Mazda Protegé

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Comments

  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    You are so funny.

    And I wouldn't normally regale everybody with a story about fueling up, but don't want folks to get the wrong impression from your last sentence. Did NOT spend all weekend eating beans...

    So, yeah, turns out I had just a little under a gallon left in the tank, which was enough to get me to some scary gas station a couple of miles away from the airport down a dark road. Very happy to get back into the bright lights of the big city.

    Alternator...thanks for those links on washing and detailing. After seeing everybody's shiny, sparkly cars this weekend, I realized I must be doing something wrong. Time to break down and actually buy some wax or something.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Dale: It was wonderful to finally meet you at the MAPP. I hope you will be able to return again for the next MAPP.

    Everyone who was there: I had a great time. And despite talk of Edmunds, no one threw my car in the river. We all had a great time, and I was even asked to be in the photo opportunity (but I had to leave before). It was definitely a great time had by all. And Meade brought up a good point at the picnic, I have had 3 different cars at the 3 different MAPPs. And I will have a different car next time too (my own!). Funny! :)
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    but who knows what kind of car your own car will be then? I mean, MAPP IV might be as far as six months from now!!!

    ;-)

    (You really didn't think I could let you say that without a smart-assed retort, did you?)

    BTW Paul, I finished my portion of your leftover crab dip last night. YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!

    Meade
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    You are very funny. I will tell you the truth. Since I am going to have my name on my dad's house now, you know lenders will be falling at my feet. My rate on the VW is higher than I like, so if I can qualify for one of their 0.9% deals and would be able to trade this car on another Jetta and have about the same payment, I would go for it. But that's the only way I am getting rid of my car. Period. But I will be driving a different car though, because this time I didn't have mine. :)

    Also, I took the rest of the crab dip home to take to my second party, and forgot it. I made veggie dip for the second party, and they tore it up too! I am just a great cook, what can I say? :) Just kidding.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    Hey -- go to Mazda Canada's site and see the French version! They even have the "zoom zoom" song on there in FRENCH!


    http://www.mazda.ca/fre/lovecars/index.html


    Meade

  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    That is too funny! I will definitely have to check that one out.

    The local radio station used to use a piece of the "zoom zoom zoom" song before they would report traffic in the afternoon. Remmeber, I brought a tape of it to the MAPP I. They stopped shortly after that though. I don't know if it was because they changed it for the heck of it, or because they got into trouble with Mazda or not.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    on the Yahoo group. We have large group photos in the Files section, personal photos of each attendee with his or her car in the Photos section, a group shot on the home page, and a few mpeg movies of the group and the subsequent Skyline Drive trip in the Files section.

    Enjoy. Envy. Come to the next one.

    ;-)

    Meade
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Great pics! Too bad I didn't stay, the lineup pic would have looked really funny with my NB in the middle of the grass. :) And thanks for adding my pic, even though I didn't match the theme. :)
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    If any of you guys want to take my photos and post them somewhere else (Wil?) and link to them here, please feel free.

    Meade
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    Hatchback too, I recall. Wish we'd gotten that instead of the Taurus (3 computer replacements at $1500 each! Yikes!).

    The 323 GT hatch also had the auto-adjustable suspension. Trick thing on what's supposed to be an econobox.

    I think the GLC was renamed 323 in the US in the mid-80s. Not really sure what year though...my memory's starting to go and I'm only.....uhhh...32, yeah, that's it.

    Anyway, I'm glad Mazda is bringing back some sporty hatches. Hopefully, I'll be in the market for one of them (P5 or 6 hatch).

    I gotta check out the pics on the Yahoo site. Sorry I missed all the festivities. :(
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    with pics from Skyline Drive added as well.

    enjoy!

    http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291802575
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    LOL -- World Rally Championship!

    Meade
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=2303


    How's this for Mazda:


    "The company is offering 2.0-liter and a 2.26-liter engines for the vehicle, whose launch was delayed by six months as Mazda said it needed more time to improve its handling performance."


    Hey Ford! Maybe you can LEARN something from this way of thinking?


    Meade

  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    Looks like Skyline drive was THE place.
  • shriqueshrique Member Posts: 338
    that you didn't post up one picture with people in it?

    Jeez for those of us that were in no way able to make that meet it would have been nice.

    I guess that's the price I pay for living in the upper midwest.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    There are separate pics of everyone standing beside their cars, listing their names and the year and trim levels of their cars, in the MAPP III Photos folder in the Yahoo group. In message 13208, eight messages ahead of yours above, I told all of you that. Here, let me help you wipe that egg off your face.

