Mazda Protegé

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Comments

  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Take the car to another dealer, just for the hell of it, and have them check it out. The warranty is good until 50K, so it's worth it to see what the noise is.
  • theparallaxtheparallax Member Posts: 361
    My 99 LX used to do that, when I used cheap gas. The closest I could describe it is something vaguely like leaves being raked up inside of the engine. Hard to decribe. Try using better quality gas like Chevron or Amoco.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    It's so hard to keep my 2001 ES clean, it's not funny. I just washed it the other day, for instance, and it already looks like hell. I will never, ever buy another black car, and that's a fact! I was even thinking about having it repainted, but I think it would be too expensive. And it wouldn't make any sense at all, especially since the car is only about 2 months old. Black also lets more heat inside the car, and it show EVERY little tiny mark too. I never believed these things when other people told me, but boy now I do!

    BTW, I have 4300 miles on my 2001 ES in two months of ZOOMing. Not one problem, save the car being out of alignment when delivered. That's it though. No problems whatsoever, and not one squeak or rattle either. Looking forward to many, many happy years of ZOOM ZOOM ZOOMing!
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    Paul,
    There has been a lot of talk around the boards of the California Duster. As much as us CA natives like to keep the good things to ourselves, I think your situation is worthy of getting one.

    I am in a black mica Pro also. With the power shortage here in CA, I'm thinking that I have the ultimate solar powered oven(maybe roast duck for dinner). Hmmm, maybe I should leave bottled water in the back seat for tonight's shower.

    :)
  • panamaltd2panamaltd2 Member Posts: 162
    I almost bought my Pro. in black because I really liked how cool it looked. I talked to some friends about it and they said, "DO NOT BUY A BLACK CAR YOU WILL REGRET IT." So the next day i went to the dealership (Perry Mazda Santa Barbara, CA, wonderful dealer!) and they agreed with my friends and told me that the silver color I also liked would be the best choise, not only because it doesn't show dirt but also because it has a thicker, more complex paint process that is good for salty sea air. In my opionion you can't get a better color then the Hightlight Silver Metallic! Zoom-Zoom, Sam
  • rnd2rnd2 Member Posts: 31
    i have the 1.8 engine i use 87 octane i got 29-30 mpg. when i first got the car i have 7000 miles on the car and get 30-31.5 mpg. i get my gas at quick trip and use mobil-1 oil--------------------------------DONT BUY BLACK !!!! WHY ? my pro es is black i dont want a gray or silver car that blends in with every other car on the road my car stands out and looks good
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I used to have a black integra, it looked really nice when it was clean at night. Otherwise, you could see every scratch, dent, and imperfection on the whole car magnified by the black paint. But it looked really cool at night. I stumbled on these reviews of the protoge, take a look, they are from Canada.http://www.autonet.ca/autonetstories/search.cfm
  • nikecarnikecar Member Posts: 460
    You've learned what many many MANY people have learned... my wife's previous neon was black and when she selected it in Black I was floored. Tried to convince her against (seeing as how she wanted the green) to no avail, and all thru the lease she ended up regretting it. Water spots, dings, dirt, scratches.. everything shows.. and its hot as heck even with tints..

    Now with our Green one, (floored me too with her choice since she wanted Silver first) I'm making sure it doesn't go too far between washes.. I had a cow the 1 time she went to the drive-thru car wash. I'd rather go and wash it at 9pm by hand (which I've done 3 times already) than run it thru a car wash...

    Just keep on it.. Don't let sprinklers with their hard water hit your car, and dry the windows and any chrome first to avoid water spots, and the hood/roof/trunk deck also quickly. I've learned that by experience with the black neon...

    and if that cali dryer thingy works as promised, I'm going to get one to dry those surfaces off even quicker...
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    and washing and soon the paint will begin to show wear, then you will have a good excuse to re-paint it. ;)

    Problem with painting a car a color other than the original is not having the new color in places like the engine bay, trunk area, and inside door frames.

    But you are right, don't buy a black car. I considered it since Mazda offers the beige interior with black, but decided against it.

    fowler3
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    the Protegé, or maybe it's because the 626’s dash isn't as well-designed, as the Pro version, for the class of car the 626 is. IMHO, the Protegé’s dash is an excellent example of form follows function with a touch of class. The pod is superb, unlike all the others in black, the beige LX models get bronze pod trim. A welcome change.

    The 626’s dash is too much like those seen in other cars, a few SUV’s, and vans.

    fowler3
  • panamaltd2panamaltd2 Member Posts: 162
    And you don't think black blends in with all the other cars out there!? At least silver is a bright color.

    P.S.- Silver is the official, traditional, German sports sedan color.
  • nikecarnikecar Member Posts: 460
    back in 1999 right after my dearly beloved Cavalier was killed.. *sniff* I was expecting to get a 626. I liked the style of the outside and the pricing in ads was good. I would have preferred a Galant or Jetta but they were too much $$$ and the Jetta's 2 yr warratny was junk (1.5 yrs for me).

