Mazda Protegé

mazdafun

and then your head hits the roof.

ashutoshsm

Thanks for the link, Mike.

The fact that its an excellent package for a great price - amazing value - is why I bought mine a couple of years ago.

Interesting that they mentioned the rear defroster - its the only thing in my car that doesn't work. I suspect the switch is broken - the fuses seem fine. Bought a new switch, but jut haven't had the time nor the inclination to open up m dash and replace the switch.

Absolutely fun car, on the whole - may not be everything I want, but its all I need!

mdaffron

... can be big headaches when you buy the car used. Many people don't seem to realize how delicate those painted-on wires are and cut them while they're cleaning the window, or let their kids do horrible stuff up in the parcel shelf, etc. Ashu, if you haven't already, check the little plugs at either side to make sure they're making good contact with the tabs on the window. Several years of moisture can also corrode those contacts -- you may try (gently) unplugging them and plugging them back in.

On a similar note, did you guys know you can buy rear-defroster repair kits if you have a wire or two out back there? It's nothing more than that metallic "paint" and a template that lets you paint back through the break in the wire. We used it on my Dad's Volvo a few years back and it worked as promised.

Meade

chikoo

saw it in the latest edition of Car&Driver.
Stance is the same as existing protege
Front door inside panels are carried over from the existing PROTEGE
Dash design seems like a good makeup treatment of existing protege

It's a BIG Protege, Brothers and Sisters!!

Watch out Mazda, here I come for the Mazda6-V6!!

Kirstie_H

One major daily newspaper is looking for folks who drive 2002 or 2003 yellow or orange cars, and another major daily newspaper is looking for folks who successfully or unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate the purchase prices of their vehicles at the end of their lease terms. If you care to share your stories on either or both of these topics, please send an e-mail containing a short summary of your experience and your contact information to jfallon@edmunds.com no later than Tuesday, May 14.

Thanks much,

Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com

mdaffron

Me too man, my next car is gonna be a 6!

Dunno about the success of the acronym, "MA6P" though ...

;-)

Meade

chicagopro

Kirstie_H

A television reporter is interested in hearing from folks who have driven long distances to get good prices when buying new cars or trucks. If you have a story to tell, please drop a line including your contact info and city/state of residence to jfallon@edmunds.com.

Thanks,

Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com

dsm6

Ouch:

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/dai/2002/may/20020510_dai_ford.xml

I'm hoping this doesn't carry over to Mazda. I suppose it will, at minimum, for the joint Mazda-Fords. I hate to see cost-cutting for a line of cars that already has significant quality problems.

newcar31

I know how Mazda could save at least $700 on Proteges. Toss the TTL rear suspension and throw in a twist beam rear axle, then assemble them in Mexico. I can think of a couple of cars in this class that have already gone that route. Nissan and VW might be able to help Mazda out in this regard.

mdaffron

I hope you're kidding.

;-)

Meade

protege_fan

Well if that beam axle looks great then I'm all for it. Not.

newcar31

I'm not kidding. They would save mucho dinero if they did that. That's not to say that I want them to do that, it's just that other manufacturers have done it to save money. Did you ever wonder why Paul's car has an Audi style interior at VW prices?

mdaffron

Paul's been strangely absent today. I wonder if his New Beetle crapped out on him and left him stranded on the Beltway or something ...

Meade

protege_fan

Sounds like a euphemism for having to redo all the weather stripping.

mdaffron

... over on the Jetta topic, talking about the recall notice he just received.

Meade

mdaffron

... It sounds to me like what you do when you can't find the cause of the rattle ... just apply spray-on pickup truck bedliner material haphazardly until you kill the rattle.

Real scientific, I'm sure. A "rubber-dipped" car, lol ...

Meade

mdaffron

Sorry, I feel the need to count this down. (Hey, we counted down to post 10,000 -- at least THIS is on-topic!)

We've got more than 30 people, and it appears we'll have 20-plus Proteges, including two MP3s, a bunch of P5s in all colors, and all generations of the venerable Protege. And from stock to ... well, I won't say it. ;-)

Please, if any of you are on the fence about coming, contact me! This promises to be the best MAPP yet!

Meade

mdaffron@the-rma.org

protege_fan

I like your explanation better

the_big_h

LOL

dsm6

How about they share parts between the next gen Pro and the Ford Focus. Now that's scary. Oh, wait, that is what they are going to do. Doh!

mdaffron

Wazzup? You dissin' me dude?

