I have been to two dealers in two cities. Neither one had any idea that leather was an option and knew nothing about mid-year changes that I've seen on this forum. Please help. How can I tell when the car was built so I will know if I am looking at a 2000 or 2000.5 model. Is leather really available? I have seen it on the mazda website, but not in any brochure or dealer option list. I am used to knowing more about the car that I am buying than the salesman, but this case seem extreme. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

I think you mean 2002 or 2002.5.

There's some very noticeable differences such as tweeters in the pillars (A pillars?), side marker lights, cupholder without a cover, etc.

 

The 2002.5 I've seen has six speakers (the extra two are tweeters installed by the side mirrors). I know that for manual trannys, the shift **** is different in the 2002.5...it's not really a **** on the top like in the 2002 (I think it's leather bound as well but I'm not 100% on that one). Also, supposedly the cup holders are deeper in the 2002.5 and there are side blinkers (it's the mid-cycle refresh).
Overall just a couple of cosmetic changes, but nothing in the engine or under-body.

 

The rims should be different too.

 

the 2002.5 should have the sport-shift auto,side blinkers on the fenders,different style wheels,cup holder with no lid,

 

Here's a pic of a 2002.5 (sorry for the large size)



The biggest tip offs to me are the white side turn signals behind the front wheels on the fender, and the different wheels. Also, on the windows sticker will be an entry which says "mid-cycle refresh" in the options list (there is no charge for it though...).

Hope that helps

 

Thanks for the input...Yes, I do mean 2002 and 2002.5.

 

That's correct.

 

On the sedans they all now have the blacked out headlights that only the ES used to have. But the most obvious difference is the side markers.

 

I'm sure about the headlights. When I bought my car last week I was looking at the refreshed models compared to the older ones. And the new sedans had the same headlights as the ES I bought. I know they weren't ES's because my ES was the only one they had.

 

Yes, Virginia, the leather really exists.... it graces the interior of my 2002.5 Midnight Blue.....really a deal for $490.00 on the sticker.

 

where is it that you get those new side markers i want those.

 

you probably need a new car.

Unless you fancy drilling holes in the side of your car and running wires.

 

we did it for my 01 civic ex that i totalled a month back and it looked awsome till i wrecked it but i wouldnt mind doing it again. so does anyone know where to get them does the dealer have them yet

 

If you want leather without every other imaginable option, act quickly, and try everywhere. Most cars we found with leather had everything else too. We just wanted leather, 5 speed and moonroof. We managed to find any combination of 2, or totally loaded. We settled for 5 speed with moonroof and cloth. Our dealer went through heck to find a dealer who would trade with him. Apparently, P5 sales have really picked up lately, the 2002's are getting scarce, and the 2003's won't be shipping for a while, so the dealers are holding onto what they have. You could wait for the 2003's, but I doubt they'll be doing 48 month @ 0% on 2003's.

Good luck!