Do u find ur P5s noisY?
November-14th-2002, 07:39 AM
#31
Protege Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 44
Protege master drove my point home for me.
When I say "disappointed when comparing to cars in its class" I'm talking about NOISE LEVEL. Its just one aspect. So don't get all crazy!
On another note...The ride is the way it is because the suspension is stiff for performance reasons. If you've driven other cars with performance oriented suspensions, the Protege is plush and controlled for its level of stiffness and performance. Especially when you consider its a 15k range car. It is stiff. But its rock solid and handles like a beast.
When I say "disappointed when comparing to cars in its class" I'm talking about NOISE LEVEL. Its just one aspect. So don't get all crazy!
On another note...The ride is the way it is because the suspension is stiff for performance reasons. If you've driven other cars with performance oriented suspensions, the Protege is plush and controlled for its level of stiffness and performance. Especially when you consider its a 15k range car. It is stiff. But its rock solid and handles like a beast.
November-14th-2002, 08:13 AM
#32
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 67
Yeah, suspension is suppose to be stiff. It gives better handling, especially around fast corners. Its like my 95 Cobra with ibachis, freakin can feel every little pebble or bug you run over its that stiff.
Peace-
Peace-
November-14th-2002, 10:07 AM
#33
WiCky=))
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 883
Most car reviews label the Protege's ride as firm not harsh, not even the MP3.
CD finds this remarkable since other cars that handle like a Protege requires much more suspension stiffening making for a harsh ride.
If Mazda were to be ashamed and to fix this minor quibble, making the car ride softly while maintaining its handling capabilties, it would be much like a 3 series that sells for 18000, which to me is impossible, unless BMW can do it.
BTW a Buick rides more comfortably then a Protege too.
CD finds this remarkable since other cars that handle like a Protege requires much more suspension stiffening making for a harsh ride.
If Mazda were to be ashamed and to fix this minor quibble, making the car ride softly while maintaining its handling capabilties, it would be much like a 3 series that sells for 18000, which to me is impossible, unless BMW can do it.
BTW a Buick rides more comfortably then a Protege too.
November-14th-2002, 12:01 PM
#34
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 282
About noise - yes i agree the sound at idle is MIGHTY quiet, but, like most of you, i disliked the econo-*** sound of the engine on hard acceleration at any RPM. I agree that it sounds better than saturns and those crapsacks but compared to civic and other cars in its class, its pretty loud. BUT! It helps me feel more in touch with my car and i've kidna grown to like it :P
About suspension - coming from a GT-S, i was surprised at the nice balance between comfort and performance that the P5 has. It handles well but its not so aggressive that its uncomfortable.
About suspension - coming from a GT-S, i was surprised at the nice balance between comfort and performance that the P5 has. It handles well but its not so aggressive that its uncomfortable.
November-14th-2002, 12:07 PM
#36
a.k.a. spydermonkey
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 1,413
Re: Personal Clarification
Originally posted by ProtegeMaster
The bottom line is Mazda sucks in noise control
The bottom line is Mazda sucks in noise control
Lets see, we have:
1. Mazda paint sucks
2. Mazda noise control sucks
3. Mazda HP sucks
4. Mazda ....
Any others??
November-14th-2002, 12:30 PM
#37
Protege Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 44
My paint has been pretty rugged. I had a 99 Jetta. It had absolutely awesome sound control and was a very high quality car.
The paint sucked though. One winter of commuting and my front bumper was totally destroyed. The paint on that car was very weak and orange peal looking.
I've noticed that some colors are worse than others.
The paint on my protege(silver) has been relatively rugged. Its a decent coat too. Not too much orange peal. But...You can tell that the bumpers are a different color than the car. They must pre-paint the plastic parts at a different time.
As far as underpowered. The only fault of the Pro is that it didn't have any alternate engine choices. The power is in line with the rest when you compaire it to the standard engine choices of other cars in its class (with few exceptions). But the current pro doesn't have any other choice for engines. Like the Focus.
The paint sucked though. One winter of commuting and my front bumper was totally destroyed. The paint on that car was very weak and orange peal looking.
I've noticed that some colors are worse than others.
The paint on my protege(silver) has been relatively rugged. Its a decent coat too. Not too much orange peal. But...You can tell that the bumpers are a different color than the car. They must pre-paint the plastic parts at a different time.
As far as underpowered. The only fault of the Pro is that it didn't have any alternate engine choices. The power is in line with the rest when you compaire it to the standard engine choices of other cars in its class (with few exceptions). But the current pro doesn't have any other choice for engines. Like the Focus.
November-14th-2002, 12:37 PM
#38
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Montréal, Québec
Posts: 113
Re: Do u find ur P5s noisY?
Originally posted by Liquid_Turbo
cuz i sure don't.. a lot of reviews say that they don't like the noise.
however i find my p5 whisper quiet.. quiet like a BMW 3series.
cuz i sure don't.. a lot of reviews say that they don't like the noise.
however i find my p5 whisper quiet.. quiet like a BMW 3series.
Dave
November-14th-2002, 02:58 PM
#40
Demands Perfection
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 344
Ride Clarification!
Moving on to other clarification regarding my standpoint on ride, I have to admit I really don't like the ride on the Pro. I've found it most uncomfortable, and, indeed, even tiring on long trips. It took me a couple of months of ownership before I fully got to know the car and realize it, but the ride is totally punishing and I hate it.
