Mazda Protegé

iamz

any of you protege owners with the 2.0 liter engine. A reoccurring topic on the P5 forum is concern about not getting the factory reported MPG's. So, what kind of mileage are the 2.0 liter sedan folks seeing? If you could mention which tranny you have, that would be useful also.

Thanks

chicagopro

Shame on you for telling us about that site...now I'll never get any work done again!

yooper53

No idea at all about mpg in city driving. On several occasions I've had as high as 36 37 mpg @60 mph. Given its gearing I feel these high mpg are somehow anomalous. Most all my mpg checks seem to be around 30-31 mpg at speeds from 60-75, sustained driving.
I absolutely can't wait to get my oem Dunlops back on and the winter tires on the ugly steel wheels off.
Then install the infamous strut tower brace. Some kind soul here e-mailed me the Mazda install instructions. In color no less. They go so far beyond what a purchaser of a retrofit kit might expect in terms of detail, great quality photos. Tons of text. They even specify what tools you need. My hats really off to the Big M on this one.
These sure are easy cars to wax enthusiastic about.

zoomzoom79

my baby washed today and she's looking good. Plus with the warmer temperatures here in GA she's been driving like a dream too. I will be taking the Pro to Florida Easter weekend to see my mom and will be getting the windows tinted there. It's only $110 there vs. $300 here.

As for MPG, I think I am probably averaging in the high 20's. Haven't really measured it in a while though.

newcar31

01 ES 2.0L 5sp gas mileage:

25-27 mpg city
28-33 mpg highway

Yooper- I've already installed my strut tower brace. I couldn't wait; I still have my winter tires and steelies on. I really, really need to get my SP 5000s back on. It was the first full day of spring and it was 4 degrees this morning, so I don't know when I can take the winters off. If anyone else needs the instructions for the brace, e-mail me. Better yet, if anyone knows how to put them on the yahoo site, I'll e-mail the directions to them.

yooper53

I lived 3 winters in St. Paul. Some fearsome winter weather in the Cities..Anyone who says otherwise has never lived there. Used to enjoy the Winter Fest activities..talk about a party.
No way I'd want to drive a Pro on fifty series all-seasoners all winter long there. The Artic Alpins have been very good this winter, Butt ugly steelies notwithstanding. Efficient and quiet given the class of tire.

dinu01

2.0 with auto. I never actually measured it. As long as I can drive 450-500 kms/55L tank in the city (sporty driving and fast highway speeds - 80+mph), I have no reason to measure it.

Of course measuring consumption is a good thing to do in that it can indicate any potential problems with the car.

Some folks around here are reporting different mileage. Keep in mind:

1. Driving style (easy acceleration and 60mph limit or a heavier foot and 80+mph).
2. Weather: 40F is not the same as 20F.
3. 2.0L engine is less economical than the 1.8
4. Manual vs auto tranny

Dinu

protegextwo

I'm gettin old, my friend. By-the-way, I need to call ya Monday at work or if you prefer at home. Just let me know which you prefer, my friend. BTW, I need to wash my Protege's today, however; it is awful cold for March 22 ???

-larry

protegextwo

Can we post 212 messages today and break the 10,000 mark? Folks, I know we can! Every regular needs to post about 10 times today! Here is my first! Lets go for it!

-love train

protege_fan

Larry, goto bed!!!!!
On a protege note, I really need to wash mine..it's been over a month since the last wash all because it's been so freezing here!
Man...I complain about the cold too much.... you would too if you lived here!!!!

protegextwo

That is your first post, we need 9 more like that, I'm sure our host would like us to stay on topic. However, Pat is pretty cool and hopefully she will chime in with a post or two to help us out! Hey, 10,000 message/posts is a real milestone! Come on Pat, what is your favorite memory in the last year or so at this topic?. I'm sure something Meade Daffron said/did here was a great memory for you. ;-)

javadoc

Larry egg'd the MPV crew on to help get y'all to 10k posts, so I'll do my part gladly.

Req con: I really like the P5... also, I think the Pro is a great car, and wish more people would give it a try.

Cheers!

/javadoc

pjd58

does 10,000th poster get a prize:) Maybe Pat will help us out?
Man, it's cold out this morning, we even got a little snow in Ohio yesterday. I need to wash my Pro badly, hopefully this weather will break soon.

Pjd58(Pete)

pjd58

I'm also going to get my windows tinted this spring, let us know the results.

Pjd58(Pete)

mdaffron

On behalf of myself, Tammy and Sean (and the two cats and a tankful of fish), may this day be all you hoped for!

And yes, it's damn cold down here in Virginia today too. It's 29 right now (7:28 a.m.), only going to reach 43 today, and supposed to hit 23 tonight! Our two Proteges need baths really bad too; think I'll wait till it warms up to 60 Sunday though.

