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Comments
You're not alone with your friend's wish to imitate you -- I've got a friend here in Richmond who saw and rode in my Protege a few weeks after I bought it in May 2000 -- and he called me a few days later saying he just had to meet me for lunch. I came outside and did a double-take -- same exact car except he got an automatic. Same color, same optional spoiler, same everything. Now THAT's flattery!!!
Meade
But if he starts dressing like me and getting the same haircut I'm gonna get nervous!
And I got my Zoom Zoom magazine yesterday. Little piece about taking the Protege down the Parkway. Couldn't help but think you had something to do with it........
Meade
Must be really hard selling cars now, if they are having deals like this to move them.
Nope, still haven't waxed the car.
Meade, so Mazda has already released the 2003 model year Protegé? The 0%/60 month finance offer is a great deal. However, I'm not in favor of delaying payments for extended periods of time. I think KIA or maybe it was Chrysler offered 3.9%/60 month no payment for 1 year finance deals, a couple of months ago. Can you imagine how far upside down the average KIA buyer might be on a 2 year old KIA Rio with only 12 months of payments to pay down the loan. Ouch!!!
-lovetrain
The average Joe Schmoe probably isn't even aware that the 6 is coming out.
-love train
I'll bring my car over too Larry, I'm needin' some waxin! After a few 100 proof mudslides I might be waxing all kinds of stuff!!!!
Not sure why Mazda did the 0% deal, seemed like they were selling well enough. I've seen all kinds of new Pro's around my town lately. But it's a great deal for the consumer and I'll bet they sell a gazillion more.
I hope it works.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mazdaprotege/chat
I'll bring my car over too Larry...
That invitation stands for all and anytime. Chikoo, stopped buy for a visit a couple of years ago and spent some time talkin. The local yocals prolly thought we were nuts, with three "look-a-like" Emerald Green 2000 Mazda Protegé ES's in my driveway! Ray, see ya later this afternoon. You bring the Barcardi and I'll supply the Imperial Hand Glaze and the Klasse 2-step wax!
-love train
And some of the other questions he answered made it clear that he was good at this trivia stuff.
I can see where Mazda is coming from, when they say they want to increase brand awareness, say hello to the Mazda 3, 6, RX-8 and who knows what else :-)
It seems at least in my area that Protege sales have been brisk, but I don't see many other Mazda models on the road. And that might not be a bad thing. I bet a lot of Pro owners like me want to graduate to bigger cars, and if the Pro experience is good than they will consider sticking with the Mazda line.
Right now, I feel that Mazda's line, from Top to Bottom, or Side to Side if you like, is the best in the business. (Or at least will be when the 6 gets here.) It definitely is set up for a long customer relationship. Needs change, and Mazda has a car for you. You can go from the Pro(inexpensive), to the 6 (family car), to the Tribute (popular segment) to the Miata (sporty car).
Duh!!
I know in the wagon segment, they said the Protege was a little slow, and was hard to get in and out of. They liked the Jetta wagon the best, but complained because it takes premium fuel.
They did rate the wagons, Protege5. They stated that the handling was very agile and almost sports-car like, and the power was fine. Issues were with the ride and low entry.
In terms of Mitsu, please do not bring them up. Their fit-and-finnish, and quality are not up to the standards of most of the other Japanese car manufacturers.
Also, the Lancer seems more like an economy car than a fun car. Actually, it is an economy car! I was hoping the new Mazdaspeed Protege would be around +200 hp instead of the projected 170 hp, and that they would build more.
Also curious to see how the Mazda 6 turns out. If they build a sedan that is a better handler and more of a driver's car than the competition (including the Passat), I think they will really have a winner that will sell well. Just waiting for the first Road Test report from the mags.
The ES sedan is mechanically identical to the P5 except for the front strut tower bar. Because the sedan is lighter, more rigid, and has the rear strut towers braced, I can't see how the P5 could outperform it. Matter of fact, it's the other way around. The P5 just LOOKS like it performs better.
edit - newcar, I see we were thinking the exact same thing when we read that.
The result. Care free, financially responsible ownership of the BEST handling and looking small sedan in this price segment! A joy to own and a joy to drive! I LOVE both my 2000 PRO-ES's! The current generation Mazda Protégé is a classic. Truly, a gem. The 2003 Toyota Corolla is a very close 2nd a real nicely bolted together machine, however with Mazda's 0%/60 month financing you can add-on an extended warranty for a net price wash. I doubt, if your local Toyota dealer is selling Corolla's for $250/$300 over invoice now or ever? Lastly, the Corolla has a little less headroom for the rear passengers and prolly to tight for any driver with long legs up front.
