Congrats on your new LX 2.0! Did you get the sunroof with the Premium Package? Or were you able to get the sunroof as a stand-alone option? Just curious if the sunroof is easy to get as a stand-alone.
By the way, the new Consumer Reports Car 2001 magazine recommends the 2001 Protege and also give the 99/00 models a "better-than-average" check (the best rating) for reliability.
Has anyone read Ed healy's review of the 2001 Protege in USA today. He had some nice things to say but I wouldn't exactly call it completely positive. What does he know? He wasn't even satisfied with the 2.o and said the spoiler was an option. Got that wrong too I guess. He liked the shifter, but not the sound system. Cup holders in an awkward place, wanted more gauges and so on. Nitpicky stuff. He couldn't bring himself to say "great car" and alluded there are better ones available. Noisey engine and he would like to be able to lug the engine. Probably because he doesn't know how to drive a stick correctly.
He also said the Sentra SE-R will have a V-6. Too funny. According to him, the MP3 (5/01) and Protege 5 (4/01) will go for $18,500 and $16,815 respectively. Should we trust his numbers?
Has anyone added a spoiler or sunroof wind deflector? If so, how hard was it to install these things? I want to add both my 00' LX Protege and I am wondering if I should get Mazda to install these, or if I can do it myself.
Had to change a fuse for the first time today. I could not believe how awkward this was. The fuse box is made for mini hands. To get to the fuse I needed I had to pull the scuff plate then the side panel. Now I understand where some of the extra room for the Pro interior came from.....
I was leaning toward a Pro for the last year, however when I went shopping in mid Dec. a LX was offered at $14,700. I ended up buying a Camry CE for $16,012 delivered price (cash purchase) in Portland Ore. Oddly enough the Mazda across the street from where I bought my Camry had 10 LX's on the ad pages the next week for $11,800. What really surprised me is that the 3,000lb. Camry stick shift seems to be more fuel stingy from what I have read on this site. So far I've averaged 33.5MPG with 60% hwy. driving. However there is no "zoom" through its very tall gearing.
I was SURPRISED to open my mailbox and find a yellow box from MazdaTown. They sent me a cute "Zoom...Zoom...Mazda" Vivitar, plastic 35mm camera (reusable, albeit a little flimsy) with 12 exp 400 ASA film and battery. They stated, "Now that you own another Mazda vehicle, you'll be making even more great Mazda memories... have fun capturing them this this Vivitar... it's our gift to you for being one of our most loyal customers..." Nice gift. Didn't get anything from my last Mazda (#2) purchase. I did receive a nice keychain and mini-Rand McNally road atlas -- which pinpointed ALL Mazda dealers in N.A. by the way -- after aquiring my 1st new car (a 1988 Mazda 323)!!!!!!!!!!!!! I still have this atlas in my 2001 ES!!!!!!!!! memories.....ahhhhh
MARTIN (Still trying to find my '95 ES a new home!!!!!!!)
Spoiler: I used to have a 1999 Protege DX before I got my 2001 ES 2.0, and I was going to get the spoiler installed through the dealer. By the time I would have gotten done, it would have been like $600 or so to install it. All you have to do is drill the holes in the trunk to secure it, and run the brake light wire into the taillamps properly from what I read.
Wind deflector: Have no experience with this, because my 1999 DX had an aftermarket sunroof with built-in deflector. I don't like the wind deflectors anyway, because I think they look dumb.
Fog lamps: I went to Pep Boys and bought a set of $31 fog lamps, and went to Best Buy (kinda like Circuit City) and had them installed. The Mazda fogs, at over $200, were a little high for me too. You may want to look into this.
Hope these suggestions help.
Still ZOOM ZOOM ZOOMing at 1265 miles on my 2001 ES!
The owner's manual recommends fuel with 91 octane. That's premium around here. What happens if I fill up with regular? Performance, engine longevity, etc.??
