What's Your Issues?
January-7th-2002 | 04:08 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Demands Perfection
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 344
What's Your Issues?
Being new to the board, I'm a bit curious if some of my minor annoyances are shared by others.
Overall I love my ES, but there are a few things about it that I wish were different. For the record, I'm not trying to rant; these are just things that kind of annoy me...
1. The thing I hate the most is the RPM issue (which I noted on the tech board). There's no excuse for running this car at such high RPM's at normal highway speeds. Not only is it a waste of fuel (which many have noted this car doesn't do brilliantly with anyway), but it also runs the engine faster than is necessary, and I can't imagine that doesn't lead to premature wear. It's a good engine and I expect it can take it without undue problem, but the bottom line is such a high RPM in 5th at such comparatively slow speeds is totally unnecessary, and, dare I say, uncalled for. I think Mazda engineers are retards for doing this with the tranny.
2. The center armrest isn't really an armrest! It's way too low and short to be of comfortable use, and we don't even have an option to extend it like my old Nissan Sentra had. That sucks.
3. The door locks should be on the door near the handle, NOT on the top. Anyone try resting your arm on the door with the window rolled down? You get poked right in the arm, and that's a glaring design flaw that I can't believe wasn't thought of by anyone at Mazda. Maybe they don't care; I don't know.
4. Normal (legal) highway speeds for the US measurement system (miles, that is) aren't clearly noted on the speedometer. With those weird 20 mile incriments it's hard to find 65; you kind of have to approximate it. As said, not a big deal, just a minor annoyance.
5. There's no visual indication when your fog lights are on. They should have a simple light or something that indicates when they're on, otherwise there's no practical way to know.
6. In terms of safety, the turn signal lights on the front of the car can only be seen from the front, not the side, like on most other cars. If anyone is to your side they're not going to know you're signalling to turn, because there's no lights for them to see. Maybe Mazda wants us to use old fasioned hand signals out the window when turning. Then my arm will get poked by the door lock!
Overall I love my ES, but there are a few things about it that I wish were different. For the record, I'm not trying to rant; these are just things that kind of annoy me...
1. The thing I hate the most is the RPM issue (which I noted on the tech board). There's no excuse for running this car at such high RPM's at normal highway speeds. Not only is it a waste of fuel (which many have noted this car doesn't do brilliantly with anyway), but it also runs the engine faster than is necessary, and I can't imagine that doesn't lead to premature wear. It's a good engine and I expect it can take it without undue problem, but the bottom line is such a high RPM in 5th at such comparatively slow speeds is totally unnecessary, and, dare I say, uncalled for. I think Mazda engineers are retards for doing this with the tranny.
2. The center armrest isn't really an armrest! It's way too low and short to be of comfortable use, and we don't even have an option to extend it like my old Nissan Sentra had. That sucks.
3. The door locks should be on the door near the handle, NOT on the top. Anyone try resting your arm on the door with the window rolled down? You get poked right in the arm, and that's a glaring design flaw that I can't believe wasn't thought of by anyone at Mazda. Maybe they don't care; I don't know.
4. Normal (legal) highway speeds for the US measurement system (miles, that is) aren't clearly noted on the speedometer. With those weird 20 mile incriments it's hard to find 65; you kind of have to approximate it. As said, not a big deal, just a minor annoyance.
5. There's no visual indication when your fog lights are on. They should have a simple light or something that indicates when they're on, otherwise there's no practical way to know.
6. In terms of safety, the turn signal lights on the front of the car can only be seen from the front, not the side, like on most other cars. If anyone is to your side they're not going to know you're signalling to turn, because there's no lights for them to see. Maybe Mazda wants us to use old fasioned hand signals out the window when turning. Then my arm will get poked by the door lock!
January-8th-2002 | 12:16 AM
#4
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,030
From: ottawa, ontario canada
Originally posted by TheMAN
Agreed with you on the most part. Mazda seemed to have designed the gear ratios to be more "sporty" I guess which meant good torque at highway speeds to allow passing without downshifting. Ok, whatever. What I wished this car had was a 6th gear though for the lazy boy cruising.
Why not do this mod like I did?
As for the turn signal from the side, this isn't a problem in overseas markets. But Mazda was smoking something and was stupid to take off the fender sidemarkers (luckily they left it alone on the MP3) in the US version.
Agreed with you on the most part. Mazda seemed to have designed the gear ratios to be more "sporty" I guess which meant good torque at highway speeds to allow passing without downshifting. Ok, whatever. What I wished this car had was a 6th gear though for the lazy boy cruising.
Why not do this mod like I did?
As for the turn signal from the side, this isn't a problem in overseas markets. But Mazda was smoking something and was stupid to take off the fender sidemarkers (luckily they left it alone on the MP3) in the US version.
