Mazda Protegé

protege_fan

Hmm....It's not clear what model years you're talking about.

2002+ Pro's in the US ALL have the 2.0L engine and that's where the confusion occurred. I thought he was looking at new cars.

vocus

He was looking at anything that he could get, on the road, for $10k cash. I was looking around a bit and thinking about a Kia Rio, but those cars look so frail. The Hyundai did pretty well in crash tests from what I read on IIHS.org. He also considered a Focus, but I told him about the recalls and that was the end of that.

I have recently been to a Hyundai dealership, and it seemed pretty nice. There is a Hyundai dealer that works on Toyotas as well here in Baltimore, and they have a nice service area. Hyundai has come a long way. I read the Elantra board here on Edmunds, and only one person really has had trouble with his car on there, a good showing. I hope my friend is happy with the car, since he plans to run it into the ground.

Sorry for breaking up the Protege chat, before I get yelled at by Pat. :0

newcar31

Whoever it was that recommened rhino ramps-THANKS! Those things are pimp. No messing around with jacks, jack stands, and jacking points. Only problem is that they don't give me enough clearance to use my creeper without scraping my face on the exhaust. Even so, they are still much better than jacks and jack stands. Now I can change my oil quicker than the weirdos at Jiffy Lube.

ashutoshsm

I'd so rather buy a Focus than a Korean car, given the choice! Especially that neat SVT focus, although I dislike coupes!

Anyone try it yet? I went in to my local Ford dealership on a slow afternoon and gave it a shot. All I can say is WOW. NOTHING like it (in its class). Not even the Sentra SE-R Spec V, or the Pro ES, or P5. Of course, I haven't driven an MP3 yet, nor the upcoming MazdaSpeed Pro

ALthough I told the salespoerson I wasn't considering buying, but was very curious about the car. He still told me that they could let it go for close to invoice (implied, not quoted) - surprising, to me!

chikoo

I mentioned the "new-car" fragrance only because you mentioned that your friend remarked that ur car still had the new-car smell, that is, until that stench came into the picture.
All I wanted was that you get back the "new-car" smell in your beloved protege.

so did the baking soda work?

vocus

Someone at the VW meet I went to this past weekend had this suction tank thing. They stuck a hose into the engine, pumped up the air in the tank manually, and sucked all the oil out of the engine. The guy said it cost like $50 for it, but it's worth it to change the oil so easily and mess-free. Something to consider. But I wonder how much old oil is left in the engine by this thing, if any?

vocus

I would rather have any car than a Focus right now. I don't think I would even take one of those as a rental. SIX federal investigations, and they are just starting their 3rd model year? That's ridiculous! And it's for stuff like the wheels falling off while driving, the accelerator sticking, and the front suspension collapsing. Even the new SVT has a recall out on it (so does the new MINI though, already).

I told my friend about these recalls and gave him facts about all the cars we were looking at. He chose the Elantra on his own, for its price, the fact that it still has warranty left, its driving characteristics, and its comfort level. We are suppose to go and get it on Saturday.

jeffy729

Thanks for the link Meade; looks like fun. I would like to meet you all (this board has quickly become my daily internet entertainment, even though I don't contribute much!). Living out here on the left side of the country would make it a little logistically difficult (if you've ever been to Cali you know it's almost like another country!). Have a good time!

vocus

They actually did have a CA meeting for the Protege group not long ago. I remember reading something about it, thought it was in San Diego. Look on the website Meade liked you to before.

protege_fan

Aren't necessarily bad. At least it shows that the manufacturer is trying to remedy problems instead of denying or hiding them.

jeffy729

But I bet you guys would be more fun! ;-)

chicagopro

Ah, I see...well, thanks again for your concern

The baking soda (and time, no doubt) seem to be doing the trick. Just made the lunch run, and the smell is much less noticeable.

maltb

But I bet you guys would be more fun!

Nah, we just play it down as there are already too many people out here in Ca.

mdaffron

"Recalls aren't necessarily bad. At least it shows that the manufacturer is trying to remedy problems instead of denying or hiding them."

If you look at them that way, yes.

But how about the way I and a few others look at them, this way:

"Recalls illustrate that the manufacturer was in way too much of a hurry to get the product to the consumer, preferring to test the product on the consumer instead of identifying and fixing most defects prior to final production."

One or two recalls over the course of a few years I can forgive. But Ford's track record with the Focus (if, that is, it can get around the track without losing a wheel or catching fire) is inexcusable. NINE recalls and SIX federal defect investigations?!?!?! The Focus is the 21st Century Ford Pinto!!!

http://www.autosafety.org/pressreleases/FordFocus.htm

Meade

newcar31

Sounds like a good idea, but you still have to get the car off the ground to replace the tuna can.

mdaffron

I'm sure I speak for many of us ...

What IS it with these FRIENDS of yours, to whom you seem obligated to chauffeur around Maryland, install car seats in YOUR car for THEIR children, take out car shopping ... the way you word these posts of yours, it almost seems you're paying debts by being these peoples' nursemaids! Are people that needy where you live, or do you just work with Baltimore's homeless population? What gives, man?

Meade

vocus

The one who wrecked his car is a very good friend of mine. I was helping him out because I wanted him to get a good deal on another car, and he doesn't know squat about cars.

