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Mazda Protege5
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Comments
The floor is about the same as in the sedan, but the 4in reduction in overall vehicle length is definitely taken from the cargo area. I don't know who generated the listed cargo numbers.
Seats up and cargo cover in place: just under 12 cu ft.
Seats up and cargo cover removed: about 14 cu ft to where the top surface of the cover used to be (19 cu ft must mean crammed up to the headliner).
Seats down and cargo cover in place: about 30 cu ft if you keep your stuff below the level of the cover.
Seats down and cargo cover removed: about 33 cu ft.
You can pack stuff higher, so long as you can still see out the rear.
The front passenger seat does not fold down flat. Still, there is about 63in from the rear of the cargo space to the rear of the front seat, depending on how long-legged you are (I had them adjusted about mid-way through their travel).
The rear seats fold down two ways: seat backs down only, or you can flip the seat cushions forward and then drop the seat backs for a slightly larger cargo space. However, the bottom edges of the seat backs don't go down any further; they are held in place by their hinges.
Net, the cargo space isn't much less than the sedan's. It's shorter and taller, but much more accessible. Also, ALL of the space is usable. In my sedan, I have to stay clear of the trunk hinges and the backs of the speakers. The P5's cargo space is completely finished. Also, if you hunt around under the carpet, you will find 4 METAL cargo tie-down rings (not the flimsy plastic ones you find in some vehicles).
For those who have to carry more than 2 6ft-tall people, I found as much head room in the rear as in the front, though the rear seat room is just adequate (still much more than in competitors, except for the Civic). I am 6ft tall, but I'm proportioned such that I sit as tall as someone 6'3".
Other nice touches: map pockets in the rear doors, rear center seat still has a lap/shoulder belt combo, Dunlop SP5000 tires on 16" alloy rims, plastic snap-in covers to fill up the holes should you choose to remove the standard roof rack, cruise control is done with wheel-hub mounted buttons instead of a control stalk that is slightly in the way (I've since trained myself to avoid it).
Too bad they didn't come out with this when I was looking in 99, but I'm still pleased as punch with my 99 ProLX! However, I'm still trying to convince my wife to get one of these!
BTW, I saw 4 p5's, 3 autos and 1 5 speed.
Erik
I think the dealers will figure out real quick that it takes a real idiot to pay $3k over MSRP. With prices like that, these dealers will be begging people to buy them 6 months from now when there is no demand.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Nomi
Nomi
All I have to say is that I came back to the dealership with the biggest smile on my face. I know for sure that I want the P5 in bright red. Nothing else can match this wonderful machine in practicality, fun, youthfulness, and reliability. My family has a MPV running perfectly after 4 years. The P5 is truly a driver's machine; it goes exactly where you steer it. The accelerator responds instantly, and brake pedal feel is absolutely perfect. The car does not have a mind of its own like many other cars, but lets you take complete control. And it is a rocket. Even with the automatic, the engine revs pretty willingly.
If I absolutely had to pick out any problems, it would involve the steering wheel and gauge lighting. The red on white is just plain awful and too piercing. And even though the leather three-spoke wheel is a charm to work, it is just a tad too small. Otherwise, the car is full of wonderful workmanship. In my opinion, Mazda is the only Japanese company that truly pays attention to little details. Even the stereo is a wonderful piece of design and works much better than some home systems. Interior noise is kept at a minimum, while the exterior body kit is stunning on this car.
All I have to say is go out and buy one!!! The dealer is charging MSRP, but not anymore, even though all the arriving cars have already been bought.
Some dealerships just put ADM ("Additional Dealer Markup") on all of their cars. I know of a dealership around here that puts $2000 of ADM on all of their Hyundais. It is probably just a tactic to make an uninformed person feel good ("Wow! They took $2000 of the price of the car! I must be getting a great deal!"). And they are supposedly the #1 dealership in the area. *Gag*
Tom
I was thinking about getting the Focus ZX5, (four-door hatchback), but it may never get here. I need a car now. My bf has the focus wagon (hence my name), and I love it, but the Pro5 just bit me hard! Well, I'll see you around!
But yeah, I definitely need to check out the numbers for myself, especially when the posted information is highly suspect.
