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Comments
I think(know in the future) that those systems are/will be made by Bosal. As previously mentioned they are a top notch supplier.
In this place, you pay by the minute, so they don't mind me using my own wash mitt. Anyway, after spending 33 minutes in there, my Pro looked amazing. Well after about 5 hours, it started snowing outside. And we aren't talking a little snow either. At least it's only like -6 C outside now, but they are forecasting it to get to under -20 C by the weekend.
At least I was able to get the salt and dirt off of my Pro. I can't wait for spring/summer.
Meade
yooper: i took a quick look at the mounting for the foglight. looks like there's two bolts holding it to the dam on the bottom. only problem is, i'm not sure if there's anything else holding it in place. is the wiring connected to the light via quick connectors? cuz i'd really hate to have to cut the wire to separate the foglight. when it's warmer, i'll take a mirror to the mount and look all around it to get a better idea...
'duh'
BTW, the only reason I say they don't mind is because they haven't said anything to me when I've pulled my mitt out everytime I've been up.
Duh, you should get a pair of car ramps. I haven't used mine yet (snow+car ramps=bad idea), but I think it would make looking under the front much easier.
Meade
good advice on the ramp angle, meade...i didn't even think about that...=)
'duh'
CGY guys (ProFan+Duh): let me know if you get ramps what type and where you got them from. I'm looking into it myself for springtime. Cdn Tire has 2 types:
1. Red metal ones that don't look to sturdy, but I'm sure they can hold PRO very well and...
2. Black solid rubber ones. Those are heavy and look more trustworthy, BUT, if the rubber collapses... ouch! You got the picture. They run at about $40 I think (each).
Dinu
HOWEVER I got a pair from Walmart (since I bought the '01 Pro)
They're called "Rhino Ramps", a genuine Blitz built product, and are plastic. Work fine with the Pro. Needless to say you can't get the car as high as with regular ramps but hey...
If ya really wanna slide under your one-ton car with nothing but some recycled fossil fuel keeping you from being squished, be my guest!
Meade
I'm with Meade...Plastic and rubber ramps? Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.
Take my 2001 Pro, and give it the WRC treatment! Imagine a Protege that looks normal on the outside, but has AWD, a turbocharged engine, 6 speed tranny, stronger suspension (although the factory one is pretty good too!), etc... The interior I would keep it the same, but the technical part would ALL be WRC-compliant. Should cost about $400,000+ (a WRC car costs $ 1/2 million!). And an SUV-type brush guard to REMOVE left lane drivers.
Krotine: How's that for a "project"?
ZOOM-ZOOM!
HAHAHA!
Dinu (smiling even thinking about it)
Mike and Meade: Cardboard rotors? How about these innovative products:
* Sunflower XPRESS 5W-30 Motor Oil
* Sunlight Windshield Washed Fluid (Let the sunlight in your car)
* Saran Wrap Sunroof (Can punch holes in it for premium ventilation)
* Genetically-Engineered Chicken Double Wishbone Suspension
* Colorado Avalanche 2001 Stanley Cup Winners Fuel Cap
* Folgers 100% Colombian Exhaust Chrome Tip
* Times Square Jumbotron on board navigation system (We'll brand it: "On-Time")
* Bridgestone Aqua-plane R92s (We already have those!)
Dinu
Any tire with little tread left will hydroplane. When a 2600# car has wide rubber [195 is wide for this weight] hydroplaning is a greater risk. When my RE92's were new, they were very resistant to hydroplaning. There may be some better designs available, but there are also worse.
Meade
The Potenzas on my '92 LX hydroplaned at only 28,000 miles -- with enough tread left to pass state inspection and then some -- and totaled the car. In my opinion the Potenzas are about the most hydroplane-prone tires on (or floating above, actually) the road.
Meade
Just click on Meade's folder and then on the black-and-white photo of my totaled '92 LX, sporting Potenza RE92's with some good tread left on them. (If you click on the photo again you get an even bigger pic and you can just make out the fact that no, they ain't even close to bald!).
Meade
I feel safer under them then the metal ones which look so spindly with theier legs and braces.
Lets see?
1.Mazdaforherandme
2.ProtegefamilyX2
3.DaffronstwinPros
4.MazdaMeadegot2
5.DosPro4me
6.Pro5andProES
7.Vocusspenttomuchonhisjetta4hisowngood
Here we go gang, come up with a new user name for Meade. Vote for one of mine or create your own.
-Larry
Have next of kin bring in your squashed body for a full refund?
;-)
Meade
PROTEGEXTWOTOO
BTW, you do know about our new Yahoo group, don't you? Since I'm about five minutes from leaving work for the weekend, here's the site's address:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mazdaprotege/
Yahoo's been having a lot of trouble with posts today, though, so I wouldn't try posting for a while. You can check out the Photos section though!
Have a good weekend -- I'll be posting new Pro5 pics on Monday! Good to see you back, friend!
Meade
Now, as for Larry ... let him have his fun. He's back. We don't want to piss him off.
;-)
Meade
--Dale
Meade...maybe
BIPROTEGEDISORDER
DOUBLEDIPPEDPRO
Wear Factors for Me:
1.)Mostly highway mileage.
2.)Rotated tires ever 7,000 miles (every other oil change is how, I remember).
