I p/u our new Protege 5 last night and the only option I'd like to add is the self dimming/compass rearview mirror. The dealer wants $239.00 + $70.00 for inst. Are they avail for less $$ online, and has anyone done the install?
Thanks in advance.
P.S. The cars a "hoot", driving reminds me of my MR-2

 

www.mazdastuff.com has the mirror listed for less than $200.00. LinuxNinja has done the install and had posted the instructions. You might find it if you look waaaaay back (at least 2 months). I have been considering this myself, just waiting for christmas. The instructions look like they will take some time to get through (say an hour or so) but did not look too complicated.

 

Thanks for the info. The dealer only wanted $75.00 for the install, but they wanted $239.00 for the mirror!

 

VetteMan,

First off, Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to our Club. There are TWO BIG fridge'S in the corner with anything you can think of in them...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have.

make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom don't care....and take it easy.

oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!!

Something to keep in mind with this rearview mirror.....if you plan on doing a dark tint job on the windows....it will greatly hamper or maybe even totally disable the "self-dimming" feature of the mirror...seeing as how it works by measureing the amount of light that is stricking it....if your windows are tinted pretty dark....it very most likely won't work at all....then all you have for your $200+ is a compass, which you can buy one at wal-mart for a few dollars.

 

the following is the thread with the install info (it then point to a thread on another board):

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...&threadid=5163

I've had the mirror for a few months now and really do like it... funny thing is that I get in other cars and wonder what the deal is when I get bright lights in the rear view... then I have to use that little switch on the mirror... waaaahhhh....

 

Hi and welcome to the board. There has got be to other stuff you can spend your hard earned cash on instead of that mirror. CAI intake comes to mind .

I bought a little compass for my dash at Walmart for a few bucks. As for the mirror, I bought another wide view one which I think is more useful. Simply clips over the OEM one so no mods necessary. I will try and post a pic later tonight.

 

Thanks for the warm welcome to the forum! I had a hard time deciding what to buy. I looked at the Vibe, Matrix, and decided for the money the P5 was the better value. Unfortunately I took delivery of the car at 9:00 PM. The next day I noticed a lot of watermarks on the top and hood. It looks like the clear coat has been "etched". I tried polishing them out with Meguiers etc. to no avail. Tomorrow the dealer is going to have his detail man fix it, but I'm leary! Sometimes things get worse trying to fix a small problem turns into a BIG problem. Anyway it's pretty much my wifes car I have a 'Vette (hence the Vetteman) I may trade her as the accessories are much less expensive
Cheers

 

Yikes! I just hope that 'detail man' isn't some 17 year old kid that hates his job. I've heard some pretty bad stories about those dealership 'detail' people. Make sure you check the car carefully before you leave. Sometimes you won't see some of the swirl marks they might leace unless the light hits it at the right angle.

 

ahhh can we assume you have a CORvette and not a CHEvette?

lol

sorry...couldn't resist.....I knew this kid that use to tell people that didn't really know him that he had a 'vette'....and it WAS a chevette.....he even took the che off of the car so the emblem on it said 'vette'.....pretty sad huh? lol

:{D

 

And I'm also going to assume that by trade her, you are referring to the car, not the WIFE!

Welcome to the board - have fun!

~HH

 

Yeh, I was refering to trading the car. I went ahead and ordered the mirror. The dealer gave it to me for $240.00 installed (1 hr. labor) and threw in a nice set of floor mats I think the dealer felt bad because I had to bring the car back to have the watermarks removed. They were able to remove 99% without any scratches or swirl marks. Now I just need a cargo net, some oil filters, Mobile One and I think she wanted a cargo mat for the back.