My wife needs to put her cello into the back. She'd prefer to not have to lower the seat backs, but she wants to stay in a compact or sub-compact vehicle and doesn't want a minivan or SUV, so I still have a chance at convincing her to make ours a two-Protege family (3, if you count an '89 323 I'm still holding onto). Wish me luck.
Oh no, I hear my Saturn story coming on... OK, here it goes. I was so happy with my experience with them that I quit my job and started working for them. Their pricing was amazing! I sold several 626 sedans for $13,999. They didn't negotiate over any prices... not a single penny! But at those prices, who needs to? They truly believe in making customers for life (which I will be), not making a quick profit! I wish every dealership out there was like them, but alas, dealerships like this are far and few between!
Anyways, they have never marked-up a vehicle above MSRP (except the Vipers, but that's a different story). I would not pay over MSRP for the Protege5!! Find another dealership, even if it's a couple of hours away! I'm sure $3000 is worth a couple hours of your time (unless you're Bill Gates).
Leo
Seems to be a trend....
They aren't trying to gouge on the P5, since they know it's not a limited-production vehicle. They are marking up the MP3 (to the tune of about $2300 over MSRP). Yikes!
BTW, the subwoofer they put in the trunk of the MP3 eats up trunk space and makes the left side of the pass-through useless. But, if the MP3 fits your priorities, you'd have put in a subwoofer yourself anyway.
One would think Mazda could have put the sub in an enclosure on either side of the trunk. I use my fold-down seats a lot!
Nomi
Respectfully,
Larry
-Larry
F ord
A lways
M ade
O doriferous
J unk
Respectfully,
Larry
Leo
BTW, I no longer work for that dealership anymore (accepted a cushy desk job), but I still have very close ties there.
Leo
Leo
that have something other than Protege5 or anything related to it(like aftermarker accessories or parts) please find proper discussion forum.
Thank you.
Protege5 fan
told the wife and she was jealous.. already thinking of trading hers in.. too bad.. I get the next new car!!!!! *grin*
http://www.motortrend.com/cgi-bin/dynamicauto/ny2001/nyauto.cgi?page=7&NS=aname1&IE=1
1) Competition- translates into quality, performance, comfort for best price.
2) After market parts, accessories - obviously no one will be making after market parts for
Protege5 alone, but once Bmw, Gmc, Hyundai, Honda, Lexus, Pontiac(mocking), toyota, & finally Mazda will be making them and improvising there be a ton of after market parts, accessories and whatever else you possibly will imagine. By the way saw RX-7
probably 92-97 fully loaded with
nice site with "exclusive" interior 360 views of various cars shown at the 4 major 2001 auto shows..
I'm sure lots of you know about this site but I just found it for the first time today and I was looking for an interior 360 degree view of the US protege5 for months .. Anyhow, as far as production hatchbacks go..
Los Angeles has the 2002(?) Pontiac Vibe and 2002 Mercedes hatchback
Detroit has the 2003 Toyota matrix
Chicago has the Mazda Protege5 (our favorite)
and New York has the 2002 honda civic si and Suzuki Xtreme (SX) (concept but close to 2003?)..
sportwagon/hatchback mania alright!
Thanks.
The Mazda sale manager told me that eleven Protege5 would be arriving around the middle of May. On his list was a silver one with auto, sunroof, ABS brakes and side airbags. He said he would hold that one for me--with no obligation. He called me on Thursday, May 17 with the news that six had arrived--including the one reserved for me. I went to look at it on Friday. He wanted me to take it home for the weekend! I said I would be back on Monday to test drive it.
On Monday he let me take it home overnight. I knew this was the car for me after only a few minutes of driving it.
Negotiating a price was next. It listed at $19,195.00. Invoice price was $17,571.00. I asked him how close to invoice price he could get. He said, "$17,571.00!" Needless to say I am now the owner of a 2002 Protege5. I must confess that his wife is my niece. So I know there was somewhat of a family discount given. Then I found out that Mazda had a special financing program at 1.9% for 36 months which I jumped at.
I stopped in last week to thank him and tell him how much I enjoyed the car. He said they sold four of the five others very quickly and kept one for demo purposes. He also said they are now selling at MSRP.
After two fill ups my mpg has been 26.4 and 28.3 respectively.