Call me Monday at work. My boss is off so we can have a nice long chat! (Hee hee) Best time is early morning -- like I've said before, I'm here by 7:15 a.m.

Many happy returns, my friend!
You old codger!!! ;-)

Meade

chicagopro

TEN posts today??

Unfortunately, that probably won't be hard for me to do

Here's a poll question to help out:

Do you let folks other than your wife/husband/kid/significant other/person listed on the insurance ever drive your Protege?

For example, I'm pretty free with my keys...if somebody at work needs to run out for a second and their car is blocked or something, I'm more than happy to let them take mine.

Mostly because I like to show it off

Last week, lent it to a co-worker to make the lunch run. Her comments: "Your car has so much POWER! What kind is it?? How much was it??"

Anybody else?

chicagopro

...and many happy returns! Enjoy your dinner tonight!

chicagopro

...still on my dad's side of the family...next week, my mom's side

protegextwo

Thanks javadoc! The drive is on!

protegextwo

Thanks, Dale and Meade for the Birthday wishs!

-Larry

mdaffron

I'm the opposite of you on this subject. NO ONE drives my car but me (unless it's an emergency or something). In 34,000 miles, I have been the only driver of my car ... oh, well except for the guy who drove it off the assembly line and into the storage lot in Hiroshima, and then the guy who drove it from the storage lot into the ship, and then the guy who drove it off the ship and into a storage lot at a domestic port, and then the guy who drove it onto the train, and then the guy who drove it off the train and onto a car carrier, and then the guy who drove it off the car carrier and into the back lot at Whitten Mazda, and then my salesman who drove it from the back lot at Whitten Mazda to me, waiting out front.

There. I think that covers it.

Meade

mdaffron

We'll get there.

Or ... are you trying to make the BIG EVENT and your birthday coincide, you sneaky devil you?

Meade

boggse

I average 25 city and 31 highway. I think this is what Mazda advertises or very close. I could probably do better if I drove a accelerated less rapidly. Still, it is better than the 18 city and 26 highway I was getting with my Jetta VR6 and premium gas.

protegextwo

Pete, I guess this is the last cold (snap)front of the year! Brrr..., I walked my son to the bus stop this morning. Sweet Jesus, I was veerrry cold. Nonetheless, I'm gonna wash my cars today. I got some new car wash stuff, yesterday. I can't wait to try it!

-Larry

scarter7719

We have six people here in our office. Last year, only one person owned a Mazda, an older Protege with over 180K miles. Now we're up to four, my MPV, then a B3000, and red P5. Majority rules !

SC

protegextwo

Ted, I do't know what they charge for regular in Durham, NC.? But, today in Lancaster PA. $1.29 at our local Texico! For Pete's sake a month ago, it was $1.07.

-Larry

protegextwo

Scott, you own the MPV? How do you like it? Has it filled your needs? Thank you for helping us on our drive for 10,000! Post again!

-Larry

mdaffron

What kind of car wash stuff did you get?

BTW, have you ever heard of or used Zymol? I keep seeing it in our local Costco but don't know anything about it. It's a funky light-blue color.

Meade

meinrad

You want the keys, you got'em. I'll let anyone drive my car. That is, unless they break one of my rules:

1. No Smoking

2. Interior must be in same condition as you got it, no papers, food, gum wrappers.....

3. Come back with more gas than it left with.

and really my biggest rule:

"If you wreck it, don't bring it back."

I'm serious too, I don't even want to see you until it's all fixed. Whatever it takes, if it's totalled, then get me a new one. If it just needs repaired, get it fixed. But I don't want to see it till it's back to the way you took it.

It's never come to that yet. I had one guy break the smoking rule in college, he never drove my crx again.

mdaffron

I just went to Zymol's website ... this stuff is elitist car-enthusiast stuff! My Costco is selling their top-line cleaner wax that's $26 on the website for $9.95! Think I'll go snatch some up! Check it out ...

http://www.zymol.com/onestep.htm

Meade

protegextwo

I do not loan it out anymore, some dope at work almost pulled over a bumper block (parking lot stop) in our TGI Friday parking lot. He stopped when the front tires started up and almost over. I saw it happen and nearly had a cow!

-Larry

scarter7719

...suits my family of four just fine! I've never owned a Mazda before. I must say that I like where the company is headed . Sure I've had a couple annoying issues, just like anybody else with any other vehicle, but so far the MPV has been reliable after 21K miles. I'm off to work now, maybe I'll get to post later today. Happy Birthday and good luck to all the Protege owners!

SC

newcar31

There is someone in the "Help me choose" forum trying to decide between a Civic and a Protege.

mdaffron

I almost lost my Protege yesterday. A "woman" in a Mitsubishi Montero decided to change lanes when I was beside her. There was nowhere to go -- there was a concrete retaining wall to my left and she was to my right, giving me the squeeze. Man, I laid on the horn for all I was worth ... by the time she realized I was there, I had about an inch of air on either side of the car. My heart stayed in my throat for about 10 minutes after that little incident!