January-8th-2002 | 09:21 AM
#5
Protege Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 88
From: Saucon Valley, PA
Re: What's Your Issues?
Originally posted by ProtegeMaster
1. The thing I hate the most is the RPM issue (which I noted on the tech board). There's no excuse for running this car at such high RPM's at normal highway speeds.
1. The thing I hate the most is the RPM issue (which I noted on the tech board). There's no excuse for running this car at such high RPM's at normal highway speeds.
3. The door locks should be on the door near the handle, NOT on the top. Anyone try resting your arm on the door with the window rolled down? You get poked right in the arm, and that's a glaring design flaw that I can't believe wasn't thought of by anyone at Mazda. Maybe they don't care; I don't know.
5. There's no visual indication when your fog lights are on. They should have a simple light or something that indicates when they're on, otherwise there's no practical way to know.
6. In terms of safety, the turn signal lights on the front of the car can only be seen from the front, not the side, like on most other cars. If anyone is to your side they're not going to know you're signalling to turn, because there's no lights for them to see.
--Dean
January-8th-2002 | 01:12 PM
#6
a.k.a. spydermonkey
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,413
From: New Orleans
Originally posted by TheMAN
Umm, no. The P5 does not have fender mounted side turn signal markers. The P5 does have a backlit reflector mounted on the bumper though. That reflector goes on with the parking lights but do not blink, which means it is not a turn signal.
The fender sidemarkers I installed are OEM ones installed at the OEM locations (measurement locations are found in the FAQ). They do not go on with the parking lights (the way it should be), but do blink/work with the turn signals.
Umm, no. The P5 does not have fender mounted side turn signal markers. The P5 does have a backlit reflector mounted on the bumper though. That reflector goes on with the parking lights but do not blink, which means it is not a turn signal.
The fender sidemarkers I installed are OEM ones installed at the OEM locations (measurement locations are found in the FAQ). They do not go on with the parking lights (the way it should be), but do blink/work with the turn signals.
January-8th-2002 | 01:25 PM
#7
a.k.a. spydermonkey
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,413
From: New Orleans
Re: What's Your Issues?
Originally posted by ProtegeMaster
2. The center armrest isn't really an armrest! It's way too low and short to be of comfortable use, and we don't even have an option to extend it like my old Nissan Sentra had. That sucks.
2. The center armrest isn't really an armrest! It's way too low and short to be of comfortable use, and we don't even have an option to extend it like my old Nissan Sentra had. That sucks.
Originally posted by ProtegeMaster
3. The door locks should be on the door near the handle, NOT on the top. Anyone try resting your arm on the door with the window rolled down? You get poked right in the arm, and that's a glaring design flaw that I can't believe wasn't thought of by anyone at Mazda. Maybe they don't care; I don't know.
3. The door locks should be on the door near the handle, NOT on the top. Anyone try resting your arm on the door with the window rolled down? You get poked right in the arm, and that's a glaring design flaw that I can't believe wasn't thought of by anyone at Mazda. Maybe they don't care; I don't know.
This is one of the biggest grips about the P5 that I have. As for the door locks ***** themselves, they do hurt a little when you rest your arm, but I dont have such a big problem with that.
Originally posted by ProtegeMaster
4. Normal (legal) highway speeds for the US measurement system (miles, that is) aren't clearly noted on the speedometer. With those weird 20 mile incriments it's hard to find 65; you kind of have to approximate it. As said, not a big deal, just a minor annoyance.
4. Normal (legal) highway speeds for the US measurement system (miles, that is) aren't clearly noted on the speedometer. With those weird 20 mile incriments it's hard to find 65; you kind of have to approximate it. As said, not a big deal, just a minor annoyance.
Originally posted by ProtegeMaster
5. There's no visual indication when your fog lights are on. They should have a simple light or something that indicates when they're on, otherwise there's no practical way to know.
5. There's no visual indication when your fog lights are on. They should have a simple light or something that indicates when they're on, otherwise there's no practical way to know.
Originally posted by ProtegeMaster
6. In terms of safety, the turn signal lights on the front of the car can only be seen from the front, not the side, like on most other cars. If anyone is to your side they're not going to know you're signalling to turn, because there's no lights for them to see. Maybe Mazda wants us to use old fasioned hand signals out the window when turning. Then my arm will get poked by the door lock!
6. In terms of safety, the turn signal lights on the front of the car can only be seen from the front, not the side, like on most other cars. If anyone is to your side they're not going to know you're signalling to turn, because there's no lights for them to see. Maybe Mazda wants us to use old fasioned hand signals out the window when turning. Then my arm will get poked by the door lock!
