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Comments
I have a 2002 P5, and I know towing is not recommended per Mazda, but UHaul claims that a hitch can be installed (cost approx $300 with installation) that will allow me to tow a decent load (up to 2000 lbs) I don't need to tow near that, am think 1000 lbs tops, but would appreciate any experiences or advice on this issue. Thanks much.
My little '99 ES only has about 62K on it now as it has been recycled to my son. He absolutely loves it and is jazzed that he can drive a manual when hardly any other new, suburban drivers can. We expect this car to take him well into his college years.
Meade
I used to own a 1994 Mazda B2300 pickup (aka Ford Ranger), and even though it had a real ladder frame and it weighed quite a bit more than my Protege, it had a lot of difficulty with a pop-up camper that only weighed 1,400 pounds. (And the truck had a little more weight in the rear thanks to a rear axle and differential -- the Protege ain't got much back there to hold it down!) With the truck and trailer, crosswinds and downhill grades gave me some white-knuckled experiences.
A trailer will definitely try to "steer you around," and I can't imagine trying to tow anything with my Protege after my experiences with a truck.
You asked!
Meade
I agree with Meade that I wouldn't tow anything with the car, but I've read many other places of people towing all sorts of things with it. Mostly motorcycle trailers and small tool trailers for auto cross. If you check other places, you'll probably find a 50/50 range of people for and against.
Whatever you do, make sure you do not exceed the GVWR of the vehicle, which includes the tongue weight and all passengers, cargo, etc. I think if you add it all up, you'll discover that your car really isn't designed to take on a trailer. And keep in mind if your manual says no, you'll void your warranty.
Hey, I don't mean to be so negative! But I did pull a small (1,500 pounds ain't big) trailer with a larger vehicle that was rated at up to 2,000 pounds, and lemme tell ya, I had some scary moments even with a framed truck that was 500 pounds heavier than the Protege5!
Meade
Meade
I'm not saying Meade is wrong, I'm just saying that others are doing it, and you may willing to take the same risks. Chances are you will be doing permanant damage to the car, but no one will know until time passes.
I have towed with my P5 and it is not an issue. I have the hidden hitch which works very well. I have a small utility trailer that I use on many long distance trips. I have a 20 cu ft sears box attached to it. Again, not very heavy, mostly luggage and the like.
I have also towed a 16 ft boat and trailer with no issues. I agree that you should keep the load to less than 1000 lbs and 100 lbs hitch weight.
The P5 suspension handles the loads quite well. Give it another thought.
Bruce
Meade
hope its CARFAX is okay....
Since the Protege is allowed to tow why not the P5?
OK?
The guy asked for opinions. I gave mine. Let's let it rest.
Meade
Yooper 53
Yooper 53
i haven't read about any Protege brake problems, recalls, etc, so it might be a good bet. at any rate, if it is at least equal in quality to current car, at least i would be paying much less for so-so quality, right?
i haven't driven a Pro since 99 though, so we shall see how it goes. i just can't believe i found one with SAB/ABS package!
I guess the Pro is going to be less refined, noisier, but hopefully more solid? I suppose the 3's will be solid too, just not in the first year out maybe.
The Pro seems like it has a much better quality record than my 96 version did. My 88 and 93 323's wouldn't die, but my 96 Pro couldn't live past 6 months. It does appear that the 2002 and 2003 Protege's pretty much have all the bugs/issues worked out.
Unless I am missing something that you should be telling me
not that it's a slouch in those depts or something, Mazda3 just sort of tops it in those aspects :-)
LOL - well, Meade it's okay if others want to continue to give their opinions also!
Sorry for the confusion. Carry on.
Meadeball
It still gets me how a vehicle can be that large and still have such crummy leg room for the front-seat passenger. Ford really needs to rethink its transmission placement!
Meade
Only other thing I can think of is that the crash tests could be better on the Protege. If my memory serves me correctly the 99-03 Protege actually did a little worse than the 95-98 Protege in crash testing.
i have more headroom in my Miata than it felt like i did in the Protege, which stinks.
it was fine though. for such an old design the car seemed solid, engine was no rocket, but actually torquey from 0-30 with the automatic. good city car probably. steering is really Mazda's forte...i swear all of their cars (the 6 included) have Miata steering. and that is a good thing!
if only it were more comfortable. it was pouring rain, so didn't have time to fiddle with stuff. might look at it again in the sun one day.
does the LX model ever get seat height adjusters?
They're really handy for getting the seat "just right". Too bad the 3 went to a 6-way seat...I couldn't find any good position in it (I've let Mazda know my opinion on that). Good thing I have a Protege.
That said, I still love small cars. They are just too much fun to drive!
Tnx
Yooper 53
(I did a search under used cars.)
thanks.
a little bit old tech, but a very solid reliable engine.
Note where it says it's Mazda's newest "global vehicle" ...
Geesh, do I have to delay my plans for a 3 next May???
Meade
Is this replacement for the MPV or more of a crossover vehicle like the Toyota Matrix? The photo is a little unclear.
Meade
fowler3
I once had a screw stuck in my tire that had a dealership tech convinced my wheel was loose, until he examined the tire closely.
Anyway, just a thought.
It's louder when applying brakes at 35mph, but not much louder. And brakes shouldn't make a noise when not in use. On the otherhand, maybe something was knocked loose when I overran a curb last year pulling into a parking space -- knocked someting loose under the front facia?
Hate taking it in since it's out of warrenty and I don't trust the dealer. They will probably say it's a $500 noise, when it's actually something needs tightening.
fowler3
This morning a truck in another lane suddenly released a barrage of gardening implements. Just my luck a lawnmower grass catcher - thankfully without an attached lawnmower - flew into the air and directly into my path at 85 mph. Closing time on that was like - oh damn now it's hitting my airdam. Gee cool now it's bounced up and slammed into my hood and finally it spiraled over my car.
Did the truck stop? Heck no! He kept going. So I chased him down and lo and behold not a plate to be seen on the car. When the driver saw me approach again I saw his head tilt down to the mirror and his eyes got big. Then he took off. I was at 90 already and he freaking zipped away.
Called the cops and they said they couldn't do much without a plate. Ah, okay what about the cop on the side of the road 5 miles up from the incident...he couldn't look for the truck?
Anyway, do you guys have any idea what a new hood would cost me for my Pro? If I can avoid telling my insurance, I will. If it's under 1k in damage, I'll just pay it myself.