rates for credit tiers 2-4.

    Also college grad rebate of $400 applies if you qualify.
  • elec3elec3 Member Posts: 160
    I got 4.9% on mine when I bought it last June and that was fairly good at the time. My dealer was astounded Mazda was offering 4.9 on a new vehicle (the Pro5 had just come out then) and the best my dad could do otherwise was a hair under 7% from Navy Federal Credit Union, so we happily took the 4.9.
  • redpr5redpr5 Member Posts: 23
    I and a few others have been getting poor gas mileage, somewhere 20 mpg or in my case, down to 18 mpg. Last week I took it in to the dealer and they put it on the computer and came up with nothing. When I picked my car up that afternoon, I noticed that there was a good deal more power from a standing start and better pickup while driving. I called the service manager and we could only come up with something must have been loose, either a hose, a wire or some component, that when they were checking my car out, they fixed it unknowingly.

    So if you are having poor mileage, take it in to the dealer and at least have them check for anything loose. My mileage, with my automatic transmission, on the last tank has increased to 23.5 mpg in strict in town driving. I love this car. I have had the most fun driving it. My previous car was a 2000 Infiniti G20t 5spd. It was a great car, but nothing like this Protege5.
  • hokumhokum Member Posts: 26
    New to this thread, have read 100 or so posts.

    I have had 4 seperate rattles inside the car. Rattles drive me bonkers.

    Rattles:
    1. Drivers side seat belt tensioner
    2. Sun roof "frame" (dealers term)
    3. Passengers side dash, above glovebox..LOUD!
    4. Light and sunroof control above rearview mirror

    Took it to the dealer. They fixed #1, tried to fix #2 (made it worse), "could not duplicate" #3, and I fixed #4 with a solid thump with the back of my hand.

    Any words of wisdom for #2, and #3? The dealer doesn't have the "want to" to fix the problems.

    I'm going nuts!

    Hok
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    Finally had the chance to use one of the exit ramps I'd been thinking about since I had decided on the P5. I knew it would be fun with the great handling, my other cars just could't handle it at any speed. It's 79 North Exit 78 Cranberry, exiting to Route 228. It's a hard right, left, right, merge onto 228. It was raining a little bit but still took it faster than I had in either of my other cars. Can't wait to do it when it's dry.
  • sunbyrnesunbyrne Member Posts: 210
    Hey, I know that ramp! I bet that would be fun in a P5...
  • shriqueshrique Member Posts: 338
    Or would it be possible to graft a Cadillac horn on onto a P5.

    There should be enough room. I just think that the horn on the P5 (as with most cars these days) are so wimpy. I figure I could probably pick one up off a junker for almost nothing. (wicked grin)
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    LoL, you'd scare the crap out of every body. This little Mazda with the big mouth. I don't mind the wimpy little horns so much, they remind me of the Roadrunner...meep, meep, and whoosh, I'm past ya!
    But since horns aren't supposed to be used to say hello, I would't mind one that screams, get outta my way!
  • jiggerz201jiggerz201 Member Posts: 14
    I have taken the Pro5 out on a couple of test drives and noticed the shifter tends to move further in the gear slot when I accelerate rapidly. Has anyone else experienced this? Does anyone know if this is a problem and if it can be fixed.
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    I haven't noticed it, but then again, I haven't been accelerating rapidly while I'm breaking in the car. I'll try to pay more attention to it this weekend.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    Why don't you go to your local Advance, Trak or Pep Boys and buy an air-powered truck horn? As long as you want to scare people, you might as well go ahead and blast 'em off the road!

    Actually, you may not be able to run that Cadillac horn on the same circuit as the P5's horn. I tried this same stunt way back in 1985, trying to install the horn from -- would you believe -- a Dodge Diplomat police car in my '78 Corolla. It didn't work. The horn unit from the Diplomat required much more amperage than the Corolla's horn circuit could put out -- it just kind of clicked when I hit the horn. Now, if you want to do some rewiring, you probably can make it work -- but good luck finding your horn leads in that wonderful wiring harness under the dash!!!

    Meade
  • shriqueshrique Member Posts: 338
    I was thinking about that already. That Cadillac horn is actually a few horns. The thought Occured that I could use a relay and hook the horns right to the battery. (chuckle) Of course if that relay fails on.....

    The scary thing is that I have an air horn in my garage that I never put into my beloved 89 Honda Civic HB. I could never find the room under the hood.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    My 2000 Protege ES has the factory rear spoiler with built-in LED third brake light. Before they changed the rear parcel shelf design for the 2001 models, all 1999 and 2000 Proteges with the spoiler option still had the original parcel-shelf-mounted third brake light -- mine even has the bulb in it, but the wiring harness pigtail has been unplugged and left inside the light's housing on the rear deck. (I have plugged it back in on occasion to have TWO third brake lights, which works, LOL.)

