Mazda Protegé

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Comments

  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    My insurance on my 2001 Pro ES went up $113.28 per year from 2001 to 2002. It is still reasonable, just less so. It broke out to:

    $1.86 less for Bodily Injury Liability
    $19.14 more for Property Liability
    $33.00 more for Comprehensive
    $63.00 more for Collision

    The class stayed the same, but the "SYM" category changed from G to J, whatever that means. In addition, my multipolicy discount shrank from $113 per year to $62 per year. There is a note at the bottom of my continuation notice which states:

    THE PREMIUM FOR THIS POLICY REFLECTS CHANGES IN RATES APPLICABLE TO NORTH CAROLINA PLACED INTO EFFECT UNDER PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 36, CHAPTER 58 OF THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL STATUTES.

    Sounds like I have the state to thank for my increased bill.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    What company are you insured with? State Farm just hiked all their policies up, because they are losing money left and right. Just wondering if you were with them. They just hiked up my rate too. :(
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Hey, sounds like you had a great time at the racetrack the other day. :) I wish I had the chance to run my Protege (when I had it) on the track, I bet it would have been fun.

    I am still driving the 2002 DX (read the Jetta forum if you all want the current "drama" update with my car) and I had it up to 95mph today on the road. Not too bad, but that 2.0 engine sure does get loud at that point. :)
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    I am with Erie. I used to have SF, but their rates on my Jetta were outrageous, plus I got better coverage on my homeowners with Erie, so I switched. Erie, took a 8.8 million dollar loss in Q4 2001, but has made 2.5 million and 5.6 million in the last 2 quarters. This compares to SF losing 2.6 billion in 2001.

    I don't know why my multipolicy discount shrank, but I intend to find out. The increase in premiums for the Protege apparently were driven/allowed by the state of NC.
  • rbrooks3rbrooks3 Member Posts: 174
    You are absolutely dead on. The Pro is in my opinion the best value for performance oriented autos in the entry car segment. I had a 1983 Porshe 944 before my Pro. I drove it for over 120,000 miles and it was great. It only had 150hp but the handling and brakes were so perfect. I went to many Porsche Club track days and there's no way the Pro could ever keep up just on braking alone. But, it's not meant to either. The entire feeling is different. When I drove the Porsche as old as it was, it still felt honed from one piece of granite. The Pro, while having a much better a/c system (big smile as it's been deadly humid in NY for a while now), feels flimsy as you drive. The difference in the feeling of gear changes is beyond night and day. But, all that said, when I went looking for a new car at up to 17,000, there was NOTHING that compared to the Pro for any sort of performance feeling. You could get the same difference in performance by driving your Pro for 20-30 laps and then try out a Saturn or Cavalier. They would not be able to keep up with the Pro.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I know what you mean about the driving feel of the Protege. I had a 1996 Cavalier before the first (1999 DX) Protege I had. The difference was like night and day. It was funny that the Protege felt faster, even though it had 103hp and the Cavalier had 115hp. I much prefer the Protege over the Cavalier though.
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    I wonder how many laps it would take before it starts to disassemble itself :D

    oh yeah, since I'm planning to change my brake pads soon, can someone give me an idea on what's involved in a brake pad change, and if it's something I can do myself.

    thanks!
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I don't know about changing them yourself, but I took the 1999 DX to Goodyear to have it done, and it took them like 3 hours to do it. Also, the most time was taken because they couldn't find the right brake pad to put on the car. They ended up having to go to the Mazda dealer themselves and get the pads. The best part was that I had a coupon, and the entire job only cost me $99. :)
  • rbrooks3rbrooks3 Member Posts: 174
    I just listened to the posted sound bites. It sounds great and looks good too. For the price, I'm in. It's a throatier sound and not at all a buzzin' hornet. Since it appears my 5 spped will be around for a while, it is now item one on my XMas list. MazdaStuff seems to have the best price so far, so I'll keep an eye on it and see if I can locate a lower price when the time comes.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    If you plan on racing like you did last weekend, do yourself a favor and buy some cross drilled rotors. Brake linings will wear a little faster but you won't have the fade.

