Mazda Protegé

maltb

It would be wonderful to see some factory Mazda race team support, but I think they'll need to sell a few more cars before that happens.

jstandefer

That's what Ford's deep pockets are for... :-)

maltb

vocus

All of Ford's money is going to fix the recalls on their recently introduced cars. There is nothing left over for racing or anything else.

unmarkedcar

EARTH TO PEOPLE

jstandefer

PEOPLE HERE, GO AHEAD EARTH, OVER.

unmarkedcar

Did this board die today or what!!!

chikoo

everybody is in the owners's club..that's what..

unmarkedcar

80.00 mudguards?....rick case mazda in GA is trying to charge me 80.00 for mudgaurds...what a ripoff!!!

jstandefer

I can't remember what I paid for my mudguards. I think they were $32 for the rear pair and $38 for the front pair. At the time I thought it was outrageous (of course I had a 10% discount they give all new customers for the first year), but now I think it was good investment. They look good, work great, and 35,000 miles later they still look like they were installed by the factory!

maltb

That price sounds correct for both front and rear($40 ea.). If you think about it the non-OEM Pep Boys just wont do the car justice and are still $40 for the car.

unmarkedcar

but 80.00 is a lot for some plastic and screws. I bet the dealership pays $20.00 for them.

maltb

gitarzan

This dealer advertizes OEM:

http://www.mazdastuff.com/Store/dir.cfm?CategoryID=37

OEM mudguards are $31.49 front or Rear. Add shipping and it's still not bad.

tocan

Sorry to keep up the subject, but I have 3 questions that I haven't seen answered here.

1. Has anyone used S-plan in Canada? Unlike the US, we do not display invoice prices on cars in stock. How can you be sure that you are getting the correct price?

2. Is the price in Canada the same 1.5% less than invoice?

3. The EAA web site information says MOST Ford, etc. cars are covered. For someone who is an EAA member, is there a list of cars that are EXCLUDED, or is there a list of cars that are INCLUDED in the plan? Does it seem to exclude new models? I'm wondering what happens when the new Protege5/Sport Wagon comes out. Does anyone have any sense on whether it will be included or not?

Thanks for your help.

Nomi

digidave

sorry...couldn't resist...just wanted to point out that people attempt to sell just about anything on eBay (with very clever titles)...

Dave

jk111

wow, mazda was the only japanese manufacture to win the LeMans? I can't imagine a small manufacture such as Mazda has that capability against giants such as toyota, VW, ford.. amazing.

fowler3

Thank you for your posts. You, too, feel the rippled road surfaces even though there are none, as you Zoom. In the Southern USA we do have those ripples, they are caused by heavy trucks. Many intersections at traffic light stops have them due to hot summer sun softening the asphalt and trucks braking to stop. Zoom bump bump.

I'll test-drive a Pro LX 1.6L to see if the suspension is softer, although, I have found a way to hang onto my '98 Odyessy longer, it has only 18K miles on it, like new. Not as much fun to drive as a Pro. What changed my mind? Bank car loan interest is now 10.29%...New or Used cars. Ouch!

As for the guy going back for the invironmental package his dealer tricked him into. Get out of it
if you can, there's nothing to that "paint protection", most of it evaporates. I'm in advertising and did a brochure for a company that produces those kits...they charge the dealer $50 for it...the dealers charge you $250 to $500. They admitted the stuff is worthless. It just makes it look shinny for a few days.

Undercoating can reduce road and tire noise, but not a much as you would hope for if your car is real noisy. Buy quieter tires, too.

fowler3

fowler3

Perrelli makes a quiet tire, or use to. I put a set on an Audi and they were much quieter than the Dunlops that came on it.Think they were P3's. Ask a tire store what model tires superceeded that.

fowler3

nikecar

I forgot what the original topic was about....

rsparrow

Am I correct in recalling you writing about getting an aftermarket power moonroof installed in your Protege? If so, were there any issues (the Triple H structure...) I'm thinking of getting one installed in my '99 Pro as well...professionally installed of course. Thanks!

vocus

See my reply in the other topic you posted in.

