Mazda Protegé

reederta

Set out to purchase a black or silver ES and ended up in the sand mica 5 speed. I agree with poster #671 the silver with silver mags had- simply put- too much silver. The dealer parked the silver next to the sand mica and my mind was made up. Sand looks better with the silver rims on the ES - nice contrast. Ruled out black due to the way black shows dirt - but cleaned up black looks tough. Good luck with the decision

pat

Could you shoot me an email please? pat455@edmunds.com

Appreciate it!

Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards

newcar31

It actually used to be "worship the packers, or die"

gitarzan

When I bought my Pro last week it was too late to have the dealer do their detailing. They provide a complimentary post-purchase detailing on all new cars. I don't know if this is an industry thing or just their local offering.

Anyway I'm going back Friday and look forward to getting the tape marks removed and getting it all buffed up. They fill your tank up any you come in for service. That's cool too.

Afterwards I am going to get some soft clear vinyl mats from Pep boys and cover the factory mats. I'll do anything I can do to keep the car new as long as I can.

I've got less than 200 miles logged so far, I can't wait to get a decent break-in so I can wind out on Ohio SR666 - "The Highway to Hell" - 14 twisty hilly miles of scenery.

hboyd

You can have ANY dealer put in a factory "order" for a specific Protege. They fax this "Order" to Mazda NAO to have the car purchased from their yearly allotment. My dealer had my specially ordered Protege ES2.0 at her dealership in about 3 weeks -- EXACTLY the way I wanted it equipped; NO cassette player installed! The dealer's purchasing/fleet manager orders the cars from Mazda NAO the way they feel customers want them equipped. Naturally, dealers want cars fully equipped to incease profits... so... be patient and request a factory "order" from a dealer who does not have YOUR Protege in stock -- my dealer also gladly accepted the S-Plan pricing on our ordered Protege ES2.0...

ABS and Side-Impact Airbags are packaged separately from the ES Premium package -- You do NOT have to purchase a Moonroof anymore if you want the Side-Impact Airbags and ABS on your 2001 Protege LX/ES!!!!

The 2001 ES2.0 IS THE WAY TO GO!!! White gauges, black interior, and faux titanium trim make the car classier; the ES RULES and ROCKS!!! Zooommm....Zoooommm

MARTIN

notminehers

After 6 months of looking and testing, we now are the proud owners of an '01 Pro ES 5 speed - white with moonroof. Looked extensively at Focus and Civic but think we found the most bang for the buck. Picked the car up yesterday and made a pitstop at the local mocha stand on the way home - had to smile when a couple of teenagers did a double take and asked "what in the heck is that"?? They thought the car looked awesome.....they are right!! Only been Zooming for a day - will deliver more feedback if we can pry ourselves out of the car long enough to post.

jk111

Yeah, Ferrari is one of the car manufacture that has the hydraulic clutch on their 360 Modenas (beautiful car.) But that is a 10 grand option by the way. The japan spec toyota Mr2 also have something similar, but not nearly as impressive.
The auto buttons on is300, celica auto is just a gimmick. It is still a automatic tranny with a torque converter, it does not improve performance at all.
I think the closest thing we are going to see that is comparable to a manual is the CVT. Audi reported better 0-60 time with a CVT tranny, so we will see..

jstandefer

Yes, the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is quite a promising concept. It allows the engine to be kept in it's maximum power range or maximum efficiency range (or anywhere you want it to be). Mazda is showing the concept in their Nextourer concept (rumored to replace the Millenia in a few years) and the MX Sport Tourer currently be shown in the auto show circuit. The Mazda CVT is Toroidal (gear based). Honda has already used it in one of their Civic models (HX, I think, but maybe the CX or DX or LX or EX... oh, I don't know). The Honda CVT is conical/belt based (think of two cones and a rubber band). Anyways, I think it will replace the traditional automatic transmission. Mazda has already shown a 20% increase in fuel economy using the CVT over a traditional 4-spd automatic.

protegextwo

Martin, I agree that ABS with side Bags-ES 2.0 is a stand alone factory option. It can be purchased for MSRP $800, code #ABS3. However, can a Mazda dealership; "put in a factory order,... with the options, EXACTLY the way, I want it equipped"?

BASE PRO-ES 2.0
With:
Power Moonroof
Moonroof Deflectors
In Dash 6-Disc CD changer
Perimeter alarm
Front side air bags/ABS
Engine block heater
Seabreeze Green Mica

With Out:
Carpet floor mats
Auto trannie
Cassette player

This is the "exact way", I want it equipped/built. Can a Mazda Dealership "factory order" this and will the factory build this exact car, for me?