-Love train
-lovetrain
It's all so depressing. Think I'll jump in the Protege and head for Larry's pool. Can we polish my car too Love Train???
Meade
I know in Baltimore, we have not experienced any "brown outs" or anything like that. Of course, I don't run the AC at home during the day (both my dad and I work all day, and I don't have central AC). So I wouldn't think I would have problems with brown-outs.
I am thinking of having central AC put in my house though (1265 sq. ft.). This friend of my dad's said he would do it, materials and labor, for $1800. That's not a bad deal, but I also need new windows.
Another reason to sell my current car and get an older one, so I can take that money and put it into something that will increase in value.
Meade
If anything would happen to my unit, I have a home warranty that covers it, so that's cool. Thanks for your concern and input.
We just had that a couple days ago. Seems to have blown over DC-way. Sorry 'bout that.
We've had a few days last year when the local utility asked businesses to reduce their energy consumption. I typically leave the lights off in my office (PT CAD-jock) since my neighbor seems to turn on every light in his. I benefit from the halo from his office.
Of course, this 22in CRT I have isn't helping any (240W, what a hog...I'd settle for a 17in, but that's the "standard" workstation...gotta love my IT's flexibility).
On topic, CR is a little inconsistent between their tests of the Protege sedan and P5 in terms of handling; the sedan should outperform the P5 slightly for afore-mentioned reasons (less mass, greater body stiffness). Seems their bottoms have gotten softer too. Perhaps they got the upgraded wheels, which would result in a stiffer ride.
However, CR is right-on when they say the Protege's reliability record (gen-3) is well above average. I think it actually exceeds that of the current Corolla and Civic.
"Handling is where this wagon shines brightest. Weighing approximately 100 pounds more than the Protegé ES, the 5 gets significant structural enhancements, including a bright-red strut tower brace under the hood."
From National Post Online review:
"Although the suspension setup is unchanged [from Pro to P5] - front and rear struts with coil springs and stabilizer bars - the 5 feels somehow stiffer than the sedan. It's not at all unpleasant."
From Greg Wilson's review:
"It's worth noting that though the Protege5 weight more than the sedan and has a higher rear body structure, it doesn't feel any bulkier or less nimble than the sedan. In addition. the Protege5 body and drivetrain feel very tight - there's no looseness or jerkiness when you hit the accelerator - The Protege5 feels like a very well built car."
Bruno
Besides the front strut tower bar, what other structural enhancements are there? I've never heard of any and I've read everything there is to read about these two cars. Maybe they're talking about the structural improvements made to the 2001 and up models?
Bruno
The P5 has two sets of arches, both at shallower angles than the sedan. Therefore, it has more stiffness and less flex. The P5 also has more weight in the back, which makes the handling more neutral. It is essentially the same reason why SUVs based on on pickup trucks flex less than the pickup trucks, just to a lesser degree.
The result is the P5 does a better job of keeping the rear wheels on the pavement and therefore handles a little better.
What air pressure do you typically keep your Dunlop's inflated at? I'm currently running at 36psi and am happy with that inflation. I tried 32psi that is recommended for the Pro with the OEM tires, but i felt this was too low for the Dunnies which have a much higher max. psi rating of 44psi.
Anyway, just curious. Please let me know.
Thanks,
P.S.- I also tried your Meguir's gold class wax and was very happy with the results. I still think Nufinish looks better on my fiberglass boat though and does protect longer than Meguir's. I like the shine and richness better on the Pro though with Meguir's. Looks like the Nufinish will be my winter wax and the Meguir's the summer one. Thanks!
The P5 had the Jetta 1.8T and the Focus (and maybe the Matrix, I forget) ahead of it.
The Protege had the Corolla and the Impressa RS ahead of it.
Again, my memory is a little fogy, so if someone has the CR articles, please feel free to correct me.
I've never tried Gold class myself....I'm using Mother's 3-step right now and am enjoying the results with that.
Bruno: You're right...it's your car...who really cares what anybody else says!
See http://www.autonet.ca/wow/Stories.cfm?storyID=347