    Changing the pads and rotors isn't hard. Just invite a buddy over for hour and send him away with a 6-pack.
  • dsm6dsm6 Member Posts: 813
    Tell us more, oh lucky one.

    Tell you what - In the interest of scientific study, and in light of big-h's comments about the Pro's track abilities, I'd be willing to test drive that MS3 at a track of your choosing. I would make a full report to this group on its abilities, of course. What do you say? :-)
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    see if you can dig up a prototype MS Protege and take it to the famouse Leguna Seca raceway and rip it down the corkscrew!!!! :D:D:D
  • dsm6dsm6 Member Posts: 813
    That makes perfect sense - test the MS3 on Mazda Raceway at Leguna Seca.

    OK then. I'm ready. Just let me know when to stop by. :-)
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    MP3...not MS3

    Darren, don't be getting me in trouble.
  • dsm6dsm6 Member Posts: 813
    I'm easy to please. The suspension and brake mods will still make it a much more enjoyable at the track than a stock Pro.

    I made the classic MS3/MP3 substitution. Oops. Wishful thinking. Sorry.

    While we're on the subject, I'm considering upgrading my Pros suspension with the Pro performance accessories, which look like they're basically the MP3 suspension parts. I've never driven one - too rare. I'm wondering how the set-up would work as a daily driver. Any comments fresh from your stint (or is it stunt) in the car?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    If the stiffness is anything like my Jetta's 17" tires and sport suspension, it turns the ride pretty harsh. I have not driven an MP3, but I have heard the ride is pretty harsh though.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    especially with it's lack of shock-absorber travel, on city roads with some uneven road, a bump, a manhole cover, et al.
  • dsm6dsm6 Member Posts: 813
    I think my ES is a bit soft. Actually, it's not an issue of being too soft, per se, as much as it is a willingness to put up with more stiffness if (and only if) it will pay off in terms of improving the Pro's handling. All indications are that the MP3 suspension bits pay-off big time in terms of improving the Pro's handling.

    Too stiff to make it worth it? I have no idea, but I do know for sure that the answer will vary greatly depending upon whom you ask. I suppose the thing to do is drive an MP3 myself, but they're too rare for that. So, I figure the next best thing is to ask others who have driven one.

    ... and promptly throw out their opinions if I don't happen to like them, and install the new suspension anyway! ;-)

    Hey, it's the American way.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    A friend of mine and I test drove a P5 with the new sport automatic last week, for the heck of it. He said he thought the ride was very harsh, and annoying enough to him that he wouldn't buy the car. He likes the ride of the loaner 2002 DX I have now though. He has a 1994 Mercury Cougar, and it literally wallows on the road. I think it rides too softly.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    I logged about 800 miles over the weekend. To me, I thought is was a perfect set-up, but California highways are pretty good. I can handle a firm ride and the way it's set up it doesn't have excessive bounce.
  • shriqueshrique Member Posts: 338
    For me the P5 is borderline harsh. It handles good enough for me to not want to make it any harsher. I've taken it on long trips and it's pretty comfortable. the only thing I would consider myself is maybe a wider stickier tire (only for the summer of course)
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    I am SO excited right now, just received the exhaust from Brown's Fairfax Mazda. It is the one I've been drooling over for, the one with the 'Mazdaspeed' logo on the tip. It came in a nice BIG cardboard box, and the exhaust is tightly wrapped in bubble wraps. It also came with replacement gaskets and nuts, and INSTRUCTIONS!!!!

    Can't wait to put this on!!!! whoowee!
  • rbrooks3rbrooks3 Member Posts: 174
    For those of you looking at the MP3 parts for our "regular" Pros, I'd consider going with the strut set-up and maybe add the sway bars but go without the springs at first. For years people have gone the route of harder and lower springs with increased damping from sport struts. If you do it the right way, the result is often a good solo autocross car that kills you over what we usually drive on as normal roads and that is still too soft for track use. When you start off with a car that is "stiff" in comparison to start with the results are even more exagerated.