;-)

Meade

the_big_h

just agreeing with you meade, this'll be the best MAPP EVAR! :-D

protege_fan

LMAO! It's gonna roxxor! Too bad I'm a newb and can't make it down to hang with you doodz. LOL!

mdaffron

Rad, dude!

Meade

vocus

I have had alot of work to do today, so I haven't had time to really play around on this forum today.

Also, my Beetle did die on the highway yesterday. I ran out of gas! I guess it doesn't have the reserve built in like the Jetta does, or else I wasn't paying attention. I only had to walk a couple blocks for gas though, so it's all good.

And as far as MAPP, I am kinda reconsidering coming. I am sure you all wouldn't want my bad-handling Jetta bringing down your Proteges anyway.

the_big_h

dis MAPP gonna be TIGHT y0!

mdaffron

Man, you gotta come. It wouldn't be the same without you. I mean that, my friend.

Meade

P.S. Am I psychic, or WHAT? ;-)

mdaffron

I was just doing a little Town Hall surfing and stumbled across this little-used topic:

Mazda Protege Owners: Protege Posse

Seems it was created in February 2001 BY A HOST for this purpose (the following is the text of the first message in the topic):

"This discussion is for Protege owners who enjoy discussing other aspects of their lives with friends they've made here at Edmunds.com.

KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs"

With all the off-topic posts here, and the comments by the hosts to get back on topic, I'm surprised we were never advised (to my knowledge) that this topic exists! There've been scarcely 50 posts in it since it was started more than a year ago!

I dunno about you guys, but it appears to be the perfect place for half the stuff that goes on here! Let's go popularize that topic, which is DESIGNED for off-topic posts!

Meade

jstandefer

Hey All,

Those of us on the http://www.protegeclub.com Southwestern forum want to put together a California meet (you Mid-Atlantic guys can't have ALL the fun!). Is there anyone in here from California or the surrounding regions? Speak up and let me know...

Tentatively, we a planning a meet in beautiful Ventura, which is pretty equidistant from our northernmost owner and southernmost owners. We are shooting for Memorial Day, but that may change as we get more responses.

-Jerry

mdaffron

And everybody have a great weekend! I am pulling the plug on the Big 22 and zooming HOME!

Keep 'em in the road!

Meade

protege_fan

Just had an oil change done at 17701 km. The oil was pretty black and nasty looking. My uncle hoisted it up for me....It's pretty cool looking at the bottom of my Pro. So many things there that you never think about on a day-to-day basis...at least I don't!

I swear my Pro drives smoother after an oil change...anybody else have that experience?

maltb

I ask about a So Cal meet and your whereabouts and not a sound is heard but then Hank says you are out promoting on the other forum.

Anyway, give me some details, I'd love to show up and I promise it will be in a Protege.

jstandefer

Hey Malt!

Good to hear from you again. Sorry about the disappearance. I was on Jury Duty from the beginning of January until last week. Ugh!

We are shooting for Memorial Day, but that may get changed. It all depends on the response we get, so I'll keep you posted. I'll be scouting out areas to meet in Ventura this weekend. The San Diego owners also want to do a San Diego meet, so I'll get a meet somewhere! LOL...

Otherwise, how have you been?

maltb

Although getting tired of the truck thing. If I didn't need it this weekend, I had keys to an 02 Miata LS. Dang!

Did you move up to Ventura or are you still down in SD? And what's with a 4 month trial? That must have been a very high profile trial.

Anyway, I'm interested in the meet, so let me know when and where a bit in advance. I'll see if I can find some stuff to bring.

One more thing, I came across more of those watches if you know anybody looking for a set.

protege_fan

Whatchoo talkin' bout malty?

protege_fan

Cool! Too bad that's a little too much change for me...but cool at any rate.

jstandefer

Check your e-mail...

I'm still here in San Diego. I grew up in Ventura and I'll be visiting my mother for Mother's Day this weekend. It also just happens that Ventura is centrally located for all of the members I've spoken with so far.

After I get this meet, and possibly the San Diego meet, under my belt, I want to go for something bigger. Something like Sevenstock... complete with a gathering at Mazda headquarters in Irvine (I know, I'm dreaming). But hey, with all of the press Mazda has been getting on the Protege, Protege5, MP3, and Mazdaspeed Protege, it could happen... I definitely will attend Sevenstock this year (Sept.) in Irvine. My understanding is that the 787B and RX-8 will be there for a special showing! I can't wait.

