Mazda Protegé

mdaffron

There have been a lot of posts here lately; I hope I'm not bringing up old news here ... but I read this this morning on autonews.com in a story about the New York Auto Show:

"Mazda is introducing a designation to North America called MazdaSpeed. The company will market high-performance versions of existing vehicles with modified styling and 'significant power upgrades,' a Mazda spokesman said.

"The first MazdaSpeed vehicle will debut at the auto show. The car is based on the Protege and is expected to be called the Speed 3."

Hmmm. Somebody find some pics!!!

Meade

vocus

I wanna go to the New York Auto Show SO bad! I wish I could afford a hotel night and/or a train from Baltimore to New York, I would go in a second! I might just decide to take a little road trip next weekend..

dinu01

Nice pics! How did it go?

MS (Mazda Speed): It does sound VERY interesting! Ok, I'll go on a hunt for pics.

Dinu

rbrooks3

The dealer diagnosed the problem with my nonfunctioning cruise control. the culprit? The contacts on ALL of the cruise control buttons are not working. Granted this will be covered under warranty for the 2 months old Pro, but it is annoying. The buttons did not stop working due to use as the crusie control was never even used. Since they didn't break from useage, it means they simply never worked at all. They installed a faulty part and no one ever noticed it. I'm hoping it has more to do with the "don't use cruise control" for the first 600 miles warning. But still, I'd think they'd check to make sure the system was functioning properly. After all, "don't use" implies that it should be working.

I'm waiting for their call to bring her back in when the part arrives. I'll enjoy another day of 626 driving the loaner.

Ron B.

the_big_h

the autox was a lot of fun, going through turns and slaloms constantly, need to get my own helmet for the next event though, can't stand the crappy loaners anymore

NY Auto Show is this week right? Man I'm gonna keep an eye out for the new Mazdaspeed 3...

chicagopro

Cool pictures...looks like fun.

Ron: bummer about your cruise control!

chicagopro

couldn't find a flag for Wales...what's up with that?

Sporin

There isn't one for Scotland either or I'd be flying it.

dinu01

Can't find anything on it. Where did you find the article Meade? I was looking at AutoWeek...

Dinu

number42

I'm waiting for a flag from elbonia.

mdaffron

http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=38752

Meade

vocus

I already bought my tickets and reserved my hotel. I can't wait until April 7, because this will be my first time at the NYIAS.

newcar31

I created a new forum for this car. If anyone has anything new info, feel free to post.

chikoo

>>>>I wanna go to the New York Auto Show SO bad! I wish I could afford a hotel night and/or a train from Baltimore to New York, I would go in a second! I might just decide to take a little road trip next weekend.. <<<<<

aw c'mon.....if u can't afford it....i wonder who can????

vocus

I already booked the hotel and got the tickets though. I am DEFINITELY going to that show this year.

ashutoshsm

Want to car pool, if our schedules match? And if you're driving? I know that I am (accompanied by one friend, perhaps two)!

Get my email id off the yahoo board and lets discuss it, if you'd like.

-ashu

mdaffron

Are you guys NUTS? Take the train!

Meade

sfrat

Boy, everyone must be worn out from Friday's "exuberance". Sounds like fun going to the NY auto show, I wish I could go too, but I don't think I can. Be sure to take pictures.

Ashu and Paul, stay away from the rest areas in the Jetta! :-)

Steve

maltb

Boy, everyone must be worn out from Friday's "exuberance".

Catching up on the work that never got done.

chicagopro

(look--what's that up in the sky? A flying pig!)

Having a car in NYC is a real hassle. Parking is crazy expensive, and traffic is ridiculous.

If the train is at all convenient for you guys, I say go for that instead.

shrique

Next year I'm hoping to go to the North American Inernational Autoshow in (yuck) Detroit. A friend of mine is going to Lansing for school and I can stay with him. I would love to go to the NYIAS but it's too far and too expensive. Oh my honeymoon I got to go to the London International Autoshow in '99. That was pretty cool.

chicagopro

Decided NOT to wash the car...instead, go visit a former co-worker who's retired to a suburb about an hour outside of Chicago. Checked Mapquest (est. trave time: 55 minutes), called her for additional directions, and set out.

Total travel time there: 3 hours, 5 minutes.

When I approached the Indiana border, I realized I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere. (Andy & Pete: I was at the Skyway tollbooth)

Helpful tollboy helpfully showed me where to make a u-turn after he helpfully took my $2.

And my sincerest apologies to all the cars behind me in line to pay toll, who had to watch me jump out of the car to frantically search in the trunk and back seat for my wallet, so that I could pay for the toll road that I wasn't going to take.

vocus

I am going with a friend of mine already (he is from New York) so that will be cool. I have never been to NY before, so at least I will be able to get around. And you don't really have to drive much in the city itself. I am renting a hotel for the night, about a mile or less away from the place where the NYIAS is going to be. They have parking at the hotel too, so that should be ok. I know driving is going to be a bit of a hassle, but I am going to have to chance it because I can't afford a hotel and train fare as well.

