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Comments
You and a lot of other people lost cars in Allison. And the way it's been raining today, I think a few more people will be out there with the flooded car problem...
I have a manual Pro5 as well, Bruno--we bought from the same dealership (Jeff Haas), I believe...
Power...better than expected up to about 3500 rpm, then tapers off too much. I agree with the previous comments about the motor not being as happy revving as previous motors, especially my '92 Pro's 1.8, and a little less than my 2000 ES's 1.8. The clutch is very linear but seems to engage very far out. Shifter was great, not at all sloppy or vague like I had read.
Looks...what can I say...it's better in person than the pictures show. Simply put...one of Mazda's BEST styling efforts yet. It just looks so well-proportioned and sporty, a real head-turner! Didn't care for the black really...the white one was nice though...
Interior...not that different from the 2000. Loved the leather steering wheel and three-spoke design. Seats good and comfortable, again much like the 2000. Stereo...EL STINKO! Compared to the one in the Protege sedan, it just sounded flat and lifeless. No bass, tinny treble...BUT...easy to use knobs and much more attractive design than my 2000's unit. Visors were a little improved in quality feel over my 2000's flimsy visors (I will admit that mine are still in perfect shape...)
Handling and ride...VERY nice. Much more predictable than '92 Pro, a noticeable improvement over standard 2000 ES, but not very different from MY ES...possibly because I put the same strut bar in my 2000? Nah...probably the 16" tires and rims and reinforced strut tower sheetmetal on the 2002 P5. I would say the handling borders on MAGIC, you feel the limit coming on, but you know exactly how much you have left before it breaks loose...Yes...I tried to break it loose a bit.
Looks...Uff Da!
Price...at nearly 1800 more than a loaded ES sedan, and much more expensive financing (5.9% 48 months or 1.9% 36 months on P5 --- vs. --- 0.0% for 48 months on P-Sedan) it's just too darned expensive to justify the appearance-factor. I want one bad, and if the sales manager at Roto had been able to match my current payments, I would have driven one home tonight, the best he quoted me though was 330/mo for 60 months with my 2000 traded in. I'm NOT upside-down on my car loan, but the depreciation on my 2000 ES was higher than I expected. Soooooooooooooo......
I'll be driving my 2000 for a while I guess. Not that it's at all bad...I still love the car...but I have this itch to drive a P5 everyday.
Other stuff....
My 2000 in the shop for allignment tonight-tomorrow. I only have 18k and it needs it already. Might be from when they fixed the clunk in the right front suspension in March. If it is, the service manager already agreed to reimburse me for two new front tires (both now wearing unevenly...but only started happening since they fixed it...hmmmmmm) and I'm still on the RE92 Poortenzas. I asked if they would be buying me the tires, he said it would be up to me...I could get new RE92's from them or he would write me a check for $200 and I could go buy my own tires. Again...only if they say it's from their mistake. Other than that...no problems from the 2000 ES.
CAPP...are there any interested readers for a Chicago Area Protege Picnic to be held in September or early October? If we have even three volunteers from here I will handle all arrangements...please post reply here or email me if interested:
peter_rollins@hotmail.com
Regards and Zoom Zoom to all,
Pete
Love my Protege! The tint looks great, BTW.
Meade
By the way, if you're new to the topic, you may not have heard about the upcoming second-annual Mid-Atlantic Protege Picnic on October 6. A group of us (looks like about 10 right now) will be meeting for a picnic at a Northern Virginia state park that Saturday. If you have your Protege by then, or even if you don't and you want to meet some of us and get some questions answered, drop me an e-mail and I'll send the location info to you!
And welcome!
Meade in Richmond
mdaffron@the-rma.org
<<The Protege offers excellent handling and decent acceleration performance. It's an affordable sports sedan. We tested the Protege during a wintry week in Detroit. Not all compact cars handle snow particularly well, but the Protege was able to plow its way out of a foot of snow -- with no prior shoveling.