newcar31

For the first time, I really opened my 01 ES 5sp up on the north central wisconsin backroads. The roads were wet, but it didn't matter, this thing flys around corners. I used to have a GS-R integra and this car feels better. The roads I took it on are nuts, big hills, S turns, hairpins etc. I can't believe how well the Dunlops handle when its wet. I have 1500 miles now so I thinks its safe to do some serious zoom zoomin now.

unmarkedcar

Hey guys....my cd player keeps skiping. I have a 2001 lx 2.0. Has anyone else noticed this?

chikoo

...never has it skipped in 27,000 miles and 2 years....even on bumpy roads + tight suspension....way to go panasonic

sfrat

Received my zoom zoom sticker in the mail yesterday. Thanks again.

You guys also might remember my car was "stoned" earlier this week by some rocks from a dumptruck. Fortunately, I didn't find any nicks in the paint.

Vocus: Glad to hear you got your wheels back, I'll be on the lookout for your black Protege. I've only seen one around here, and it was a Black ES, auto without Prem Package.

Steve

the_big_h

as chikoo says, I haven't had skipping problems with REGULAR cds, the only time I have skipping problem is with CD-Rs, which can be solved by simply finding the CD-R with dyes that are compatible with the player.

rotarykid

The cutting away of the roof is not the healthiest thing for your car. Cars with factory moon roofs have special braces and supports to make up for the lost rigidity. On a car the size of a protege this may not make much of a difference, but if you are going to be out there "racing" on country roads, it could compromise the integrity of the body structure. Also, if a related problem should occur due to this hole cut in the roof, mazda can deny warranty repairs(related to the roof) due to the "altering of the vehicle".

pw_eastside

Hey board. I've been following the discussion here for a few weeks and have my mind set on picking up a Pro ES once I'm done paying off my current wheels. Had a chance to rent one a couple of weekends ago and loved it a lot! The only problem was it was a LX with the 1.6L with auto. To me it seemed a bit pokey on the pick up. I definately want the 2.0L but was wondering how much difference there was in acceleration between the manual and auto since the Edmunds review said the increase in power over previous years was supposed to be very noticeable with the auto. I agree that a stick is more fun to drive...but I do some stop and go traffic and was wondering if it was worth the extra effort.

Any thoughts?

lgb

Try the manual before you decide, it is really sweet! I have the 1.8 in a 00 ES. I drive in heavy traffic everyday and I think you will find that you can poke along in 2nd or 3rd without having to shift too much.

chikoo

are not the loop type in the 2001 ES.

they are flat, kind of - the ones which were seen on the mx-6/probe.

why such a design change?

vocus

Eastside: I used to have a 1.6 automatic and now have a 2.0 automatic. The difference is phenominal in acceleration and passing power. As far as the 5-speed 2.0, not sure because I don't know how to drive a stick shift.

Steve: I have to keep on the lookout for you as well. Maybe one day on the weekend or something, we can hook up around Baltimore somewhere and see each others' cars or whatnot. E-mail me with the e-mail under my profile and let's see how it goes.

unmarkedcar

so no one else has gotten skipping on their cd player?,,,,that is hard to accept.

rotarykid

Have not had one complaint at the dealer on any cd player in any mazda model.

nikecar

No skipping on our 00 ES...

Also, the difference in power (with Auto) on the 00ES/LX is noticeable... My wife let out an "Oh" after she tested the ES after driving the LX.. So the 2.0 should be more..

unmarkedcar

I guess it is just me....maybe I have too much air in the tires.

vocus

Neither the CD player in my 1999 DX nor in my 2001 ES skips. It does more so in the ES if I hit a large bump, but it would take a hell of a bump to knock it off in the DX.

norcan

I've got the 6-CD changer, no skipping. I have 2001 ES. Also, re. a previous question on the 6-CD player, the sound is identical to the single CD player. As far as how it compares to an aftermarket CD player, I wouldn't know unless I hooked one up in my car.

vocus

I have a kinda dumb question. Where is the "load" button on the 6-disc changer? Just curious.

