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Mazda Protege5 Maintenance and Repair

1418 messages,  Last post on Oct 22, 2012 at 5:40 PM

You are in the Mazda Protege Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda Protege5, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 85 of 143

#833 of 1418 Comparing prices of Elantra and Mazda3 by autonomous

Jun 07, 2005 (8:50 pm)

if it weren't for the fact that there's an almost $6,000 price difference between the 3 Sport (GT Trim) and the Elantra GT, we'd definitely buy the Mazda 3.
 
According to MSN Auto the Mazda3 can be cheaper or pricier than the Elantra for some very good reasons.
 
First of all, the Elantra GT comes loaded with a 138 hp engine. Your comments about an underpowered ride compared to the Mazda 3 is well taken since the Mazda 3 Sport comes with a much heftier 160 hp engine. If instead we used the Mazda 3 i (non-sport) version it would be closer as it has a 148 hp engine. These numbers go a long way to explain the pricing.
 
C$19,800 Mazda3 GS i (non sport) + automatic + AC + 148 hp
C$20,500 Elantra GT - automatic (AC included) + 138 hp
C$22,300 Mazda3 GS Sport + automatic + AC + 160 hp
 
As you can see the price differential is not that great between the first two. The Mazda3 Sport costs an additional C$2K because it is more substantial. These are of course MSRP and not real prices so depending on negotiations the gap may be larger or not. I think each of these qualify as good choices depending on what you want. Finally, the 2003 Protege5 with its 130 hp engine is much cheaper but you already know that.

#834 of 1418 Thanks for the comparisions, Autonomous by twistylocs

Jun 08, 2005 (7:50 am)

I don't want to turn this into a Mazda 3 vs. Elantra discussion , but I really appreciate the numbers you've posted. The issue is that the Mazda 3 doesn't come with nearly as many options as the Elantra; to get a similarly equipped 3 Sport, we'd have to pay about $25,700 (that's the price we were quoted at Signature Mazda in Vancouver). While the 3 sedan is fantastic, we love the utility of a hatchback.
 
The Black Protege 5 was sold earlier Tuesday afternoon before we got there, but we had an opportunity to drive a silver P5. The car handled beautifully, but there was a strange moldy smell in the car - very slight, and not noticeable when the ventilation was turned on. The dealer told us that this model had been in an accident, and though you couldn't tell, just knowing that bit of information turned us off that particular car. We're going to contact the dealer to tell him that we're interested in buying a P5 and to let us know if he gets any others.

#835 of 1418 Re: Engine stalled [stewartc] by mz_demeenor

Jun 08, 2005 (11:54 am)

Replying to: stewartc (Feb 11, 2005 11:54 pm)
mine has also stalled 2 times since i bought it. both times while idling in traffic. i rushed to the nearest mazda repair store today because oil was leaking from my engine. i was told i had a broken gasket. i had had my oil changed there 1 month prior..hummm. anyway, while there i told them about the stalling and they said there was a "TSB" about it, and they said they fixed it. we shall see!.

#836 of 1418 Details on the stalled engine [mz_demeenor] by autonomous

Jun 08, 2005 (2:57 pm)

Replying to: mz_demeenor (Jun 08, 2005 11:54 am)
Hopefully everything works out with your P5!
 
Could you provide some more details for the benefit of others?
What year? 2002? 2003?
Manual or automatic transmission?
Any early warning signs to watch out for apart from the leaky oil?
Number of the TSB?
It sounds like this was done without charge, is that right?
Do you want to mention the dealership?
 
Thanks mz_demeenor!

#837 of 1418 Driving in a tuxedo [twistylocs] by autonomous

Jun 08, 2005 (3:23 pm)

Replying to: twistylocs (Jun 08, 2005 7:50 am)
the Mazda 3 doesn't come with nearly as many options as the Elantra; to get a similarly equipped 3 Sport, we'd have to pay about $25,700 (that's the price we were quoted at Signature Mazda in Vancouver).
 
Wow, that's steep! Are you going gung ho with the leather seating, moonroof, etc. at that price? Do you really want all those things or is it done for comparison? Options can be a pain; often you can't get exactly what you want because you have to take A to get B. I would not opt for leather, moonroof, 17" alloys, antitheft because I don't value them. Moreover, when comparing, those models which have unwanted options end up being discounted. So even if a model offers more, if it's not something I want, I discount the unwanted option. The Mazda 3 Sport GT comes with 6 not 4 speakers which could be important; I wonder if its worth the additional C$1200 upgrade cost or could I live with only 4 or whether I should just add 2 speakers on my own. Some of the "all inclusive" packages leave me feeling as if I need to drive in a full tuxedo. Sorry to rattle on!
 
