New P5 Owner w/ Questions

[copperleaf]

Hi everyone,

I'm the proud new owner of a stock yellow 2003 P5 5 speed with 63k miles. This is a change from a 2004 Accord EX-L 5 speed which was totaled a few weeks ago.

1) The dealer installed new serpentine belts and after about 200 miles, I've noticed they squeal sometimes when idling or moving slowly. From what I've read on the forum, this is probably due to the belts stretching a bit and needing to be retightened.

2) I had an ipod adapter in the Accord (which had a pretty nice sound system). The previous owner replace the stock stereo with an aftermarket stereo that also doesn't have any ipod support. I'm interested in replacing the head unit and speakers and possibly adding an amp. I'm good with wiring and electrical stuff in general but don't know squat about car stereos. Can anybody recommend a combination that is reasonably cost effective? Has anybody added separate tweeters to the front doors? Would it be worth it?

3) This p5 came without the roof rack. I do a lot of biking and canoeing and want to add a rack. I've been trying to decide if I would be better off with a factory rack (on other cars I've had, they've been cheap and I've added Thule or Yakima), factory rails with aftermarket rack, or complete aftermarket solution (like the Yakima permanent rails, which seems silly since the p5 already had rail mounts). Any recommendations?

4) I've noticed that the p5 is a bit noisier than the Accord. Over 70 mph the engine gets noticeably load. Any suggestions on noise dampening? I've also noticed that the backend rattles over bumps (expected for a 2003 car). Can anybody suggest the most common places for rattles. I'm already taking care of the pieces in the spare tire compartment.

TIA,
Bill

 

[reut1]

i can help with the rack. I bought a thule ride on adapter for the rack which puts square rails on top of the factory rack. right now im looking to trade the factory rack to someone for the filler strips to use my thule cross bars from my civic. they are sturdier with 45lbs bikes on the roof than with the factory bars.

i pulled out my factory stereo for the kenwood listed in my signature. cost me $210 and its amazing for sound and ipod control.

and yeah the car is loud on the highway due to the gearing. i miss the quiet on highway of my civic but its nothing terrible

 

[localkineguy]

road noise dampening

Check this link out for road noise dampening. I haven't done it but I want to. Looks like a lot of work but people swear by it.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123737318

 

[Ride92]

Yakima forklifts work awsome for bikes on the P5, I like them way better then the ride on adaptor. As far as Stereos go, alpine or pioneer have been decent decks for some time with plenty of power and many models with some sort of ipod function. Speakers are totally up to you and what you think sound good. I've always like pioneer premier speakers or infinity. I know others will say buy these not those but you just have to listen to them and pick which ones sound the best to you. Personally I left stock speakers in the car (mine has factory tweeters in the door) with stock Head unit and just added a small 8" sub in the trunk for more depth with a Grom Audio ipod adaptor. Noise dampening is up too you, dynamat or other such material can make a big difference but sacrifices power because of the added weight. I've also heard that ice and water shield for roofing works weel too.

 

[P-Funk!]

Welcome to our cozy corner of the iWorld!

Agree with all above and add: Get some 2002.5 or 2003 model year door pillar trim pieces to add tweets to the doors. They will accept 1/2" tweets or with a little mod 1" boston accoustic tweets. Amps fit under the seats real well.

I made a sealed sub floor box to hold two ten inch subs. Keeps a lot of the cargo functionality.

Check rear license plate for rattle.

I prefer the stock roof rails - removable when not hauling kayaks and much quieter without all that wind noise