It was my understanding, that Mazda, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota DO NOT build customer orders. But, if they have already manufactured a vehicle with your desired specs, they can direct that car to your local dealer's incoming inventory allotment. I think you were lucky, a car was already built with your exact desired options. Your local Mazda dealership located this vehicle from incoming manufacture inventory and had it allotted to its first available delivery. But, then again I might be wrong, Hehe!!!

Jstandefer, perhaps a needed clarification for us, as you have first hand knowledge. ;-)

Respectfully;
Larry

maltb

It can be done, but any dealer would rather sell what is on their lot than go through the hassle and up to a 6 month wait. It would also come out of the dealers allocation of vehicles and if they have something similar, they typically won't budge. Hboyd, I agree with Larry that you probably got lucky and they had something at the port to meet your needs.

WMarton

Larry's right...there is no such thing as a factory order from Mazda. Dealers simply claim already built cars for their own allocation. I don't know where in the build and distribution process this occurs, i.e., in Japan after it comes off the line, in transit, or in port (this is where I personally think it occurs). Here's our sad tale: My wife and I are currently looking for either a 5-sp 2.0 LX or ES w/ premium pkg, cassette, and perimeter alarm. The sticking point is that we want it in millennium red. The dealer has offered to "order" one, but can't guarantee that it will arrive before April 2nd when Mazda's 0% financing offer runs out. The closest the dealer has come is to locate a 5-sp ES in mill. red with no options. We could accept getting a car with no moonroof, no cassette, and no alarm, but the side airbags and ABS are a deal breaker. We are now strongly considering either a Civic EX or Subaru Outback; this is after owning two GLCs and a 323.

Bill

jstandefer

Larry is correct. You cannot order a specific vehicle directly from the factory. A dealership receives an allocation list from their regional Mazda headquarters. From that list, they can select their PREFERENCES for order. If two dealerships select the same vehicle, it will go to the larger, more successful dealership. However, if a vehicle comes up on an allocation which you want to purchase, then that dealership can usually get it if their standing with their Mazda rep is good.

Each ordering region is different when it comes to how the vehicles can be ordered. For example: in the U.S. Southwest Region for last year, you could not get a Pro LX with the LX Premium Package or even the stand alone moonroof, nor could you get a Pro ES without a cassette player.

It depends on your ordering region. Your local Mazda dealership should be able to give you the specs as to how they can and cannot order them. Many of the items on your list, Larry, are dealer installed options such as the moonroof deflector, and engine block heater. Some of the items on your list are port installed options, such as the 6-disc CD changer and the perimeter alarm. I have never seen a Pro ES without the floor mats, so you may have to take them or have the dealer remove them from the car and price (if it's part of a package, they cannot do this).

Your car may be out there. I had a customer who wanted a very specific MPV. It had to be a classic red ES (hard to come by in its own right) with fog lamps but not the 6-disc changer or the moonroof. It was impossible to order one like that, since at the time Mazda would only install fog lamps with the moonroof which had to installed with the 6-disc changer. However, we were able to located a classic red MPV with a moonroof on the allocation. We called the port and had them intercept the vehicle and install fog lamps and the 6-disc changer at the port as stand alone options. They printed up a new sticker and sent the vehicle to us. And since everything was still installed by Mazda (albeit at the port), the prices all stayed at factory levels ($250 for the fog lamps, versus $600 for the dealer to install them).

hkchan

Do '01 Protege's (either LX 2.0 or ES) exist with the ABS/SAB Package (i.e. no moonroof) and without the cassette player?
Specifically either,
LX 2.0 with 4-sp auto, Comfort Package, ABS/SAB and keyless entry (and maybe cargo net) or
ES 2.0 with 4-sp auto and ABS/SAB (and maybe cargo net and floor mats).

maltb

Are you looking for a particular vehicle or just curious?
Also, what area of the country are you in?

hkchan

I'm looking for either of the above two vehicles (going back and forth between the two) providing that one can be found by 4/2 or Mazda extends the rebate. I'm in the MD/DC/VA area.

aceman56

After consulting with my dealer, he found one '01 Protege ES with the premium pckg and automatic, without a cassette player. The only thing was this was one of the sand colors. To me, the sands reminds me of tan which seems a little cheaper.
So after thinking about, knowing I have to pick up this car by April 2nd to still get the 0% finance for 4 years, I chose a white ES with a cassette for an extra 3 bucks a month.
I am a little upset I am now paying for a moonroof and cassette, both which I don't feel is worth it. But with the S Plan, and 0% finance, I guess it evens out or even better.

maltb

In your region you can't get the ES with ABS?SAB without the premium package. However, you can get the LX2.0 with the config that you want. Give me a color preference and I'll see what I can find.

