Mazda Protegé

jstandefer

Hey there,

Back to the Made in Mexico vs. Made in Germany... I used to work at the port in National City (just south of San Diego) where the VWs are imported from Mexico for the western United States. There is a large VW Quality Assurance Center (QAC). After working at the port, I will NEVER buy a VW made in Mexico. They averaged a 38% defect rate as detected at the QAC. This includes poorly painted body panels, missing or misinstalled interior panels, missing parts (manuals, wheel covers, antennas, etc.), unplugged or missing electrical connectors, etc. The most common defect? Dashboards that were not completely bolted onto the vehicle! Let's just say the workers at the QAC have extra strong job security!

The only cool thing about VW there was when they brought in ten New Beetles for testing about eight months before they hit the market...

-Jerry

protege_fan

Do you have a comparison for that number (38%) for the made in Germany ones? I wonder what the rate is for Pros??

jstandefer

Don't have a comparison number... Though the VW QAC techs said the cars built in Germany were a lot better.

I am not sure what the rate is for our Protege's. I have inspected and received hundreds of Protege's when I was Lot and Inventory Manager for a dealership here in San Diego. I never once found a defect on them, but then again, the transport drivers told me how strict the Mazda QAC is up in Port Hueneme, CA. The only defects I ever found in Mazda's were in 626s and Tribute's. Unfortunately, both of those vehicles are built in the U.S., which doesn't speak highly of our plants here...

protege_fan

What is the cause of the defects? Human error? Poor equipment? Any speculation?

vocus

I wish I had known that 6 months ago, before I bought the Jetta. I definitely would have held out for the wagon. Mine had broken dashboard clips when I got the car, so apparently they missed the problem in mine when inspecting the car at port. Anyway, I will definitely be getting the wagon if they end up buying this car back for the simple reason of where it's built.

Also, my loaner was a Beetle, and it was pretty tight and rattle-free at 18,500 miles.

dinu01

Did you say "kick" me?

I have been hanging out on toprotege.com since...well... there is a strong PRO club in TO and those guys are pretty decent.

There's a 323/MX-3 meet next Sat. When we had a PRO-only meet we had 42 cars show up at the beginning of May. Last weekend we went to a guy's house for a BBQ and car talk, so we actually do something too (I think you understand).

So do you have any more carwash-typer of stories?

protege_fan

It pays to do your research. I know that some people over on the Jetta board prefer to fly by the seat of their pants and buy whatever strikes their fancy, and that's fine. But, IMHO, when making a purchase this large, you HAVE to do research.

And that's a huge reason why I bought the Pro. Excellent reliability, great looks, great performance, good price. As I've said before...all car makers have lemons...but some much more than others.

vocus

I knew that the Jetta's reliability was not as good as the Protege's when I bought it, but I did not care. I wanted the Jetta since they came out in 1999.5, so I got it. I have like 6 co-workers with Jettas, and 2 or 3 of them have had trouble with the cars. But no one here has a Protege (I used to, of course). They are said to be very reliable, but I had trouble with mine though. It just differs I guess.

protege_fan

As I've said before...all car makers have lemons...but some much more than others.

chicagopro

Well, I certainly didn't say I was going to "kiss your behind."

I figured that you probably fell in with some low-life Toronto-area Protege folks. You could still stop by and chat occasionally, though!

Seriously, glad that you've been able to attend some meets and such. Tell us about them!

And no, sorry, I seem to have gotten the whole car-washing thing under control now. And who knows, before too long, it might even get waxed...
--Dale

newcar31

Jerry--I thought Proteges came in through a port in Washington? The sticker in my windshield when my car was brand new had some Japanese writing on it and I think it said something about Tacoma or Washington?

Vocus--It wasn't really the little nitpicky stuff that turned me off on the Jetta. It was how reliable it would be with 60K or 90K and 100K+ miles. I wanted a Jetta also and almost bought one. After seeing so many cars at my old job though, I though to myself "what in the HELL am I about to do?" I got scared, and didn't buy it. I figured the VW would need repair more often than the Mazda and cost more to repair on top of it.

vocus

You all think I have a chance of getting Michelin to help me with the purchase price of this tire that I split by hitting a curb? Maybe the owner of the lot where I hit the curb would help? What do you all think? Let me know. Just curious.

meinrad

you hit the curb and split your tire. It's NOT the lot owners fault, it's NOT the tire makers fault...IT'S YOUR FAULT. Deal with it and get a tire.

chikoo

amazing....split a tire....at what speed?
I have never been able to do that!

bpi

While you're at it, you may as well get the enginnering firm that designed the parking lot to chip in. Tell them the concrete was too hard and the color was wrong.