3.)Auto tranny.
Likes:
1.)Stick like glue on dry pavement, very predictable.
2.)Better than average, all-season snow capabilities.
3.)Never scream or protest, no matter how hard they are pushed in the tight curves.
4.)Verrry cool looking shoes!
5.)Responsive handling and the RE92 nicely communicate road feel.
Dislikes:
1.)I don't care for their wet weather abilities. My wife is a little scared to drive her 2000 Pro-ES in the rain. Nevertheless, no real-life issues thus far.
2.)A tad pricey $$$,for the lack of wet weather safety.
3.)A fair amount of tread noise.
I'm gonna prolly change them out with Michelin XGT V4's. Better all season capabilities and a top box performance tire.
-Larry
a) how fast they wear out
b) and how useless they become on wet pavements
It's like a specialized compound like they have in F1. Actually the Potenza brand runs on F1 cars (Ferrari, BAR and Jordan Honda and others)... Something to think about for motorsport fans!
Mine are rated for 12000 lbs or the weight of 4.5 Proteges or the weight of 9 front halves of a Protege.
What? Me worry?
I want to thank everyone for their comments about my post. I understand a lot better now what you are thinking and feeling and I appreciate your willingness to give me/us the feedback that you have.
Someone said they thought maybe I had been "put up" to that post - nope, nohow, noway - that really was me and my own ruminations.
And somone wished for more notice - I hear you and I'm sorry about that. The thing is that we thought we were doing the "right" thing by posting the announcement on the front page. But I do understand that we could have announced the changes, particularly about the chats, sooner than we did.
Thanks everyone!
Please carry on and forgive my interruption here.
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
WELCOME BACK LARRY! ;->
I ask because I have a choice right from the beginning and I'd prefer not to make a mistake now. I read the posts about the Potenzas and I agree. I had a Civic with Potenzas that was great in the dry and scary in the wet. So, it got me thinking that since the car is new and the dealer would swap them with another ES' I should ask you guys. I have Dunlops on my 944 for the past 3 years and they're great in all seasons. Any input appreciated.
Can't wait to get behind the wheel. I'm getting tired of re-reading the brochure and I've about memorized the Mazda website info.
Ron Brooks
Allow no lugging or sustained speed in any one gear. Avoid use of cruise control.
Whether shifting up or down:
For first 500 miles rpm max 3000
500-1000 miles rpm max 3500
1000-1500 miles rpm max 4000
1500 change oil and filter
1500-3000 miles rpm max 4500
3000 miles change oil and filter engine fully seated.
But, this was back in 1983! My 944 also holds almost 7 qts of oil and has a finned aluminum dry sump oil system. Since the Pro has a much smaller capacity for oil, I was going to change oil and filter every 1000 miles for the first 3000 and then every 3000-3500 thereafter as I've always done.
Thanks agin,
Ron Brooks
Oil and filter I would change at 1000Kms. I did it at 8000kms since I was on a trip.
Since then I change it at 4000kms, instead of the Mazda-recommended 8000kms. Buy your own filters and oil (I use GTX) and do it. More rewarding and cheap, plus you know the job's done with care. Since it's winter, I take it to a trusted garage. Mazda's prices are a joke ($20 more expensive than if I do it myself). It costs me $33 and Mazda charges $53. Taxes are VERY high here in Canada. Plus the garage charges $15 for labour. It's chaeper to go to Midas or Mr. Lube, but I don't trust them at all.
Dinu
ALL prices in CDN $$$.
Dinu
by Pro_fan
Michael,I echo your concerns! ;-)
After, 3 hours of hand washing, applying a coat of KLASSE All-In-One Glaze, and KLASSE Sealant Acrylic Gloss, my Mazda should be well protected for the rest of winter. But, you and I know after every snow storm and eventual thaw our beloved Protege's will carry that gray cloak of sodium chloride and road film. YUK!!!
-Larry
Either way, they are very sturdy and safe. Just because they are made out of "plastic" isn't any reason to assume they aren't as strong as the metal ones.
The best place for a pinstripe on a Pro is just above the character line that runs from the taillamps to the front fenders, below the door handles. Never above the door handles. That creates another character line which the Pro doesn't need and is probably why many owners don't like pinstripes on their Pros.
See the pics I'm putting up on the other site.
fowler3
-Sporin
David, I can understand Meade's point of view. I remember accusing a plumber of using cheap materials, when I first saw plastic PVC pipe being used in a restaurant, I managed. LOL, I told this poor guy to remove the "cheap" plastic pipe and install the "good" copper pipe! Needless to say PVC is now the industry standard for many applications. Sometimes you need to see something in use for the first time to understand it's value. If you don't mind me asking where did you buy and how much did they cost?
-Larry
As a replacement tire, I'm thinking I'm going to go with the Bridgestone RE730's, 205/55/r15 size. These tires are getting rave reviews. Excellent dry and wet handling and they are quiet when compared to the RE92. Check them out at tire rack. They are a little more pricey when compared to some other tires but in this case, you get what you pay for. The only problem is that they are only to be used as summer tires. Actually this is not a problem, I live in Montreal and you really should have dedicated snow tires for the Canadian winter so I think I'll pick up a set of steelies.