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Mazda Protege5

7874 messages,  Last post on Jul 13, 2011 at 2:12 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda Protege5, Wagon

Messages Page 785 of 788

#7839 of 7874 Re: 2002 Protege 5 [autonomous] by mustangleader

Aug 09, 2009 (10:48 pm)

Replying to: autonomous (Apr 26, 2009 3:20 pm)
I don't usually check this site but every so often. I just a trip to Lake Tahoe,CA where you have to go through the twists of the High Sierra roads. This is where the PR5 really shines since the Proteges were known for it's mobility. Well, it was a blast. Second time in 3 years I've taken the trip with the PR5. Last year I took the Speed 3. Now, I can telll you why I like the PR5 so much. No doubt, on the straights, where there are not many going to Tahoe, the Speed 3 blasts through the roads. Because of the aftermarket equipment I've added on plus the stock gearing by Mazda, the PR5 peak torque comes in mid range rpm and why the PR5 feels so good in town though it is slower than the 2002 Toy Matrix 60 and quarter time. But in the mountains where straights are not a big deal, the PR5 blasts along as well, but of course, not to the MPH of the 3. But with that K&N filter and turbo muffler, it sounds like a true racer with it's deep throaty sound!! I know the PR5 had a great 600 ft saleom time via Motor Trend 2002. The Speed 3 is tight as well and with the wider tires, possibly it's a bit faster, but not by much. Remember, it gives alway almost 500 lbs to the PR5. I know the PR5 has a grip of .79 vs Speed 3 has .92 according again to the car mags. But because the 5 is lower than the Speed 3, 16" wheels vs 18", possibly closer to the road gives me a more exciting ride. The 3 is certainly a more refine car than the 5 and I like it as well especially when some fast car like a BMW M3 comes along. I've modified the Speed 3 with Cobbing Tuning Access port, a down racing pipe, and a Cobb Cold Air Filter (I think I should have put on a K&N because it supposedly gives more torque and hp (but it only came out recently & before I put the Cobb one on), so you should see the faces of the M3 boys to see that a little, old Mazda keep up all the way --- and for a lot lower costs without all that snobish attitude!!.
 
Anyway, PR5 and the Speed 3 are great cars and I'm fortunate to own both of them. The give me the best of two worlds --- one drives like a go kart with the feel of the road & great gas mileage, and the other, well, it was when it came out in 2007 and still one of the best money rockets for your buck!

#7840 of 7874 Re: 2002 Protege 5 [oldman15] by mustangleader

Aug 09, 2009 (10:52 pm)

Replying to: oldman15 (Jul 01, 2009 7:51 am)
Check out my latest comment if you check this site to a person's comment about my comparsion of my PR5 & Speed 3. I think you will find it interesting. Just my opinon but I like driving them depending on the mood I'm in.

#7841 of 7874 Re: 2002 Protege 5 [mustangleader] by oldman15

Aug 10, 2009 (7:35 am)

Replying to: mustangleader (Aug 09, 2009 10:52 pm)
Great comparison, Mustang.
 
My only M3 experience is dealer test drives. I agree, it's more refined, but I found it leaning during cornering. The M3 Speed seemed a little tighter.
 
One of the best features, IMO, of the P5 is the go-cart like cornering & ride. What it lacks in straight line acceleration (keeps speeding tickets low) I make up for in cornering fun. I changed tires a couple years back & lost the crisp go-cart feel, so am back to Dunlops.
 
I'm curious as to what tires you're running on both.
 
The trip sounded like a blast!
 
Thanks for the info.
O15

#7842 of 7874 Re: 2002 Protege 5 [oldman15] by mustangleader

Aug 12, 2009 (12:07 am)

Replying to: oldman15 (Aug 10, 2009 7:35 am)
I have been driving the Speed3 the last few days. Now, I can tell you more. The Speed 3 was really not built for corning due to its weight. If you look at various mag stories, you will find this out. In fact, the newest Chevy Cobalt with turbo engine corner much quicker.
 
I think if put a K&N filter, turbo muffler & have the computer reprogam like I did, you find accerleration in PR5 much better. I know when I hit 4000 rpm the engine really comes on. Zipping from 80 in fifth gear to 90 seems like nothing. I gone high as 110 mph with the car going up the Grapevine Highway hill grade going back to LA and I was shocked.
 