Let us know how you like the silver bullet!

#838 of 1418 Don’t Worry Be Happy by eurotheworld

Jun 08, 2005 (3:57 pm)

I currently own a 2002 Mazda mp5, 5 speed, with every option. I drive a lot, for example the odometer just turned over to 115,000 miles. And I bought the car with 6 miles, brand new from Davis Moore in Wichita KS, 3 years ago. The only problem ive had is the Shifting fork broke in the transmission, But don’t worry I race mine, and the problem was my entire fault, not the cars. I have done many after market mods, none ever causing a problem. This car has been rally raced, jumped, zoomed around corners at 100+mph. And never once has it ever developed a problem. But I also change its oil every 2500 miles, and its cold air intake filter every 8,000 miles only becasue, "if you abuse it u need to baby it". My mp5 has also, and still has a slight dip in the rpms and low idel or stoping, its never died, and it always starts. I just bought a Subaru WRX Sti 05, but I will not sell my mp5, they only made them for 2 years, and the MP5 and MP3 have nothing to do with Ford. Remember Ford buys Madas Engines. Mazdas buy NOTHING from Ford. I still drive my mazda, even with my new Subaru, the 300hp Sti is A LOT faster But, It kills your back , and your neck!!! Also, ive orderd a 250hp+ turbo for my mp5. Which means many more mods will take place. Moral of this Story is, Love your car and it will Love you Back! Ohhhh… and remember washing your engine keeps it clean, and a clean engine runs cooler, and more efficiently, also making it easier to find a leak. (Which probably won’t happen). But REMEMBER leave the car running, when washing the engine so it can cope with the temp change, and avoid directly spraying electronics!
 
And i do ALL my own work on my car, So i know its geting done right! Dealerships have a creapy vibe, once you get your car NEVER go back LOL
 
Peace

#839 of 1418 Re: Driving in a tuxedo [autonomous] by twistylocs

Jun 08, 2005 (10:07 pm)

Replying to: autonomous (Jun 08, 2005 3:23 pm)
Are you going gung ho with the leather seating, moonroof, etc. at that price? Do you really want all those things or is it done for comparison?
 
A little bit of both. Leather's not an option on the Elantra, so we ruled it out. Cruise control is important to the hubby, but I'm indifferent. I really want a sunroof, but he could care less. So I had the salesperson run the numbers - buying the options individually versus buying them as part of a package, and $25,700 was what he came up with.
 
The Silver Bullet was a nice car, but the car had been in an accident and had a funny smell, so we ruled it out. I think that we've decided to go with the Elantra.
 
Autonomous, I really appreciate all of your feedback - I can't tell you how helpful you've been.

#840 of 1418 Re: Driving in a tuxedo [twistylocs] by mdaffron

Jun 09, 2005 (4:47 am)

Replying to: twistylocs (Jun 08, 2005 10:07 pm)
So I had the salesperson run the numbers - buying the options individually versus buying them as part of a package, and $25,700 was what he came up with.
 
Why trust a salesman, who's going to want to get every nickel and dime from you that he can? Go to Mazda's website and "build" your car. It will give you a price and then let you know what dealers have the car the way you want it!
 
Meade

#841 of 1418 Vancouver Island calling [twistylocs] by autonomous

Jun 09, 2005 (5:23 am)

Replying to: twistylocs (Jun 08, 2005 10:07 pm)
The Silver Bullet was a nice car, but the car had been in an accident and had a funny smell, so we ruled it out. I think that we've decided to go with the Elantra.
 
Interesting. Didn't your last test drive involve a black P5 in an accident and have a funny smell. Two cars, two accidents, two smelly interiors, talk about double whammy turn-off.
 
The Elantra is a great car which you're sure to love, plus you'll be getting it at a great price and with an astounding warranty. The only thing left is planning the ultimate trip like cruising the Fraser Valley or Vancouver Island. Best wishes!

#842 of 1418 Re: Vancouver Island calling [autonomous] by twistylocs

Jun 09, 2005 (11:32 pm)

Replying to: autonomous (Jun 09, 2005 5:23 am)
No, we went to see the black P5 but it had been sold earlier that day. That's when we drove the silver one I mentioned in the earlier post. Strangely enough, my husband got a call from the dealer saying that the black one was available again because the buyer's financing fell through.
 
I think we'll go look at the car just for curiosity's sake, but provided that our own financing comes through, we're going with the Elantra.

Messages Page 85 of 143

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