BTW, I'm enjoying my ES so much! Now have 450 KMs and no problems whatsoever. I like how the spoiler looks, so it is interesting to hear that some people don't - very subjective.
However, he just can't admit that the Protege is a cut above the rest. He must have been turned down for an extended evaluation of a Mazda at some point and still harbors bitterness. At least the other publications recognize the Protege's merits.
I popped a CD in, and the sound died. I can change stations, change the volume, etc. and the display looks normal, so I don't think its a fuse. But I got no sound. :-(
And no, the CD did not have a label on it. It was a regular audio CD. Only 200 miles on the car, this makes me nervous. Hope its not a taste of things to come.
First, it was an engine that stopped working at 235 miles. Now, it's a CD player that gave out at 200. I am starting to get scared too. Strange, because these 2 complaints are about the only ones in the room since I came back in October of 1999 when I got my 1999 Protege DX.
Spoiler...Remember, If you do install the spoiler, you have to disconnect the high mount light (center 3rd brake light) package tray inside the car. The spoiler has an integrated light.
Foglamps...what kind of foglamps did you buy, and what did Best buy charge you for installation, if you dont mind me asking. Surprised that best buy does the installation. Have one about 4 miles from my place.
Canadian list for an ES with auto and GT pkg. is $17,610 + $1,000 automatic + GT Package ($2,990) + $125 air conditioning tax + $75 gas tax + $820 freight + $149 admin. If you mean Sunsport pkg, it is $1,895.
I don't know about the S-plan, but graduates can get a $750 discount. The advertized interest rate this year is 2.9% for 2 yrs.
Try negogiating - I hear some people got 0%. I got $500 discount for buying in February - well anyway that's what the dealer said it was for.
Best Buy charged me like $45 or so (it was over a year ago, so it might be higher now) and guaranteed the installation for the life of the car. The fog lights cost me $30 at Pep Boys, but they cracked after a year (from heat I think), so my advice to you would be to get a better pair.
If anyone's interested, I have a set of projector beam fog lamps (they are NOT OEM, so don't get confused) that were said to fit my 1999 DX (never installed them, and still have the box with directions and all) for sale. I will let them go for $25 including shipping anywhere in the US. E-mail me if anyone's interested.
i doubt I will.... we have friends coming for the weekend on Firday (w/2 kids) so we must child proof the house on Friday and clean. will try, but no guarantees.
I changed the oil on my 2001 es pro at 600 mi. The first 600 miles was mostly city driving between 35 to 50 miles per hour.I switched to Mobil 1 tri-synthetic 10w-30, then drove from california to vegas on synthetic mostly at 70 > 90 miles per hour. Any comments on my approach to breaking in my protege? Thank You
I did buy my '01 2.0 ES in Albany, NY at Orange Motors. They participate in the S Plan. All you have to do is check out the messages a while back on this list to find out the info. There is a web site for E.A.A. It's an aviation club. They apparently have a connection with Ford Motors. Or call 1-920-426-6286. A woman named Brenda helped me. Ask her questions if you don't understand how it works. After you have picked out the car you want at the dealership (Orange Motors only had two cars with standard shift, premium package) you tell them you have a pin number for the S Plan.I ended up paying $200 below invoice. There is no haggling allowed. Ask for a print out of the invoice. Before I had the S plan I would have paid $1,200 more for my car! It's great. I will get my car in a few days. I am having the moon roof sound deflector installed by the dealer. Question: how is the CD player's sound? Is the heater a good one? I can't wait to drive it again! ZZ..............mm Linda
The stereo system sounds great to me, the general consensus seems to be that the stereos are really pretty decent in these cars. My engine warms up surprisingly fast, and it gets nice and toasty in the car real fast. I think you'll be impressed.
Well things are working out in the right direction. Mazda chose option 3 and will replace the 2.0 engine, give me a six year, 100,000 mile warranty with no deduction; pay my first two car payments and give me the difference to equal a thousand dollars in accessories. I am having them tint the windows and add the mud guards since the car is already in the shop.