P.S. BTW, how much would VW give you for taking the car back if (1) you buy another VW, or (2) you go with another brand.

vocus

I don't know about how much they would give me back. I guess they would just take this car and cancel the note on it, then start another loan or something. I don't know, and don't really wanna find out. I just want my car fixed.

dsm6

Put some duct tape (handy man's secret weapon, eh?) on it, take it the VW dealer for the next round of trouble shooting, then take off the tape while its on the lot and claim they did it. ;-)

Seriously, I'm thinking the lot owner and tire manufacturer won't help out. Maybe I'm thinking wrong, though.

vocus

I called Michelin and talked to a rep on the phone. I told her I was exiting a parking lot and rubbed the curb and the tire split. I asked if it was covered under warranty, and of course she said no. She did say, however, she very much appreciated my honesty in not trying to blame the product for something that was my fault. She gave me her name and the address, and told me to send the receipt for the tire in when I get it and she will send me back a 50% refund. How is that for customer service?

So honesty is the best policy.

chikoo

'cause my dealer just called me to inform me that my new steering rack is in and that I should bring in my car on Thursday 6th-june at 2:00pm. They will have a loaner for me ready.

Wow! did i buy an Acura by mistake?

jstandefer

Mazda has a QAC in Washington and California for the west coast. These are for cars built in Japan. U.S. built vehicles, such as the 626, Tribute, and Truck (no longer called B-Series), are shipped by rail to a distribution center and then transported by truck to the dealerships.

vocus

I don't need sarcasm. I know it was my fault what I did, thank you very much. I was just asking for some advice. If I wanted sarcasm, I would not have asked.

chikoo

did you split the tire tread or the tire's sidewall?
I am curious.

dsm6

Wow, that's good of them. I'll have to remember that. You seem to have pretty good luck, between the tire and the VW dealer talking about buying your Jetta back with what seems like minimal jumping up and down and shouting from your end. Maybe you should buy a lotto ticket.

mdaffron

This is the PROTEGE discussion. I've put up with all this crap I can take. Please take this debate over to the Jetta discussion (or maybe Tires, Tires, Tires) where it belongs, OK? Thanks bunches, sweet cheeks!

Meade

vocus

Sweet cheeks? Okay....

I split the sidewall, and told them that on the phone honestly. I am glad they helped me.

Some of my friends joke with me, saying I must have a horseshoe up my behind because I am so lucky with stuff.

rbrooks3

Did they work with you at all on price? A lot of dealerships have a 10% off coupon for parts. Get it on and tell us how it sounds!

mdaffron

Too much information. I DO NOT need to know where you keep your good luck charms.

Meade

newcar31

theparallax

Here's the link to a few pictures...

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7072

chikoo

friend of mine has michelins on his honda accord.
He too rubbed a sidewalk and there goes his sidewall.

I think michelin has a problem with their tires.
proved by the fact that they are refunding 50% of vocus's cost.

vocus

I hit the pointy part of a curb, where it began. It stuck into the tire and produced a hole big enough for 2 fingers to fit into. I am sure any other brand of tire would do the same thing.

Also, mine are 225/4517s, and they are low profile with a softer sidewall. Maybe that has something to do with it.

vocus

LOVE the way those wheels look. How much were they?

gladichecked

Since I have the 2000 ES with alloy wheels I don't think I would switch mine.

BTW, got my Pro back from the dealer today. They never could reproduce the battery light / alternator problem. I think the problem is with the voltage regulator, and eventually it will cause the alternator to fail. It hasn't come back on since I got it back earlier today. Maybe it had a loose connection and they accidently fixed it when they tested the alternator and voltage regulator. Just hope it doesn't fail as I am crossing the mountains on the way to TN. Not a good place to brake down!

Does anyone recall what the roadside assitance package is/was on the 2000 Protege? Is it 3yr/36k or does it run out sooner than the bumper to bumper warranty?

One more question. When is the RX8 (or Evolv, or what ever they are going to call it) coming out in US?

vocus

I think the roadside assistance is for the 3 year/50K warranty period. At least that's the way it was on my 2001 Protege.