jstandefer

I have seen a few of the '01 Pro LX AND ES models with the ABS/SAB group. I do not remember if they had the cassette player or not, but I do remember them being automatic. The ones I have seen were in Millenium Red, Black Mica, and Sunlight Silver Metallic. They exist here in Southern California, so I would imagine they're available in your area.

hkchan

First a question. Do the LX 2.0 and ES ride and handle virtually the same (definitely different tires)?
Preliminary color choices (I've seen only the Silver): Sand, Lt. Sandalwood and Silver and maybe Emerald or Seabreeze Green. No white, black or red.

maltb, I must've missed some posts. Do you work for a dealer?

maltb

I'll tell you no lies.

hkchan

What's ":)" mean? Oops. Sorry. No more questions.

maltb

Just my standard signature which I forget many times.

To answer your question about LX2 and ES2:
Expect the ride on the ES to be sporty vs. standard. The ES has larger sway bars and stiffer shocks. Of course, all the other stuff that has been mentioned, i.e. 4 wheel disc, etc.

Do you think you can narrow your choices down to 2 colors?

hkchan

Sand and Lt. Sandalwood. The ES has larger stabilizer bars and stiffer shocks? I've been to Mazda's site and read the brochure. Didn't mention either.

maltb

The configuration that you are looking for is hard to come by. No dealer in the Northeast has a 2.0L A/T with ABS without the premium packages. There are some LX2s that have just been built but are not allocated. It's doubtful that you'd see those before 4/2.

Back to the ES/LX debate: Personally, for what you get and if you can afford it, I would opt for the ES with Premium package. This is my opinion, but for all the additional items that you can't get on the LX, think about those things as you stare at white gauges.

hkchan

The ES is "only" ~$600 more than the LX2.0 the way I equipped them. With the added moonroof on the ES, it's $1,200 more. So it has sportier handling and ride, alloy wheels, lower-profile tires, white gauges, rear disc brakes, larger front disc-brakes and rear spoiler.

lgb

Hey vocus, did Mazda change the cheezy vinyl on the sunvisors this year? I would love to change mine from my '00 model.

leomort

I'm waiting to see the Protege 5 (hatchback version). Do you think Mazda will offer the 0% financing for 4 year deal again on Proteges?

Leo

hkchan

Yes but it it may or may not apply to the P5 when it first comes out. It'll be classified as a 2002 model.

vocus

Yes, the visors on the 2001 models are more substantial. And the mirrors are flip-up now. No more little plastic pull-down thing. It's a hard-back flip up cover for the mirrors. Alot classier IMO. You might be able to change them out, but the headliner in my 2001 is not the same color as my 1999 was. Of course, the 1999 was gray inside and the 2001 is charcoal (since it's an ES).

I am having ZOOM ZOOM withdraw! My car's in the shop being repaired for the next 2 days, thanks to some careless [non-permissible content removed] who left a nice scrape up the side of it. I am stuck driving a Saturn LS until then. Not bad, but NO sport at all!

sfrat

The 01 ES has 4 wheel disc brakes, and you also get the fog lights too. I would go for the ES w/ Prem.

vocus

Those 4-wheel discs definitely improve stopping power over the drum brakes on the back of the other Protege models. My 1999 DX felt a little unsure when stopping from highway speeds sometimes. Not so in 2001 ES.

glideslope

IMO the 4-Wheel disk set up on the 01 has an advantage in fade resistance during repeated, or very long stops. I'll wager when the first real road test of the 01 comes out, the stopping distance on the initial run will be the same as the 00 if not longer. The car weighs 100 lbs more. Just MO.

Regards,
Mark.

glideslope

Linda,

Nope, I'm talking about Rt. 10 not Rt. 9.

Starting in the north at Higgins Bay on Rt. 8, and running south to Stilesville at the beginning of Rt. 8. I prefer this north to south approach. Some prefer the south to north treck.

Remember, no meals at least two hours before the run. You'll love it!

Regards,
Mark.

scottdude

I'll be buying a new car soon and the Protege is one of my top three choices. I just bought a Car & Driver 2001 buyers guide and the description for the Protege says that a new version is coming out in the spring of 2001, which technically is next week.

So are the models I see at the dealer today (March 20, 2001) going to be discontinued in a few weeks, or are they already selling the new version? When did this "new" version come out, or if it is not out yet, when does it arrive? Anyone have a link to photos and a description of the new version?

maltb

Technically, spring was yesterday, but who's counting?

