So I drove my first mp5 today..

[flat_black]

Yeah, the SE-R sucks screws into it's engine, and it's always broken up the precat, and sucked it back into the engine, along with other nasty issues. =) My friend has one, and he's had to replace the battery twice due to alternator "issues", and is on his third alternator (under warranty). His O2 sensor popped out, just randomly, stripping all the threads out. And he's never had removed it, no less. His motor mounts were totally hosed, and he popped two welds along his exhaust, one before the resonator, one before the muffler. And this is on an '04 MY SE-R.

Also, I've never had any of the issues that you mention, aside from the poor grounding/headlight issues, but I've only replaced my bulbs once, about 15k ago or so.

I also get about 38mpg, on average. With the MP3 ECU. So no complaints there.

 

[rjmhotrod]

maybe i could deal with unreliability if the car was more rewarding, [highlight]I guess that's why there's a market for Camaros and Mustangs.[/highlight]

Exactly.

I'm sorry that you've had such bad experiences with the P5 and that the car isn't more rewarding. That's why there are lots of different cars out of there - to suit everybody's preference. Good luck with whatever else you get (cause it sounds like you won't have the P5 much longer). (drinks)

But hey i'd rather have a fun car with a real character and some quirks here and there then being stuck driving a car without a personality but outstanding reliability

That is precisely the reason I got rid of my previous vehicle, a '95 Camry that had less than 50K miles when I traded it. It was a very reliable car but it had no character (even my '81 Ford F100 had character). It bugged the crap out of me. So I bought a used P5 and haven't regretted it yet. Sure I wish it had more power - if it had another 50 horsepower and higher 5th gear it would be just about a perfect car as far as I'm concerned. But I haven't had all the issues that Replica has had.

 

[Replica]

Replica, yes i agree the p5 is not a beacon of reliability. But hey i'd rather have a fun car with a real character and some quirks here and there then being stuck driving a car without a personality but outstanding reliability aka bottom of the line honda civic or the infamous corolla. These cars are appliances made to last, not have fun with. And in this world where so many things are bland and not fun, adding another boring thing.... well it just sucks.....

It doesn't take much to give a Civic alot of personality. The peaky power is already fun, the tranny and clutch are tough! I was stil barking the tires until the day i sold it on the stock clutch (196k.) With just some sway bars a civic can be a beast, we installed some on Hangnail's hatch and it was an entirely different car. Suspension tech. sway kit was a wopping $240.

It is true that the P5 does stand out with its handling behavoir, Mazdas have that feel. it isn't that a P5 handles better neccessarily, but the way it feels to drive will always be unique.

 

[Lord_Zath]

Damn I had no idea you were having this many problems with the p5. You must have gotten a factory defect or something. It's of course too late to pursue the lemon law, but damn. If it isn't a lemon, it's definitely something damn near close to it. I haven't seen anyone else on this board having such problems! Now I can understand why you really want to get rid of it.

It's kinda like the Sentra SER Spec-V's. There was a certain year that the precat in the exhaust manifold would come apart and get sucked into the engine.

My complaints don't end on just the motor, there are alot of little things on the car that are not reliable. Every car has its quirks, but the P5 ones seem like ones that will turn into big issues later on down the road. Clutch chatter, cold start knock, the headlights getting brighter when I rev the car, also my car had a slight shutter when going into 4th but installing the kartboy bushings seems to have stopped it. Going through headlight bulbs every 4-5 months, the A/C thing too. My gas milage used to be around 22mpg, then i installed the stock intake and I now get 28-29 mpg. Weird stuff.

The VICS is an issue because alot of manufacturers use dual runner manifolds. The Honda Prelude's H22a uses a dual runner, so does an Integra GSR's B18C1, as does the Sentra Spec-V, but they aren't throwing screws in the motor.