The other friend with the kids (the girl that I brought to MAPP II with the 2 kids) is another good friend of mine, whom I have known for almost 8 years. She doesn't have a driver's license yet, but she will be driving me around when she finally gets one.

There are only 2, we all just seem to be hanging out alot and driving. Maybe that's why I have 22.3K on my car already, and it's not even a year old yet (it will be on 11/3).

mdaffron

There are opportunities for several "comments" there, believe me. I'm biting my tongue -- OUCH!!! Pat, you'd better be damned proud of me for this!!! I'm in rare form, baby -- RARE!!!

Meade

jeffy729

Ooops! Put my size 13 foot in it there! I forget with 35 million of us there might actually be someone else here reading these!!!

mdaffron

With you AND maltb over there, it's almost a forgone conclusion that we WILL be more fun ...

Meade

maltb

Hmmmm, USA today ran a cover story two weeks ago that said Orange County was the center of cool. Maybe it was a typo and they meant Richmond County.

the_big_h

I thought it's just some backwater hickville that just happen to be the state capital of the commonwealth ;-)

ashutoshsm

Nice

newcar31

Hennepin county is cool too, really cool sometimes.

newcar31

rather live in Orange county. Maltb--when are you going hook me up with a job? I'd clean toilets as long as I could get free zoom zoom stickers and be able get my mail in the winter without my nostrils freezing together.

jeffy729

I actually instigated something! I feel so powerful! By the way, it's an awesome day on the San Andreas Fault (80 and low humidity!). No death rattle worries for My Precious here! ;-)

maltb

Would you believe that there is only one open job and unless you have a BSME and know things that whistle real well, they won't touch you. Jobs are scarce around these parts.

dsm6

Hmm, most folks call those earthquakes.

dsm6

Things that whistle real well? Hey, as luck would have it, I whistle real well. BSME, eh? Will a Ph.D. in Astrophysical, Planetary, and Atmospheric Sciences do?

Then again, Boulder Counter is way cooler than Orange County.

Is something else gonna get a turbo?

jeffy729

That's why I park away from buildings! Even if I get squashed while at work the Pro will survive! ;-)

maltb

Will a Ph.D. in Astrophysical, Planetary, and Atmospheric Sciences do

are you saying you are a pro at observing celestial bodies? With miles of beaches, there are lots of heavenly things to look at...not that I partake in such actions.

newcar31

I should have never changed my major.

maltb

How many fun jobs ask for a BA in Business Admin.

curt3

Hello Again, I was once the proud owner of a 2000 Mazda Protege. My wife needed and automatic transmission vehicle so I put my 2000 LX with manual transmission, A/C, keyless entry and an aftermarket cassette/CD changer combo on the selling block over the summer. I had advertised it in my local newspaper and most were frightend away by the 65,000 or so miles and the 5 -speed transmission.

Our local military base has what is called a "Lemon Lot" where private parties can park their cars and sell them for a fee of $ 10.00. Being that the paper wasn't helping my cause, I placed it out there and within one day I had it sold. I had $ 7,700 on the window and the very first person to test drive it bought it. The price I got was about 20% higher than what my local dealership offered me.

My original plan was to buy an automatic Protege but a neighbor of ours had a 1995 Accord LX with automatic and a very small 53,000 miles. I took the deal and my wife is happy. Anyway, the Honda is nice but I miss the Protege and the Protege forum. Good luck to everyone.

newcar31

That's your major?

mdaffron

Malt? Wil? Hank?

Time's a-wastin'!

Meade

chicagopro

Good to hear from you!

Sorry you had to give up the Protege

--Dale

chikoo

I am driving a rental Mazda626LX.
Now I am sure why Mazda was in the red for so long.

What a POS car.

vocus

What happend to your Protege?

chikoo

is looking into the transmission clunk that the Mazda representative last year said is Normal.

chikoo

my baby is getting a brand new transmission. I should be picking it up on monday evening or maybe tuesday Afternoon.

So much for the Mazda Rep who thinks clunking transmissions are normal. Huh!!!!!!

dinu01

the_big_h

only autos i believe

although you could make manuals make nasty gear grinding sounds

chikoo

it's an Auto.

dinu01

there have been some problems with the autos on the Pros. Larry, now Nick, and I thought there was someone else also that reported a tranny issue on this board.

I guess it's time to visit the dealer abd have a talk about that extended warranty.

Dinu

chikoo

I think I have almost brand new car.
in the last 7000 miles, I have:

-new tires
-new sparkplugs
-new ignition coil
-new sparkplug wires
-new steering rack
& now
-new auto transmission
-new window regulators

dinu01

chikoo

I have 40 months and 44,500 miles on my '99 ES

vocus

New window regulators and steering rack?

What happend with those parts?

And do all these replacement parts make you have less faith in your Protege?

vocus

I had problems with both autos in my Proteges. In the 99 DX, it would kinda slip when downshifting from 3-2 when passing. The problem started to get more prominent, but the dealer could never make the car do it. I traded the car at 38K, and they hadn't found any problems up to then.

On the 2001 ES, the transmission would produce an audible squeak when shifting. The Mazda dealer literally told me that they didn't know what was causing the problem or how to diagnose it.