Out on the highway, whether the pavement was wet, dry or covered with snow and ice, the Protege offered predictable handling and good grip.>>
You can see the whole article at
http://www.carbuytip.com/reviews/2001_mazda_protege.html
So now I need something else to be obsessed with. I think I've found just the thing -- the same review also says
<<The seats are comfortable and supportive, though we found it a bit hard to turn the knob to adjust the angle of the driver's seatback.>>
Now I'm sorry guys, but I'm not spending $16k on something with a stiff knob I will have to turn once when I buy the car and then forget about for 10 years. ;-)
twist
Interesting -- my 2000's seatback angle isn't adjusted with a knob, but a more conventional lever that you pull up, adjust the back, and release to lock. Now, my seat CUSHION has a few knobs to raise and lower the front and back of it, and they're kind of tight -- but rightfully so; I don't think I've adjusted them in over a year now.
BTW -- it appears the reviewers made a boo-boo in the second line of that review. Didn't they mean to say "Protege" instead of "Miata?"
Meade
Meade
Cost per seat mile just can't compare w/turboprops. I read about a case in Flying magazine where a pilot flew a 360 out of a microburst. Bloody awesome. It was designed such that the cargo version can handle standard cargo containers. Box within a box hey?
Meade, I have a moonroof in my 2001 ES. I have just enough head room in the front to be able to fit. But in the back seat of mine, the roof is pushed up a little right by the top of the rear window. Like space there for your head to be without interfering with the sunroof's "tunnel". A good friend of mine is 6'3 and weighs about 250 lbs., and he rode in the back seat of my Protege for 70 miles and nary a complaint. So there is definitely room there. Also, I have ridden in my own back seat and found it quite comfortable (and I am not a small person either).
My tranny is making this funny squeaking noise, like the notification sound when arming a car alarm. I don't get it. And it only does it when downshifting from 3 to 2, but no other time. Hopefully, Mazda will hear it when they drive the car and diagnose it. I am going to be a little upset, as well, if my 6 month old car needs a new transmission. But that remains to be seen.
I've been "lurking" here for awhile as I'm looking to replace my very trusty 91 Accord Coupe with a Protege. The car has been 100% reliable - but its starting to rust here and there and with two kids a 2-door just isn't practical anymore.
We have another Mazda in the family - a 2000 MPV which we are very happy with
I'm very interested in the "how I fit inside" comments, as I'm 6-3, 240 lbs.
I've sat inside a number of ES' and Protege5's and they all feel pretty comfortable.
I won't even consider a sunroof because it just takes up too much headroom.
My only complaint/worry is with the seat belt latch position - in the ES it seems to dig into my right hip and in the 5 it seems to be ok.
Has anyone else felt or noticed this? Am I being paranoid - or should I just lose a few pounds : )
Thanks!!
Paul ... I wouldn't recommend slamming your door all the time. You might break something else.
And why are you doing all this downshifting from 3 to 2? Are you gonna be like jstandefer and ruin your car as well? Can you say, "shoulda bought a 5-speed?" There is some seriousness in what I say. My older (and lead-footed) brother nearly ruined the automatic transmission in my dad's Volvo by treating it like a manual all the time.
Meade
Try THAT in a freakin' Sentra or Civic!
Meade
As usual I am coming up on the hind end of the conversation but let me try to catch up.
On the insurance thing, believe it or not, the Protege is MORE expensive to ensure than my 2001 Honda Accord EX V6 Coupe!! I couldn't believe that. I am paying $1,000 every 6 months vs $800 for the Coupe. It's more than my fiance's LS400! But oh well, I guess you have to pay to play. Not that upset about it just a little shocked.
For the age and occupation thing, I am 22, currently majoring in marketing, but about to majoring in information systems. Big change but I finally figured out that marketing was not for me. I am currently employed as a manager-type person in the business office of Carmax, don't know if you have ever heard of them or not. I have a love/hate relationship with that place.
