Mazda Protegé

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Comments

  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Today in light rain, they spun A LOT while I was trying to make a right hand turn into a major road. This time however I DID press the gas more than I usually do.

    And yes they are unidirectional. I rotated them once at about 20.000kms front to back. They wear out evenly, but man I have no wet weather traction!

    Dinu
  • dsm6dsm6 Member Posts: 813
    Some are assymetrical, some are not, depending on the size. The 195/50R16 on the 02 (01?) Pro ES are not assymetrical. Many of the other sizes of the SP Sport 5000, 55 series and lower, are assymetrical. Go figure.

    It stands to reason that unidirectional tires could be rotated side to side if remounted, but then your average owner (eg., me) couldn't do it on his or her own.
  • yooper53yooper53 Member Posts: 286
    '01 ES...16K..Intermittent problem. This with the green "cruise" light lit. Whether climbing a grade or on dead flat road it will occasionally refuse to lock onto a new, higher speed. When its in this mode repeatedly clicking and briefly pausing the set switch does no good. It'll coast down to the last set speed. It happens just often enough to be irritating but almost certainly not often enough that making an appointment with the dealer service will get you anything other than "could not duplicate problem" on your copy of the work order. To me "could not duplicate" is more irritating than the problem so its easier on the nerves to just blow it off.
    I've only had the car 9 months and can't recall when I first noticed the problem.
    Hope this helps.
  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    Good to see you again!

    --Dale
  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    ...on my way home from work tonight.

    How should I celebrate??
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    in one day! WOW! You guys ever work?

    fowler3
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    always wondered, are the Canadian Pro speedometers marked in Kilometers or MPH as on American Pros?
    In other words, the larger numbers in KPH and the smaller inside numbers in MPH?

    fowler3
  • browntrout1browntrout1 Member Posts: 72
    Canadian protege's (and vehicles in general) have KPH larger than MPH. I think the US is the only place in the world that still uses Miles, yards, and feet. Why do you have to make life so difficult. Metric is so simple!!!!
  • speedyptspeedypt Member Posts: 200
    Go to the carwash and pay the extra $4 to have a PERSON clean the interior! No going the cheap way by driving through the car wash with your windows down. It's thrifty to leave them down, but so much more comfortable to have them done for you! :-)

    Regards,

    Pete
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Did ya hear that Dale? Windows up this time. All the way up, no reason to stopping mid-way this time :)

    Dinu
  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    ha....ha.....ha.....ha.....ha.....ha.....ha.....ha....ha.....
  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    (...still on my dad's side of the family)
  • sfratsfrat Member Posts: 208
    Your problem is probably caused by the fact that the car is loosing a bit of speed on the hills and you need to have your speed constant in order to lock in a new cruise speed. If you've already got the cruise on, and you want to increase speed, you should be moving the stalk up (I think) to use the accelerate function. That's the easiest way to do it with the CC already engaged. That's why its there
  • yooper53yooper53 Member Posts: 286
    As I said the same thing can happen on a dead flat road. However I'll try clicking up the stalk next time.

    Still its designed to maintain speed changes when operated as per owner's manual. I now know that mine isn't the only one. I'm fortunate its just intermittent.
  • rbrooks3rbrooks3 Member Posts: 174
    The loaner is actually very nice. A 2001 626LX. While it has only 8600 miles on it, you can tell they haven't been nice ones. The auto tranny is rough when you coast a bit at 10-20 mph and then get back on the gas as traffic starts moving again. The thing slams into gear. The front brakes are also warped.

    Other than that, it's nice. I liked the smooth turning dial to adjust the air temp. It was hot knife through butter smooth. Doesn't seem like a lot more room inside than the Pro though. I'm sure it's roomier but not by a great margin.

    I asked the dealer for a price on mudflaps for the Pro, they quoted $47 for each pair. Get this, they want $64 to install them! Anyone know of a cheaper source for factory flaps? Even with my 10% off coupon, it's still over $80 for them. In the end they'll pay for themselves with protecting the sides, but I'd still like to get them for less if I can.

