Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

[Harrisonn]

For me one big difference between the '02 P5 and the '03 P5 and the American versions is the use of leather for the steering wheel and shift knob. Changing the steering wheel is probably quite expensive, but has anyone gone to a shop to have the stock '02 steering wheel wrapped with leather? Is this even possible. Also, anyone know of a good source for a leather-wrapped shift knob. I'm not too keen on the golf ball knob.
cheers,
HarrisonN

[rowan]

Wrapping the steering wheel might make it too thick to be comfortable. (Personal preference though). Your options for new steering wheels depend on whether you want to keep the airbag or not. Momo, OMP, Sparco, and many other companies make steering wheels that you can bolt on with an adaptor.

You can order the MP3 steering wheel from Mazda Motorsports but it's almost $500 USD. You can probably get the '03 Protege wheel through them as well.

The shift knob, I'm guessing is made by Razo (because the older Mazdaspeed shift knobs are identical to some of Razo's knobs) or Nardi (because that's who all the steering wheels, MP3 shift knob, Miata knobs, etc are made by) .. you can buy their own branded knobs at most car shops .. 1st Markham place, Pacific Mall, etc. Of course, Momo, OMP, Sparco, etc, etc make knobs as well. Most of them don't screw on to the threads, but some do.

[03bluP5]

You're right Harrisonn. The '03 has a leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather shifter knob. The sportmatic knob is larger than the 5 speed knob and two-tone. Very nice.
To tell you the truth, the leather wheel feels the same as my '02 did. It's very subtle. I wouldn't lose any sleep over wanting the leather wheel, maybe the shift knob would be worthwhile.
If you love leather, what about custom leather interior? I originally wanted leather seats, but saw a few 2-3 yr old vehicles showing too much wear on the leather - wrinkles, folds, discolouration, etc. For me, fabric holds up better in a car (I love my leather sofa and recliner at home.)
Love the look, feel and smell of leather - naturally.

[Protege5 Kid]

Talk about answering an old thread...LOL

I sourced out the price for the 2003 Steering wheel and Shift knob

Shift Knob - Aprox 225$
Steering Wheel - Aprox 700$

All prices came from RAy!!!

[dr_sarcasm]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Protege5 Kid @ Jan. 12 2003,1:16)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Shift Knob -  Aprox 225$
Steering Wheel - Aprox 700$[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
If anyone ever buys these, I'll personally see to it that they are beaten like a rented mule.


dr_&quot;those prices are Mazda's way of telling you they don't want your business&quot;_sarcasm.

[Protege5girl]

I didn't really notice the difference with the steering wheel. It feels the same to me.

[CarDemon]

At Ghetto Concept Performance Trends we will buy the immitation CDn tire wrap around leather look and beef up the steering wheel. We don't have too much pride, but yet we feel proud.

Anyone check out my steering wheel spinner yet and my new decals don in yellow?
'GCPT', 'toprotege','CarDemon' are now in yellow and grace the side door panels.

My logo will soon come.
I want to put every sponsor or item installed in yellow decals. My GCPT WRC P5 is in the dvlp stg for DKN'S. Yellow mudflaps and wide stance wheels are coming. Don't your asses forget my chains that spark.

[Harrisonn]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Protege5girl @ Jan. 13 2003,4:33)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I didn't really notice the difference with the steering wheel.  It feels the same to me.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
So you wanna swap steering wheel and shift knob? http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[old_mosely]

I've bought those leather wraps from crappy tire but it's already starting to come undone. Anybody know of any places that leather wrap steering wheels, shift knobs, leather interiors, etc...

[kidkorrupt]

i drove a 02 and yeah the 03 mp5 stick knob and wheel feel more comfy.

don't go for a non-airbug steering wheel mod. Even though it is more stylish those things saves lives. It's so dman retarded when people JDM out there cars to the point that they remove passenger airbags for a damn tray. The bags have saved two of my freinds like...lol, sorry to get all preachy =P

[ken]

Check out Wheelskins (http://www.wheelskins.com/).  I bought a Wheelskins leather steering wheel cover from a store at Square One (can't remember the name of the shop) last year and installed it over my factory wheel.  The look and feel is great and it's still as tight as the day I put it on.  Much better than the cheap covers crappy tire sells.  It cost me $50 and worth every penny.  Much better grip on the wheel and much more comfortable - especially on long drives.  They also make covers for shifters as well.

[tailland]

well..
i also had this wish since i only had a plastic steering wheel in my 2002 p5 ...
and if i bought some new from mazda it would cost me about 900€uros (equals 900us$http://msg.toprotege.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif... inacceptable!!!

BUT:
you can also take the ones from the new miata! i talked this through with mazda germany and they told me that the steering wheels between the models are highly compatible and you can even use your old airbag module...

in germany quite a few miata drivers sell their stwheels in order to get another one.. if it is the same in the us, this might be your chance!

[Harrisonn]

Ken, any pics of the leather cover on your steering wheel?
thanx

[Harrisonn]

Yuri,
What is a &quot;BJFacelift&quot; as listed on your sig?
Just curious ...