    Anyway, I've decided that I'm going to remove the assembly, remove the lamp and red filter, and install a quartz-halogen DRIVING LIGHT in that thing -- I HATE TAILGATERS!!!!!

    Hee hee hee (writhing my hands in glee)

    Meade
  • shriqueshrique Member Posts: 338
    has occurred to me many times. (chuckle) I was thinking more about an LED sign that I could put up preseleced messages. (moohahahah)

    Say does anyone know where I can get specific technical details about the stock 2002 MP5 Stereo? I was prodded by the protege group to check on new speakers for my car.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    I almost purchased one of the exact signs you're speaking of (scrolling LEDs) at Costco a few years ago, with the same purpose in mind.

    Meade
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    1) when you fill you gas tank, take note of the odo (I just reset one of the trip odo).
    2) Next time you fill the gas tank, take again the odo.

    Total distance=2rd odo-1th odo
    Gas used=amount of gas of the 2rd tank
    mpg=Total distance/Gas used

    To get a more accurate result, you could accumulate the amount of gas and the amount of miles in several tanks, then make a division of the accumulated results (don't compute the average of mpg, which doesn't mean anything relevant).

    Bruno
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    How are tiers 0-2 determined? Just curious.
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    jiggerz,

    it's an illusion because your arms shrink under the g-effect. LOL. Seriously, I haven't noticed the strange observation you described, even when I brought the tachometer to the red line.

    Bruno
  • mp5freakmp5freak Member Posts: 51
    Good question about the sound system specs. I've never been able to find anything. I've now replaced the head unit and speakers, and I can say that the sound quality (especially at higher volumes) is much better. I've now got a small sub and amp to install, which should complete the low end.
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    The credit tiers are determined by your auto fico credit report score...

    you pay your bills on time, maintain very minimal or no balances on credit cards, carry little or no loan debt, and have a long term job and long term residence and you get a high score...
  • elec3elec3 Member Posts: 160
    My idea for tailgaters is to place a small strobe light in the back window and just wire up a switch to the dash or steering wheel. Click that badboy on and blind the everloving bejeezus out of anyone foolish enough to stay on your bumper for too long. And of course the bulb is small and would be switch activated so it would be "legal" so long as a cop never saw you using it ;)

    PS: Haven't done this yet but I'll admit I'm very tempted.
  • ds8251ds8251 Member Posts: 1
    Let me preface my opinions by saying that I really like this car overall.

    1. My biggest disappointment about the P5 so far is the lack of low end smoothness in the engine. Some of you have mentioned that this has improved after several thousand miles, so I'm hoping this goes away. I have noticed that if I'm in a parking lot, and i barely touch the gas to just get the car moving; the tach needle will increase maybe 500-1000 rpm, and then the car will jerk into motion. If i apply firmer pressure to the accelerator, this effect is less noticeable. It seems that my integra was much smoother in this regard: no matter how lightly you hit the gas, my integra rolled into motion very smoothly. Which leads me to my other complaint...

    2. I feel that the cornering of the P5 pales in comparison to the integra. In my old car, when I released the brake midway through the turn and hit the gas, the integra accelerated smoothly and firmly away from the corner. In the P5, when I hit the gas to accelerate out of a turn, there's always that second or two of hesitation while the engine is revving up 2000 or 2500 rpm before it will move firmly away from the corner. That REALLY annoys me! (and no, I refuse to stomp on the gas to compensate for this effect)

    3. The roof rack seems a little lightweight to me. But before I rip it off to install a full Thule or Yakima rack, I'm probably going to experiment with the Yakima mighty mounts. I'll let you all know how it works out.

    4. Gas mileage seems comparable to manufacturer specs: about 30 strictly on hwy, maybe 25 in mixed driving.

    5. Squeaks and rattles are within my tolerance levels. Actually the only noise observed so far is the front passenger door rattle, which is probably some loose wiring. I can live with it.

    6. The styling is really this car's strong point. I love it. The only thing i would change is to make some minor adjustments to the tailgate. When viewed from the rear, the P5 reminds me a little of the styling cues of Hyundai. (just a little) Otherwise, I think the P5 looks much nicer than the Matrix/Vibe/Focus competition.

    Thanks for reading,

    Darren
  • SporinSporin Member Posts: 1,066
    The engine get's a LOT smoother over time. It took a good 3k miles for mine to really break in. Now it revs smoothly and sounds great doing it.

    The car is geared quite low, and the torque comes in low, so it can be a bit "lurchy" if you're not smooth on the accelerator. You'll get used to it.

    I think the handling is AMAZING.