    I drove the 626 ES (not V6 as too much $$-> Jetta/Galant range), but didn't like the open feel of the cabin. Everything felt too far away from me. Also the car was massively underpowered. I think I could ride my bike and out-accelerate it. So it ended up being my Alty which gave me oh so much power over the 626..

    I was really disappointed with the 626.. my hopes were crushed as soon as I stepped on the gas.
  • gitarzangitarzan Member Posts: 66
    I had a red car, then a gold car, then a butternut yellow car, then a yellow car, then a black car, then a maroon car, then another gold car, then an apricot moonbeam (copper) car, then another butternut yellow car, and now another black car (Mica Black!).

    I will admit that the black car shows the dirt the most. But I also think that the black car, when clean is the coolest looking. Black is the most mirror-like finish you can get without getting the whole car chromed. It reflects colors with added shades but stays true to hue.

    They get hot, yeah. But they look cool. I've never had any car that did not get hot sitting in the sun with the windows rolled up. What's the diff if the car is 120f or 130f when you open the door?

    This is supposed to be a real nice weekend around here. I plan to wax it again and take it out for pix. I hope to get them posted in about a week.
  • protegextwoprotegextwo Member Posts: 1,265
    I just turned 22,000 miles on both my 2000 Mazda Protege's ES's this week. To date, no problems with either one. I love this car! Every time, I slide behind the wheel; I realize how good I have it. The PRO-ES may not be the class leader in all categorys, but the combination of performance, amenities, safety, style and price is very hard to match. You may be able to save a couple of grand, and consider a wider variety of cars, However in this class for the enthusiasts; your list is short and the 2001 Mazda Protege ES needs to be on it!
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I compared the 2001 Protege to everything under the sun before I bought my ES. I drove the Cavalier, Neon, Jetta, Civic, Sentra, Saturn L and S, Volvo S40, Altima, Integra, Sunfire, and even the Focus. I couldn't afford the Volvo, The Jetta too small (as well as expensive with a short warranty), the Saturn L felt too "family", the Altima too plain (even in SE trim). All the other cars were either too small, too cheap feeling (Cav/Sunfire in particular), or just had rude dealers (especially VW). So I ended up with another Protege, and couldn't be happier. :)
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Don't forget about the Protege chat room tonight. Last week, I signed on and it was dead. Let's try to get the attendance up a little bit tonight! :)

    I just averaged my last tank out (I average every tank I put in), and came out to 29.1 mpg! I was really shocked. I drive on the highway at 80 mph or so as well, but haven't been using the AC (windows and sunroof instead), so maybe that's got something to do with it. I hope this keeps up, with the price of gas going up and up.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I just received my first speeding ticket in my 01 ES. I was near Duluth, MN going north on the Two Harbors expressway going about 80 mph in a 55 zone. There was pratically nobody on the road, except for a gray haired Rosco P. Coltrane lookalike of the Minnesota Highway Patrol. I think I will go to traffic court since I doubt this guy will show up. Anyway, I have been averaging about 27 mpg in mixed highway/city congestion. Not bad. Vocus--I don't know if its true, but I have heard that you waste just as much gas with the windows/sunroof down than using your air-conditioning. I too looked at the VW jetta, nice car, nice interior, poor reliability in the long run (IMO). German sedans are generally known to handle well, but the Protoge ES seems to kick the Jetta's_butt in that department, even if the Jetta had the optional sport suspension. It would be nice though if Mazda would have offered a turbo version of the Protoge like the Jetta. Can anyone say "Protoge ES 2.0T"? I also heard that the 02 or 03 Protoge will be based on the Focus. Looks like we were just in time.
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    I hope you heard wrong about the Focus/Protege in 02 03, for the sake of future Protege buyers. If correct, I am SO GLAD I bought a Pro LX 2.0 recently. It will serve me well for many years.

    I, too, test-drove and researched many cars finding them lacking in dozens of ways. Reviews got me interested in the Protege; you guys influenced me in a test-drive; and I bought one. This is my 30th car and one of the most enjoyable.

    fowler3
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    with the windows and moonroof open your ES is not only pushing through the air, it turns it into a big air scoup. Using the AC is much better and less drafty. ;)

    fowler3
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    If you prefer having the windows and moonroof open, try this. Leave the driver and front passenger windows UP; close the moonroof; OPEN the back side windows halfway or less. The air rushing past the sides of the car will draw air through and out of the car from the front air ducts. Set fan on #2 or #3.

    This is the fastest way to get rid of heat when the car has been parked.

    fowler3
  • protegextwoprotegextwo Member Posts: 1,265
    I will TRY to make the chat. As long as my wife doesn't yell at me, hehe!!!

