New to me 2002 Protege5

[BrotegeCinco]

<div class="bbWrapper">Just wanted to introduce myself. Picked up a 2002 Mazda Protege5 and so far it has been a great car! Got it at 144k miles for $2000 bucks out the door. The guy that had it before me took it from his son who had a DUI and sold it off, his loss my gain I guess. It had a laundry list done to it: EGR Valve, PCV Valve, Timing Belt, Alternator, Sparks, Starter, Oil Change, Engine mounts, Auto tranny flush/filter, and Air Filter. The only thing wrong with it was a dreaded p0421 and the p0660 and a quick search on this forum got me to the non-fouler trick (5 bucks) and the VICS Solenoid (18 bucks on fleabay). Passed smog with flying colors. I did however just recently found hairline cracks at the top of the radiator.<br /> <br /> This car handles great. I also have a 2012 BMW M-Tech 550i and funny to say, I feel more confident throwing around this Protege5 (the BMW is 1400 lbs heaver though). I have to say that the car feels a lot faster than it actually is. Of course my wife in her CX-5 Touring AWD spanked me.<br /> <br /> Looking forward to learning more about this car and as my daily driver she is going to stay stock. Its nice having something with the utility of a wagon, looks pretty sporty (unique), and fun to toss around in the corners!</div>

 

[EddyMerckx]

<div class="bbWrapper">Got one a couple months ago and just joined the forum too! Love driving it around the city, always tempted to race when the light turns green.</div>

 

[NaturalFlavored]

<div class="bbWrapper">Well with an auto it won&#039;t be as fast as a manual due to a significant ecu upgrade for manuals only (unfortunately). <br /> Welcome to the forums. It&#039;s not as active as it was 2 years ago but more people are joining.</div>

 

[BrotegeCinco]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 152141" data-quote="EddyMerckx" data-source="post: 6489498" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/forum/goto/post?id=6489498" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-6489498">EddyMerckx said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Got one a couple months ago and just joined the forum too! Love driving it around the city, always tempted to race when the light turns green. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Definitely a fun little car! I&#039;m interested in learning more!<br /> <br /> <blockquote data-attributes="member: 141979" data-quote="NaturalFlavored" data-source="post: 6489524" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/forum/goto/post?id=6489524" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-6489524">NaturalFlavored said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Well with an auto it won&#039;t be as fast as a manual due to a significant ecu upgrade for manuals only (unfortunately). <br /> Welcome to the forums. It&#039;s not as active as it was 2 years ago but more people are joining. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Thanks man! Didn&#039;t buy this car for the speed obviously however I was pleasantly surprised at the handling.</div>

 

[Derty_rabbit]

<div class="bbWrapper">Sweet!!! Welcome<br /> <br /> <br /> **********************************</div>

 

[stormkyori]

<div class="bbWrapper">Im suprised you mention handling, I feel it&#039;s not as crisp as I would like it to be. I feel my back tires slip. Like they turn so fast I find myself peeling sometimes and I also don&#039;t feel quite as confident in the rain. I was hoping a rear sway bar upgrade would help with this as well as the aforementioned ecu flash I would like to do in the future. Also welcome. I feel you&#039;ll get lots of answers on here as well as good items that fellow members have for sale. Recently got my P5 as well like 6 months ago.</div>

 

[MrGiggles]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 151118" data-quote="stormkyori" data-source="post: 6490884" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/forum/goto/post?id=6490884" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-6490884">stormkyori said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Im suprised you mention handling, I feel it&#039;s not as crisp as I would like it to be. I feel my back tires slip. Like they turn so fast I find myself peeling sometimes and I also don&#039;t feel quite as confident in the rain. I was hoping a rear sway bar upgrade would help with this as well as the aforementioned ecu flash I would like to do in the future. Also welcome. I feel you&#039;ll get lots of answers on here as well as good items that fellow members have for sale. Recently got my P5 as well like 6 months ago. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Get better tires.</div>

 

[Derty_rabbit]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 141410" data-quote="MrGiggles" data-source="post: 6490914" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/forum/goto/post?id=6490914" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-6490914">MrGiggles said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Get better tires. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Soft sidewalls are the worst<br /> <br /> <br /> **********************************</div>

 

[NaturalFlavored]

<div class="bbWrapper">Also tire pressure. A lot of people don&#039;t keep up on it. I noticed when mine got low one time taking a turn they screeched a bit. Was 5psi low, also I went up to 205/50/16.</div>

 

