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Comments
Meade
Meade
fowler3
You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Yes, the 3 and 6 may be cool, but you still own Proteges. Doesn't your zoom-zoom mobile still deserve your admiration? Remember, one day not too long back in the hazy past, you thought THIS car was the greatest thing since sliced Daewoo.
Think of your poor car. Neglected. Sad. Feeling unloved because you don't brag about it anymore. Feeling like Charlie in the Box in the Land of Lost Toys.
Watch out -- that sadness may turn to revenge. Your car knows your financial situation and is not afraid to dump a little coolant, oil or tranny fluid on the driveway to get your attention.
Meade
Since I am having surgery tomorrow on this leg, perhaps a new topic should be how to drive your automatic or manual with your left leg only!
How many times can we write "I love my car". I suppose we could do it every day just to keep posts up, but for what?
When I started here, this board was a nice mix of on topic and off topic posts and was very active. But over time we have been forced into posting only on topic subjects without any of the off topic things to keep us busy.
So without the car being new, and with the car being so reliable, there just isn't enough to talk about that is clearly on topic.
So rather than be told to stay on topic, no one posts.
And what does Zoomster think about that picture on your other site?
Meade
Where's Larry? Dale? Jason? Etc.? We were madly in love enough with our cars for almost a dozen of us to drive hundreds of miles to spend a weekend together less than three months ago. Now some of these same people can't post in three weeks??? Where's the love, my friend? WHERE'S THE LOVE?
(Maybe meeting you killed it for them!!!)
Meade
"A 2004 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT AWD Turbo."
I am weeping right now. Tears are falling on my shaking fingers and I am rife with grief. I must shuffle sadly down the hall and secure a Kleenex.
Sigh.
Meade
J/K Meade - if more of us would post here, maybe we'd be in the Top 10.
As for "my" PRO, I am happy to report it has continued to drive like the fine-oiled machine it is.
Really, it drives great, smooth and Zoomy just like 2 yrs ago.
Dinu
(At the expense of my own pride and, sometimes, my high-ranking good standing with the Powers That Be!)
(Hi Pat!)
Meade
Its gonna get a great wash/wax/interior detail job before I advertise it for sale. Gave me almost 3 and a half years of flawless service and tonnes of fonne (yeah, I know - I like spelling it that way)
Especially since the two discussions are often intertwined. It makes the conversation disjointed. I read something here that sparks a thought, but it's off topic, so I have to go post it in Posse. But then it doesn't make much sense to anyone who didn't read the original post in Protege.
While there is no reason it can't work, I tend to think it's an unconsious thing that we just don't get over.
So in the end, both groups suffer a lack of posting.
As for the remark being "snide", I don't think that is so. I don't hide the fact that I think we have taken too much grief over off topic posting here. There is no reason for me to try and be sly about it, I'll keep my disparaging comments right out in the open.
Oh yeah, you should see how dirty my Pro5 is. Dew in the moring combined with dust from road construction creates one extremely brown, blue car.
Dirty Pro5, huh? You oughta see Tammy's white one! The rear collects all that black dust from the road, and then the dew collects on the bumper and ... YUCK!
Meade
P.S. I know the perfect shot-in-the-arm this group needs! We need someone to go out and buy new tires! Or ask about brakes! Or buy a Jetta! No, wait ...
I know there is no law against it, but sometimes it would be nice for a lurker to make a post. If everyone did that, I bet we'd still be towards the top of the discussion list.
...and BTW Meade, I'm glad it was just your tongue.
Meade
More on topic though...since I'm a newcomer and a new owner of a Protege, I'll tell you that this is the first new car that has NOT been back to the dealer to get "tweaked" in the first 3000 miles. That's a nice change. EVERY other car that has been bought, and leased for that matter, has some kind of flaw to be corrected. 97% Japanese parts content is a good thing!!
Pretty soon everyone except Meade will be trading in their Proteges for SUVs. Well, Meade and me anyway.
For me, back to packing and awaiting the next severe thunderstorm or tornado to hit...get me outta here!