jstandefer

I've had my CD player skip twice in the past 35,000 miles. And those skips were only during really jarring bumps like huge car-eating potholes. The only problem I have had with the CD-player is when I use CD-R's. They play great for a while, and then the clock stops appearing while the CD-R is playing. Then, the track numbers stop appearing. Soon, it won't play, and then it starts ejecting the CD-R and refuses to take it back in. This takes place over a few days. The fix? Put a regular CD back in and everything goes back to normal.

norcan

and the unload button is on the upper-right. My mom always told me there are no dumb questions...
I really like not having to fumble with jewel cases everytime I change CDs.

unmarkedcar

I had the same problem with my honda. The dealer would not replace it unless they could duplicate the problem....do you think mazda will do the same or just replace it without puting me through hell?

vocus

Norcan: I was going to get the 6-disc put in, because I hate fumbling with cases every time I wanna change a CD. I usually only listen to like 3 songs at the most on one CD though. I still might do the changer down the road sometime. But it will be after I do the window tinting thing. It gets hotter than hell inside the car (black with charcoal interior) after parked in the sun. I cannot imagine how it's gonna be when it's like 90 degrees outside. But we shall see.

Skipping CD: They are going to make you prove the CD is skipping before they replace the unit, Unmarked. Since a radio is pretty expensive, they want proof before putting that kinda money out on a warranty repair.

theparallax

I tried the cruise control today with the stereo off and windows rolled up, and yes, I can hear the ticking coming from the glovebox. It's EXTREMELY faint and you almost have to concentrate on it to hear it. I'm guessing it's just a characteristic of the cruise control...but I wouldn't be worried because it doesn't annoy me the least bit.

dunc1

How does the stereo in the 2001 protege sound or will I need to upgrade it. Was it changed for 2001 or is it the same as 2000. Is the cd changer better.

notminehers

We did go ahead with the protection package, and I do agree with your point to some extent, however, I know some people who payed in excess of $400.00 for the package.....undercoat, perma-seal and fabric protection. While I could have done the paint sealant and scotchguard, I had no reasonable way of properly applying the undercoat. We paid about $250.00 and the undercoat was done by "Linex", a company that does the spray on bed liners. They do a very thourough and professional job. I would not have bought the package either from just any dealership - I happen to know the people very well where we bought and for the life of our ownership of the car, they will completely detail the car every 6 months for free.....re-apply the sealant, fabric protection, and remove any scratch or ding we are unfortunate enough to come by. So, we are happy with our decision, guess that is what matters......thanks for your input though!! Greg

gitarzan

I steered clear of the dealer applied package.

My brother once bought a new DATSUN truck (it's been a while) and he was there when they applied part of the stuff. They applied so little material it was obvious that it was worthless. He asked why and they said, "What do you care, it's guaranteed." They knew that it would probably NOT rust anyway before he sold it (this was without a transferrable warranty) and they took a gamble that they'd never see him again. They did. The truck was a rust bucket, since he actually used it as a truck. They had to change a door and panels. My brother said he'd rather have had the truck NOT RUST OUT IN THE FIRST PLACE. I'd agree.

I'd think that an aftermarket applied would be a little more concerned about your satisfaction. I had a 1980 Pinto and later a 1980 Caprice, both with a post-purchase aftermarket applique' of rust preventative. Both NEVER rusted through. I drove the Pinto for 10 years and still have the Caprice. When I looked inside the doors, they were COATED, not given a token squirt like my brother's truck had gotten. Also, a well done antirust will deaden a lot of road noise.

hboyd

I hear a high-pitched engine whine noise when accelerating through 68-80 MPH -- similar to a turbo -- in my '01 ES auto. Has anybody heard the same?? Any thoughts?? The engine is completly warmed up and I have 1400 miles on the odo. Cause for concern?

Thanks
MARTIN

vocus

My 2001 ES automatic does the same thing, as did my 1999 DX. The DX never had an engine problem, and I traded it with 37,400 on it within 18 months. The 2001 I have now has like 2250 miles on it, with no problems.

Sound system: I think the sound system in the 2001 ES is very nice. I have gotten a couple complements on it as well. The head unit is Pioneer from what I heard, and sounds nice.

chikoo

apart from the transmission turning at high speeds... I guess it's the whistling effect caused by the air suction through the very narrow - slit like opening.

my few cents of imagination