    -Larry
  • nikecarnikecar Member Posts: 460
    same here... usually I'm the computer so much all the other days, that's now a "bonding" time for us to chill on the sofa watching Tv together.. I'll try to swing over todayl..
  • protegextwoprotegextwo Member Posts: 1,265
    I get in moon roof moods, lol!!! When I'm in a moon roof "mood", I'll even drive with my windows up, the air conditioning on medium/low and the moon roof wide open. I'll pop in a 1978 era NEIL YOUNG and CRAZY HORSE CD and hit the road. Usually, just to the store because my wife sends me for paper towels or something, lol!!! O'well "Rust Never Sleeps", hehe!!!

    But, the best kept moon roof secrete, driving at night with the moon roof open. I'm such a chump. If I'm in the moon roof "mood", I'll open the moon roof at night and if its too cold I'll turn the heater on. Pop in a good CD and check out the stars as I drive. Moon roofs, just another name for freedom!!!

    -Larry
  • aardvark_markaardvark_mark Member Posts: 95
    hmmm.. "driving at night as I gaze UP at the stars through my moonroof".. and they say cell phone usage in cars should be banned.. :) j/k

    ciao
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I open the moonroof to its vent position and put down the back windows a little to get the heat out, and there is a LOT (because the car is black inside and out). My car is soooo dirty from tree pollen and bugs now, it makes me wanna cry. I went to the car wash at lunch from work, but there was a 5-car line (before and after lunch I went) and I didn't have time to wait. Oh well. :(

    I like driving with the windows and moonroof open, even though it does lower the fuel economy due to the drag coefficient. Also, it's kinda funny to see my friend's long hair blowing out the roof on the highway. It always cracks me up. :) I also found out the hard way, NEVER put down just the back windows. It creates this deafening sound of wind sucking or something. It is really ugly. :)
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Forgot to tell everyone. I bought a silver license plate frame for my car. It kinda looks like intertwined rope. Got it at Wal-Mart for like $9. Looks real neat against the black color. If I could figure out how the hell to get the front tag bolts loose, I would buy one for the front plate too.
  • protegextwoprotegextwo Member Posts: 1,265
    I said, I'm a chump! ;-)

    -Larry
  • nikecarnikecar Member Posts: 460
    man I'm glad I am in a state without front tags.. just ruins the clean look of the car I think..
  • panamaltd2panamaltd2 Member Posts: 162
    Everyone is talking about this whole Focus base stuff. I heard that the next protege would be built off a chassis to be shared with an upcoming small volvo...i.e.-It will be a very sophisticated set-up. It also said that this new platform might also accomidate the next Ford Focus, but Mazda and Volvo will get first dibbs. Hope this is right!

    Zoom-Zoom,
    Sam
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    I picked up a clear plastic license plate cover at Wal-Mart a few weekends ago. It looks like it was made for the front license plate holder on my Protege!

    I've never had a black car, but I had a 1980 Saab 900 GLi that was "chestnut" -- so brown it frequently was mistaken for black. And my 1988 Hyundai Excel 5-door was "graphite" which was close to black too. And THAT car didn't have air conditioning! You've commented on our mutually sweltering mid-Atlantic summers, chock full of humidity and 100-degree-plus temps. Imagine a car nearly as black as yours with NO A/C, for five summers! I used that car to go back and forth to college (local daily commute) and in the spring and early fall, I had to pack a second shirt to change into once I got to campus ... LOL!!!

    Ya gotta do whatcha gotta do when you're in college and the money's tight, but no A/C? Never again!

    Anybody have any info on Kelly or Cooper tires as replacements for our Poortenzas? I just found a really great local mechanic/tire shop, and those are the tires he deals in. He put an alternator on my wife's Crapalier yesterday and beat everybody else's prices by $20 to $150. 'Twould be nice to see how he does on tires!

    Meade
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    You didn't talk your wife into getting a Protege 5 yet?? I was just expecting you two to have his and hers Proteges at the next MAPP. :) How is she doing BTW? Has she had the baby yet? I would think not, because I haven't seen any announcements about it on Town Hall. I can't believe the trouble she's having with that car. You all need to junk that sucker, quick!

    You drove a dark car without AC for FIVE years? I would have simply died! That is one thing I will NEVER be able to go without in a car. Hell, I get mad when I have to stick the key in the door to unlock it. :)
  • nikecarnikecar Member Posts: 460
    wouldn't trust those tires, but would he be open to the thought of a drop shipment from TireRack? you order the tires you want and it gets delivered to him and he installs it.
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    If you're interested in receiving a Protege Owners chat reminder via email, please send a request to Dana (dlivingston@edmunds.com). She will send you a weekly reminder.

    And don't forget tonight's chat!

