BlackTiger

Hey everyone!

My name is Nick, and I'm new around here. I've been looking at new 2002 Pro's and P5s for sometime now, and just today I went down to my local dealer here in Toronto to have a real look....

Long story short, we almost gave the dealer the $1200CDN right there to walk out the door with that car (2002 P5, Black Mica) But, we thought maybe it's a decision we should sleep on atleast, and I thought of a few questions for you wise folk on here, if you have the time?

The specific car we're looking at is a 2002 Protege5 in either Midnight Blue or Black Mica, Auto (I know, I know, I'd prefer the stick anyday, and I tried to convince her and failed..will keep trying ), A/C, Moonroof....... dealer quoted $22,695.00 CDN, but said he could "work on that"

So here's what I'm wondering.. first, has anyone heard anything, vague or specific, about the 2003 Protege5s? Dealer said they're looking at October/November, does anyone know if there's going to be any slight or signifigant changes? I dont want to regret not waiting....

If you had to name one or two BAD things about your car? what would they be?

For those that have had your P5 for awhile now.... is it still as exciting as when you first bought it? And, anything else that you think might help influence our decision would be appreciated

Took the car for a test drive and all but fell in love.. really didnt want to let it go after about a half an hour.. Is this healthy?? hehe, thanks a lot in advance for all your help, I'm really glad I found this site! I'd love to hear your opinions! Thank you!

::nick::

Makaveli

Welcome aboard, hope to hear from you often

We always got time, just ask away, but remember, read the FAQ before every question
I know for sure that there won't be any changes in the engines and the outside appearance. I know that some revisions that they made for the 2002.5 (mid-year model) is that they made the cupholders deeper and also did a couple of very minor things.
Depending what car you're coming from, lack of power might be an issue. It has plenty of power for everything that you'll ever do except racing at the drag strip and from red lights hehe but some people want more speed....
There's a few minor things that could be annoying such as the very shallow cupholders or the arm-rest that you can't really rest your arm on unless you got the build of a chimpanzee...
Well the new car thing goes away after a few weeks but comes back to me in a different form and I go rev-happy and take those corners really really fast very often. So I still love driving my car as much as I did before. Nothing that I regret (except not getting the moonroof )
Unfortunately No... according to my friends, but we're working on a rehab program....
So far there's no known cure for Protegeittis

markmurray77

Firstly I would like to tell you about something in your area. The www.Toprotege.com Check out the message boards you might find some useful info, secondly if you are going with the auto tere will be a new activematic shifter for the 2003 model. If that is something tha would interest you you might want to wait. It is availble in the US but not here yet. Other than that I can't see any significant changes for the newer model. It will have new side markers, new cup holders and a new trim colour. There may also be some new colours. In Canada we didn't recieve the upgraded model as a 2002.5 so it will be here as a 2003

Makaveli

Sorry, didn't know that we didn't get the mid-year model in Canada yet

SPACE~ACE

I asked a dealer here in Calgary about the 2002.5 version and he said that the only changes to the Canadaian cars is that the cupholders do not have a cover on them and that the gauges were silver now compared to the white of before. Sometimes I think that it would be pretty cool to live in the US. You guys can get leather, side airbags, the additional tweeters, the side markers, the new shift **** ...etc. But at the same time, I am glad that I live in Canada - ABS comes standard, we don't have to go through the hassle of removing a roof rack, and cheaper insurance. But when push comes to shove, I don't care where my car is from, because it is MINE, all MINE and I still love it after I just rolled 1000K. - I get bored VERY easily and am prone to second guessing decisions - But to this day, all is good on the western front!

noodles

Mid Year changes would be the side markers, different 16" rims, automatic tiptronic shifter, cupholders (but no sliding cover), additional tweeters, but that's mainly it. The bulk of the car (engine, powertrain) is still the same. Performance and handling is the same.

The car? Love it. Had it for about 5500KM and i still get that new car feeling everytime i see it. Everytime i park it i still look back and go.. mMmmm isn't she a beaut.

Anywayz, you will be very happy with your car. Only a few minor things people have complained about is cold engine rattle. But that's normal cuz the car runs well when warmed up, just don't full throttle it on a cold start ( like any car ). Wind noise on the highway, but hey, it doesn't bother all people. Even honda civics and acura's ( same price range ) have wind noise. Believe me i own them too.

Other than that you should do what i did. Walk in there. Pick out a salesperson that deserves a good sale. Go over and say, give me this car, in yada yada yada, for this price. And start bargaining. You should at least get the FREIGHT/PDI ($1000) off the car. That's how much i got off. And also tell the guy to throw in free "Protege" carpet mats.

Arkos

All I've done so far is spent ~30 on a K&N Drop in, ~25 on the Kartboy shifter bushing and ~85 on the Kartboy short shifter. Everytime I do something to my car, it goes faster (wink wink). I have yet to get tired of driving this car, and have to work real hard at slowing down, ....