Now I know why this is my fourth vehicle from this Mazda dealership and it won't be my last. The dealership is Roger Beasley in Austin, Texas. Their reputation is good and they stand behind their word. Will let you all know how the car runs as the miles go by.
bhorton, Glad to see they really worked it out in your favor! Beasley runs some great Mazda dealers and his sales records show it.
norcan, Must be a Canadian thing...the US owner's manuals show 87 or higher. Try the 87, if you don't notice a loss of power or severe engine knock, you are good to go.
Actually... matlb is somewhat correct about the Canadian thing. I purchased a '01 Protege ES GT and my manual also shows 91 Octane requirements. I called up Mazda Canada and they faxed me a letter confirming that the octane requirements in the manual are incorrect and should read 87 octane.
bhorton .. Congrats.. glad you are staying in the family!
protegextwo thanks... 1 is 5, the other is 1.5yrs. What a joy... I love kids and am great around them, but I don't have the patience yet, and it better to be able to give them back to the parents when they get fussy!!!
Gene, I have not seen a 2001 Protege in South Central Pa., either? I love driving up to newer Protege's, I usually beep the horn and wave. I guess I'm weird, my wife usually shoots me a funny look and insinuates that I'm a nut, hehe!
BTW, Gene what does a hydrogeologist do? I know you said you work for the state's department of Environmental Protection. I have heard most state workers sit around and eat doughnuts, lol! Just kidding, my friend!
Brent, I am really glad the dealer came around and did the right thing. I hope you enjoy many years of trouble free years of zoom zoom zoom!
Victor, trust me, if the child is your own, it is not a hassle. My wife and I were married 8 years before we tried for a baby. Everyone said it would be very hard to make the necessary changes in our life style. Well, the joys outweigh the negatives at least 1000 to one!!! However, a 5 year old can be an unholy terror if over-tired. Vic, I will pray for you this weekend, hehe!
My kids love spotting all the Proteges when we are out driving. My eight year old is great at telling DX's, LX's and ES's apart.
BTW, a hydrogeologist is essentially a groundwater specialist. I worked in our hazardous sites cleanup program for years, studying the extent of soil and groundwater contamination, working with our contractors and cleaning up the site. Now I am working in our municipal/residual waste program and coordinate groundwater monitoring activities at these facilities.
I think we need a trip out to TGI Friday's soon. Should I be looking for a new '01 ES in the parking lot, or perhaps the Tribute? Take care.
No, just my "pimpin wet look" PRO-ES. Now that the weather is warming up I am back to me beloved detailing. I got some stuff at AutoZone today, that is going to make my Protege pop and shine! I would love to buy a 2002 Mazda PRO-SPORT 5 hatchback! I really like hatchback, the versatility is great and the PRO-SPORTS 5 should be a very handsome, reliable vehicle. Nonetheless, I am taking my son, LJ and my wife to Disney World in early May and that ought suck a more than a couple of grand out of the old bank account, hehe!!! Soooo, no car deals this year.
BTW, does the run off from melting snow, road salt/calcium clouride end up in the water supply or is that an old wives tale? Our water in Lancaster, always seems to look cloudy and taste nasty after a thaw?
Come on down my friend, call first and I will hook you up with preferred seating, you and your family are honored guests at my TGI Friday's!
mica is a translucent mineral, but that may have nothing to do with "mica" paint." Mica finishes seem to be a more subltle metallic effect, possibly through using smaller reflective particles or less of them. Metallic paint usually contains aluminum flakes.
Gap insurance covers the value of the car in the event of a total loss. Your car is worth X amount of dollars, but that isn't the same amount as what you are financing which is Y. usually Y is greater then X, so GAP insurance covers the "gap" and pays off the difference between the two. If you didn't have GAP, then you are responsible for whatever amount the insurance company doesn't pay to the bank that you are financing from.
say you bought the car for 15K and that's what you are financing. 2 yrs later the car is worth 10K but you still owe 12K on it. you total the car (pray not). so the insurance company pays out the value of the car which is 10K to the bank, yet now you still owe 2K. if you had GAP insurance, it pays that 2K for you, no GAP insurance and you are responsible for it..
that's the basics of GAP insurance.. its not an Allstate kinda thing... you get it from your bank or the finance company that you are paying to for the car..
