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Comments
But nope, no unexpected problems! I can't wait to jump out of the Stratus and zoom-zoom in my like-new 34,500-mile Protege, resplendent with new plugs, new coolant, new brake fluid (oh Lord, I mentioned brakes, didn't I), new tranny fluid, etc.!
Hang on Zoomie old buddy, here comes Daddy!!!!
Meadeball
Call me "eat up with it" if you like! I admit it, I'm insanely in love with my Protege! And he's male! What does that mean? Let me get back to you on that!
Meade
Congrats on the service. I'm glad to hear that everything went fine and it came in less than expected. These Pro's really are great little cars. They have become so much more popular up here in Hondo (not a typo..)/Toyota land. Back in 2000 when we bought ours, there was nary a Protege on the road. Now they are everywhere, but still not as ubiquitous as the Hondo's and Toyota's.
I do think that a lot of people are turned off by the stiff suspensions and seem to equate it with not being "smooth". Again, a subjective interpretation. After all, not everyone likes to plow hard into the twisties and use those "germanic style" hand grips on the Pro's interior doors.
We could do a real live competitive comparison thing if we wanted to. Hmmm, this could be interesting.. Just kidding.
Nah, not selling my baby anytime soon. No way.
We never said it does not attract attention, but were not sure about the kind of attention it attracts...
Ok, I'm sorry Paul for all the Jetta comments.
Speaking of attention, everyone LOVES the PRO's interior so far, except of course, the x gf.
Dinu
I plan to see you tomorrow, Good Lord willing and this group is still HERE tomorrow, LOL! Maybe we need a new Edmunds "Miscellaneous Ramblings" room -- call it "Romper Room for the Protege Nuts" or something!
Everyone, I don't know about you, but I had a very fun day here today. And from what I'm sensing by all of your posts, I think we all kept it civil (for the most part) and everyone had some fun. Let's just hope the Directorate doth concur ... :-)
Good night, and rest peacefully my friends, for tomorrow is another day!
Meade
P.S. Paul, I'll get back to you tomorrow on the MAPP plans.
Dinu
Dinu,
Who cares, that's why she's an X.
I would be interested in this as an alternative, since it appears that I'm somewhat of a car slob.
Thanks!
--Dale
Question: When did they stop making cut-loop pile carpet mats for cars and why? Hate these scruffy things they pass off as mats these days.
Worse, what's the *carpeting*, if you can call it that, in Protegés made of? I can't think of any material like it, not even material used in dog houses.
You know, there's a lot of cheap crap in cars these days. It may save the companies money but it sure presents a problem for the buyers.
Do we really like painted dashes? Why not foam padded vinyl like before -- even though we now have airbags?
And we can't even get carpeting for the trunk from third parties. Just those rubber SUV mat things. If I wanted a compact truck I would have bought one.
The last Honda Accord I bought (1998) the mats were $180! I said, 'NO thanks!, I won't pay that much for something I am going to wipe my feet on!' Sheeesh! The salesman said, "You have to take them or we won't sell you the car." I got up to leave. He called me back, I didn't buy the mats.
fowler3
Anyway, we had that tree taken down on Sunday. The guys scaled the tree, topped it, and then dropped the rest of it. And after they left, I walked around the side of the house to find both Proteges covered with sawdust! Sappy, pine sawdust to be exact. So it's time for a bath!
Oh -- and just when we thought the '95 Crapalier was long-gone (we traded it for the Protege5 back in late January), we received a RECALL notice in the mail yesterday! On a 7-year-old car, LOL! And get this -- the ignition switch can suffer high over-voltages during extended cranking, melt, and cause a fire. And to put the icing on the cake, the repair kits will not be available until June! There's quality Gutwrench service for you!
Glad it's gone ...
Meade
http://www.protegetech.com/mazdaspeedprotege.htm
*** wipes off drool ***
of course they'll never work in winter weather, gonna need a set of winter tires!
Meade the Capitalist
fowler3: no, no, not grass-like indoor-outdoor carpeting. I'm talking about really plush looking indoor-outdoor stuff now available at many home improvement stores.
And I can often cut the mats slightly larger than the originals so as to cover and protect more floor area.
Man, I was saying, "Is this really MY CAR?!" as I chirped and jerked my way out of the dealership's lot yesterday afternoon. Ladies and gentlemen, it's like a brand-new car with some real oomph! The car must've been slowly losing horsepower over the last few months (yeah, as I burned layer upon layer of soot on those plugs with my little jaunts to 100 mph+). With new plugs, new fluids and everything else they did, my car is quiet, smooth as butter, and fast as lightning!
I'm really trying to be honest here -- there is a VAST improvement that is VERY VERY noticeable!!!
And yes, they also detailed my car, inside and out!
I feel like I've gotten a new car for $262.