    Meade
  • shriqueshrique Member Posts: 338
    man I'm not responsible for thinking!
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    yeah I'm more focused on the cars than the owners in those pics :D

    "owners?? we don't need no steenking owners!!!"

    well, since we're in picture posting mood, here are some pictures from the autocross I went to on May 5th:

    http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291802631
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    I'm not sure how good this intake will work, but check this out at Ebay for interests sake:


    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1830204850&r=0&t=0


    Or just search for item 1830204850


    It doesn't like there's any intake pipe....just an adapter and the air filter.

  • alternatoralternator Member Posts: 629
    An absolutely ideal oil filter wrench for Proteges (in particular), as shown here:


    http://www.stant.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=622&location_id=193


    ,I found on sale at Menard's today for $2.99!!


    I had about given up on finding such an appropriate and inexpensive wrench. It looks to be very well-made as well.

  • frankpcbfrankpcb Member Posts: 27
    I have finally ordered all the parts for upgrading the factory sound system for my 2002 protege es. I am keeping the head unit because it is a great design with big round knobs and the red lighting. I am going with 8 mb quart speakers and a 900 watt Lanzar amp. I will have everything in about 2 weeks, and will have it installed locally. Anxious to see how much better it will sound.

    Have any of you purchased the strut tower bar that is standard on the protege 5, it is supposed to improve handling by reducing chassis flex. Was wondering how much it costs. Would appreciate an answer.

    Thanks,

    Frank in Panama City Beach, FL.
  • dermendermen Member Posts: 31
    I went to the Mazda dealer today and they had a protege LX with the strut tower bar and I think it was $300 or $400. Sorry I don't remember the exact price. It also had 17" rims that added around $1500 to the price, $300 tinting, and $160 racing pedals. They were trying to sell me it instead of the ES I went there to look at. I liked the look of the 17" rims but I would rather have the ES for a few thousand dollars less because I like the interior trim better.

    I went there to ask them about the ES because as I mentioned earlier it was on sale for $15,500 and I wanted to see if they would still sell it for that. When I asked he didn't really answer. All he said was that they had similarly loaded LX's which they were selling for $14,500.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    Say it isn't so.

    That's all I'm saying. No comebacks, no flames, no heated debates.

    Just say it isn't so.

    Meade
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    I think MSRP is $165. Mazdastuff.com (i.e. Mazda South, I think in TX) was selling them for $99.95, with $6 S&H. Got mine w/o instructions, so I'm waiting for a warm, sunny weekend day when I have 3-4 hours to figure it out and don't have to go anywhere. Of course, I'd really love it if some of you nice folks with strut tower braces would post a few close-up pics of the ends of your braces (the ones in your engine bays, not the ones in your mouths). :):):)
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    Two questions about your 2001 Protege:

    1. What was this exhaust part that took three months to come in? All I've heard you complain about is the radio that failed.

    2. So the 2001 Protege was in an accident, with enough damage that CarMax discovered the repair job? Don't you think that, along with the damaged windshield, scratched hood and high mileage, could have had something to do with the trade-in you got?

    Meade
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    Haven't you gotten the directions yet? I have them saved at home. If you want me to e-mail them to you, I can. I just need to wait till I get home (about 5:00 pm central) because I can't check my yahoo mail here.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    any word on my query on the AT clunk?
    In my opinion, as if it counts;), i believe the AT computer requires re-programming so as:

    not to agressively engage in the 0-3mph range when it is coming to a stop. The gear engagement at this point should be slow, not rapid, thus allowing for speed adjustment in the drive shaft and the gear.
    OR
    It should engage when when car is STOPPED ie. 0mph. This should end the clunk noise.

    Is this re-programming a possibility?
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    After all, it is only 6:50 a.m. on his coast. Give him a few hours to arise.

    Meade
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I had forgotten about the exhaust part. I never complained about anything, the dealership just called me one day and told me this part was in. I asked them what it was, and they said an exhaust gasket or something. I told them to let it go, because I traded the car in.

    The VW dealer didn't check the body of the car like Carmax did. When my car was sideswiped, they had to remove the fender to repaint it. That's how Carmax knew the car was in an accident. They offered $9500 for the car, I got $11,500 for it. Proteges don't hold their value well, like I said before. That's why I only got $11,500 for the car.

