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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.
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.
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.
Meade
Thanks
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!
So next time you see a 911 at a hyundai store, don't assume that the tiburon is a better vehicle.
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!
And PCM.
You are better off selling yours and getting another.
ashutoshsm mentioned 0% for 48 months. Which market are you in?
Maybe audia8q will have some insider info?
Thanks.
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.
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.
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
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)
But since horns aren't supposed to be used to say hello, I would't mind one that screams, get outta my way!
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
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.
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
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.
Meade
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
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
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...
PS: Haven't done this yet but I'll admit I'm very tempted.
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
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!
Revka
Host
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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
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.
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.
Meade