Again, so everyone doesn't get super defensive, I don't think the P5 is a horrible car, I just don't think it's the beacon of reliability that people are trying to attribute to it. If I were the original post starter, I'd get an SI over a P5, just for the reliability, even though I hate the "cock" shifter, and the fit and finish for a Honda is a bit shabby and the motor leaves alot to be desired. What bugs me about the P5, not only does it leave alot to be desired, it's also a bit unreliable. maybe i could deal with unreliability if the car was more rewarding, I guess that's why there's a market for Camaros and Mustangs.

 

[Replica]

The car is fine, they're all just little things. If someone wanted to buy my P5 i wouldnt feel bad about selling it. The alternator thing is just how mazdas are setup. The chatter is very mild but it still bothers me. The 4th gear shutter is fixed but is also a TSB with the clutch chatter. The A/C 2-3 fans are also a TSB. I just dont want a car payment on something im not %100 happy with.

The cold start knock is a TSB, and requires an ECU flash because Mazda ****** up when designing the ignition maps. It makes the car run a tad lean when it just starts and there will be a little tapping. Most P5 owners will NEVER notice it and it won't ever hurt anything. It just bugs me.

It's odd how many TSB's effect the '02 Proteges and that have affected my car. All little annoying things.

Of the 10-15 modded P5's I've seen, I'd say mine is in way better shape than most. The motor actually runs way better, now that I have the stock intake now. Beats SOHC vtec civics pretty easily, keeps up with LS integras...although i did lose to my co-worker's modded LT1 Camaro, haha. The P5 has a kick at 5,200rpm, it's kinda fun, like when a puppy growls at you.

I guess the best thing to do if you MUST have a P5 is buy an 03. Although those 03 wheels look like poop and the side markers are kinda annoying.

 

[Lord_Zath]

I like my 03 wheels

Side markers ya they suck.

It's amazing how different the 03's are compared to the 02's in terms of reliability and TSB's... gotta wonder how well they held up in other regions when they were first offered in what '98?

 

[flat_black]

Bah. I love my '02 that was built in June of '01. Musta been one of the first. Heh. I havn't had to claim any of the TSB's.

 

[TurfBurn]

I was just talking with fkmitsu.. he was telling me how his 00 eclipse GT went through 3 pistons... then he sued them and got an MSP LOL... and the service company tried to blame it on him every time

 

[tyusha]

you really think the 03 wheels look like poop? weird....
And i know about civic's potential and i'd love to have an EK hatch as a project, but everyone and their mom has one... and they are boring that way...

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

LOL yep it was good..the service manager said "oh he's got gauges & rims, he must race this thing..."

I was just talking with fkmitsu.. he was telling me how his 00 eclipse GT went through 3 pistons... then he sued them and got an MSP LOL... and the service company tried to blame it on him every time

 

[mogi]

same here, I have an '02 manufactured in Oct. 2001, haven't had to take it in, no VICS problem, no A/C problems, don't notice any chattering, overall I am completely satisfied with my car!

 

[Replica]

I havn't had to claim any of the TSB's.

Don't worry, Mazda doesn't honor the TSB's anyway. (rlaugh)

 

[flat_black]

My friends havn't had any problems with bringing his Miata in for TSB's to Mazda, either of them.

 

[TurfBurn]

No matter what... Mazda will never be as bad as Mitsubishi And as many of us believe... Mazda is quite good

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

Im actually quite satisfied w/ mazda service...when I take it in that is....

 

[iLisa]

i'm happy with warranty... had two windshields put in and they even replaced some headlight and taillight bulbs for free..

 

[Replica]

Wow, I went to 3 dealerships with my clutch chatter TSB. They told me it wasn't a legitimate TSB. Gald everyone had things worked out.

 

[jjac28]

good car!

Havent had any problems whatsoever...im now at 70k km.
i drive the car aggressively and take tight corners.

i'm very happy with the protege. i drove another mazda before my p5 and had no problems at all.

if you read up on the protege, all the mags and websites will tell you this is one of the most reliable cars out there.
this is one of the many reasons why i bought the car.

i wouldnt go by what one or 2 people say, it's the majority that counts.

 

[HangNail]

sway kit was a wopping $240.

it was less than that ... for 1in front 3/4 inch rear sways