Mazda Protegé

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Comments

  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    $35,000 (I guess you mean 35K miles).

    Maybe its just me, but I'd much rather buy a car that's been traded in by a single owner (as was the case with my 95DX), than a commercial (perhaps fleet/company?) or lease (a lot of people abuse lease vehicles!). On the other hand, if its a sedately driven lease vehicle, that also implies all factory scheduled maintenance has been performed, and the warranty hsa only just run out.

    In any case, you should have any used car you buy checked out by an independent mechanic, and drive it in traffic, city and highway conditions, before deciding.

    Good luck!
  • curious38curious38 Member Posts: 18
    oops . . .
  • townhall9townhall9 Member Posts: 78
    My mechanic is an owner/operator. He leases 2 bays from a former full service gas station. He has low overhead & cares about keeping his customers. I had a stripped wheel stud, on my former car. For fun, I called the dealership, and a large garage that specializes in that make of car. They both said: yes we can help - by replacing the wheel. I took the car to my mechanic. When I picked it up later, he said that taking the old stud out was fairly easy, but hammering in the new one was a bear (& he's a big man). He charged me a ridiculously low amount.
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    Try this:


    http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/5599/dark_sucker_2.html


    Meade

  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    were they trying to be funny?
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    can anyone disprove it?
  • eflat1eflat1 Member Posts: 8
    Hello, all,
    I've got a 99 Protege LX that I'm gonna finally get around to replacing the door speakers on. The speaker part is no big trick, I'm sure. What I want some advice on is how to remove the door panel. Do I need a special tool or will a flat head screwdriver do?
    Thanks!
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    I would not buy that! I know how my cousin (and I when I drive it) uses the whole 150 HP of his Z24: not too good on the clutch and tranny. That car will breaka apart in a few yrs. Knowing how I would drive and care (not at all) for a leased car, I would never touch one.

    Go with a used car from 1 owner as Ashu said.

    Dinu
  • meinradmeinrad Member Posts: 820
    So if I buy the car I'm more likely to take care of it? What if I don't plan on keeping any longer than the 4 year payoff I have on it? Isn't that esentially the same as a lease?

    Seems kind of short sighted to assume all lease cars are abused and all financed cars are maintained.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    If I lease: I will NOT take care of the car. Why should I? I will jump curves, drive it on grass/gravel w/no regard, etc. i will abuseit. Why? B/c I can and it's not mine.

    If I buy I might - svc records, a good check and long test drive might help, but more often than not I will at least try to take care of it.

    That's just me though...

    Dinu
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    It's like the Renaissance, the Enlightenment and the land of high speed net connections at once. I definitely feel smarter after reading that Meade :)

    Ok I'm being sarcastic...

    Dinu
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    Go to the Mazda Protege Owners: Accessories & Modifications board and look up message #263.


    For some pics of the same process for a P5 door (almost identical), go here:


    http://www.protege5online.com/Tech_Help/Audio/Speakers/speakers.html

  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    What's your take on the dealer "tightening bolts" at the 30,000 mile service?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    But if you abuse the car to the point where you mess something up on it, you have to pay to get it fixed when you turn it in.

    Alot of people don't do the maintenance on their cars when they are leased though. They say, "who cares, it's not mine to keep". Too bad some people have that mentality, but they do.
  • curious38curious38 Member Posts: 18
    "If I lease: I will NOT take care of the car. Why should I? I will jump curves, drive it on grass/gravel w/no regard, etc. i will abuseit. Why? B/c I can and it's not mine."

    - - I understand peoples worry about leased cars not having the best care put into them. However, I live w/ two guys who got 2 Honda's a few years ago, one lease and one bought, and both take pretty similarly crappy care of their cars. And actually the guy who leases it takes better care of his car, better shape, etc.

    Another thing, your comparing how a person drives a leased Z24, which if I'm not mistaken is a sports car, manual, where as this Protege is a automatic, 4 cyl., basically a commuters car. Whats more, your assuming a huge leap that people are going to jump curves and drive hard on gravel, just for the sake of abusing a lease car.

    I can't believe I'm taking advice from someone who would drive any car in this manner. In fact, I was looking at an article on this site that said looking into leased cars can be a good way to get a good deal.

    Believe me though, thats why I'm taking everything into consideration.
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    much, but consider that the average rental car is driven by 260 to 300 drivers in 12 months. And you don't know how they drove it. The fact that it was sold at auction -- by the rental agency?!! -- would turn me away. If they couldn't sell it themselves.