Of course, even with these modifications, Speed 3 is much faster in accerleraton. You be interested to know I'm going to have the Speed 3 dyno with Cobb Access Port map. Car has currently a racing downpipe and Cobb Cold Air Filter. The car should easily be pushing over 320 hp according to the tech guy who is going to dyno the car.
 
As for tires, I have using Kumos All Season tires. I forgot the model but they have been mentioned in other comments in this forum. Here in So Cal, the tires are effective due to weather. Not much difference between all seaon tires and summer tires like the Dunlaps unless it's wet surface according to a Road & Track article I read about tires. I agree.. By the way, I got 65,000 on my Dunlaps that came with the car. I was told that was a high number for a performance tire but again, it's how you drive the car. I drive a lot between No and So Cal so most of my mileage is highway, straight riding.
 
Tires on Speed 3 are Bridgstone High Performance tires that came with car. 18" wheels which means I'm not going to get much mileage on them. I have 26,000 on them now and if I get 10,000 more, I'll be lucky. I was told going down to 17" would be better for performance and wear. Also they are 215s which an odd number. Next set will be 225s and probably again Kumos all seasonal. The extra width probably will make up difference of a high performance tire. I can tell you turning the same corners the Speed3 is tighter but not the same feel of the lighter and lower PR5. Feels racier as you know.
 
By the way, mustangleader is my user name because I own a 1968 Mustang fastback. Engine is modified with flowmasters so the sound and ride is completely different. And yes, the Speed 3 is much faster even when it was stock.
 
As I said, I'm driving the PR5 til it drops. 176,000 plus currently. I expect to get at least 300,000 miles which I got from a1989 Nissian 240x. A great corning car ... even better than the PR5 because it is rear supension drive.
 
Hope this provides you with more info.

#7843 of 7874 Re: 2002 Protege 5 [oldman15] by mustangleader

Aug 12, 2009 (12:37 am)

Replying to: oldman15 (Aug 10, 2009 7:35 am)
P.S.
 
I had the muffler & reprogamming of the computer done first. I instantly felt the power via rpm accerleration. When I added K&N, that's when hitting 4000 rpm (which is the max torque 135 according to Mazda) the car really responded.
 
As I said, you love the K&N filter sound so I suggest if you do anything, the cold air filter and the reprogramming of the computer. You won't have complaints about accerleration. The muffler adds a great sound like the Speed 3.
 
Hope this helps.

#7844 of 7874 Re: Eskimo tires / Panther rims [ginto] by nealacms

Sep 14, 2009 (9:28 am)

Replying to: ginto (Dec 05, 2003 4:38 pm)
George (ginto). My Toronto area dealer is also recommending Save Eskimo S3 tires. Do you have an update? You may respond privately if you wish.

#7845 of 7874 Re: 2002 Protege 5 [mustangleader] by pr5speed

Nov 10, 2009 (10:14 pm)

Replying to: mustangleader (Apr 23, 2009 12:56 am)
The only thing I did was put on a K&N filter, magnaflow turbo muffler, and had computer reprogammed. Total cost less than $800. For those who comlain ed about lack of power, this adjustment makes the car much quicker.
 
Hey "mustangleader" - what company reprogrammed your computer?
 
P.S. - Reading your post really gets me excited for my P5! =)

#7846 of 7874 Shutter by emilyanne

Dec 02, 2009 (11:12 pm)

Hi!
 
So I just bought an 02 P5. It has roughly 95,000 miles.
 
Here's my issue:
 
When I start driving the car for the first time on a given day, when I shift from 1st to 2nd gear the car shutters/shakes violently. It's only when I shift from 1st to 2nd, and after I've been driving for about 10 minutes it stops happening. Has anyone experianced this? Should I be concerned? Any ideas on why this might be happening?
 
Thanks!

#7847 of 7874 Re: 2002 Protege 5 [pr5speed] by mustangleader

Dec 05, 2009 (1:16 am)

Replying to: pr5speed (Nov 10, 2009 10:14 pm)
Jet Performance in Huntington Beach, CA

#7848 of 7874 Re: Shutter [emilyanne] by iamz

Dec 05, 2009 (5:21 am)

Replying to: emilyanne (Dec 02, 2009 11:12 pm)
I would bring it in to have it looked at as soon as possible. I'm not familiar with the manual 5 speed on the P5 but it might be time for a new clutch considering the miles on your vehicle. If you just bought it, go back to where you bought it from, if it was a dealer. Maybe they will work out a deal and split the costs.

Messages Page 785 of 788

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