BTW, insurance companies prefer to screw you on the payout for a totaled car. Hey, they are in business to make money! They will search high and low for a low ball estimate on what the car was worth prior to the accident and that is what they will pay! Here is a tip for your friend, the totaled car payout number IS negotionable. Few people negotiate, they just get hissed off and act look fools or they are so shocked about the accident(especially if they were at fault) and just lay down and accept the insurance company payout.
**Here is a tip to negotiate a fair totaled car insurance payout. The insurance company MUST pay you the cost of REPLACING the totaled car. Find a used car for sale, by a legit used car dealer. The car must be very similar to the totaled car. (year, make, mileage, model, equipment, condition, etc.) Have the used car dealer give you a written price quote on his used car. This is the retail price, much more favorable than the bullsh*t auction price the insurance company wants your friend to accept. The insurance company will most likely accept this retail price, if your friend is professional, polite and seems sincere in replacing his totaled car with the one he has found for sale. He is under NO obligation to purchase the used car, the insurance company must still send your friend the refund check! Have your friend call the used car dealer and politely tell him, he changed his mind. Your friend now has a check a little closer to the payoff needed to pay the lien holder on his totaled car; or perhaps some extra cash for a down payment for his replacement car. I used this stragedy to help my younger brother out of a bad rape job State Farm Insurance Company was attempting to foist on him. It worked perfectly after I calmed my brother down and got him to talk politely to the adjuster and his account rep.
I am sorry but that link does not work on the crappy software platform Edmunds uses. Go to Edmunds.com's home page and click on features/editorials, scroll down a couple of articles and click on the car insurance feature. Real good stuff about gap insurance etc.
Good for you dude. I do not care for the car insurance industry, however I'm sure there are good people working for insurance companies. I feel they tend to take advantage of folks when they are in a emotional state. Hey, you paid your premiums when they were due, now your injured or upset and all they do is try limit there losses. Screw the customer, is job #1. Even being nice to you is a insurance loss control strategy designed to screw you.
I live in SC near Charlotte. Wanted the prem pkg too but had to settle without (did get a moonroof and auto) and bought mine at HighPoint NC(we're not allowed to name dealers here I believe)who will give u a square deal. The dealers in my area just didn't want to sell on the S plan. A couple tried to gyp me too. If you go back several posts u will see prices that others paid. If you take the low finance u do lose the 500. I took the low rate.I did not pay any taxes when I bought the car. I had to stand 3 hours in the line at DMV in SC tho' and paid my $300 there. I think the deflector helps reduce wind noise. I didn't get it, but its only a $50 add on - u can get it later, I think it clips on. Also my dealer did not charge for pin stripes. Some list it at $80. Good luck finding the prem pkg (the hard thing to find is the ABS and side air)
I'm considering buying one for our 19 year, since his old chrystler pooped after 3 years. There is a '99 ES with 28,000 miles for $10,999 at the local dealer, which seems like a decent deal. Anyone else have experience with this model?
Love the 99. Great stereo, nice speed. The ride is noisey and rough. The bridgestone tires are probably in need of replacement by 30,000 miles. I'd get that down too $999 ro have the dealer thow in new tires if it doeesn't have already.
The dead stereo came back to life. When I started the car the next day, everything was back to normal. The 'Disk In' indicator was now lit, which it previously was not. Don't know if it just needed a bump or something to jiggle the disk into place, or if cycling the ignition caused the unit to reset. I'm just glad it's working and I did not have to go back to the dealer.