My official standpoint is this: A car doesn't have to ride like a 19th century cart to handle well. The Protege definately handles well, which is cool, but the BMW 3 and 5 Series also handles well-- Yet they do so with comfortable rides. And in terms of it being just SO expensive to build a car that has both handling AND decent ride, I think that's marketing bullshit. The Ford Focus, which otherwise is among the worst cars you can buy based on quality, handles just as well as the Protege, yet it has a comfortable, quiet ride. The Focus isn't any more expensive than the Protege. THAT'S what I'm talking about. Mazda didn't have to make the ride THAT stiff to handle well. It might be that, as they've been a financially hurting company, they just didn't have the money to invest in actually building a well balanced suspension. So they decided to do it cheap-- Kia style.
I don't know about anyone else, but I don't like being done Kia style.
My official standpoint is this: A car doesn't have to ride like a 19th century cart to handle well. The Protege definately handles well, which is cool, but the BMW 3 and 5 Series also handles well-- Yet they do so with comfortable rides. And in terms of it being just SO expensive to build a car that has both handling AND decent ride, I think that's marketing bullshit. The Ford Focus, which otherwise is among the worst cars you can buy based on quality, handles just as well as the Protege, yet it has a comfortable, quiet ride. The Focus isn't any more expensive than the Protege. THAT'S what I'm talking about. Mazda didn't have to make the ride THAT stiff to handle well. It might be that, as they've been a financially hurting company, they just didn't have the money to invest in actually building a well balanced suspension. So they decided to do it cheap-- Kia style.
I don't know about anyone else, but I don't like being done Kia style.
November-14th-2002, 04:01 PM
#42
WiCky=))
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 883
Gotta remember those Kias being praised for their sporty character in car mags these days.
FYI Kia placed last in a 10 car comparo by CandD while the Protege placed first.
Now please explain how the Protege got such a ranking if it was done "Kia style"?
FYI Kia placed last in a 10 car comparo by CandD while the Protege placed first.
Now please explain how the Protege got such a ranking if it was done "Kia style"?
Last edited by leungwingkei; November-14th-2002 at 04:05 PM.
November-14th-2002, 06:34 PM
#43
Demands Perfection
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 344
More Clarification
Sorry about the misunderstanding, all-- What I was getting at was in reference to ride quality, NOT handling, nor any other characteristic of the Pro. But the ride quality of the Protege is right up there with Kia-- That translates to it sucks ***. That's what I meant. And, contrary to what many believe, small cars DO NOT have to ride like that just because they're "economy" cars. Focus, Corolla, Elantra-- These are specific examples of small cars that provide urbane rides. Mazda's Protege does not-- Plug your ears, cover your eyes, and put the same kind of seat in each car for uniformity, and the feel of a Protege's lousy ride will be indistinguishable from a Kia. You wouldn't be able to tell which vehicle you're in.
Bear in mind, though, that in terms of everything else, Protege is leagues ahead of Kia, as Kia produces some of the most pathetic, offensive vehicles on Earth. Just like GM, Dodge, and Ford.
I will now laugh at such vehicles.
Ha ha ha! Ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha!
Bear in mind, though, that in terms of everything else, Protege is leagues ahead of Kia, as Kia produces some of the most pathetic, offensive vehicles on Earth. Just like GM, Dodge, and Ford.
I will now laugh at such vehicles.
Ha ha ha! Ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha!
Last edited by ProtegeMaster; November-14th-2002 at 06:39 PM.
November-14th-2002, 09:15 PM
#44
a.k.a. spydermonkey
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 1,413
I dont know about the rest of you. But Protege "Master" is sounding like a Honda owner posing as a Protege owner. Why do you keep using "sucks" in the same sentence with Mazda. It seems you keep ******* the Protege out, even tho you own one. If you dont like it so much, trade it in and buy that BMW M3 or M5 you keep talking about...wait...you dont have the money right... LOL.
Also, it seems you have to keep "clarifying" yourself. Think before you speak, this will avoid misunderstandings.
Hey, you state it took you a couple of months to realize you hated the ride of you Pro, BUT you state the Focus is more comfortable and quiet ride. Did you drive a Focus for months to justify this? I have a feeling the answer is NO. I wouldnt touch a Focus with a 10ft pole, EVEN if the ride was better than a M5.
You have issues...
Also, it seems you have to keep "clarifying" yourself. Think before you speak, this will avoid misunderstandings.
Originally posted by ProtegeMaster
I have to admit I really don't like the ride on the Pro. I've found it most uncomfortable, and, indeed, even tiring on long trips. It took me a couple of months of ownership before I fully got to know the car and realize it, but the ride is totally punishing and I hate it....
The Ford Focus, which otherwise is among the worst cars you can buy based on quality, handles just as well as the Protege, yet it has a comfortable, quiet ride.
I have to admit I really don't like the ride on the Pro. I've found it most uncomfortable, and, indeed, even tiring on long trips. It took me a couple of months of ownership before I fully got to know the car and realize it, but the ride is totally punishing and I hate it....
The Ford Focus, which otherwise is among the worst cars you can buy based on quality, handles just as well as the Protege, yet it has a comfortable, quiet ride.
You have issues...
Last edited by mnkyboy; November-14th-2002 at 09:21 PM.
