Pro5 Rants-n-Raves
 

I was just wondering what things you liked or disliked about your Protege5 after you bought the car (that you didn't already know)?

I'll start with a simpleton one.

Rave - I love my clear moonroof! My CRX Si is metal and all the other Honda's I've owned were tinted too much. Nice surprise for me.

Raves- I love the handling. Taking interstate ramp at 50+mph! :bt . Love my moonroof. I just installed the deflector, and its even better. I love the styling and the color of my car. The P5 gets alot of stares and smiles. Seat are extemely comfortable, as well as the steering wheel. I can be typing forever about the raves...

Rants- I hate the location of the auto-door lock, and I wish they had a auto-door lock button on the passenger side. Despite me saying that I love the moonroof, I wish that it would open/close fully with one touch of the button. One other thing Im not really happy with is the gas milage. Ive been getting about 24mpg. I only drive about 10% highway, but I still feel I should be getting more.

I have to agree on the sunroof buttons. I remember taking my first test drive and praying that it was a single button push. My last car (97 Maxima) had the slowest opening moonroof ever. At least the P5s moves faster.

The steering wheel is also slightly smaller in diameter and I love that fact.

I will be on with mods once the snow clears around here.

Raves:
* Handling. Man, I do love the handling.
* Versatility. I can carry five, or stuff, or five and some stuff with the roof rack. Excellent.
* Comfort. Great seats, enough room in back for rear-facing baby seat.
* Styling. I've never owned a car that got this much attention before.
* I like the leather-wrapped steering wheel and white dials.
* Good ergonomics on the stereo.
* I never thought I'd have any use for a moonroof, but I love it!
* Handling. It's just so sweet around the corners.
* Excellent brakes, especially with EBD.
* Mileage is decent, particularly for how fun it is to drive.
* Doesn't suck up the whole garage, amazing considering how much interior space there is.
* Good ergonomics on the cruise control.
* Reliability. Not a single problem so far, good chance that'll continue.
* Friendly torque curve, especially with the stick.
* Did I mention the handling?

Rants:
* Cupholders suck.
* Center console/armrest is too small for both of those tasks.
* Only one intermittent wiper setting.
* Door lock sticks up into arm when you rest it on the door.
* Speakers and speaker placement leave a lot to be desired.
* Rear defroster should be on a timer.
* Car should be 4" longer to give a smidge more room in cargo area.

The "raves" are generally much more important things than the "rants," I think.

raves
design, size, handling, brakes, stock tires, overall value for money, (turbo upgradeable? ;).

rants
cup holders (need to be about 2 inches deeper!), stock stereo is crap, rear defrost seems weak, bad placement of auto-lock button on driver's door, should include cargo net, floor mats have old protege logo.

My floormats has the Mazda text logo. Are there other kinds of floormats??

Raves: same things everyone else said

Rants: absolutely NO good place to put tollway change! Stock stereo needs much improvement. Not really a legitimate rant, but I'd prefer if all the p.window and p.lock switches were in the center console- my last 2 cars had them there and once you get used to it, it just makes sense. Stock 5spd shifter was WAY too tall (easily fixed). Dribbbling rear washer nozzle. And, of course, stock HP should be at least 20 higher:)

-Despite this- I love the damn thing!

RAVES:
+ Price ($17.5k out the door!)
+ Handling (Incredible stock suspension!)
+ Equipment level (power everything, CD, 16" alloys & sticky rubber)
+ Reliability Reputation (Truly Japanese)
+ Looks
+ Room
+ Versatility
+ Cheap Insureance
+ 4.9% financing (for 60 months)

RANTS:
- Could use another 20hp (but I honestly don't mind it the way it is)
- The back get's VERY dirty. (a problem with most wagons)
- Aftermarket is tiny (but getting better)