    Look elsewhere, there are plenty of Protegés around. Check autotrader.com for your area. Buying the cheapest car you can find, you will spend the difference (between a good buy and that one) to bring it up to what you really want.

    fowler3
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    So, I take the pro in for service today, (synthetic oil, V-6 oil filter, alignment, and spark plugs). I had purchased the Bosch Platinum plugs based on the recommendation of an acquaintance who happened to be a former Mazda mechanic in west Tennessee. He told me to get either the Bosch or NGK. Well, AutoZone carries Bosch and not NGK, so Bosch is what I got. I was going to do the replacement myself, but since I had to take it somewhere for the alignment anyway, I figured I would have the dealer do it. Well, when I am speaking the the service advisor, he says that they have had problems with the Bosch plugs in 2.0L Proteges and that my engine probably did not need new plugs yet anyway. This was the same guy who told me at 15,000 that it was time for new plugs soon and admonished me for "racing" which I do not do. So I told him to check them anyway, and let me know. I never heard from him, so I called this afternoon. It turns out the techs won't even touch the Bosch plugs since they have had so many problems with them. Plus, my engine doesn't even need new plugs yet. I am now very mad at 2 separate people: the guy at the dealer who told me I need new plugs 3,000 miles ago and the guy who told me to get Bosch plugs.
  • townhall9townhall9 Member Posts: 78
    From a retailer - no. From an individual (hopefully original) owner - yes. Have it checked by a mechanic not connected to the seller - definite yes.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I've heard the same thing about Bosch plugs and the 2.0L. I don't know what the problem could be with them. When I did my plugs at 15K, the old ones didn't look so good. If I were you, I go pick up a set of Nippon Densos or NGKs.
  • curious38curious38 Member Posts: 18
    Why do you say this? I like information along w/ opinions. Maybe that is something internet discussion boards just lack all together?
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    what are your old spark plugs?
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    "your comparing how a person drives a leased Z24, which if I'm not mistaken is a sports car, manual, where as this Protege is a automatic, 4 cyl., basically a commuters car"

    Both cars can be driven the same way. Trust me (and Paul - aka: vocus). It doesn't matter if one is a sporty car or not, it can be abused and driven hard. Look at Civics. your basic commuter car, but so many are ruined b/c people race them and destroytheir engines, etc - case in point: my old 93 Civic: engine busted.

    From an auction? Hell no!
    Leased? If enough info can be provioded, there is a small possibility.
    Original owner: Yes!

    Dinu
  • townhall9townhall9 Member Posts: 78
    You're right - my opinion. I did a lot of research before buying my baby. Check out opinions of Edmunds, cars.com & Consumer Reports.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Todd: What type og NGK? Platinum or the OEM ones do/did you use?

    maltB: Go OEM or get something different?

    What about:

    NGK Irridium
    Denso Irridium
    Bosch Platinum - I guess not after reading those posts.

    Dinu
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    I drove one (almost by mistake) and loved it so much. I researched it for 2 weeks. I bought it. Previosuly I researched the Accord and Civic Coupes, along with the Sentra seriously, and found no more benefit from these than the PRO as far as reliability and operating costs go, so I went with the fun to drive choice for a smaller price.

    Dinu
  • edmund2460edmund2460 Member Posts: 293
    There's a note in the owners manual that the filter needs some special tool (ES 2.0), so they recommend taking it to the dealer. I have been taking it to the dealer because I can't get to it and don't want to bother with ramps. They charge me around $20. Is this bull about the special tool?
  • townhall9townhall9 Member Posts: 78
    Bull - yes. But easyest (using normal tools) if one can walk under raised car.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    No special tool needed for oil filter removal. You can use your hand, or an oil filter wrench if it's too tight. Check out the "Lisle" website, they have really good filter wrenches there.

    Plugs--IIRC, the original plugs were NGKs. I would just use the plain old NGK or Nippon Densos. IMO, you don't need the fancy plugs if you are changing them every 15,000 miles.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    I have never had a problem running stock plugs in any application including cars that I had modified. For me, Bosch cheapie Platinums burned too quickly and would misfire. I have never tried the iridium plugs. All the evidence of power gains with spark plugs I have seen is bogus so until I see a credible one, I'll run OE or similar.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    I have tried using different spark plugs all my life(due to Great advt) and stopped doing it.

