Are you guys satisfied with your purchase?

[taylor5]

8,000 miles later

Some words for ya'....

I like this car a lot!!! But here are things you need to know....

1. Get the 5-speed, my auto tranny has had weird moments in shifting...I really feel it is a strange computer set-up or it just does not like weather changes. I had to settle for it when I made the deal because there were no 5-speeds around....But definitely get the 5-speed and wait forever for it if you have to!

2. Skip the sunroof, it is small and the headliner around the construction of the sunroof "creaks and rattles and pops" in summer heat,,,but strangely it is quiet as a mouse below 70 degrees....If you really want a sunroof,,,,go to a custom shop and get one of the new and awesome 'ragtop' sunroofs that a buddy of mine had put in his P5,,,it is big, insulated, quiet, and really opens up the car and he has no rattles or creaking noises when driving...It is awesome!!!

3.IMPORTANT!!!!...test drive one that has been sitting for awhile,,,there are some cars that have a 'noisy/rattling' sound when starting up and driving in the first 5 minutes regardless of outside temperature...If you drive one and you hear the strange noise,,,,skip that particular car, because Mazda still has "no fix" for it although they say they are working on it.

I know this sounds like some wild stuff. But the fact remains,,,these are some really great cars that give a great driving experience...I would buy another, but maybe be a little more patient and careful with the one I do buy...I would buy another no doubt!!!!

have fun and enjoy!!!,,,,

Sincerely,

taylor5
Greensboro, NC

 

[peter]

i've had my P5 for about a month now. 2600 miles. paid $16,200 with NO options (they're kinda pointless, IMO), and got 4.9% financing for 60 months. i did get a 6-disc changer in the car, but i think that was a mistake on the dealer's part, as i didn't request it or get charged for it. so far...

i dig it. it handles pretty well, but could use a bigger rear swaybar. power is . . . well, there isn't any. that's the problem! that's my biggest complaint, i think, and my only regret about buying it (i miss my impreza 2.5RS . . . i was up to about 185hp at the crank in that thing . . . ). well, that and FWD without an LSD is horrible. but it's just something you have to get used to.

exterior styling is nice. i wasn't excited about the taillights at first, but they're growing on me a little. and it will look sweet the with autoexe front lip.

interior refinement is top-notch. everything is buttoned together well, with no creaks or rattles (which is exactly why i didn't get the sunroof, and a big complaint about my impreza - it creaked and rattled like crazy, and the windows would rattle in the doors if they were all the way down). doors shut very well. the seat is pretty comfy, and the adjustibility is pretty good. my only compaint is lack of bolstering (feels like a park bench at times). the stereo is above average for OEM stuff, but my speakers will be replaced soon.

it also is pretty big back there when the seats are folded down. i play guitar and i can fit ALL of my gear in the back with the seats down (2 marshall 4x12 cabs, 2 amp heads, 3 guitars, toolbox, etc . . . a LOT of s***!!).

all in all, i like it. it's not fast, it's not AWD (damn it i miss my impreza... :'( ), but for the money it's a great car. i'm going to keep it for a while.

and i'm going to tinker with it a bit.... but let's face it, i'll only truly be satisfied with a 993TT.

peter

 

[Liquidturbo2000]

Hmm..thx for all da info, really appreciate it. any of you got tips for buying? i'll be sure to look for the funny noise when test driving the car.. .

 

[hihoslva]

That "rattling" noise is a known issue - Mazda has acknowledged it, and they know what causes it. A big reason they don't have a fix for it is that it is merely a bit of a nuisance - it's not damaging the engine, it's not a safety issue, and it's not something you should worry about, because chances are - whatever car you eventually purchase will have or develop the same rattling sound.

It has to to with a "variable tumble control system" that is engaged before the engine reaches "operating temperature". It is some sort of system that helps to reduce emissions during warm-up, and is one reason why the P5 is rated a "ULEV" (ultra low emissions vehicle).

Interestingly, I don't believe the MP3 has this system (nor does it have ULEV status) and does not have the rattling issue.

It is not a big deal at all. If you drive the car before it is fully warmed up, you'll hear it - sounds kinda crappy, but it's nothing to be concerned about. Seems like 75% or more of P5 and sedan owners have it - who knows, maybe there is something wrong if you DON'T hear it .

Just know that it's basicaly nothing, and shouldn't stop you from buying a certain car.

~HH