    KarenS
    Host
    Owner's Clubs
  • shadowfax01shadowfax01 Member Posts: 4
    Hey everyone! I've been reading the posts for a few days now, and I'm so glad to see other people so happy and enthusiastic about their proteges!! I bought my sandlewood metallic 01 protege (auto, cass, premium package) less than a month ago and I absolutely love it!! It's my first car, and it's very fun to drive. You can't beat the reliability and the 0% financing was pretty good too. Anyways, just wanted to introduce myself, and I look forward to more great discussions about this amazing car!
  • unmarkedcarunmarkedcar Member Posts: 162
    I hope that you enjoy your time here. We try to make everyone welcomed! Let me know if I can help.
  • hollenhorst2hollenhorst2 Member Posts: 51
    I test drove a new 2001 ES auto today and really liked how it handled. However, I definitely noticed a subtle vibration transmitted through the steering wheel while the car was in motion. I also own a Subaru Forester and Nissan Maxima and don't feel it with those vehicles. It doesn't seem to detract from the accuracy of the steering, but it's just there. Is this normal?
  • theparallaxtheparallax Member Posts: 361
    Here's the URL for that article, couldn't post it because it was 'over 115 characters'.


    http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/guest/php3/openframe.php3?page=newnews/newsarticle.php3?id=2456

  • unmarkedcarunmarkedcar Member Posts: 162
    Yes it is normal. The Tires on this car have a lot to do with it. The poortenza tires are poor quality. If you drive the ES, you will notice it more. ES has a sport suspension. I have the LX and it is not as bad.
  • dannygdannyg Member Posts: 131
    I think the photo looks great, bring it on, Mazda!
  • hkchanhkchan Member Posts: 420
    The ES has Dunlops.
  • L8_ApexL8_Apex Member Posts: 187
    Feel free to provide a link to copyrighted pics but please don't post the pic here.

    Thanks,

    L8_Apex
    Host
    Sedans Message Board
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    ..on wheels! LOL! Those Audi’s really impress Mazda designers. It’s been a looong time since I have seen a car with that shape. To get away from jellybean shapes they go to loaves of bread for ideas.

    I’ll keep my cable and my 2001 Pro, thank you.

    fowler3
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    Logo...we need one! But you can not use the Mazda logo, in any way, without Mazda’s written permission.

    Let’s design one, have a contest!

    Then form an on-line MPO Club and go from there in organizing it.

    Any suggestions?

    fowler3
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    should be by regions in the USA, and include Canadian members, also. Patches and/or decals would be cool.

    And a newsletter.

    fowler3
  • browntrout1browntrout1 Member Posts: 72
    ...compared to Screaming Eagles!!! Ever driven a car with Goodyear Eagle's on them...they suck, or even worse, General Tire...they come stock on Altimas. I think the Potenza RE92 is not the best tire Bridgestone makes but most of the other Potenzas are amazing wet or dry. RE92 just wear fast and have average wet handling. They are a very good dry tire though. I've only had the inside tire squeal on me when going around a corner at an insane speed...which is expected.

    I'd rather have the Dunlops as a stock tire though. On another note, I saw a 911 go by today. The back tires had to be at least 12 inches wide. I think one tire on a 911 costs more than a set of tires on a Protege.
  • panamaltd2panamaltd2 Member Posts: 162
  • nikecarnikecar Member Posts: 460
    tell me about it.. I have an alty and I'm on my 6th pair (2 OE, 1 OE set replaced, 1 OE set replaced, 1st replacement replaced with Pirellis, 2nd replacements replaced, then the last set that was replaced got replaced again but by tire shop incompetence and their money)..

    I want them to last a yr at least because I'm buying rims next time...
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    No, Tammy hasn't had the baby yet. T minus about a month to go.

    She's actually interested in the Protege 5 in yellow. She loves yellow cars -- wanted a New Beetle but I've been fighting the good fight, telling her (and providing hard evidence) about unreliability and now declining sales. I'm just a little concerned that the yellow one looks like a model that will be extra -- "suped up" with plastic ground effects etc. -- stuff I don't want or need. That plastic stuff (a la Pontiac) may look great the first year or so, but after three or four years and a few winters, speed bumps, curbs, etc., it can look like crap. Give me a metal car, please.

    Meade
  • rnd2rnd2 Member Posts: 31
    sounds good to me, RUST NEVER SLEEPS on a long nite drive. you should try the 20 min. version of GET READY by RARE EARTH thats a great jam to let your mind get lost in at night
  • aardvark_markaardvark_mark Member Posts: 95
    Rumor has it there are only going to be 150 yellow Protege5's.. (read that in the Mazda 5-door sport forum)

    the ground effects will be standard on all the p5's..

    unfortunately, ground effects/roof rack/spoiler are standard, and ABS/side air bags are an option..

    and if you want the ABS and side airbags, you're forced to buy the moonroof as well.
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