What you read was probably a reference to the Protege-5-door-hatch-back-sport-wagon-whatchmacallit. It should be showing up in dealers closer to early summer. I think they are waiting for a name before they release it. There is a board on Edmunds related to that vehicle if you are curious.

rotarykid

If you want a real sporty protege, wait for the limited edition in a few/upcoming weeks. It will have 17"rims(just like the ones on the millenia s) ground effects, mp2 player in dash, more power, custom interior and more.

rotarykid

make that an in-dash mp3 player.

hkchan

What about an ES with the Premium Package but no cassette player? Readily available?

maltb

We have a winner!

Try Fitzgerald Mazda in Annapolis or Hertrich Mazda in Dover, DE. Not sure how far the second one is from you, but you were looking for somewhere to go this weekend, right?

Both of those are ES/AT/Premium/No Cass in Sand Mica

hkchan

I would've thought the selection would be more than two. May I ask you to check Emerald and Silver as well? May need to do a dealer swap. How would that affect the dealer's profit?

maltb

Just kidding, but I will make you wait until the morning, I gotta run.

jondavmar

I've been reading this forum for several months since I became interested in a Protege. I would like to thank the contributors for making this a civilized and informative town hall.

I'm considering purchasing an AS over an DX only because it can have four wheel AS disc brakes, rather than the split combination on the X. Spoilers are not for me, I'm neutral on the white gauges, but I would definitely prefer the softer (and quitter?) ride that the 15" tires would provide. This is where the on-car buff question comes in. If I buy the AS and discover I hate the low profile 16" tires can I replace them with 15" tires without any substantial consequences safety and handling-wise?

I wish *ignore* had been a little more free with the options on the LX...oh well.

Thanks!

jondavmar

Sorry about the typos in my previous message. Spellcheck and I had our differences!

AS = ES
AS disc brakes = ABS disc brakes
X = LX
DX = LX
on-car = non-car
quitter = quieter
*ignore* = Mazda

Thanks.

polssky

I just bought Protege LX 2.0 a month ago. I'm very satisfied with and impressed by the car. It feels very sporty unlike my old Taurus for sure. I just found out that other competitive cars such as Honda civic EX(185/65R15) and Nissan Sentra SE(195/60R15) do not use more sporty tires as protege LX 2.0 (195/55R15) and ES (195/50R16). I just wonder whether this low-file tire size makes protege more sporty and perform better. I was bit bothered by the higher price and fast wear-down of sporty tires and the size being not quite commonly available in small cities where I live so that I need to order from the tire dealers. If somebody convince me that tire size will make difference, I will be totally satisfied and even happier that I bought Protege.
Have a good one.

hkchan

The softer ride in the LX/DX (don't know how much softer since I've only driven the ES) mostly comes from the smaller stabilizer bars and less-stiff shocks (information from maltb). Moving from 195/50R16's to 195/55R15's would require new wheels. Even the steel wheels in the LX/DX won't work as these use a four-bolt pattern. The ES uses wheels with a five-bolt pattern. Best thing to do is to test drive both models.

sfrat

Did you come across anything at Russell Mazda in Ellicott City/Catonsville, MD. They had a couple of 01 ES's when I was there picking up my tags. I didn't take stock of what they were exactly, but I think vocus did. At least one was ES as I recall. See an earlier post. Sand Mica is a nice color, that's what I have. First I wanted the silver, but now I like the Sand just as much.

Also, the four wheel disc breaks really bring the car to a halt fast. I totally agree Vocus. Also, somewhat belatedly, I'm sorry to hear about your car. The perp should be shot.

hkchan

Did you use the S-Plan also?

I suspect the increased stopping power comes more from the larger front discs (10.2" vs 9.3") than discs instead of drums in the back.

gitarzan

Here's a link I found for the the total Mazda enthusiast. Actually it's a Miata site but there are some Mazda logo only things...

http://www.seriousauto.com/logo-items/watches/watches.htm

They aren't too bad of a looking watches, They look like the kind you get at discount stores with a $150 sticker marked down to $14.95.

gitarzan

Here's a link I found for the the total Mazda enthusiast. Actually it's a Miata site but there are some Mazda logo only things...

http://www.seriousauto.com/logo-items/watches/watches.htm

They aren't too bad of a looking watches, They look like the kind you get at discount stores with a $150 sticker marked down to $14.95.

sfrat

Actually I didn't. I was too impatient to wait, and after driving all over the Balt/Wash area, and finding only 1 ES 5spd w/Prem in one of the colors that could agree too, I felt that time was of the essence. Despite that, I still feel like I did well, 16,900 incl destination. Invoice on my car was 16500 or so. I would do the S-Plan if I did it again though.

The bigger disc brakes probably do make a difference since most of the time most of the braking work is done in front where the weight is. But doesn't the ABS system in the 01 have the ability to modulate all four wheels independently somehow. Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, which supposedly sends some of the work to the rear. If that is the case, the extra rear discs would probably help under ABS braking situations.