    To keep from being destroyed over bumps but increase the sporting nature, I'd recommend doing what Lotus has done for years. Leave the firm springs on the car alone and increase damping rates for both compression and rebound with good sport struts/shocks. The ones for the MP3 should be fine, but I'd check out what Bilstein has as well to see if there's a big difference in price. The add the larger sway bars if you want. If you go with the springs, you're just losing wheel travel. For street driving that doesn't make sense.

    The ES already has 16" wheels and 55 tires. If you add the sway bars and struts the car will have a very noticeable increase in handling. Add the tower brace to lower front end give and the car would be fairly amazing I'd think.

    The only way to be sure would be to actually drive an MP3 for a few days to see how it behaves on the roads you normally drive. And the odds are pretty much against being able to do that. Just my .02
  • townhall9townhall9 Member Posts: 78
    For it's intended purpose - "normal" driving - the brakes (and tires) on my ES are close to perfect. I had occasion to stop quickly (dog ran in the road) yesterday. The stop was so quick, and linear - it felt as if I was driving on glue. (P.S. I do not {on purpose} have antilock brakes.)
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    increase the wheel travel of the front wheels on the ES, keeping the same stiffness and other geometric parameters within specs?

    The rear setup is pretty soft and has decent travel.

    any ideas?
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    I bought mine at Mazda's MSRP ($220), but what the hey, I got what I wanted, and I got it in 3 business days. Sounds like a fair deal to me!!! :D
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    i feel is a tad less then satisfactory, especially emergency braking, when I stand on 'em. It has never stuck like glue for me, except when pads get a washing in the rain.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    The ES comes with 50 series tires. I don't really like the tires that they put on the car. They are supposedly "all season" but they stink in the snow. Mazda might as well have installed summer tires or at least give you the option because I had to buy winter tires anyway. So much for the "all season" compromise. The next tires I get will be 205/50/ZR16s.
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    Do you mean 205/45ZR16s? If you put 205/50ZR16s on, your speedometer and odometer will be incorrect.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    If you don't match the springs to the shocks don't you run the risk of killing the shocks prematurely?
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    No, I want 50 series tires. 45 series would be TOO stiff. The speedo won't be off by that much.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I had a 2001 ES with the 4-wheel disc brakes, a 1999 DX with the rear drums, and have been driving a 2002 loaner Protege DX with the rear drums. There is a LOT of difference between the braking feel and power between the rear discs and drums. You can feel it in the pedal. In both DXs (mine and the loaner), you have to step pretty hard on the brakes. Not so with the 2001 ES I owned.

    And this loaner is almost brand new, I just turned 3000 miles in it (had 2200 when I got it last Monday), so I know there is nothing wrong with the car.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    just so we don't go too far with this, Meade has established that disc/drum set-up is flawless and disc/disc set-up on the >2001 is unwarranted.

    Maybe we should run this one around again as he now has the P5 with 4-wheel disc. Hmmmmm

    :)
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    I tend to agree with Paul even though I never drive the same car model with both drum/disk and disk/disk configurations to make an A-B comparison. What I know is among the 5 cars that I own: Renault 9, Renault Clio, Citroen ZX, Honda EX, and Protege5, the Citroen and the P5 have best brakes and they are the two only cars equipped with disk/disk. Coincidence?

    Bruno
  • rbrooks3rbrooks3 Member Posts: 174
    Sport shocks will just be harder to compress and be a bit slower to rebound as the valving is tighter. The length of strut itself is the same as the stock unit so there is no limitation of the wheel full compression of fullextension. They simply firm the ride of the car, but the trick (and why Koni, Bilstein, etal make so much money) is firming the strut while making it controllable so that the car does not become skittish. I made the mistake of going too hard on an RX7 I owned. I just assumed firmer was better so I got a set of Yellow Konis and set them for full firmness. The car that once handled so well became extremely skittish in the wet and bounced all over in the dry. I found setting the Konis to their softest setting the best. Soft on the Konis was way stiffer than the stock units. I have since become a believer in Bilsteins. I've had them on all of my cars since the RX7. Not having owned a Japanese car since then though, I could not say whether Tokico is not just as good.