Comments
By the way, the new Consumer Reports Car 2001 magazine recommends the 2001 Protege and also give the 99/00 models a "better-than-average" check (the best rating) for reliability.
sunroof was part of the premium package...ABS, sunroof, and Side airbags.
I did test drive the 1.6L, and the difference is absolutely remarkable.
$190 for Mazda foglights is rather expensive in my opinion.
J.A.G
What really surprised me is that the 3,000lb. Camry stick shift seems to be more fuel stingy from what I have read on this site. So far I've averaged 33.5MPG with 60% hwy. driving. However there is no "zoom" through its very tall gearing.
MARTIN
(Still trying to find my '95 ES a new home!!!!!!!)
Wind deflector: Have no experience with this, because my 1999 DX had an aftermarket sunroof with built-in deflector. I don't like the wind deflectors anyway, because I think they look dumb.
Fog lamps: I went to Pep Boys and bought a set of $31 fog lamps, and went to Best Buy (kinda like Circuit City) and had them installed. The Mazda fogs, at over $200, were a little high for me too. You may want to look into this.
Hope these suggestions help.
Still ZOOM ZOOM ZOOMing at 1265 miles on my 2001 ES!
That's premium around here. What happens if I fill up with regular? Performance, engine longevity, etc.??
BTW, I'm enjoying my ES so much! Now have 450 KMs and no problems whatsoever. I like how the spoiler looks, so it is interesting to hear that some people don't - very subjective.
However, he just can't admit that the Protege is a cut above the rest. He must have been turned down for an extended evaluation of a Mazda at some point and still harbors bitterness. At least the other publications recognize the Protege's merits.
And no, the CD did not have a label on it. It was a regular audio CD. Only 200 miles on the car, this makes me nervous. Hope its not a taste of things to come.
Foglamps...what kind of foglamps did you buy, and what did Best buy charge you for installation, if you dont mind me asking. Surprised that best buy does the installation. Have one about 4 miles from my place.
thanks
-Larry
$17,610 + $1,000 automatic + GT Package ($2,990) + $125 air conditioning tax + $75 gas tax + $820 freight + $149 admin. If you mean Sunsport pkg, it is $1,895.
I don't know about the S-plan, but graduates can get a $750 discount. The advertized interest rate this year is 2.9% for 2 yrs.
Try negogiating - I hear some people got 0%. I got $500 discount for buying in February - well anyway that's what the dealer said it was for.
If anyone's interested, I have a set of projector beam fog lamps (they are NOT OEM, so don't get confused) that were said to fit my 1999 DX (never installed them, and still have the box with directions and all) for sale. I will let them go for $25 including shipping anywhere in the US. E-mail me if anyone's interested.
The first 600 miles was mostly city driving between 35 to 50 miles per hour.I switched to Mobil 1 tri-synthetic 10w-30, then drove from california to vegas on synthetic mostly at 70 > 90 miles per hour.
Any comments on my approach to breaking in my protege?
Thank You
-Larry
Gene
p.s. haven't seen a new '01 in the Harrisburg, PA area yet, but I do notice more and more "older" 99/00's.
Question: how is the CD player's sound? Is the heater a good one? I can't wait to drive it again!
ZZ..............mm
Linda
Steve
Now I know why this is my fourth vehicle from this Mazda dealership and it won't be my last. The dealership is Roger Beasley in Austin, Texas. Their reputation is good and they stand behind their word. Will let you all know how the car runs as the miles go by.
Glad to see they really worked it out in your favor! Beasley runs some great Mazda dealers and his sales records show it.
norcan,
Must be a Canadian thing...the US owner's manuals show 87 or higher. Try the 87, if you don't notice a loss of power or severe engine knock, you are good to go.
Actually... matlb is somewhat correct about the Canadian thing. I purchased a '01 Protege ES GT and my manual also shows 91 Octane requirements. I called up Mazda Canada and they faxed me a letter confirming that the octane requirements in the manual are incorrect and should read 87 octane.
Enjoy the gas savings!