Meade

newcar31

I washed my car last night and it looks nice, except for the ugly steel wheels....

newcar31

We need 10,000 posts before 4:30 central time. I want to see it before I get off work.

protegextwo

Not the same stuff. The Zymol's that Costco, Pep Boy's, etc. sells is a reformulation licensed by Zymol for the folks at Turtle Wax to produce and sell via the mass market. The Zymol from Germany is a concour event (show car) elitist car-enthusiast wax! Costco sells the Turtle wax version. BTW, Costco is selling the mass produced Zymol at a great price point. I have never heard it being sold cheaper!

Meade, there is NOTHING wrong with the store bought Zymol. I have used it several times, prior to finding out about KLASSE acrylic polymer. The problem with store bought Zymol, it does NOT last very long at all! NuFinish last 3 x times longer! However, Zymol is easier to use (buffs off verry easily), smell good and it has a awesome depth and rich shine. Meade, when I wax my car, I want it to last a least 2 or 3 months, Zymol from Costco will not, sir!

-Love Train

mdaffron

Where can I buy Klasse? Do they sell it at Pep Boys? Is it expensive?

I currently use Meguiar's Gold Class, but I'm not too happy with how hard it is to get off the car. Does a good shine and lasts awhile, though. But boy, does it stink!

I'm interested in trying your stuff.

BTW ... your call on Monday ... are we going to be discussing MAPP? If so, I'll make some preliminary calls today to find out when park shelters and stuff are available ...

Ah, I guess spring is in the air ... even if it's damned cold here today!

Meade

mazdafun

99LX, AT. Typically achieve 28-29mpg on mostly local driving. When driving at highway speeds, I usually get 34-36 when driving around the limit, about 31-32 when driving a bit faster.:)

Someone here once got something like 48mpg when driving a steady 35mph through a national park.

protegextwo

I need to tell ya something. Kinda personal...It all good though! :-)

-larry

mazdafun

But Prestone's stopped marketing it. It's back to NuFinish for me after my two bottles are used up. Now, if only the weather would cooperate, I'd wash and polish both my red cuties.

shrique

This is my second try on this post. Stupid connection

Ok I've noticed that in my P5 there isn't any tinting on the sunroof. On my old SC2 there was a metal mesh similar to that on a microwave. Is there a problem tinting a sunroof? I know that in more extreme sun states you can crack your sunroof if the tint is too extreme but I live in Minnesota where we only get really direct sun 2 monthes out of hte year and March can suddenly turn into January on a moments notice.

You think it would be ok to tint the sunroof? I realized that I don't keep the shade open as much as I did on my SC2 because the sun slips in right over my sunglesses.

Hah there's my contribution and it's a real question even.

Shrique

vocus

I used to let a good friend at the time drive my 1999 DX when I had it. Once I got my ES though, I didn't let anyone drive it, except once. The car came back with 85 additional miles on it (in a matter of like 8 hours) and NO gas! That was it. I was hot too.

I have never let anyone drive my new car, not alone anyway. And they won't be either.

And you all know, if someone's driving your car and they have an accident, your insurance is responsible for property damage, right? Think about that before you lend the car out again.

vocus

I took my car (when I had it) to get all the windows tinted, because of the black and it being SO hot inside in the summer. They tinted the sunroof too, and it was like $30 or something to have it done.

mdaffron

Now you're gonna keep me in suspense all weekend?! Why don't you call me now? You know, you can always e-mail me too if you want to save a little cash on the l-d charges ...

Meade

protegextwo

http://www.properautocare.com/klasapguid.html

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/detprod.html

http://autopia-carport.com/

protegextwo

"Now you're gonna keep me in suspense all weekend?! Why don't you call me now? You know, you can always e-mail me too if you want to save a little cash on the l-d charges ...
Meade"

Send me your work phone number via my e-mail. I'll call you NOW!

larryisfishin@aol.com

-old head

Sporin

He beat me to it. Not the same stuff, but quite good none the less and that is a good price for it.

I use Griot's Garage products almost exclusively on my own car. (www.griotsgarage.com) I use a lot of Meguires products on other peoples' cars. I do auto detailing on the side and Meguires offers a really good balance between quality, durability and price point.

vocus

Just wanted to wish you a happy and healthy birthday. May you get everything you want today, and share many, many more birthdays with your loved ones (and right here in TH too!).

mazdafun

So now they're including full instructions? Great. I'll order one when the weather warms up a bit. In combination with the Dunlop Sport A2s will make for more fun!

I guess I may as well order front disc brake pads as well. Any clue how to replace them? On my '89 323, the pads slide out of the calipers after releasing a retention wire spring. Really easy. Is the procedure similar for the '99LX? Just looking at the calipers, it doesn't seem that way.