Interior Compartment Space and Shocks/Struts

[chevelles240]

Hey Protege5 owners,

So I am curious if any of you have added any more compartment space to your Mazda Protege5. I think this car kind of lacks compartments for small things like a phone and I have been looking for non-obnoxious ways to improve that.
I have looked into getting something like this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/151175588822?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

so I can set my phone down while it is hooked up to the radio and have it be easy access.

Have any of you added anything on?

Also, I have very little knowledge of this, but I can feel every bump in the road that this car goes over and I was wondering if any of you have made attempts at reducing this on your own vehicle? Sometimes when I hit a bump or new layer of road that has a bump, then the shocks will make this momentary squeaking sound (I guess you could say) and didn't know if that was any indicator of rusted or old shocks/struts.

 

[lowlevel]

The first thing that comes to mind, of course is adding a single DIN aftermarket stereo .. the kits usually come with a little pocket insert to fill the extra space that you can slip your wallet, smokes, ipod, etc. into. Obviously only makes sense if you also wanted to replace the radio for some reason...

 

[esnave09]

I just replaced the struts on mine a couple months ago, and the first couple months they squeaked like crazy. Thankfully that went away for the most part (or maybe it's just the cold and snow).

And I agree with lowlevel. Also, do you use your e-brake? If not, maybe you could do some cutting in the center console and build something in there around the handle?

 

[sleepwalker]

Also, I have very little knowledge of this, but I can feel every bump in the road that this car goes over and I was wondering if any of you have made attempts at reducing this on your own vehicle? Sometimes when I hit a bump or new layer of road that has a bump, then the shocks will make this momentary squeaking sound (I guess you could say) and didn't know if that was any indicator of rusted or old shocks/struts.

Mind if I ask what you drove before you got your P5? I've always felt like I could feel every bump in the road since I got my P5, but I've always liked it. I like feeling the road, in my butt and my feet and my hands. I like to see, hear, and feel everything I possibly can - gives me more of a sense of control over myself and my vehicle. I ask what you drove before because I started driving in a 1990 Ford Taurus, and *haaated* the way it rode like a boat. Couldn't feel the road at all. Then I went to a 97 Neon and loved it, never looked back. I wonder if maybe you've got the same thing in reverse. -lol-

I love driving little sport compacts with high rev engines and stiff, riding-rails suspensions. Which is funny sometimes, since I'm 6' tall.

As for the squeak in the shocks - I have something similar too, only ever happens on one of the speed bumps in my apartment complex. I've been figuring it's just old struts with 211k miles on them, and hoping (praying) that it's not a rust issue. I'm too afraid to look.

 

[chevelles240]

Lowlevel, I actually purchased an adapter that allows me to hook up anything via USB, Auxiliary, and an iphone cable to the stereo. I've always been leery of pulling a factory radio out and installing an after market one, so while that option is a good one, it is something I probably will not venture into. I plan on drilling a hole some place on the vehicle and adding a flush mount as well.
It will end up looking something like this:

I am going to attempt to drill a circular hole through that cover that says "Multi Function Audio System" where the tape player would normally go.

Esnave09, I have looked into that and I wish there was some type of cover you could place over the e-brake that had places to store things.

Sleepwalker, hahaha I kind of did but not by that much. I used to own a 2007 Toyota Matrix, but it got totaled. :/ I could feel a lot of bumps in that car too. I think with me I am a little paranoid over this vehicle because I purchased it about 2 months ago with 50,100 miles on it, and I have already had to invest about $900 worth of repairs and replacements. I purchased it for $6,000, and the seller off loaded this vehicle literally when it came time to address replacements because of normal wear and tear.

Here is a list of what I have done since I have owned this vehicle for about 2000-3000 miles now.
1. Replaced Radiator
2. Replaced Drive Belt & AC Belt (Adjusted twice now.. still squeaks)
3. Replaced all 4 Rotors
4. Replaced all 4 sets of brake pads with ceramic ones
5. Filled cracks in the back of the trunk to stop water leaks.
6. Replaced front and rear windshield wipers
7. Removed window tint
8. Replaced Air Filter
9. Cleaned/Tightened Engine Valve Lid
10. Replaced all 4 Spark Plugs
11. Drain + Refilled Transmission fluid TWICE
12. Rotated Tires
13. Installed Aux, USB, Ipod adapter
14. Removed rust under bumper support bar and sprayed with Rustoleum.

The biggest cost was when my cooling system belt snapped and I did not realize it. The radiator fluid got so hot that it evaporated and caused the radiator to crack from so much pressure.. I ended up having to get the car towed and repaired at an auto mechanic shop.

Basically, the previous owner never got any type of maintenance done, other than changing oil and tires during certain intervals. The belts, break pads, rotors, and various other things, were all the factory products that rolled off the line with it back in 2002- so they were old and long over due for replacement.

So all of the replacements have made me kind of paranoid (like I am waiting for something to happen again), and I have been researching a lot into what may need to be replaced and what is affordable. A lot of this has been me trying to figure out ways to make this car better on the outside and inside with out going over board either.

 

[esnave09]

I feel ya on the long list of replacements. I bought mine and within 10 months had to replace brakes (rotors, calipers, and pads), battery, alternator, both accessory belts (twice), both front wheel bearings (twice each), struts and strut mounts, end links, put in a header (j pipe broke and pre cat clogged up), and replaced my valve covet gasket. My PO didn't do anything either, and I definitely paid for it.

 

[lowlevel]

I have a long list going too... car was free in my case but I replaced battery, oil pan, alternator and belts just to get it home. Replaced the radio... doing EGR now... thinking I should replace hoses, thermostat, rad cap.. need to do clutch possibly flywheel... motor mounts... front cross member... passenger door.. all tires... all rotors, pads, possibly calipers.... coil packs/wires... plugs... timing belt and water pump were done before I got it at least. (wife thinks I should just buy a new car lol)

 

[esnave09]

Ha I always forget the coil packs and tires. Our something else. But yours was free, so the maintenance costs is all that you're paying for the car. I paid $3700 (waaay too much for what I got), and everyone told me to sell it. I'd be lucky to get $4k if I sold it today. So I'm gonna run or into the ground.

 

[chevelles240]

I feel ya on the long list of replacements. I bought mine and within 10 months had to replace brakes (rotors, calipers, and pads), battery, alternator, both accessory belts (twice), both front wheel bearings (twice each), struts and strut mounts, end links, put in a header (j pipe broke and pre cat clogged up), and replaced my valve covet gasket. My PO didn't do anything either, and I definitely paid for it.

Now I don't feel as bad with what I have had to replace.

I have a long list going too... car was free in my case but I replaced battery, oil pan, alternator and belts just to get it home. Replaced the radio... doing EGR now... thinking I should replace hoses, thermostat, rad cap.. need to do clutch possibly flywheel... motor mounts... front cross member... passenger door.. all tires... all rotors, pads, possibly calipers.... coil packs/wires... plugs... timing belt and water pump were done before I got it at least. (wife thinks I should just buy a new car lol)

I can see why she would suggest buying a new car lol. It's a nice car for me to use during college, but once I am financially stable then I will either push towards a subaru, volkswagen, or some hybrid hatchback. So far I love this car though.