    Why?

    'cause u end up messing the combustion. the engine does not run like the way it is supposed to run(and one of the reasons why u brought the car)
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I never even considered that when choosing plugs. The only difference that I see between the platinum and regular plugs is the change interval. If the special iridium-platinum-titanium-aluminum thing-a-ma-jiggy plugs really gave you more power, they'd already been in the car. Don't you think Mazda would love to squeeze an extra 5 hp out of an engine by simply using different plugs?

    Maltb--what's the deal with "tightening bolts" at the 30K service?
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    I asked a tech about this way back and he said he went around with a couple sockets looking for loose suspension bolts, but it's not like it took more than 2 minutes. It's rare when something is found, but it can't hurt.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
  • eflat1eflat1 Member Posts: 8
    Thanks, MazdaFun. That's right what I was looking for...
  • geckogecko Member Posts: 4
    Hello,

    What is the fluid of choice for replacing the manual transaxle oil on a Protege. I live in Minnesota and want to go to a synthetic.

    TIA

    Pete
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    Are they having with the plugs. I've been using Bosche Plt+4's since they came out (I admit I think they look cool) since they came out. No problems ever. Just curious what exactly are the problems.
  • tomcivilettitomciviletti Member Posts: 207
    I've used bosch platinum plugs on many vehicles [including my '99 pro es] with excellent results. They all ran fine and the plugs looked good after tens of thousands miles.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I'm in MN and I use Redline MT-90. It shifts real nice, even when cold.
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    So I took at look at the plugs when I got home last night, and they look fine. I think the service advisor was making fun of me the last time I had it in for having a strut bar. I think I'll just get the OEM plugs at 30k. The guys at that dealership seem like a bunch of smart asses, so I think I will try another one next time. I already have to take my Jeep to a dealer farther away because the closest one sucks so bad. Now, apparently, I will have to do the same with my Mazda.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    They were making fun of your strut tower bar? How? If they did that to me, they'd get an earfull. I'd try to make them cry.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    in the days of yore, when bolts used on vehicles were not High tensile steel bolts, it was very normal for the bolts to loosen after break-in due to flexing of the vehicle on bad roads.

    After the advent of High Tensile steel bolts, the only reason u would need to go looking for loose bolts would be if bad luck was in ur favor and bolts were loose from the begining OR u banged the car on potholed roads so hard that you flexed the chassis like cardboard causing the bolts to loosen.

    Other than that, there is no need to "tighten bolts".
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    At the time I took it to be a good hearted ribbing. Along the lines of, "I know you have a strut bar and, that means you must drive fast, so you had better slow down because we're going to have to replace you spark plugs soon." I am now wondering if I am being overly sensitive. As soon as I finish my garage, I will be doing most of the regular maintenance myself, so I suppose it won't matter much anyway.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    NGK or Nippon Denso. My factory-supplied ones were NDs. I replaced them with a set of NGK (the ones I got turn out to be the ones spec'd for the 1.8L, not the 1.6L, but seem to be working fine).

    I tried Bosch Platinums in my 323, and they misfired badly (prematurely, I think). I think it's due to the multi-tipped electrodes. Anyway, after that one bad experience, I went back to the regular cheap Champion plugs, and my car was happy again.
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    The ones I had had a single tip electrode. I don't understand it, but the techs were very adamant about it, so I guess it must be true. The dealer wouldn't make enough off of spark plugs to make it worthwhile to force someone to use the OEM NGKs.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    Maltb....u got the power man.....u pushed them to the top.....hats off to u :)
  • townhall9townhall9 Member Posts: 78
    Wax yesterday - rain today, & tonight & tomorrow - sigh. I was reminded though - when cleaning road tar (or other gunk) off finish - use a (cleaner) wax. Not a strong cleaner/chemical.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    in the summer...3-4 months back.
    still makes my emerald mica look soo deep and rich that it could be mistaken for a *new* black BMW!!

    actually that is what happened, if you remember....I got a parking ticket with description "Black BMW".....yeah.....I was happy to pay the Fine!!
  • townhall9townhall9 Member Posts: 78
    I, also, love the color of my Pro (light sandalwood). That factor makes an excellent car, even better. And it helps that the Pro Factory does great work
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    The parking maids have learnt to use psychology now - call a car something else (better) and the recipient of the ticket is only too happy to pay :)
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