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I am seeing a different ignition module in the car in this 2001 MP3 interior shot...what does everyone else think? target=_blank
Now being the type of person I am, and being that it will not be my car , I did not rip her into the passing lane at redline.
Observations:
Engine: Midrange felt slightly better than my 1.8. Definitely seems tuned for the automatic.
No other improvement for under 4,000 rpm situations, IMO. I think the extra 100lbs is VERY noticeable. The pound per horsepower on the 01 is only .3 tenths better than the 00. The 2.0 does not seem any louder. No difference in shifter feel.
Handling: Superb. Although IMO, slightly stiffer. I felt it wanted to chase pavement cracks a tad more than my 1.8. But that's MO only. The tires are QUIET. Brake feel was no different. I did not attempt any hard stops however.
Interior: Still feel no seat difference over my 00. The white gauges really bugged me. I think it's because the interior is so dark. I can't stand the pattern on the seat fabric either, but they are just personal taste issues. Center console is nice. So is the new rear deck with no center mounted light.
Verdict: I'll wait till I see the owner on the road, then we will see how much quicker she moves that extra 100lbs. Scudley, are you reading this? keep a look out.
Regards,
Mark.
Just kidding! Great to see all the new owners...and the regulars too. Over 6k on my 2000 ES and no problems...NONE. No squeaks or rattles...complete satisfaction.
Back to work,
Bryan...aka "Gladichecked" ;^)
MARTIN
Glad to see that someone had answered what was going to be my next question: which transmission. Someone mention that the Protege seems to ge gear for the automatic.
Leo
transmission is personal taste. You will bet more pep and better mileage on a manual, but there is always the convenience of Auto. but get what you want now because you will kick yourself later for not getting the other one.
I have an Auto Altima, mainly because its to be the family car and so the wife can drive it. but i really wish it was a 5-spd now. especially since she got the Auto Protege...
Mazda claims(2.0L):
25 city/31 highway - Manual
25 city/30 highway - Automatic
It all boils down to if you want an engineer determining when to shift. Personally, I like to push my vehicles and most automatics are not made to perform on the higher RPMs.
Oh, the other reason I asked about depreciation of Mazda's was because I was wondering what if had an accident with it. For example, let's say I got my new Protege and driven it for 2years when one fall night I hit a deer and do several thousand dollars of damage to my car---which still has two years of payment left. Would the Protege still hold enough of it's value left to warrant fixing it? You see, I'm also lloking at the Hyundai Elantra hatchback. What I'm concern about with this company is availability/acessibilty parts and their cost. I think that this Hyundai would lose it value much quicker so that in two years if I did have the misfortune of having an accident, even a minor fender bender, that the car would be consider a loss.
So when it's available, manual trans always wins.
Leo, I'm curious about your point with resale value. Do you want a car with resale value or not? My guess is that the Protégé will pick up in resale as more and more of these magazines keep publishing accolades.
Performance Green Plasma bulbs, 110/90 Watt light output bulbs - as sold on ebay.
They run on more power than the standard (factory) lights. I heard that may burn out some wiring or melt the lenses. Anyone had any experience with them?
Just wondering how they would look on my green ES.
How do they look? Are they street legal? I bought some cool green wheel lights a while back, but found out they are not legal in NY. They were awesome too.
my first post regarding the Protege was my mis-choice of words. I was thinking how well the Protege "holds it value" but instead used "resale value". Truthfully, I don't care about the car's resale value because I typically keep my cars for a long time and accumulate high mileage. What I was most concerned about was how quickly Mazda would depreciate. But hkchan relieved those concerns.
You defined "resale value" as something that you don't care about since you typically keep your cars for a long time.
Then you defined "holds its value" as "how quickly the car would depreciate".
How are they different? Glad to be able to help but now I don't even know what your question was? Hehe.
ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM!
They have the green ES 5-Speed with the premium packedge, and a loaded light green LX 2.0 auto. They are both way out back by the body shop. They don't want to get them too close to the 15 00's they still have. It's too bad the pro's don't sell better in our neck of the woods. Just proves how the "I've got a Honda cause I know someone with one" syndrome works.
Regards,
Mark. :-)
So this can be your permanent home for conversation about this vehicle.
Carry on...
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
Pete, you almost got us in trouble! The hosts makes lists of rowdy posters and discussions, lucky for us; patHOST is the most understanding, best looking and intelligent host, next to Apex_8 at Edmunds! You want us to get in the "bad boy" report like the guys in the Daewoo or Zanio Wax topics?, lol!!!!
Speedy, I love your guts!