January-8th-2002 | 02:49 PM
#8
Thread Starter
Demands Perfection
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 344
Cool Mod
Man, I do recall reading about adding your own side signal light, but hadn't seen a picture yet-- Awesome job! I might consider that in the near future; it totally looks like it belongs there! 
In response to others' comments, indeed the RPM issue continues to be my primary complaint. You're probably right that I'll get used to it, but, as said, I've just never seen that kind of high revs in a car at low speeds before. I mean, if we want to pass on the highway we should be able to just drop it into 4th and take off-- That's more fun anyway! Being able to do it in 5th, I think, is actually *less* "sporty"!
Anyway, it's cool and fortunate to have a new car, and I wouldn't want to complain too much! As long as it stays reliable I can cope with everything else...
Later, guys!
In response to others' comments, indeed the RPM issue continues to be my primary complaint. You're probably right that I'll get used to it, but, as said, I've just never seen that kind of high revs in a car at low speeds before. I mean, if we want to pass on the highway we should be able to just drop it into 4th and take off-- That's more fun anyway! Being able to do it in 5th, I think, is actually *less* "sporty"!
Anyway, it's cool and fortunate to have a new car, and I wouldn't want to complain too much! As long as it stays reliable I can cope with everything else...
Later, guys!
January-8th-2002 | 08:29 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Demands Perfection
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 344
Indeed, the light placement looks spot on for OEM! Sweet!
Also, that's one of the only things I had to compromise on with my car: I was hoping for Sunlight Silver Metallic, but could only find a Black Mica. The price was such a great deal I had to jump. Silver would have been preferrable mostly because my old Sentra is also black, and figured it would be cool for a change. Silver just plain looks cool, too!
Oh well, as long as I keep 'er clean, Black still looks awesome...
Laterz!
Also, that's one of the only things I had to compromise on with my car: I was hoping for Sunlight Silver Metallic, but could only find a Black Mica. The price was such a great deal I had to jump. Silver would have been preferrable mostly because my old Sentra is also black, and figured it would be cool for a change. Silver just plain looks cool, too!
Oh well, as long as I keep 'er clean, Black still looks awesome...
Laterz!
January-8th-2002 | 08:55 PM
#10
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 401
From: Toronto
No side turn indicator? In Toronto nobody using them anyway.
Opposite stands for the fog lights-turn them on and forget about them.
As for revs, 99 Infinity g20 has same speed/revs relationship.
Protege's 5 th gear is very weak, so Mazda had to compromize between noise and highway performance.
About armrests-if one hand on the door and another on center console-what do you use do steer?
I would add another annoying thing-exhaust noise at highway speed at 3500-4000 rpm. Its not engine buzz, just some boom at on and off throttle. Anybody noticed that ?Could be due to removed air box?
Alex
Opposite stands for the fog lights-turn them on and forget about them.
As for revs, 99 Infinity g20 has same speed/revs relationship.
Protege's 5 th gear is very weak, so Mazda had to compromize between noise and highway performance.
About armrests-if one hand on the door and another on center console-what do you use do steer?
I would add another annoying thing-exhaust noise at highway speed at 3500-4000 rpm. Its not engine buzz, just some boom at on and off throttle. Anybody noticed that ?Could be due to removed air box?
Alex
January-8th-2002 | 11:31 PM
#12
a.k.a. spydermonkey
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,413
From: New Orleans
Originally posted by douggie
Rattling interior noise! It's really driving me nuts!
Rattling interior noise! It's really driving me nuts!
Also, I heard a rattle that I thought was coming from the front of my car, but it was actually the metal bracket that hooks the "trunk" compartment to the sides. It was not snapped in all the way, causing a rattling sound!
January-9th-2002 | 12:06 AM
#14
Protege Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 484
Originally posted by nightowl
no ratels(sp) here with my P5.....other then my subwoofer
no ratels(sp) here with my P5.....other then my subwoofer
The rattle is from a few places: the headliner behind the moonroof, somewhere from the dash on the driver side and also the right rear door.
January-9th-2002 | 12:37 AM
#15
That's me!!
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 337
From: Denver, CO
No gripes here...
I really don't have any issues with my Protege. Although, this is the first new car I've ever owned and I know it's not an Audi so I expect there to be some problems with noises, etc...
The only problem I've had so far was trying to get that freaking oil filter off at my first oil change...The guy at the factory that puts those things on must have fore arms the size of a body builder's thigh or something.
Other than that, smooth sailing...
The only problem I've had so far was trying to get that freaking oil filter off at my first oil change...The guy at the factory that puts those things on must have fore arms the size of a body builder's thigh or something.
Other than that, smooth sailing...