Okay, I think I am caught up now. Maybe I can find a free second to sneak on at work so I won't have to wade through 70 posts tonight
Meade
I thing I never get to understand is:
Why the hell does one need tire that will plough through snow?
Doesn't your city corporation clear up the snow from the road?
and anyway, if the snow is so much high up, would it not have been declared an emergency situation...and stay home?
WHY do you need to go out when it has snowed 2 feet? cna you really get anywhere with so much snow? and assuming that you would, will anybody else show up in a snowstorm situation?
BTW, I stay near Phila, work in Phila....never had any problems in winter....
I'm very picky about how I sit in car. I don't like my head to rub the headliner or my legs to touch any panels - the Protege seems to be good on both counts for me.
I'll have to investigate more about the latch.
Also, do you have to get the moonroof if you want ABS in the ES like you have to in the 5?
I think that is a rather strange combination.
What was Mazda thinking???
I got curious as to why membership in the EAA would entitle one to participate in Mazda's S Plan. (truly an amazingly good deal)
A little Googling around the web suggests this:
Mazda is making a big push to get experimental aircraft builders to use Mazda rotary engines. So Mazda is apparently a supporter of the EAA, with the hope that the good PR will lead to sales of Mazda engines to experimental aircraft builders, who will love their Mazda engines so much they will buy Mazda cars. Or something like that.
Well, that's my detective work for today. Back to the real job.
twist
And No, it's not an emergency if there's that much snow!! When I was a little kid I had to walk to school thru 2 feet of snow in -30 degree C weather (man..that sounds like a "grand-dad" story...). When you have snow 6-8 months of the year, you get used to it, especially when it's possible that it can snow in the middle of August!
PF
Now Meade, don't get me started again. I have always driven like this and I will always drive like this and the Protege is the ONLY car I have had that hasn't been able to handle it! Maybe I should run back to the most reliable cars I have owned, Fords. Oh wait. The Protege is a Ford!! Duh!!!
There are two knobs for raising the seat cushion front and back, better adjusted upward out of the car and then sit on the seat as you lower either setting. Altough, I did find that you can raise the front angle while seated. That adjusts leg support.
fowler3
Cindy: We have Carmax here in Maryland too, but I find them way overpriced. I applied for a job there in the business office too, but they wouldn't meet my pay standard. Too bad, because I would love to work around cars all day.
Edmund: VB is visual basic. I didn't think anyone used that anymore. And the only reason I know about VB is because every darn time a computer virus comes through my company's e-mail, it's always in VB format.
Auerbach: I am 6'3 and 280 lbs., and fit fine in the Protege. The seatbelt buckle doesn't rub my thigh alot, but it does a little. Doesn't bother me at all. And you do not have to get the moonroof in order to get ABS on the Protege sedan, only on the 5. Weird to me too. Oh well.
MAPP II ... The Sequel.
See ya!
Meade
This will be my third Pro(91DX & 96DX )and my Wife bought a 01 MPV last April. Thanks for everyone's posts, it's been helpful.
Pete......another one
vocus: Carmax does not pay as much as other places but alot of value lies in their scheduling for me, especially since I am in school, and their benefits/car discounts. And since I have been with them for 3 years, have had multiple raises, and have a very good shot at being promoted again in the near future, I can't really complain too much about the pay.
I do agree though that on some cars Carmax is overpriced. However, you don't have to play the 5-6 hour haggling games and there is no other dealer out there who will just make you a cash offer for ANY car and acutally buy it. Also, factor in the guarantee against any frame damage or even more than 2 consecutive panels of paintwork , and the inexperienced buyer who does not know what to look for would be much better off buying at Carmax vs. another used car dealer.
Resale and insurance costs for Protege ES are not segment leaders, however, I'm comfortable with them.