-Larry
Congrats.. glad you are staying in the family!
protegextwo
thanks... 1 is 5, the other is 1.5yrs. What a joy... I love kids and am great around them, but I don't have the patience yet, and it better to be able to give them back to the parents when they get fussy!!!
BTW, Gene what does a hydrogeologist do? I know you said you work for the state's department of Environmental Protection. I have heard most state workers sit around and eat doughnuts, lol! Just kidding, my friend!
Warmest Regards;
Larry
Victor, trust me, if the child is your own, it is not a hassle. My wife and I were married 8 years before we tried for a baby. Everyone said it would be very hard to make the necessary changes in our life style. Well, the joys outweigh the negatives at least 1000 to one!!! However, a 5 year old can be an unholy terror if over-tired. Vic, I will pray for you this weekend, hehe!
-Larry
And for 01's I've YET to see one around town... I don't know what the deal is, I've seen 2 at the dealer, but not on the streets..
BTW, a hydrogeologist is essentially a groundwater specialist. I worked in our hazardous sites cleanup program for years, studying the extent of soil and groundwater contamination, working with our contractors and cleaning up the site. Now I am working in our municipal/residual waste program and coordinate groundwater monitoring activities at these facilities.
I think we need a trip out to TGI Friday's soon. Should I be looking for a new '01 ES in the parking lot, or perhaps the Tribute?
Take care.
Gene
BTW, does the run off from melting snow, road salt/calcium clouride end up in the water supply or is that an old wives tale? Our water in Lancaster, always seems to look cloudy and taste nasty after a thaw?
Come on down my friend, call first and I will hook you up with preferred seating, you and your family are honored guests at my TGI Friday's!
Respectfully;
Larry
(my friend totalled his corolla..so...)
What is this GAP insurance thing?
I don't seem to see it on my ALLSTATE insurance nor remember the agent talking anything about it.
say you bought the car for 15K and that's what you are financing. 2 yrs later the car is worth 10K but you still owe 12K on it. you total the car (pray not). so the insurance company pays out the value of the car which is 10K to the bank, yet now you still owe 2K. if you had GAP insurance, it pays that 2K for you, no GAP insurance and you are responsible for it..
that's the basics of GAP insurance.. its not an Allstate kinda thing... you get it from your bank or the finance company that you are paying to for the car..
Http://www.edmunds.com/editorial/feature/littleknownbutimportantinsuranceissues/45093/index.html
BTW, insurance companies prefer to screw you on the payout for a totaled car. Hey, they are in business to make money! They will search high and low for a low ball estimate on what the car was worth prior to the accident and that is what they will pay! Here is a tip for your friend, the totaled car payout number IS negotionable. Few people negotiate, they just get hissed off and act look fools or they are so shocked about the accident(especially if they were at fault) and just lay down and accept the insurance company payout.
**Here is a tip to negotiate a fair totaled car insurance payout. The insurance company MUST pay you the cost of REPLACING the totaled car. Find a used car for sale, by a legit used car dealer. The car must be very similar to the totaled car. (year, make, mileage, model, equipment, condition, etc.) Have the used car dealer give you a written price quote on his used car. This is the retail price, much more favorable than the bullsh*t auction price the insurance company wants your friend to accept. The insurance company will most likely accept this retail price, if your friend is professional, polite and seems sincere in replacing his totaled car with the one he has found for sale. He is under NO obligation to purchase the used car, the insurance company must still send your friend the refund check! Have your friend call the used car dealer and politely tell him, he changed his mind. Your friend now has a check a little closer to the payoff needed to pay the lien holder on his totaled car; or perhaps some extra cash for a down payment for his replacement car. I used this stragedy to help my younger brother out of a bad rape job State Farm Insurance Company was attempting to foist on him. It worked perfectly after I calmed my brother down and got him to talk politely to the adjuster and his account rep.
-Larry
-Larry
but since the insurance company didn't let me take the alarm nor radio (alpine) I sabotaged them so no one else could use it either...
-Larry