Another observation I had, ... Canadians must love their P5s so much more than those of us stuck down here in Texas. On mornings like today, when it's bearably cool, and I don't have to run the AC the car has torque till tomorrow. During the day, after it starts to heat up outside, and get real humid, my car settles down to a "daily driver". I can't even imagine what this car would be like on a northern fall or spring day...

bmorton

The 'Protege' carpet mats are already free in Canada so you shouldn't have to bargain too hard to get those.

nramsey

Having had my new P5 for 2 weeks and 1000 miles now I will throw in my $.02 (US) here

Overall the car is awesome. I am amazed how quiet it is inside when cruising...much quieter than the '97 Nissan Altima I had before even with the roof rack (standard in the US) on the P5. Power is very good for getting around town and on the freeway, but not enough for any stoplight drags etc, but that's not why I bought the car. Handling is terrific, carving on/off ramps is a joy. The ride is tight, but very comfortable. I prefer it to the soft floaty Town Car feel. Interior space is adequate, but I like all the little nooks to put stuff. The "new car" syndrome is kinda wearing off a bit now, but I have absolutely no buyers remorse, and don't think I ever will. Everytime I park the car I find myself taking many a look back at it, it's just so perdy

If you really must get an automatic (oh say it aint so) I'd wait till the sport/tiptronic/manumatic automatic transmission is available in your area. Let her have her automatic, and let you have at least a little fun shifting. But keep on trying to get her to allow the stick shift

Good luck on the purchase, whatever options you decide I am sure you will love the car.

vip3321685

i love my P5. i also regret not getting the sunroof/moonroof (i don't know the difference). the only thing i would want to change about my P5 is the power. i like to shoot off, but with the available upgraeds now-that should be no problem.

one more thing...is there any way we can get our hands on some of those deeper cup holders? will they fit the 02P5, and are the old ones easy to remove? my water bottles come tumbling out whenever i zip around a corner-and that has gotten a bit old.

4 rubBeR

Hey Nick!

I'd like to pass on my greetings as well...I don't post often, but we Canucks have to stick togetha...

I paid $21 875...that included air, moonroof auto and metallic paint (mica blue) I also got the mirror and the alarm (not included in the price)...these dealers I believe work on a $1500 mark-up...from the MRSP of $22 800 for a "loaded" P5, the best I think you can do is $21 300...that would be dealer cost...if they have any incentives on now, it may be less...

I called Mazda Canada about the auto sport shift...they didn't come back with anything solid...that is they "didn't know" if the sport shift or leather would be options for 2003...that IMO would be the only significant changes to look for. I would say to wait if you can; you will know for sure what options are available for 2003 and you may score a sweet deal on a 2k2 model...good thing you're not looking for a stick; there are none to be found in Ottawa

1. Power, but I accepted that when I bought the car
2. no "real" intermittent option for wipers
3. fuel economy; this may be because the car is new (450km) and will improve over time
4. spare tire = doughnut
5. expensive to buy after-market parts...but since the P5 is on the market, we all expect great things to come

Still a new car feeling, so I am still on the honeymoon stage...but as far as influencing you, the major things that sold me on the car were as follows:

1. Handling...I love off ramps
2. Warranty...80 000 km/3 years...excellent for distance drivers
3. Value...hard to find all these features in a comparable car...I really wanted a Jetta 1.8T with tiptronic...but there was NO WAY I was about to spend $30 000+ for a commuter car

I plan on doing some minor performance upgrades and will be doing extensive stereo improvements...all in good time! Excuse me now, I have to go wash my car...

markmurray77

The cup holders are a piece of cake to take out, open the flap put your and in tehre, anywhere and pull up. Just pops right out.

BlackTiger

Wow, thanks a lot for all the responses!

Looks like we're going to have to wait until September no matter what, so by then hopefully we'll have details about the 2003, and we can decide if it's worth it to wait a little longer.. And, as 4 rubBeR said, by then we'll probably be able to get a real good deal on the 2002 if we decide to go that route..

So all will be well, and before I know it I'll be zoom zooming it down Bloor St. ... in non-moving traffic.. ugh, hehe, well Thanks again lots guys! I'll be sure to let you all know how it turns out

::nick::

Makaveli

No prob

Stick around if you're ever bored and want to learn more about your soon-to-be car

skyhawk174

Hi Nick

Welcome to the group of zoom zoom happy P5 and Protege owners. Sorry I did not reply earlier but I only now found this thread. Oh well, better late than never. I've had mine since April and I have not regretted it one bit. I still find it hard to believe it is so much fun to drive. I have about 7500 kms on mine and it still purrs of course. As vip3321685 posted:

The cup holders are a pain in the neck. I posted a question on this very subject on the interior/exterior section of the board and did not really get an answer. Deeper would be grreat as my water bottles also get tossed out when cornering. Another thing that bugged me was that there were no power locks on the other doors but I guess that is why there are the pull up thingies.

What you may find yourself doing is doing mods like cold air intakes, painting calipers etc. Do searches on this borad and you will find loads of info. I've added a Ractive intake, painted my calipers, painted the centre of my rims, and painted my lower grill. Next is polishing the valve cover and adding a Kartboy shifter bushing.

If you can swing it, you may want to consider getting the leather seat option. We got it right off the bat and in the cold weather it is amazing. Plus it makes the car look much more awesome. Almost as if it was meant to have leather seats.

Hope you enjoy your stay.