leungwingkei

That's great for us, that means we don't have a lesser Protege5.

mnkyboy

Check on your drivers side door for a sticker that shows the Production Date...

mnkyboy

A person named toddp_5 posted these pics on Edmunds Protege5 forum. I mirrored his site to mine in case his was shutdown.

http://members.***.net/monkey8/P5%20...%20site\p5.htm

Zulu

I don't like the rims as much as the old ones.The side lights look good but they should have gotten rid or the corner markers.The front end is all clear lenses and chrome all around but the corners clash with the effect.Know what I mean?

mnkyboy

I agree, they should have taken off the bumper markers. They are unnecessary...

hondagal

Thanks I did check the door sticker it says 11/01 now I am

Where the heck has this car been for 5 months.. Anyway, other than the wheels and side marker, does anyone know if there are other upgrades??

fencepost

In terms of other upgrades, I know of two optional pieces that changed in the US. They added the option of leather or partial leather seats, and they changed the automatic transmission to (apparently) a more sport-oriented 4-speed.

rowan

Aww booo!!
Side markers rock. I am goign to have to pay through the nose to get the MP3 ones .. unless these new clear versions can be ordered through dealers.

Side markers are a very good idea as all European cars (and Japanese as well) seem to recognize. As when someone is along side of you but also signalling to change lanes you can actually see their indicator !! Instead of only people in front/behind being able to see.

Yeah they should have taken those damned corner lights off as well. Maybe there's some North American rule that says you have to have an amber light right at the front corner of the car ... because the sedans and MP3 have their amber turn signals at the corners but not the ugly bumper lights. (Which don't flash).

That sport auto tranny is cool but I still would stick with the manual. The wheels? I think I like the original a bit better but it's nice to see they're keeping it fresh.

mnkyboy

These are what I know of and confirmed on www.mazdausa.com

1. Sport Auto Transmission
2. 6-speaker soundsystem (opposed to 4 speakers)
[b]Where is the 2 extra speakers located.[\b]
3. Leather as an option.
4. New alloy wheels
5. Side markers

Any others????

pr0tege5

hmm, those pics are interesting. At first I was pissed that they already updated our models but after looking at those pics I think the original ones look better. The sidemarkers IMHO are too racerish and does not make the car look "sleek". With the front bumper side markers, there is too much stuff going on. The rims are okay, however I think the oringinal ones look more sporty. I do however like the sport tranny. I wonder how fun it is too drive.Oh well, glad I got my ride when I did.

bmorton

Good question--I got my P5 at the beginning of February and its build date is 11/01 as well.

I like the idea of the side turn signals but I don't care for the way they look on the P5. Bit of an add-on look to them. The cars without look cleaner. I'm all for the new wheels, though.

I'm sure we in Canada will get the updated P5 as well, eventually.

2002VividYellow

Mine has a born date of 8/01

Personally I hate mid-year changes unless it’s made because of a faulty part or possible treat to the general public.

Bumble_G

the rims look a bit like Nissan rims.
And the side markers look added on.

I'm going to have to go to my dealer and see the stuff in person before I pass final judgment.

ZoomZoomH

some dude took some pics of the updated P5s and posted them, here they are:

http://www.black3.com/p5/

mnkyboy

LOL, if you read my post, you would see that I mirrored that guys link. The reason being, it may not work anymore, which i dont think it does. My link is still up tho...