Respectfully;
Larry
I can't wait to see Protege hatchback. Heard they're only coming out in five colors, with three of them being "hot" colors or somesort. Hope they can keep the price to 18 grand or under.
Also can anyone exlpain as to why they like 16" tires on the Protege? Does it help the preformance that much over 15" tires. Do those larger tires look nice on the Protege? I put alot of miles/year on my car and I'm thinking ouch in my pocket book when it comes time to replace those 16" tires. Currently my car has 14" tires and a good tire cost me about $65. What do good 16" tires run? Am I being too picky by being concern about car's tire cost, part cost, gas mileage, and insurance??? Do you guys take this into consideration when buying a new car?
Leo
And you can get decent tires for under $100. there are a 16" I am looking at for my Alty when i get new rims.
One.
Saw my first 2001 Protege commercial last night, with the Protege ZOOM ZOOMing behind a Miata, and that cool little kid standing by the side of the road whispering, "Zoom zoom ..." It was cool. My wife thinks I'm totally whacko when I crank the volume during these commercials and bounce around on the sofa like I've lost my mind!!!
Two.
I had the most ear-to-ear grin yesterday on the way home from work after what I'm about to describe happened: I was coming out of one of our beloved TOLL BOOTHS on I-195 in Richmond, and I had accelerated up to about 35 mph when I noticed that the lane I was in was occupied ahead by a lumbering, slow-moving tractor-trailer. There was only one other lane available, and it was occupied at that point by a fairly new looking Mustang GT.
Now let me stop right here and say that I used to own a 1994 Mazda B2300 pickup that contained, unfortunately, a FORD engine. Among the many things that failed under its hood during the five hellish years I was stuck with it was a little item called a Throttle Position Sensor. OK, back to story:
I, the proud owner of a 2000 Protege ES 5-speed, popped my stick down into third and dumped the clutch. ZOOM ZOOM!!! I started accelerating, intending to get around the Mustang and pass the tractor-trailer. Well, the guy in the Mustang, which was right beside me, floored it (it obviously was an automatic), intending to keep me from implementing my plan. But to my total enjoyment and his utter embarrassment, the only response from his Mustang was a loud roar and a cloud of smoke from his dual exhaust pipes. The car didn't accelerate AT ALL!!! It was no problem passing him gracefully, with plenty of room to spare.
Thought you guys might like this. We need to stop discussing so much techno and finance stuff, and post some stories about how much FUN we have with our cars!!!
(BTW, believe it or not, I never broke the speed limit in the above post.)
ZOOM ZOOM ZOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!
Meadeball
As far as your tribalistic disease that shows its symptoms when under the influence of Zoom, I think it's called Zoomnia. I believe it's a more severe strain of the Farvegnugen virus. Tell your wife there is no cure for this disease other than to keep it alive and well. A lack of Zoom would have very severe side affects.
I'd like to see a 40 series on a 14" or even 15" for that matter.
Leo
Lots more to post, but it gets boring.
Larry, thanks man. It feels good to post in here. I consider all Protege owners my friends, and especially those that post here!
GOOD NEWS FOR THE DAY: I am flying out tomorrow to interview with a company in Chicago for a much better position (pay and environment). Wish me luck gang! If it works out, I will be back in the "Land of Lincoln" by the beginning of March for good.
BAD NEWS FOR THE DAY: I must be jinxed. I was following traffic up I-17 North on my way to work this morning. Brake lights, cars swerving, LARGE BOARD!!!! (Like a railroad tie) Slammed the brakes, swerved to the HOV lane, still hit part of the board. Pulled over and looked at my baby to find the passenger side of the front bumper scuffed badly, the splash shields were destroyed (those flimsy plastic covers underneath the front end) and some chips in the front of the bumper cover. Got an estimate already to the tune of $500. It could have been worse. The bumper cover will need to be repainted, the splash shields replaced, and I'll need to check my CV boots for cuts. Oh well...whaddagonnado? Other than the cosmetic damage, it seems to drive just fine. I made out better than those who hit it before me. (An Acura RL ahead of me took it full on and had three flat tires/bent rims and a LOT of front end damage.)
Meade...you're nuts....but I understand how you feel about those Zoom Zoom commercials. I crank the volume too! My wife just laughs.
Regards and TGIF!!
Pete
MARTIN
Leo
About hkchan's post: My past cars with ABS didn't allow me to push down far enough on the brake to even start to skid. (most of the time) I could get the car to start skidding on the first hard braking maneuver once in a while. After that it was just an annoying chatter.
p.s. I would have liked the side air bags however.