[Derty_rabbit]

<div class="bbWrapper">Dam<br /> <br /> <br /> **********************************</div>

 

[stormkyori]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 141410" data-quote="MrGiggles" data-source="post: 6490914" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/forum/goto/post?id=6490914" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-6490914">MrGiggles said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Get better tires. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> What are better tires? We talking about brand or what exactly.<br /> <br /> <blockquote data-attributes="member: 141979" data-quote="NaturalFlavored" data-source="post: 6490926" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/forum/goto/post?id=6490926" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-6490926">NaturalFlavored said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Also tire pressure. A lot of people don&#039;t keep up on it. I noticed when mine got low one time taking a turn they screeched a bit. Was 5psi low, also I went up to 205/50/16. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> I&#039;m at 205/55/16</div>

 

[NaturalFlavored]

<div class="bbWrapper">Yes brand. What is your tire pressure at? What kind of tires do you have ?</div>

 

[Derty_rabbit]

<div class="bbWrapper">Michelin pilot sport ps2 lol sticky tires and at 35-37psi<br /> <br /> <br /> **********************************</div>

 

[NaturalFlavored]

<div class="bbWrapper">I had to get Gt Eco 205 /50 R16 87H SL BSW because my tire shop didn&#039;t have any other ones. They aren&#039;t bad but they&#039;re not great. Or the worst. I keep mine aired up at 37psi or 38psi, if they drop to 30-33psi I can feel they aren&#039;t as grippy.</div>

 

[stormkyori]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 141979" data-quote="NaturalFlavored" data-source="post: 6491028" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/forum/goto/post?id=6491028" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-6491028">NaturalFlavored said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Yes brand. What is your tire pressure at? What kind of tires do you have ? </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Goodyear Viva 3 all season at around 36psi I&#039;ve been focusing on getting all the maintenance work done so I grabbed these for now from a family friend who gave me a good deal.</div>

 

[MrGiggles]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 151118" data-quote="stormkyori" data-source="post: 6491225" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/forum/goto/post?id=6491225" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-6491225">stormkyori said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Goodyear Viva 3 all season at around 36psi I&#039;ve been focusing on getting all the maintenance work done so I grabbed these for now from a family friend who gave me a good deal. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Yeah, those stink.</div>

 

[stormkyori]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 141410" data-quote="MrGiggles" data-source="post: 6491260" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/forum/goto/post?id=6491260" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-6491260">MrGiggles said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Yeah, those stink. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Suggestions?</div>

 

[MrGiggles]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 151118" data-quote="stormkyori" data-source="post: 6491476" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/forum/goto/post?id=6491476" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-6491476">stormkyori said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Suggestions? </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Michelin Pilot, Bridgestone Potenza, Hankook Ventus, and many more.</div>

 

[Derty_rabbit]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 141410" data-quote="MrGiggles" data-source="post: 6491511" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/forum/goto/post?id=6491511" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-6491511">MrGiggles said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Michelin Pilot, Bridgestone Potenza, Hankook Ventus, and many more. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Mos def agree, but it&#039;s really about personal preference.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> **********************************</div>

 

[BrotegeCinco]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 151118" data-quote="stormkyori" data-source="post: 6490884" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/forum/goto/post?id=6490884" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-6490884">stormkyori said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Im suprised you mention handling, I feel it&#039;s not as crisp as I would like it to be. I feel my back tires slip. Like they turn so fast I find myself peeling sometimes and I also don&#039;t feel quite as confident in the rain. I was hoping a rear sway bar upgrade would help with this as well as the aforementioned ecu flash I would like to do in the future. Also welcome. I feel you&#039;ll get lots of answers on here as well as good items that fellow members have for sale. Recently got my P5 as well like 6 months ago. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> I have a 2012 BMW 550i and even with the M-Sport package the steering feels numb and also all the electronic nannies make the driving experience numb. I have to say that for a 4300lb car the acceleration is intoxicating (stock 400hp and 450tq, I&#039;m tuned). This P5 reminds me of my e30 dropped on H&amp;R race springs and also my e36 M3 with coil overs and sways... I&#039;m actually driving this car more than my 550i. The 550i is my freeway cruiser and when the wifey and I need to go to special events. The passing power is awesome and not too many cars on the road (where I live anyways) can hang with it... <br /> <br /> Like I said I am going to keep it stock with maybe a K&amp;N filter.. for a slushbox I don&#039;t think it&#039;s going to benefit much from bolt on mods...</div>