Mazda Protegé

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Comments

  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I regularly average 23-26 mpg in my Protege ES, and I drive at 80 mph regularly. I also ZOOM ocasionally, redlining or close to it. I am not disappointed with the mileage at all. In fact, the 1999 DX I had used to get the same mileage almost as my 2001 ES does, but with a LOT less power.
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    That variable valve timing doesn't do all that much for the Accords. I had a '98 Accord with it and just sold a '98 Odyssey with VTEC, neither were especially faster. The '98 Accord was sold back to the dealer after 30 days and I bought the Odyssey.
    Miserable seats was the problem.

    If you buy an Accord, the best ones they ever made were the '96 and '97 series, not performance, just solid sedans.

    Don't expect your best mpg until after you get at least 5,000 miles on your Protege. I have found this true for most of the cars I have owned.

    I Zoom Zoomed today, at last. Driving home in a snow storm.

    fowler3
  • protegextwoprotegextwo Member Posts: 1,265
    James, a snow storm? Where in Alaska do you do your Zooming, hehe?

    -Larry
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    Gas here is $1.80 for 87 which is expensive for around here. Good thing my last tank averaged 28 mpg city/highway mix. On those Accords, the variable valve timing may not do much for horsepower but it does help them get better MPG for the HP they are producing. Some Honda engines may not have that much torque but they have the MPG and HP thing down. Look at the Civic, 127 or so HP, 3 less than the protoge, and it gets much better MPG. Thats not to say I would rather have a civic though. There are more important things than absolute MPG and HP ratings IMO. Honda VTEC engines may have a broad torque band, but who cares when it only makes 90 lbs-ft of torque ;)
  • tocantocan Member Posts: 118
    I have posted Canadian MSRP for the Protege5 in the Mazda Protege Sport Wagon discussion, post number 145.

    Nomi
  • protegextwoprotegextwo Member Posts: 1,265
    Todd, I filled up with 87 octane today, $1.559 per gallon. This price is for southeastern PA., up .20 cents from 2 weeks ago. I bet summer gas prices will get ugly. Where are you paying $1.80 per gallon?

    -Larry
  • notminehersnotminehers Member Posts: 42
    As I mentioned in an earlier post, we have averaged 31mpg on our '01 PRO ES 5 speed - mostly highway driving at 65-70 mph. 87 octane is going for about $1.45 per gallon in Seattle. Speaking of Accords, our '92 left a bad taste in our mouth - transmission (auto) went out at 70k, also the water pump....$2300 later......we sold it.
    Later all.....Greg
  • groharlemgroharlem Member Posts: 59
    June 23-24th, 2001 in State College, PA. I'm not quite sure how it will work, but we might just meet at a motel somewhere in this town on the 23rd. On the 24th (Sunday) We will go to Beaver Stadium at Penn State and Auto-x. THe entrance fee is $20 for non-SCCA members, and $15 for members. We'll have to arrive there at around 8-9am, and the actual racing starts at 11-12pm. If you have any questions, or comments on this meet just post them here. So far we have about 9-11 confirmed people going, and 3-5 more who aren't sure if they can come.

    Any generation protege is welcome. Please email me or reply for questions n stuff. my email is: groharlem@hotmail.com and my AIM ID is: GroHarlem6
  • groharlemgroharlem Member Posts: 59
    I just finished writing a page about the meet on my website. Go to http://groharlem.tripod.com and click the "EAST COAST MEET" link on the homepage, or click the "Protege Meets" on the navigation bar. That will take you to the page with information on the PA meet, and info on the MD meet as well. Lemme know if you have questions.
  • orinocofloworinocoflow Member Posts: 11
    Larry, what all do you do to your Proteges to keep that showroom look? Maybe you mentioned it before, but I would be interested in what products you use on your vehicles. I guess having two gives you twice the practice in keeping them looking so nice. The last time I saw one of yours in the lot, I had to shield my eyes from the glossy paint (gee, and it was at night too!).

    BTW, are you still going to be at the TGI Fridays on Union Deposit Road, and during similar hours/days as before? The family is due for a dinner out soon; your place is on the top of the list.
    Thanks,

    Gene
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    I wish I lived near Larry. Our two TGIF's in Richmond suck. And wow, what a chance to gossip! I envy you guys.