Ashu: Good luck driving in NY. If you think the 495 in DC is awful, you ain't seen nothin' yet (from what I hear, anyway)!

meinrad

My friends went to Detroit for the first time this year. They came back overwhelmed and felt it was almost too much. Worst part about it was it's location. They said the only good part of the whole weekend was when they were actually at the show. Some day I'm going to one of the bigger shows.......

mdaffron

Yesterday was beautimous here in Richmond. I took about three hours and washed both the 2000 ES and the 2002 P5. Now, of course, it's going to rain tomorrow. Of course. Oh well, it was still fun making the old Pro's gleam ... at least for a while.

Meade

vocus

If you get joy out of watching a car gleem after washing it, come get mine and knock yourself out. I never have hand-washed it, because of space limitations (I live in the city and have no place to wash a car). I always take mine to the carwash and get it done there.

The last time I did, it took them like 10 mins. to do the car. Turns out, they had the radio on jamming while they were cleaning the interior (you don't need the key to do it in my car, it runs for an hour without the key). They had fun though, and the car looked better than the day I took delivery of it.

shrique

That's why we are driving in and getting the h#ll out right after the show. We're even considering renting a car. That particular area of town has a 9 out of 10 crime rating according to a website I found.

mdaffron

You get what you pay for! Paul, you could do better (and pay less) by going to one of those do-it-yourself car washes. When I lived in the city, I'd go there at an off-hour (like Sunday morning early) and take my own bucket, soap, etc. -- and only use the "wand" for rinsing.

You never really get to know your car -- or find any new dings, paint chips, scratches, etc. -- until you get down there and wash it yourself!

Meade

mazdafun

You still have to watch for the taxicabs and bicycling (rollerblading, scootering) messengers.

meinrad

Meaded wrote:
"You never really get to know your car -- or find any new dings, paint chips, scratches, etc. -- until you get down there and wash it yourself!"

I see that as an added benefit to not washing it yourself. I go along happily not noticing all the scrathes dents etc. Then one day I wash the car myself and whammo, wholly cow, look at all the stuff on my car. I don't need that aggrevation, lol. That said, I still wash my cars myself 80% of the time.

ashutoshsm

I'm driving TO NY but not IN NY he he

I'll live with friends that are on the train line (somewhere - not for me to worry about) and we'll take the train into the city. This place is within walking distanec of Grand Central.

I've been to NY before, and I'd rather take my chances on the DC beltway than drive there! That's what cabs and the subway are for.

Paul, depending on when you'll be there, we can synch up and meet by the Mazda (or VDub?) section!

krotine

"...couldn't find a flag for Wales...what's up with that?"

First it was a problem with seals, now it's a problem with whales... what next?

;D

krotine

chicagopro

True story:

When I was in third or fourth grade, I went to the school library and asked the librarian for some books about Wales...wanted to find out more about the country where my grandpa's family was from.

Librarian was so thrilled that some kid wanted to do research, she went crazy...brought over a pile of 15-20 books on...you guessed it.

She didn't have ANY books on Wales. I'm still disappointed.

chikoo

did ya get my email?

elec3

My mom is a library manager and she once had a young girl, about middle school aged come in and ask her for books on euthanasia. My mom was a bit startled by this because it's a pretty heavy research topic for a middle schooler, but she asked the girl if she was sure that's what she needed books on and the girl said yes, so my mom started gathering some pretty big books on the subject for her. After starting to look through them, the girl said to my mom "What about children in China?" My mom suddenly got it and realized she had given this little girl books on mercy killing when she really wanted books on "youth in Asia" or Asian youth. Doh! Be careful what you ask for

My Protege is now carrying a towel and shower caddy because the University was kind enough to shut off hot water over the break. This means I have to go over to my fraternity house if I want to hose off. At least I have another place to go...I can't imagine going a week without a shower or shave.

It's good zooming weather here - only 63 but sunny, clear, and calm. It's going to be high 70s and low 80s most of this week, which is excellent because I'm on spring break

fowler3

<<Some day I'm going to one of the bigger shows...>>

The best one I have been to is the Frankfurt International Automobile Show in Germany, held every September. It's HUGE! More like a World's Fair. VW and Mercedes have their own buildings. There's even a big building just for auto parts suppliers. You see cars that never come to the states! All kinds of cars and trucks.

I have some photos taken at the show in 1993, will post a couple on the other site.

One shows the Audi A8 in it's original aluminum skin, no paint. Looks like a chrome-plated car. 1993 was the year Mercedes introduced the new C-class which replaced the 190 sedan.

The first time I went to that show was in 1954 when VW introduced the
Karman-Ghia coupe. It was the first show following World War II.

fowler3

browntrout1

This is for anyone who has attempted to change the rear speakers in the 3rd gen protege sedans. How do you get the freaking plastic cover off the rear deck? I got all the little clips off and everything but then the little anchors for the baby seats are in the way. The grills seem to be part of the whole rear deck and will not pop off. Anybody with any insight? If anyone knows a good website, let me know.

bjewett

Isn't this the same car that was rumored at www.veh-tech.net 6 months ago, and has been discussed here? I was told by a mazda rep at the chicago auto show that mazda would have a turbo protege sedan coming out, and other people here have said something similar would be available in the P5. Some say 170 hp... some also said this summer, but the mazda rep told me "any time now", which could be the NY auto show.