-Larry
Anyway, driving home last evening on the interstate. Four lane wide stretch. Going 70 mph. Boxed in by cars to the left and right. Quickly notice a large plastic waste can in the expressway, and a late model Olds Cutless heading right for it. (Everything now turns to slow motion.) Olds hits can head on 100' in front of me and in the lane to my right. Can becomes airborn. Being that I had a fairly productive week at work my mind is sharp. The instant calculation is numbing. It is backed up by the sight of the can heading directly at the pristine front of my beloved ES. Now the amazing part. The person to my right and behind brakes heavily and allows me to change lanes in an instant.
We exchange brief smiles. They exit soon after. Will we ever meet?
Zooming in NY,
Mark
Possibilities:
1) his is reading high by 5-7mph AND mine is reading low by 5-7mph.
2) his is a full 10mph fast and the rest is profile error.
3) mine is a full 10mph slow+the error from the tireprofile .
There are others.....
Anybody know? This is the second person that has told me I'm driving faster than I think. The car is so stable its really hard to tell. I dont want to wait to get nailed for speeding to find out exactly what the error is.
By the way, regardless of the exact speed I was going, I still got 24mpg on the way out and 25mpg on the way back. Thats just amazing to me. I did the same trip in my wifes Outback and got 18mpg both directions driving the same way. The engine does not seem to care that I had it 3k-4k rpm for 3-4 hours a pop. It seemed really happy. Radar detectors only went off 2 times(both false alarms).....weeknights are the best time to travel.
DX 1.6 185/65R14 = 23.47"
LX 1.6 185/65R14 = 23.47"
LX 2.0 195/55R15 = 23.44"
ES 2.0 195/50R16 = 23.68"
MP3 205/45R17 = 24.26"
If your ES 2.0 was calibrated for the LX 2.0 wheels and tires, your speedometer would read 79.2 mph if you were travelling a true 80 mph. If your ES 2.0 was calibrated for the LX 1.6 wheels and tires, your speedometer would read 79.3 mph if you were travelling a true 80 mph. If your ES 2.0 was calibrated for the MP3 wheels and tires, your speedometer would read 81.9 mph if you were travelling a true 80 mph. Also, most Protege ES models with a manual transmission will read an rpm of 4,000 at 80mph. I don't know what the automatic reads, but I'm sure automatic owners will pipe in. However, if you are really concerned about it (I would be, imagine the speeding ticket potential!), take it the dealership and have them test and, if needed, adjust the speedometer. It's all under warranty! Good luck!
dinu01... If your alignment is bad, the car would pull only in a single direction. It will not pull in two different directions. Like newcar31 said, the road is probably crowned and/or not quite level, causing the car to travel to towards the lower section of the road.
ctzoomguy... Congratulations on your Protege! The leather sounds gorgeous, especially with the Mazda logo emroidered in them!! I have been looking into putting leather in mine, but I may be trading it in next year on a 2002 turbo MP3 or 2003 Mazda Antheon (626 replacement, click for picture). To your question... it is perfectly normal to roll extra accessories such as spoilers, extended warranties, leather, etc. into the financing. It is much more convenient for the customer and cheaper to; it's easier for the dealership to make more money, in other words. But, you absolutely must take pictures of your Protege, especially the interior, and post it or e-mail it to us!! I am sure I am not the only person that would love to see what a leather-lined Protege looks like!! :-)
Close call my friend! :-0
Glad to here you and your Protege are doing well!
ctzoomguy:
Welcome to the discussion, please post often. The leather sounds awesome, good deal also!
Jerry:
Thank you for all the great info!
-Larry
My wife is looking to replace her SuperCrew, too big, too thirsty. Have been looking at the Tribute. No local dealers "metro Louisville area" are willing to accept S plan price, they wont come off of sticker. I'm willing to travel if I have to.
By the way I have a 1 month old silver Protege ES and love it. It has approx 1500 miles, I am getting 25mpg in mixed driving, should I expect this mpg or should I be getting more? btw I don't have a heavy foot.
Good Luck,
Pete