    Meade
  • gitarzangitarzan Member Posts: 66
    They were saying on the news that Gas might reach $3.00/gallon in the USA this summer. I bought the Pro just in time. Might be time to look into antisiphoning stuff. I'm old enough to remember the problems there were in the seventies when gas left it's $.32 price and rose to over a dollar. Gas Lines, Thieves, Drive offs, there was almost civil unrest over it.
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    I live in North Carolina. Yesterday, I picked up my '01 Protege LX 2.0 at Parks Mazda. It was sunny when I left home. When I started home with the car
    a big storm came from the west and hit just as I was halfway there. High winds, snow, freezing rain. we got everything yesterday. It turned bitter cold. Snow, with flowers in bloom and trees budding out, is not what I had in mind for the first day with the Pro.

    fowler3
  • nikecarnikecar Member Posts: 460
    nature was a honda fan, but not even it could stop the Protege!!!
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    I found in my driving, yesterday, that the Pro's suspension has a couple of sweet spots where the car rides the smoothest. On my Pro they are at 40mph and 60mph + or - a couple mph. These speeds are where it will probably give the best fuel economy as well. When you are trying to get the highest economy look for the sweet spots on your Pros. Cars vary and there can be great differences between two models of the same year.

    fowler3
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    Right on! Nature knows how to ZOOM, too.

    fowler3
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    The sweet spot in my 2001 Protege ES is when I am on the highway, behind that one pokey person in the fast lane that everyone hates. Then I quickly scan the mirrors for a way out, just as I catch a little one. Then with a flick of the wrist and push of the foot, I am gone! :) That IS sweet! :)
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    Doesn't get much sweeter than that!

    :)
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    sales@tirerack.com wrote:the 205/55/15 will be too tall and too wide it will rub

    >Question: Hi,
    >
    > currently my car has stock 15" al. alloys with Bridgestone potenza RE92
    > 195/55-VR15 tires.
    >
    > I was wondering whether it would cause any interference in the wheel-well of
    > my car if I upgraded to 205/55-R15 tires.
    >
    > Thanks in advance,
    > Nick
    >
    > Year: 1999
    > Model: Protege ES
  • nikecarnikecar Member Posts: 460
    see the Accessories & Modifications forum for my response
  • nikecarnikecar Member Posts: 460
    not a complaint.. just some interesting info (at least I think)..

    Back when the wife had her Neon, my Altima was averaging 1250-1300 miles a month, mainly because we used it every weekend to go out. when we got the Protege, we are now averaging 670 miles per month.. nice dramatic turn.. And the Protege (even with a trip to Miami) has about 3700 miles total in 4 months..

    Nice balance of mileage I'd say because the Alty was fast coming up on 30K service and its massive cost for that service.. Now I've bought me some time because I'm ordering the altima Service manual ($125) and doing most of the work myself, thus saving me money over the long haul... woohooo!!!!!
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I live here in wisconsin, but only for 3 more weeks, then I graduate from college and I will be moving back to the twin cities. The gas we get here is special gas for the Kenosha-Milwaukee-Racine-Chicago corridor. It has something to do with air quality restrictions and the pipeline that delivers the stuff. Last summer we had the most expensive gas in the country because of that. I saw $2.50 a gallon in Chicago last June. Anyway, I don't know how 205-55-15 will rub when the 01 ES has 16 inch tires and the MP3 has 17 inch tires with no apparant modifications.
  • dannygdannyg Member Posts: 131
    Last summer I took a 200-mile trip--about 75% hwy (60-65mph)--in my mother's 99 LX 1.6 automatic. I got 35.6mpg. My mother gets about 30MPG in around-town driving. The 1.6 does generate good MPG numbers.

    No problems at all with the 99 LX...but then it only has 8K miles!
  • pcalvinpcalvin Member Posts: 44
    I'm not sure, maybe maltb will know, will the parts department come down on a price when it's WAY over the msrp? I just got 2 quotes for 01 pro cargo nets at $43.01 and 48.96 from 2 different dealers. I'm quite perturbed. The msrp is only $35 and Edmunds tmv is $31.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    Go to www.mazdastuff.com It is a Mazda dealer down in Texas with an online catalog. The OEM cargo net is $33, mudgaurds are $58, the nice floormats are $56. Not bad.
  • hkchanhkchan Member Posts: 420
    "The msrp is only $35 and Edmunds tmv is $31."
    These are the prices when a new car has it installed at the factory (actually, probably at the port/distributor). It may sound stupid, but $35 (MSRP) doesn't have much to do with the MSRP at your dealer parts department. They need to charge a higher overhead, for example.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    is about $36 for the net but that is only a suggested retail and dealers, being independently owned, are free to charge whatever they can get for them. Keep calling around...

    :)
  • gitarzangitarzan Member Posts: 66
    I placed an order from MAZDASTUFF.COM on a SATURDAY, I believe. Anyway it was on the weekend. It arrived via ground the following Friday.

    I'm impressed.
  • hkchanhkchan Member Posts: 420
    I had a dealer quoting me a price of $30+ on a wheel cover and another one quoting $90+. It's a free country.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    according to your post Henry, it can be a downright expensive country if you shop in the wrong places.

    :)
  • nikecarnikecar Member Posts: 460
    and you know there are folks that pay the $90 because they don't care to look around..
  • hkchanhkchan Member Posts: 420
    Haha. You got me again.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I had a dealer here quote me $117 for mudgaurds!! I laughed in his face.
  • pcalvinpcalvin Member Posts: 44
    Dave, Thanks for the website. I may just order a couple of items. Has anyone put the mudflaps on a dark green 01 pro yet? Just wondering how they look!
  • protegextwoprotegextwo Member Posts: 1,265
    I will work a varied schedule in Harrisburg (Union Deposit). I did take off this Sat. and Sun.
    I needed some "family time".

