However, its utility was somewhat in question given its two doors and problematic rear seat access. Our Civic proved once again the positive characteristics of what passed in the USA as a small car. Truth be told, I’d never grown fond or accustomed to wrestling the avoirdupois of a so-called minivan, no matter how practical it attributes. Seven seats were no longer required or desired, nor was a vehicle that cast a shadow much longer and wider than Punxsutawney Phil’s. Our needs had changed over the past few years as more children left the nest. the question was, which were the most suitable candidates in the early years of the new millennium? A stable mate was needed to keep it warm at night. The other car residing in the family stable was the Millennial (2000) Honda described here last week. To be sure, the Aerostar was a boat, but no longer a useful one, so it was time for another game of car dealership roulette in lieu of either time-honored Pacific Northwest pastime of fishing and/or bait-cutting. As the old saying goes, it was time to either fish or cut bait. All those ills could have been addressed, but only at great expense and with the understanding that a new list would soon be forthcoming. At least the stereo still worked, which helped mask any new noises coming from underneath the Ford’s abbreviated hood. A friend of mine who works for Mazda said they still feel the PR5 was one of the best cars they made.By 20 Ford Aerostar was heading towards its long home I was topping up the transmission fluid on a bi-weekly basis, the air conditioning was kaput, the power steering pump was leaking again and I forget what all else. Too bad Mazda only produce this car for 2 years replacing it with the Mazda 3 which doesn't drive with the same "fun" factor. But whether for daily driving or 350 mile trips to each of the state, this car is remarkable. I have a 2007 Mazda Speed 3 as well and use both cars driving back and forth from Southern and Northern Cal. Even more surprising, the original clutch is still working. I have 202,000 miles on the car and only had to replace a water pump at 80,000 miles and an alternator just recently. I get 25 mpg in town and 31-32 mpg highway at 76-78 mph. The downside it rides rough on a rough road. It's the great suspension on the PR5 that makes this car unbelievable. You can go into a curve, down shift and push the pedal down in the turn and come out like a sling shot with full safety control. The PR5 drives like a sports car more in line with the Mazda Miata. Though the PR5 had 50 hp less than the Matrix and 5 spd manual transmission, it was a better all around driver due to its gearing which gave it a lot of low end torque. There was a $8,000 difference which I couldn't justify when I tested the two cars. Compared it to the Toyota Matrix which had the 6 spd, 180hp. Treat yourself to a P5 while some are still around.!!! ZOOM ZOOM!!īought the car new in 2002. I have owned several in the past, waste of $$$$. You want to waste money on trendy overpriced Euro's feel free to get one of their bucket of bolts. Very easy car on the budget, easy parts and easy fixes. TOO BAD Mazda only made this a 2 year production car. I had a lumpy and unreliable 89 Ford Taurus but when I met my Wife she was in a sexy 91 Protege and that was it.got rid of that ford ( found on road dead) and never turned back. It can easily be your family daily driver or zipping along on a hot date. Has a very attractive cluster dash with white displays and gauges that excite. It has sleek lines, a zippy engine with excellent mpg, goes into corners and out with even more zip. It has a sport feel yet has so much built into it.on certain trims you get abs, sunroof, and more. A 00 Protege, '93 Miata! And 01 civic to feel my age 58.ouch. I have 3 P5's 2 '03's Silver & Yellow and 1'02Red.
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