    I would just think about making the springs firmer and lowering the car. I know that goes against what the "kids" want today (how many Civics have we seen scraping the ground!?), but if real world performance is what you are after, you want increased holding without destroying the fact that the car is a daily driver. The Pro is already a very good platform. Tighten things up by getting rid of body lean (front tower and front and rear sway bars) and firm up the suspension with sport struts. You can always add the springs if you want.

    Personally, I always started with adding the sport struts first. Alone, you be surprisedhow much better the car handles. From there some of my cars got larger sway bars and some not. To me, there's not a great deal of body roll on the ES. certainly the front struts flex much more than the car rolls, so a good set of sport struts and the front tower brace might just place you where you want to be. Mazda has done a very good thing by making the MP3 parts available to us a la cart. You can add one item at a time until you get the car where you'd like.

    And "Newcar" was right, I don't know why I typed that the ES comes with 55s. The ES comes right from the factory with what many other manufacturers would consider performance tires and wheels, if they even offered them. Not a single twisty goes by without feeling the time Mazda spent in getting this car right. The only option I wish they offered was a ltd slp. I see that as the only real short coming of the car because it is hard to get power down with the current set up coming out of hard corners. But, in reality that is not a daily concern, so the added cost probably wouldn't be worth it, but Nissan knew hat they were doing with the old SER and Mazda with the ltd ed. cars they are now doing.

    I know I'll never get the Pro to handle like I wish it would. This is my first front driver in God, about 15 years and it's just not at all what I like. I may feel different in the future, but right now it's very different, maybe that's a better word. But it is very stable. Much more so than I thought a car this price would be.
  • jstandeferjstandefer Member Posts: 805
    The meet was terrific! Although I got totally sunburnt and spent most of my time playing host and chasing off seagulls, I still had a great time!

    Malt showed up early and brought all kinds of goodies which were free for the taking, although certain items were raffled off such as three of the Mazda Motorsports banners (I kept one for myself), the penants (sp?), cameras, and those wacky clocks. Malt was a big help even though he spent a lot of the time chasing around his cute mini-malts!

    Not every car showed up, but we did have 15 Protege's, 1 323, and 2 Sentra SE-R Spec V's (don't know how that happened) show up. In total, we had about 40 people and lots of questions from passersby, particularly about the pair of MP3's that were sitting side by side.

    I will get pictures up as soon as everyone e-mails them to me (I was so busy I only snapped about 5 shots). We had a lot of fun and I certainly hope we do it again!
  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    I may have to make the trip out there for the next one!

    --Dale
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    we want to see pictures!!!
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    here's some eyecandy for all the 3rd gen sedan owners. It's my own personal grapefruit shooter, also known as the Mazdaspeed exhaust!!! :D

    image
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    ;)
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    ha, ha

    but I do think the tip CAN fit a grapefruit in there, I'm gonna have to try that :D
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    I have a burn on my leg that matches that Da** exhaust tip. When I brought the MP3 back last night and unloaded the trunk I found out that the tip protrudes from the back.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    You tryin' to start somethin' boy? Don' make me com'n smack ya.

    Meade
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    Nice and shiny. Almost a shame to run engine exhaust through it.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    ... and equally a shame to hide it under the car. Maybe you can light it up with some purple neon or something.

    ;-)

    Meade
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    and put a 3 ft wing on the trunk lid and claim my car to be fast and furious :=D

    LOL
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    After you put it on, let us know how it sounds. I'd like to get an exhaust, but I don't want anything too loud after living through a Mustang with 2-chamber Flowmasters and an Integra with a Borla exhaust. What is the size of the tip? It looks like a 4 inch. I'm also curious as to how it will fit with regards to the bumper cover. Is that the same exact muffler & tip as the MP3?
  • theparallaxtheparallax Member Posts: 361
    This thread contains sound clips of it on a Protege5.
  • theparallaxtheparallax Member Posts: 361
    image


    Total cost: $6 and change for some "Rain Gutter Guards" at Home Depot. :)

  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    went under the car, found out the 2 nuts that are holding the midsection and the muffler section together is rusted through and seized tight! What is the best way to remove rusted and seized nut?????
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