    And as far as the post before, I am not going into it right now. That is too far in the future to even think about now.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Gotta try to keep down on the posts a little for me. I am going to Chicago, and will not be in here again until next Tuesday or so. I don't wanna have to go through 1000 posts to get to the end. :) Just kidding.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    ... just about as well as other cars on the market. We've been through this before. Your Protege didn't hold its value well because:

    1. It had been in an accident.
    2. It had a damaged windshield.
    3. Its hood was horribly scratched.
    4. (And most importantly) It had high mileage.

    Don't make me drag you over to the Protege Posse.

    Meade
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Oooh, I am shaking. :) I still think the car should have held more of its value. High mileage or not. And that's the thing. The KBB and NADA guides both said ~$10,800 for the car in good condition. I got more than I should have. It still seemed like a sharp decline in value though. Well it's over and done with now, so it doesn't matter anymore.

    I am leaving at 12pm to go home and pack my Bug for the trip. Should be interesting getting 2 peoples' luggage in that thing for a week's vacation. :)
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    Vocus, if your car had been through all that (accidents, mileage, etc.) AND you got more than you should have, don't you think something was up?

    People in the car biz aren't dumb. They know how much your car is worth. They wouldn't just give you more money than they should have. No way.
  • reitrofreitrof Member Posts: 122
    I got a socket styled oil wrench from WalMart for about 2 bucks. No straps and works with a 3/8 rachet. Fits over the end of the filter. No slpping.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    ... how big a bite a car takes in depreciation its first year, Paul. For example, I just went to NADA and got a trade-in value on your Jetta with all the options I think it has -- alloys, leather, moonroof, etc. -- and mileage when you'd probably trade it -- 20,000. Trade-in value: $16,450. That's nearly $10,000 less than you paid for it 8 months ago.

    Don't fool yourself. NO CAR is a good investment. Some may hold their values slightly more than others, but they're all financial mistakes!

    Meade
  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    Check your e-mail.

    --Dale
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Mileage I would probably trade it? Try 150,000, about 6 years down the road. :)

    I was thinking about trading if I could get a lower payment with the financing when my credit improves, but I will probably not be able to do that and get a lower payment. Therefore, I will refinance the car I have now and keep it.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    The one listed here you mean? There is nothing there yet...
  • dsm6dsm6 Member Posts: 813
    I have a pdf of install instructions on my computer at home. Get me an email address somehow and I can shoot it off to you.
  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    Yeah, the one listed here...sent you an e-mail about 5 minutes ago.

    hmmmmmmm....
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    Patience.

    Meade
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    For what?
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    everyone knows that the midnight blue was a very rare color for the 99-00 sedans. Before yesterday I've seen 3 other blue ones on the road in 2 years. But yesterday, within 5 seconds of each other, I saw TWO midnight blues passing in front of me. And then again today, I saw the same 2 midnight blues running around within 10 seconds of each other.

    I'm pretty certain those other 2 midnight blues' owners work on the same street that my office is on. And one of them even have the clear corners as well!!!

    what the heck is going on??? I barely see any midnight blue Proteges for 2 years and now there's 2 parked right down the road from where I work???? should I be happy or should I be pisseds?!?!??
  • dsm6dsm6 Member Posts: 813
    Maybe they saw yours and liked it so much they decided to buy one for themselves.
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    I really like the midnight blue. I would have probably bought mine in that colour if they'd had it for 2001. Oh well...I still love my black mica. They both would have been equally painful to keep clean.

    I've seen quite a few midnight blues running around Calgary lately.

    I'd be happy Hank...Imitation (or copying...) is the sincerest form of flattery...or some BS like that. :D
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    I think you should demand royalties.
  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    I've seen maybe two midnight blues here in Chicago...one of them lives around the corner from my job. It is a cool color.

    I've seen only one other white ES.

    I would love to know how many of each color were produced in 2000.

    Any way to find that out?

    --Dale
  • alternatoralternator Member Posts: 629
    reitrof: if you mean the kind of wrench that sits on the end of the filter like a cap (and engages the flutes on the filter), I could not find one those that would fit the OEM filter. Hence I was pleased to find the Plews strap wrench. In any case, I will probably use it only once to remove the original filter, which I will then replace with Purolator filter for which I have cap-type wrench that exactly fits.

    But hurrah for your input----which actually has something to do with the car known as the Protege!
  • dsm6dsm6 Member Posts: 813
    "Any way to find that out?

    --Dale "

    Count.

    One, two, three ... Oops, lost my place.

    Hey, it's Emerald Mica, not green.

    ;-)
  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    ...are you implying that I can't count higher than three?

    :)
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