If all goes well the nearly 226k mile Protégé5 will be replaced with a 2012 Mazda3 with 65k miles. It is the 2.5 Grand Touring 2.5 6M. Stay tuned.
Goodbye 2003 Protege5, hello 2012 Mazda3 2.5
- Thread starter javacontour
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Mazda3 is a great value for the money.
The best in its class...
Not as troublefree as my Toyotas, but more fun to drive. Used is the way to buy them. My P5 with bald tires, obviously rusting and leaking oil and $9100 for the much newer and lower mileage fully loaded 3. The only option I think it is missing is the automatic. Leather, moonroof, NAV (such as it is) Bose audio, traction control, ABS, and Mazda's smart key technology.
They have to fix the passenger front door latch as you cannot open it from the inside , so I have a we owe from them for that.
They have to fix the passenger front door latch as you cannot open it from the inside , so I have a we owe from them for that.
Rust proof it if you plan to keep it long.
Originally Posted By: Rolla07
Rust proof it if you plan to keep it long.
I would never rust proof via the dealership services. My parents have had good luck with the oil spray via Carwell's...
Rust proof it if you plan to keep it long.
I would never rust proof via the dealership services. My parents have had good luck with the oil spray via Carwell's...
Photos from the dealership ad:
Final tally for the 2003 Protege5.
Ownership Duration: 6 years, 8 months, 20 days
Miles driven: 136,021
Total Costs* $22631.73
Cost/Mile $0.166
Average Fuel Economy 30.15MPG
Average Fuel Cost/Gallon $2.454
Spending:
- Fuel $11071.60
- M&R $7260.13
- Depreciation $4300 ($5300 purchase 4/13/2011 - $1000 trade allowance 9/2/2017)
* Total costs are purchase, fuel, maintenance and repairs. Does not count taxes, tags, insurance as they are different for differing locations and drivers.
Ownership Duration: 6 years, 8 months, 20 days
Miles driven: 136,021
Total Costs* $22631.73
Cost/Mile $0.166
Average Fuel Economy 30.15MPG
Average Fuel Cost/Gallon $2.454
Spending:
- Fuel $11071.60
- M&R $7260.13
- Depreciation $4300 ($5300 purchase 4/13/2011 - $1000 trade allowance 9/2/2017)
* Total costs are purchase, fuel, maintenance and repairs. Does not count taxes, tags, insurance as they are different for differing locations and drivers.
Looks good, how do the two cars compare? The 2.5 must pull pretty good.
Yes, the 2.5 pulls much harder than the 2.0L And, if I drive it sensibly, I can get better fuel economy as well. I think the average will be about the same, low 30s.
I've driven the car for about a week now and just over 500 miles. My mileage has been about 50/50 town and highway. Just under 30MPG, with almost 36MPG on yesterday's 260 mile round trip that was mostly highway. Set the cruise at 75 (in a 70) and drove.
The Mazda3 is much quieter than the P5 and geared a bit better. I'd be at about 3500-3600 RPMs doing 75 in the P5 where the MZ3 is doing about 500 RPMs less.
I do have to work on losing my muscle memory for Reverse and only 5 speeds.
P5 Gear Ratios
===============
Gear Ratios 5-Speed Manual
1st 3.31
2nd 1.84
3rd 1.31
4th 0.97
5th 0.76
Reverse 3.17
Final Drive 4.11
Mazda 3 Gear Ratios
===============
Gear Ratios 6-Speed Manual
1st 3.45
2nd 2.06
3rd 1.39
4th 1.03
5th 0.84
6th 0.72
Reverse 3.45
Final Drive 4.11
So it's going to turn a bit slower in 6th compared to the P5 if the numbers I've found are what I have. I believe I've picked the right MTX for my car. There are three different units offered, but this one seems to match the 2.5L offerings.
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Looks good, how do the two cars compare? The 2.5 must pull pretty good.
I've driven the car for about a week now and just over 500 miles. My mileage has been about 50/50 town and highway. Just under 30MPG, with almost 36MPG on yesterday's 260 mile round trip that was mostly highway. Set the cruise at 75 (in a 70) and drove.
The Mazda3 is much quieter than the P5 and geared a bit better. I'd be at about 3500-3600 RPMs doing 75 in the P5 where the MZ3 is doing about 500 RPMs less.
I do have to work on losing my muscle memory for Reverse and only 5 speeds.
P5 Gear Ratios
===============
Gear Ratios 5-Speed Manual
1st 3.31
2nd 1.84
3rd 1.31
4th 0.97
5th 0.76
Reverse 3.17
Final Drive 4.11
Mazda 3 Gear Ratios
===============
Gear Ratios 6-Speed Manual
1st 3.45
2nd 2.06
3rd 1.39
4th 1.03
5th 0.84
6th 0.72
Reverse 3.45
Final Drive 4.11
So it's going to turn a bit slower in 6th compared to the P5 if the numbers I've found are what I have. I believe I've picked the right MTX for my car. There are three different units offered, but this one seems to match the 2.5L offerings.
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Looks good, how do the two cars compare? The 2.5 must pull pretty good.
That's a nice improvement in cruising rpms and mileage.
Enjoy the car!
Enjoy the car!
The tires have a bit more diameter as well, going from 195/50/17 to 205/50/17 improves the ratio as well.
That should have been 195/50/16 on the old P5, not 17" wheels.
Originally Posted By: javacontour
The tires have a bit more diameter as well, going from 195/50/17 to 205/50/17 improves the ratio as well.
Originally Posted By: javacontour
The tires have a bit more diameter as well, going from 195/50/17 to 205/50/17 improves the ratio as well.
My BIL has 09 Mazda 3 but it only has the 2.0L with automatic. Got to drive it around Houston back in December. Even with the 2.0 and auto that thing was a absolute blast to drive. The gearing seemed almost perfect to me. No lag off the line and would easily run and maintain 80. Everything our Focus isn't.. and more reliable.
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