If it is demo'd at the auto show, it ought to be accompanied by a press release and something at mazdausa.com, I would think.

dinu01

chicagopro

LOL!

chicagopro

That Frankfurt show sounds pretty cool.

There was a girl in high school who had a Karman Ghia...whenever her 'friends' wanted to play a joke on her, they would get together and shove the car from the parking lot to somewhere behind the school where she wouldn't find it.

browntrout1

If Ron is out there and you are the Protege speaker Guru, then look at my previous post

dinu01

Ron is *THE* speaker guru, no doubt about it. He too had issues with removing the back shelf when installing the rear speakers on his 3rd gen PRO. If you look at the posts (maybe the 7000s-8000s: I know this is VERY precise j/k), you'll see Ron's rantings about this difficult install.

Dinu

dinu01

...on my way to work. Let's just say that it looks VERY Japanese/European in that fugly kinda way. I still can't get over what seem to me like 13" wheels (were 14" for sure though, but looked like 13") on a van/wagon that needs at least 16" to look good. I thought it looked like the P5 when I saw a pic of it in the paper, but it's more like a Nissan Axxess/Multi if anyone remembers those. More of a mini-mini-van than a sport wagon.

Dinu

dinu01

zoomzoom79

but at least I had the opportunity to go outside the "Honda box" and see that there are other cars that can be fun to drive and reliable. My feelings about getting rid of the Pro are clouded though by my impatience to get the Si home.

mdaffron

Because of my work schedule, I'll be dropping it off late this afternoon at my dealer and (READ THIS VOCUS, YOU JETTA-TOUTING TRAITOR ;-) ) picking up my free rental car and driving it home tonight. They'll do the work tomorrow and I'll turn in the rental and pick up my car late tomorrow afternoon. Pretty flexible dealership, huh? BTW, I'm a bad zoom-zoomer. I've got 34,300 miles on the car.

Can't wait to see what kind of rental car I get!

I had my dealer fax me the list of what they do in the 30,000-mile service:

Oil and filter change
Rotate tires
Flush cooling system & refill
Change brake fluid
Change transmission fluid (manual only -- that's me)
Replace spark plugs
Replace air filter
Check idle
Check drive belts & hoses
Road test for proper operation

All this for the bargain price of $340. Ouch! I'm having them NOT do the oil change, tire rotation and air filter replacement. I just got my oil changed yesterday, Costco rotates my tires for free, and I'll do my air filter, thank you very much. That drops the price to about $270. Sure, still a bit of highway robbery, but when you consider how much shop labor rates are these days, and they are doing some needed stuff (changing coolant and brake fluid, tranny fluid and plugs), I'm prepared to bite the bullet here. Besides, I haven't had any of my other services done at the dealer. This oughta pacify them in case I have warranty problems.

BTW, I don't have my manual with me and I'll be dropping off the car on the way home today -- can anyone check their manual (er, 2000 ES) -- and see if there's a recommended interval for changing the PCV valve? I was surprised I didn't see that on the dealer's list of stuff.

Meade

mazdafun

Check msg 265 under Mazda Protege Owners, Accessories and Modifications. It's for a '99-00 rear deck, but I heard from Ron it's no different for the current sedans.

Sorry, no pics, just text.

boggse

To remove the rear deck, after you have removed the clips that are behind the rear seat, lift the front of the deck and slide your hand underneath the deck and gently, but firmly lift. The friction fasteners should come loose one at a time. When it comes time to put the deck back. Place the deck where you think it should go, then stick your head in the trunk to make sure the fasteners are on top of the holes they are supposed to go through. When you are comfortable with the positioning. Tap on the deck with the heel of your hand until you hear the fasteners lock into place. Be sure to check in the trunk again to make sure they all went through.

rbrooks3

Those child seat tethers don't interfere with anything. It sounds like you are going the right way to remove the top panel.

First, flip down the rear seats, this will allow you to access the 5-7 (I forget how many) push pins that help to secure the rear panel. They are all in line and are around the size of a US dime. The push clips themselves are actually two pieces that are not meant to come apart. To remove them, use a very thin regular screwdriver to gently pry out the center button. You only have to pull it out about 1/4 of an inch and then pull the entire clip out of the hole.

Then get into the trunk and you will see 5 or so push pins that are attached to the bottom of the panel and lock into holes in the metal panel beneath it. The tips of these pins extend into the trunk. I just took a pair of needle nosed pliers and gently squeezed the tips of these pins together and pushed them up into the interior of the car.

Once you do this, it's easy to now remove the plastic panel. Just go back inside the rear of the car and lift the entire panel up, and slide it towards the front of the car. I left the seat belts stay attached.

You can see the chils seat anchors don't affect anything. They stay bolted to the metal panel that is under the plastic panel.

One more thing, make sure you have one of those stubby philips screwdrivers to remove the rear most screws as there is precious little room between the rear glass and the top of those screws.

If you ahve any questions, feel free to e-mail me directly at Ronald.Brooks@aig.com

Ron B.