Brief Intro

[kabttu]

Just wanted to take a second to introduce myself. Just bought a 2003 P5 last week and love it. I've already learned quite a bit from reading the threads here. Quick question though, if you can tell from the pic, what parts am I lacking to get the full roof rack? Thanks and looking forward to being a member here.

 

[Matthew]

youre missing the two cross bars, i think thats it. i threw mine away immediately which was stupid.

welcome to the board.

 

[ProFiver]

loooks good!!

 

[DE31]

Im pretty sure your just missing the two crossbars. if you take off the cover and see things that look like rails then you only need the crossbars. i have mine but i love how they look, (i think wagons look plain without them)(10)

 

[WHoISU]

awesome lookin car...welcome to the forums these guys/girls know what there talkin about so you should feel right at home

-WHoISU-

 

[808pro]

hey, welcome to the forums

 

[vaMP5er]

If those are the rails then you should see 4 little plastic covers that come off to attach the rails. If not, then you'll need rails too (wich I hear are a pain to install).

 

[centsless]

check also the FS section, sometime there are people selling them.

oh, and welcome to the board.

any planned mods yet?

 

[kabttu]

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome. As far as the roof rack goes, that's kind of what I was thinking about just needing the two rails but wasn't sure. Anyone selling any?

As far as planned mods, nothing too crazy at first, probably just look into getting a CAI, headers and exhaust at first. Regarding the exhaust, what seems to be the best balance between performance and noise? I don't want an exhaust that's extremely loud.

check also the FS section, sometime there are people selling them.

oh, and welcome to the board.

any planned mods yet?

 

[centsless]

...Regarding the exhaust, what seems to be the best balance between performance and noise? I don't want an exhaust that's extremely loud.

I just installed the Mazdaspeed exhaust and i love it, i really didn't want something too loud as i do over 25K miles a year. that seemed to satisfy exactly what i was looking for.

 

[iLisa]

I just installed the Mazdaspeed exhaust and i love it, i really didn't want something too loud as i do over 25K miles a year. that seemed to satisfy exactly what i was looking for.

I have the Sport Exhaust that they made for the 5.. that way no cutting is involved!

 

[centsless]

ah, yes. forgot to mentions that as well. Like Lisa is saying, if you get the mazdaspeed version of the exhaust for your P5 the tip sticks out about a good 8 inches.
I'm taking it next week the shop for some fabrication, so its best to get the sport exhaust..
Thanks Lisa for pointing that out.

 

[Protege52003]

welcome to the board.....

the mazda-sport exhaust is a lot louder than stock. your nest bet would be to get the Mazdaspeed factory exhast from another member and have a welding shop take about 6 inches off the tip between the actual tip and muffler.

i had the after market Mazdaspeed exhaust for the past three years and just changed to the stock MSP exhaust and it is much quieter and looks much better than factory Protege exhaust.

 

[newlexdon]

Just wanted to take a second to introduce myself. Just bought a 2003 P5 last week and love it. I've already learned quite a bit from reading the threads here. Quick question though, if you can tell from the pic, what parts am I lacking to get the full roof rack? Thanks and looking forward to being a member here.

Check out this jpeg...

 

[RaiderMS3]

Personally, I like it with the roof rack off. Muck quieter on the freeway.

The 1st mod I would do is remove the dealership pinstriping. I actually took off the roof rack the same time I took off the pinstriping. Took a while for the stiping. Used a plastic scraper for the vinyl striping, then some Goo Gone adhesive remover for the glue. I hear 3M has a better remover though.

The next mod would be some better tires. The stock ones are junk in rain, but I am not sure where you are located.

Headers are a good deal for power. I know protegegarage.com has the OBX priced well, and KYMP5 also has headers cheap right now too on sale.

As for exhaust, I have a Racing Beat and love it. No droning at 3500 RPMs like the Mazda Sport is known for.

Good luck with your car! Once you start modding, you cannot stop...

 

[Pretzellogic]

If you want performance and sound, go with Racing Beat. Hands down, the best exhaust for our cars out there. Mazdaspeed is just an axleback, and will drone on the highway. Sounds good, though.

Welcome to the boards. Watch your wallet though. I was originally just going to get an intake (evil)

 

[SkinnyJoint]

welcome. and yea get the roof rack if u like the look i love it and am leaving mine on

 

[kabttu]

So much info!

I'll look into the racing beat, I've heard that their products are very good.

The first thing I'll probably be buying are stock floormats..lol..realized that I did not receive the stock floormats when I got it.

 

[iLisa]

Welcome to the boards. Watch your wallet though. I was originally just going to get an intake (evil)

yeah.. it always starts with an intake..... (confused)