    -Larry
  • jstandeferjstandefer Member Posts: 805
    Does anyone know much about replacing the carpet in the Pro? I can't stand the light gray in my '99 ES... I would like to put the dark charcoal carpet and floor mats from the '01. I don't think it would look bad with the gray interior and it would certainly help with keeping it looking clean. The BMW 750iL and Mercedes S-class have light interiors with black carpeting, and they look good. Any ideas? Is aftermarket carpeting available?
  • protegextwoprotegextwo Member Posts: 1,265
    Pcalvin, I saw a Mica Green 2000 ES with the mud flaps and it looked great. It added a touch of the German-Euro sedan look to an already handsome color/styling setup. I think it was Meade's Protege who had them?

    Meade, how is Mrs. M doing? I hope all is well with her and the baby.

    Respectfully;
    Larry
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I saw a 2001 silver Protege LX in the parking lot where I work. They are getting more popular. Still haven't seen a black Protege from 1999 up, and only one ES on the road so far.

    I am seriously thinking about adding the mud guards to my Protege, but not sure yet. I also want to get the net from the dealer (www.mazdastuff.com) too, but don't feel like paying $35 to install the thing at the dealer. I am sure I can handle a small project like that myself though. We will find out I guess. :)
  • protegextwoprotegextwo Member Posts: 1,265
    Try a local auto detail shop. Call a couple in your area and ask them to refer you to a auto carpeting specalist. I'm sure you are not the first person whom needed or desired, to change out their carpet.

    -Larry
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    You could go with the '01 ES carpet. Factory molded carpet is about $350 retail, but your freinds at J Hine could give a sweet discount, I'm sure.

    :)
  • protegextwoprotegextwo Member Posts: 1,265
    Thank you for your interest in my Protege detail regime. I'm still learning, all the time. However, my rule is to clean the car inside and out, once a week. Like mowing the lawn in the spring, hehe! It is much easier to keep it looking new than to restore a really dirty car. I need to say; I'm not a purist when it comes to the paint care, however my interest in that area is growing. I swear, my wife will kill me if I spend any more time on the PRO's, lol!!! Gene, I need to get going to work, nevertheless I will post some of my secrets/tips in the Maintaince and Repair topic, in our owners club discussion, soon.

    -Larry
  • protegextwoprotegextwo Member Posts: 1,265
    Well, my bad. I should have said, "The Mazda Protege Owners: Care & Maintenance topic". I'll posts some tips, Friday afternoon.

    -Larry
  • sfratsfrat Member Posts: 208
    I've seen two over the last several days. The first was on Easter Sunday in Williamsburg, VA where my sister is attending shool. It was silver, and still had the dealer temporary tags. Looked like a W&M college student, must have been an early graduation present!

    The second was last night, this time a black one, in Bethesda, MD. Looked very nice.

    Also, has anyone posted pictures of installed mudflaps, I vaugely remember someone doing this, but can't remember where.

    Hoping to tint my windows soon, c'mon Uncle Sam, I need my refund. Show me the money!
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    It was not me in Bethesda last night though. :) The one ES I saw as a Sandrift one, and I liked the color on it too. Sometimes I wish I hadn't gotten the black, because it's so hard to keep clean all the time.

    Steve, we still have to hook up and share car sightings one weekend. :)
  • pcalvinpcalvin Member Posts: 44
    I just saw my first 01 ES on the road this weekend at the Sports Arena in San Diego. It was Sand Mica and still had the dealer plates on it. I couldn't get close enough to tell where it was from.
    As a side note, what does everyone think of dealers handing out a year of scheduled maintenance for filling out the survey at the dealership?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    What are you talking about? I filled out a dealer survey, and no one game me a year of free scheduled maintenance. I must have missed something somewhere... Of course, I am in Maryland and you are in California, PCalvin. Maybe that has something to do with it. Someone clue me in!!!!
  • hkchanhkchan Member Posts: 420
    It definitely does not have anything to do with Mazda USA. It may even be against Mazda's policy. The "at the dealer" part is very important. I would like to see someone still gets the freebie without giving a perfect score in every category on the survey.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Mazda USA sent me a survey in the mail right after I bought my 2001 Protege ES. I told them I was very happy with the entire deal, except for one smart-mouth finance manager who should be sent to customer service training or demoted. I haven't heard anything back from Mazda yet.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    You figure that if it costs them $30 for two oil changes(factoty schedule of course) and they have the ability to earn 3% back on the car. With the new Mazda to dealer program(see the P5 board) it's worth much more than $30 to get those Sales satisfaction scores up.

    :)
  • hkchanhkchan Member Posts: 420
    When I said it had nothing to do with Mazda USA, I meant the freebies were not Mazda's idea.
    Yes. Call it one year of free scheduled maintenance instead of two free oil changes.
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