Interested in Sevenstock? Check out http://www.rotarynews.com for more information and pics from last years in Irvine. Also, I believe you'll find video and sound clips from when Mazda surprised everyone with the Le Mans winning 787B, revving it's 4-rotor monster with a sound like nothing else in the world!

maltb

well, if you don't get the Protege meet going, I'll for sure be over at sevenstock. I offered to run a booth for somebody, but we'll see as the day approaches. BTW, that booth it involves a different watch...LOL.

jstandefer

Ooooooohhhhhhhh.... Uh oh... I better start saving now!! LOL

fowler3

I have a 2001 LX 2.0 AT and get 36mpg.

mazdafun: My TV is a Sony 32-inch WEGA flat screen. They are BIG and HEAVY, I don't kow what I would do if I had to move that sucker. On its base cabinet it weighs close to 500 pounds. I like the front panel A/V inputs, with a digital camera I can do a slideshow of Protege pics huge.

There are times, though, I wish I had opted for the Sony 27 instead. Looks almost as big and a lot cheaper.

Hmmm. how'd I get this bigass type all of a sudden?

fowler3

protegextwo

Fowler, quit shouting about your darn big T.V.!!!
LOL! ;-)))

-larry

fowler3

Didn't know you had your new hearing aids in.

fowler3

mdaffron

The Emerald Mica 2000 ES and the Pure White 2002 Protege5 are both washed, waxed, vacuumed and ready for MAPP III! Over the weekend we've had several MORE sign-ups, meaning we now have something in the neighborhood of 25 cars and 35 people coming this Saturday! Nice neighborhood, huh?

Meade

mazdafun

I think you've got the efficiency record for overall driving (although I recall someone getting mid-40s while cruising through Yosemite).

I should mention that to my wife, who's balking because it's not much better than her old Saturn (I only get about 29.5mpg, mostly due to my hot right foot...difficult to control). She's holding out for a hybrid that her cello will fit into. Naturally, since the Prius and Civic each cram the battery packs behind the rear seat, they don't fold down. And she's not interested in any Ford product (given how many horror stories she's heard from friends and co-workers), which precludes the Escape hybrid (and the Focus AFV) that are slated for 2004.

Any more ammo (I mean info) I can get about mpg people get (esp. higher) would help me get her into a P5 or Pro sedan.

I did suggest she take my '99, but she says she can't see herself driving a bright red car. Otherwise, she'd actually be tempted to. What's wrong with bright red anyway?

mazdafun

Sorry I can't make it (again). Project timing keeps me in town these next two weeks (including this weekend in case we're really up against the wall).

vocus

Just because a car is not a hybrid does not mean it cannot get good fuel economy. Check out the Toyota Echo and the TDI models from VW. The cars mentioned here have the highest mpg of anything on the road that is not a hybrid.

protegextwo

Facts: Insurance Company: Encompass Insurance (CNA)
1.) Clean driving record.
2.) No collision claim for well over 7 years.
3.) One comprehensive claim, last October (hit a deer) for $2,800.00.

Question: A stone thrown from the wheels of a big rig, cracked my windshield. I got two estimates for replacement.

Safelite- $287.90
Cindy Rowe- $387.25

I have a $100.00 deductible on my comprehensive coverage. From a Insurance Renewal standpoint, will two comprehensive claims in less than a year send up a red flag with Encompass's under-writers?

Respectfully,
Larry

vocus

My friend works for an Geico, so I can tell you for a fact (in Md. anyway) that they, by law, cannot raise your rates. I would think Pa. would be about the same in that respect as well. They might see you as a risk and drop you though, ask Meade about that one. But you can't really foresee that one. I would insurance shop just to be safe though.

rbrooks3

While we're on the topic, my Pro and the wife's MPV both got hit by rocks last week. Anyone know if the windshields in these vehicles are structural or not?

If they are structural, they are designed to assist in roll over protection with the roof. The once they are changed the car should NOT be driven for 24 hours. It always amazes me when I see those mobil windshield companies in the office parking lot because I'm sure no one checks this issue. The mobil companies should tell you, except then they might be cutting down on their own business.

I never knew about this myself until I met with one of our property damage appraisers a few months ago.