    Zoom Zoom!
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    and thanks for sharing your initial impressions. We look forward to hearing more about your ownership experience. Happy motoring!

    Revka
    Host
    Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
  • mazdadude1mazdadude1 Member Posts: 49
    Thanks for sharing your initial impressions. I was so pleased with my machine when i got it back in August, that I wrote a letter to Mazda listing all the things I loved about my new mp5. Much to my surprise, Mark somebody or other (forgot last name) called and left two messages on my machine thanking me for my long letter and the compliments. Now, six months and over 6,000 miles later I still grin when I drive. Still in love after all these miles... :-)
    I, too, have a buzz in my passenger door, as do others in this room. Likely a speaker wire... plan to have it checked out over my spring break. I also found the accelerator "touchy" at first, but now am at home with it. My motor has settled into a wonderful muted growl when pressed. I love the sound. And I have learned to read my tach, feel the car, and gas it in those curves. The p5 hangs tight like it has claws in the asphalt. It is a vehicle that begs you to cruise around town for the looks it gets. Enjoy darren. later
  • elec3elec3 Member Posts: 160
    for the Pro5, even from people who are driving arguably better or nicer cars. I know there must be some more around here because the local dealership moves them off their lot but I have yet to see another on the road. There are a lot of Eurosports around here and they like to check out the car or play around on a Friday night from time to time. Only thing is, the cops are often out in force on the weekends to stop all the Euros from drag racing so I have to really watch my speed because even if I'm not racing, my car looks the part.

    PS: Thinking about doing a cold-air intake with a K&N filter. A friend has offered to help me put it in for the cost of parts and a beer or two.
  • bigfish2178bigfish2178 Member Posts: 14
    Does anyone know if the camshafts, heads, valves, compression ratio, maf sensor, O2 sensor (or any other sensors the pcm may use to determine ignition and fuel maps) exhaust system etc. are the same on both the mp3 and protege5? I know the intake runner is different. The main reson I'm asking this, is that I'd like to have the pcm of my protege5 reprogramed with the more aggressive ignition and fuel maps of the mp3 to see if it provides any hp increase but I first wouuld like to know if anything is incompatible, other than the intake runner, between the two motors.
  • SporinSporin Member Posts: 1,066
    AEM makes a "Short ram intake" that is getting rave reviews on a different BB. Prices vary. People have reported a bit more power up top from it. Couple that with a good cat-back exhaust adn I think you could see a 6 or 7 HP total increase.
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    This weekends driving further convinced me that I made the right choice on the P5. Did a bunch of around town and highway driving and enjoyed all of it. The car really seems geared for the real type of driving you do on a regular basis. I don't notice the wind noise from the roof rack too much. Sometimes if it's windy outside I can hear a slight whistle, but thats rare. But for the most part the car is quiet on the highway. With a stroller in the hatch, I still had plenty of room for things bought at the mall.
    Two things I found strange:
    1. The gas cap has a tether on it, the fuel door has a slot to hold the cap. But the tether is so short that the cap barely gets out of the way of the hole let alone over to the fuel door. I'm thinking of cutting the tether so I can put the cap on the door. It keeps getting in my way now.
    2. I also don't like the liscense plate holder. It's bolted to the car then has other holes for the plate. I wanted to use a sealed plate holder, but it's holes are the same as the plate and therefore would need the original holder on the car. But that looks dumb having a double holder. I'm thinking about taking the original off and seeing if I can make some new holes in the sealed plate holder to fit the holes in the car. If this all sounds confusing, sorry, but I've never had a car that used a system like this.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    Don't forget to change your Edmunds profile now -- get that doggone Sunfire off your list!

    Meade
  • zachary2zachary2 Member Posts: 14
    Recently been quoted $18,250 for this car with moonroof, auto, ABS, cargo net mats with all the other standard features. Also, quoted 48 months with no interest. Plan to finance the entire amount including all taxes and DMV fees for a quote of $415. Is this a good deal?
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Congratulation for the new P5. Hope you'll enjoy it for long time as all of us do. It sounds like the brand new engine still needs breaking in. Do you have an automatic transmission? I remember there is few complains about engine jerk on the P5 automatic few months back on this board. Haven't heard any words about this problem for a while. I'm very happy with the engine after 12k miles: very responsive and smooth.
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    Actually I'm still driving the Sunfire quite a bit. I've got it till March 31. But thanks for reminding me, I would have never rememered to change the profile.
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    Looks like you did better than Edmunds TMV so I'd say it's a good deal.
  • maryboo19maryboo19 Member Posts: 21
    I think your getting a good deal. As already mentioned, it's lower then Edmunds TMV. I'm getting the car with those exact options for $18,425.
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