    Now let's see if they can fix the cruise control and the burning oil smell.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    Clicking doesn't do anything (like bump it up or down 1mph or kph). I find I have to hold the stalk until I reach the new speed then release it.

    Of course, I rarely use mine since most of my drives are on local roads or urban highway.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    They just screw in.

    626 has more width and slightly more knee room in the rear. However, it's slightly less in head room in front and much less in the rear. EPA passenger volume is the same as the Pro's at 93 cubic feet. It's just distributed differently.
  • rbrooks3rbrooks3 Member Posts: 174
    I was shocked they were so high. I put them on my wife's MPV in about 20 minutes total for all 4. But, they do charge 80.00 an hour for labor so it must be a 45 minute book charge or so for the time. I understand they have to charge for their time, but when you look at $64 to install them, it's a bit shocking.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I drove an automatic Matrix XR and I was a little disappointed. The car doesn't have any power at all, and it felt a little cheap to me on the inside. I might just be used to my new car though. The handlig on the Matrix was pretty good though, but that was about it. The driver's seat was uncomfortable to me (no lumbar or seat heat), and the view out of the side and rear windows was limited as well. Also, the mirrors seemed kinda small to me as well.

    I did not get to drive the XRS, but I hear you have to rev the crap out of it to get any power from it, and the engine is noisy when doing this.
  • protegextwoprotegextwo Member Posts: 1,265
    How would compare the powe & zip to your old 2001 PRO-ES, Paul?

    -Larry
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    It's been too long since he JETTA-soned it.

    Hee hee.

    Meade
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I think the XR Matrix is not as quick as the Protege ES I traded in. That's my personal opinion though. The seating position is definitely higher, the back seat maybe a hair smaller from what I saw (did not sit in it). I did not see the cargo area, but we all know it's going to be bigger than the sedan (don't know about the comparo to the P5 though). Handling was good, but not as good as the Pro's was. Acceleration sucked though, and the friend who rode with me said "the engine is probably cowering in the corner, scared of you by now!", and that was 10 mins. into the test drive. The mirrors were too small and shaped oddly (the casing was anyway), making it hard to to quick scans for lane changes (that might change after driving the car for awhile though). The rearward visibility was tight, because the back window seemed narrow to me. And the view out the rear side windows (for lane changes) sucked as well.

    I guess I am just spoiled with my car, because the inside of the Matrix seemed kinda industrial to me (not as nice as the Pro ES's silver colored stuff and all that). Kinda boring, except for the seemingly-out-of-place orange dash lighting. And there wasn't as much leg room as in the Protege ES either (for the driver anyway).
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Jetta-soned?? :) That's funny.

    Let me tell you about an experience I had yesterday. I took the Jetta in for a rattle to a different dealer (the same dealer I got my 1999 Protege DX from - they also sell Mazda). I was treated kinda naieve the last time I went there. This time, they treated me like a king. I mean they gave me a loaner car, cleaned the inside and outside of the car, and even activated my auto door unlocking feature for free on the car. I was very happy with the service. (Russel was the name of the place, on Route 40 in Baltimore.)
  • fxashunfxashun Member Posts: 747
    And the 180hp comes at nearly 7000 rpm. Not exactly the powerband you'd expect in what is really supposed to be a utility box. It's kinda disappointing.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    You mean that little 'Yota has a rear axle? Wow!

    Meade
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Yeah, that's independent rear suspension. I thought the Matrix came with IRS though. Guess not. It still handled pretty well though.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    First, IRS is kind of the norm these days, and second, with a "wagon" type of car, it would seem an axle would make less sense since it takes up more space under the car. I dunno, maybe it makes the cargo area wider by having a rear axle? Not as much space taken up by IRS components?