It will take awhile for them to come though. I called VW roadside assistance to change the flat tire I had, because I didn't wanna hurt the car jacking it up, I never jacked it up before, and I didn't have my manual with me. It took them almost 3 hours to get to me. I was at a friend's house, so it was no big deal. I would have been really mad had I been stranded on the side of the road though.

jstandefer

Vocus is correct... The roadside assistance is for the same term as the bumper-to-bumper warranty: 3 years/50,000 miles.

The RX-8 (RX-Evolv was the concept's name) should be hitting U.S. dealers very early 2003. Speculation is that it will start at $26,000 for the base with 6-spd manual and work it's way up to $30,000 for a loaded 5-spd automatic model.

Check out Road & Track's exclusive test drive here for more information.

gladichecked

I wonder how in demand they will be. I opted for the automatic on my current Protege. This is the first automatic I have owned, and I miss being able to shift when I want to. Also, I just took a job where I will be traveling nationwide 80% of the time, so if/when I buy a new car it will be mostly for enjoyment and not much for commuting. I believe the 6-spd manual is just what I will be looking for. I had a RX-3 many, many years ago. It was my 1st car, and it was a blast to drive. It was the original zoom zoomer. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for the RX8's arrival. If that price is in the ballpark that sounds pretty reasonable...not much more than the Miata.

the_big_h

Not sure if anybody has seen this, but at Brown's Fairfax Mazda in Fairfax, VA, all the new '02 Sedans now have clear side markers added to its front fenders. Is this a new addition to the sedans?

theparallax

They were ~$930 including tires, shipping, mounting, and balancing. If you check that same link again, I've posted some more pics farther down the thread. Check em out!!! I'm loving the way they look.

Thanks for the comments everyone.

jstandefer

It appears the Protege sedans received all of the Protege5 mid-year enhancements except for the leather seating option:

- Clear fender-mounted side markers

- Sport Active-Matic Transmission (ES only)*

- New 16" Alloy Wheels (ES only)

- Silver-faced gauges (ES only)

- Leather shift knob (ES, manual transmission only)

- Tweeter speakers (ES only)

- Deeper cup holders with no cover

* Allows manual control of gear shifts. Also includes new digital gear selector/gear display in instrument panel. Includes different warning chime.

For pics and a full summary of the changes, go to ProtegeTech and see the right sidebar... scroll to bottom and click (Click to Continue).

pat

frankpcb

I need for you to drop me an e-mail at your earliest convenience: pat@edmunds.com.

Thanks!

Pat
Sedans Host

chikoo

that is filled in the 99-00 Protege ES Automatic?
is it Dexron IID or Dexron IIE or DexronIII or MerconV?

Is it synthetic?

I guess this is a question for Maltb / Jerry

frankpcb

I am sorry I do not give out my email address to guys I do not know.

Frank

kaiserhead

Has anyone been able to get under that piece of plastic below the parking brake? It looks like it snapped in after they installed the plastic piece between the front seats. I've got some crud in there that I want to get rid of.

mdaffron

I just received an e-mail from Mazda giving me a $50 gift certificate to J.Crew just for going to my dealership and test-driving any car! Life is good ...

Meade

protege_fan

Check out this article. It totally contradicts the Edmunds review on sports sedans.

Budget Banditos

chikoo

Nick,
Yes some Japanese models do ask for a Dexron II and in such cases a Dexron III may not give as smooth of a ride. I unfortunately do not make a Dexron II or a Dexron IIE. You probably would have to get that from Mazda



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geckoph

Hello,

I just got a fax purchase order for a 2002 ES with Premium package 5 speed, for $13,600. Should I try to go lower, based on my calculations this seems pretty good.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Cheers,

Pete

vocus

That is a GREAT price! Take it and RUN!

dsm6

That price seems quite good. Is there a trade-in involved? What's the mileage on this 02 ES (is it a demo car)?

If the answer to the first question is no, and the answer to the second is practically none, then I'd say go for it. Of course, it probably wouldn't hurt to try to get the price lower. It would still be a good deal even if you can't get it for less, IMHO of course.

jamh

How can the price be so low? The invoice on a 5spd 2002 ES with Premium Package is a little over $16,000, and the rebate is $1,500. So, take that off the invoice it would be $14,500. Another $500 would be taken off if you are a recent college graduate. According to the price, the dealer is not making money at all. If the car is brand new and it doesn't seem there is anything fishy that is going on, I would definately take it.