You may remember that I chose to take the oil change, tire rotation and air filter change off the 30,000-mile service because I get those things done elsewhere or do them myself. Well, I had done everything but the air filter change by yesterday. On the way home with my gleaming "pocket rocket," I stopped by Advance Auto and picked up a Purolator air filter for the car. ($12.99.) I went home and replaced the old one (oops -- the original -- forgot to change it last year) and was surprised to find how easy replacing it was. Even though the MAF sensor and another pigtailed component are attached to the housing, the wires are oriented so you don't have to disconnect anything. Pop two clips, pull out the old one (man, you shoulda seen it -- I was embarrassed), pop in the new one, snap the clips back and you're done! My old Mazda truck required a nutdriver to change the air filter (good old Ford design) -- this I did with no tools in about 60 seconds!
No wonder I was smelling rotten eggs -- my air filter was so black and sooty, it's amazing my Zoomster could breathe at all!
By the way, here's a piece of interesting trivia for you:
Here's the breakdown for that $262 30,000-mile service:
Parts: $48.80
Labor: $206.50 (3.5 hours @ $59/hour)
"Shop Supplies": $5.00
Tax: $2.42
Total: $262.72
Oh well, I guess it was worth it to not spend a day in the driveway, covering myself with coolant, oil and tranny fluid -- and no busted knuckles! And a clean, shiny and vacuumed car too.
Zoom zoom zoom! Now more than ever!
Meade
I have the Tiptronic thing in my car now, and a friend of mine always teases me when I use it sometimes. I will downshift when stopping, and the engine will shoot up to like 2000rpm or something. He says, "I can just smell the clutch burning now!". It always makes me laugh, and also makes me wanna stick with the automatic or Tiptronic trannies.
Looks good, though. I'd just as soon like to see them drop the stereo. Should be interesting to see the performance numbers on this car.
BTW, I really think you're missing out by not driving stick (Just IMO)...there is so much unused power in auto trannies! Plus, when it comes to driving, I'm a control freak...I love shifting!!
Read the Jetta forum for the answer to your "commercial" question.
And I also hope they introduce it in some other colors - the rally blue would be ideal, and the yellow might interest me too!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1815261070
(or search for item no 1815261070)
Lest I forget - 20 total speakers, 2 TVs and 1 VCR (what, only 1?) Changed springs, exhaust tip and a really nice looking body kit.
It appeared in numerous auto shows, and the statement is that over 50K is invested in it.
Current bid USD 16,100!
They claim it can be used as a daily driver (yeah, right), but has zero remaining trunk space!
Great to hear that the service went perfect and your car feels like new. Kind of looking forward now to seeing the difference after the wife's 48,000km service. I got to drive it a lot yesterday and it's still a lot of fun. Tore a little Neon R/T to pieces on the highway yesterday. Do they still put the archaic 3 speed automatic transmission in those POS?
I am totally pumped looking at pics of the new Turbo Protege. I'm already trying to talk the wife into trading in her 2000 and buying this. I'll let you know on the success. I'm hoping it comes in at about 24 to 25,000 Canadian. Any more than that and it's getting a little steep for a Protege. Mind you, I paid that for the Civic SiR a few years back and this Pro reminds me of that car.
Don't think I want one in Orange though.....although it is my wife's favorite colour. Oh, is there no mercy....
Ok, so you get to pick the car and the color of your wife's car? Shoudln't she at least get to pick the color if you get the car you want? It's only fair.
Are there any aftermarket available that I can use?
Made me feel kind of like a teenager again. It was fun.
Mind you, made me wish i was in the WRX. My favorite thing to do to young kids in Hondo Si's and other cars who think they can actually race the WRX is to purposely keep the revs down below 3,2000rpm or so, by jumping into a higher gear than necessary. Like being in 5th gear at 70km or so. At this level the turbo is just starting to spool, but is not really active yet. I like to keep it close and stay maybe a car length, or half car length behind. Then, suddenly, I drop the REX down into 3rd or 4th gear, the Turbo goes nuts and shoots the car forward like a rocket (bat) out of hell. The dumbfounded look on many a Hondo driver's face is priceless as they watch kind of helplessly. This is rather easy to do because the WRX is horrible off the line and is a real tractor until the turbo starts spooling.
Maybe the new Pro will be a little similiar??
P.S.- Yes, I guess i'll have to grin and bear it if the wife decides she wants orange. She loves the Protege and really liked the SiR, so it shouldn't take much to convince her about the car though.
Speaking of the WRX, yes, please stop bringing it up. ;-) That's the car I was aiming to buy, but my finances came up short. Next time. For now, at least I'm saving some fuel and pollution, and probably some points on my drivers license too! :-)
Blame my ramblings on the Tylenol 3's and codeine effect. I ripped up the ligaments in my left ankle playing hockey yesterday. It's a grade 2 sprain. I'm all doped up....more than usual even.... Hey, did someone say DacQuiri. The spelling was for Meade.