    Meade
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    O|___|O

    the Os are the tires and the underscore is the offset beam axle. the | acts like an arm that swivels on the beam axle. Takes up much less space and is fine as long you are on even pavement.
  • seminole_kevseminole_kev Member Posts: 1,696
    Isn't the FWD Matrix IRS all around and the AWD version is not IRS in the rear? I'm pretty sure I remember that being the case.
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    actually it's the complete opposite, per Toyota's site spec, FWD Matrix has the rear beam axle, while the AWD Matrix has IRS.

    here's the link:

    http://www.toyota.com/html/shop/vehicles/matrix/specs/matrix_specs.html
  • seminole_kevseminole_kev Member Posts: 1,696
    I couldn't remember. Thanks for clearing that up.
  • dsm6dsm6 Member Posts: 813
    I've noticed that my Pro is quite a bit noisier when cold than when warm. More of a gutteral growl to the engine. I'm assuming this is normal warm up behavior. Is that so? I'm guessing maybe its just the sound of the cold cats ( hence the growl ;-) )? TIA

    PS. My rear isn't very well suspended. My cars is, though.
  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    Yes, very cold morning = noisy engine. Should quiet down upon warm-up, though.

    Glad(?) to hear at least one of you has a good rear :)
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    ALL of the 4 cyl cars I've had were noisy when cold. My old integra was much noisier than my Protege. I wouldn't worry about it.
  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    Wait, I didn't understand that whole suspension discussion...could you repeat it, please? :)EEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWW
  • seminole_kevseminole_kev Member Posts: 1,696
    yeah just about any 4-cylinder I've know is nosier when it's cold. Actually it's true for damn near any vehicle I've known regardless of engine.
  • elec3elec3 Member Posts: 160
    I saw a Vibe yesterday. I couldn't believe how tall it was compared to my Pro5. Until I saw the name badge, from the back I thought it was a Jeep Grand Cherokee. No lie. They really do have similar rear ends, so to speak.
  • dsm6dsm6 Member Posts: 813
    Yes, it does quiet down, smooth out when it warms up. Thankfully, it warms up quickly.

    Well, bought the Protege 9 days ago. It now has 1,100 miles on it. This car was a good choice, I think. I'm starting to "get" the zoom-zoom Protege thing. Good commuter, and lots of fun to drive on twisty mountain roads. :-) Loads of personality, and handling composure, for the money.

    My choice to purchase one was due, at least in part, to the posters here. Thanks!
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    I guess if Miss Cleo can get someone to spend $60 on a psychic reading, we can talk someone into parting with $17,000 on a car!!!

    In all honesty ... glad we helped! We aren't lying ... there's something about these cars!

    Happy zoom-zoom-zooming,

    Meade
  • yooper53yooper53 Member Posts: 286
    The way my cruise works, as well as that on my previous Furd, is that it will increase or decrease speed by approximately 1 mph for each up or down click. Or alternately it will continue to accelerate or decelerate as long as you continue to hold the stalk up or down. Thats the way it works when its not acting up.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Guess what? I got nothing to post. But now that I posted this, can this really be considered a post?

    Dinu
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    If a tree falls in the forest but no one hears it, does it really fall?? :)
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    Methinks you've inhaled too much premium gas fumes.... :P
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Maybe the waste gate on my turbo is loose or something.. :) Just kidding.
  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    DANG! You beat me to it...co-worker came in for a meeting before I could post the 'tree falls in a forest' joke...(maybe it's a yankee thang, Michael:)
  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    Did you get all your schoolwork done?
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    Yankee thing. :D
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    I still have some left. This will be another messed-up weekend...

    MON: Math and Lang 1 month Units (20 lessons each)
    TUE: Poetry analysis - French
    WED: 15-20 page essay
    WED: Presentation

    I'm approaching that phase called burnout REALLY fast!

    Dinu
  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    :(
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?


    From: http://www.webenglishteacher.com/fun.html#puns

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