Meade
It's been so great (other than my little occasional issue with the AT...see problems board), but I have noticed I've been putting more wear on my tires since I went to the RevItUp event in Chicago. I have noticed I've worn the inside tread of my right-rear tire more than the rest. I think this has to do with a particular S-curve on the way home from work that I consistenly lift that wheel on. I hear lots of squealing and scrubbing, so I'm not surprised.
This can get to be an expensive habit, but it's so hard to keep from driving my Protege so spiritedly.
And it's not impacted my mpg much. I don't stomp on the gas pedal, I just try to carry more speed through curves. I don't carry as much as I can as I don't use the brake much either.
Speaking of which, looks like I've got a good shot at making 50,000miles on the original brake pads. I just checked them at 43,000 and I've easily got at least .125in on the most worn one (inside pad of the front-passenger side wheel). It pays to coast to stops (though some folks tailgate me when I do it...like they're getting through the stop any faster by stomping around on their pedals like mad horses).
(Drip drip)
We had to replace the 5000s on my wife's 2002 Protege5 this month, after barely getting 20,000 miles out of them.
Rain slicks, they were.
Meade
Meade
Ok, now a question. The 6i get's a lot of condensation on the outside of the windshield at night (A/C is ALWAYS on in FL). The PRO almost NEVER gets any outside condensation (same conditions). Anyone want to hazard a guess as to why?
Do you think the angle/steepness of the windshield has anything to do with it?
Meade
Meade, I noticed your post questioning the CELs, etc... on the 6 board. There really have been very few problems with the 6. I believe that most are of the non-issue type and the ECM/PCM re-flashes have corrected most.
Joe
I forget how wide the windshield defroster output vent is on the 6. It's pretty wide on the Protege, and the cold air is well-diffused over a broad area. I recall that Neons exhibit this condensation behavior, and I think it's due to its very narrow windshield output vents concentrating the cold air on a small area of the windshield.
There may be an eddy region there, which allows the warm, moist air to stay in contact with the cold glass longer, chilling it more and depositing more moisture. Stick some telltales (use some audio tape or other light stringy material) to see what the wind is doing.
Maybe there is a low tech fix like deflecting the air flow some??? Maybe add a tacky bug deflector (lol).
Dinu
Just found this list. I own a 1999 Protege ES, which I bought new. I now have slightly over 65000 miles on it, and I need to replace the tires (took it in for oil change/tire rotation, and the dealer said that's about all the life I'm going to be able to squeeze out of the original Potenzas that are still on there). THe Potenzas have obviously had excellent tread life/wear, but they've been HORRIBLE on wet pavement, and even worse in snow (I live in Indianapolis).
SO, what would you all recommend as a good "all season" replacement tire? I'm extremely happy with this car, and plan on keeping it for at least another 65,000 miles. A friend of mine (not a Protege owner) recommended the Toyo ... I'd honestly never heard of them before. Anyone had experience with those on an ES?
Other suggestions/comments welcome!
Thanks in advance,
--Merle
http://www.toyo.com/
I have found that Toyo makes excellent tires.
But..I already found two problems.
1) The key wouldn't open door on the driver's side. It only opens from the passenger side!!!!!!
2) According to Edmunds, the LX model comes standard with the keyless entry. I didn't receive one when I got the car. And the sales guy tried to make me pay around $200 to install a new one. Am I not supposed to get the standard equipment when I buy the used car???
Any advice on what to do?
BTW, Does LX come standard with alloy wheels?
Your advice will be greatly appreciated.
And it's not my fault, I swear!
I am pretty sure the 02 LXs came with alloy wheels, but you had to get the sunroof as well to get the 'package discount'.
Having owned and hydroplaned/totaled a Poortenza-shod 1992 Protege LX at 28,000 miles, when I got my 2000 ES with the same crappy tires I put tire replacement high on my to-do list. In true Bridgestone form, despite frequent balancing, rotating and alignment checks, they lost wet grip at about 20,000 miles and wore out completely at about 30,000 miles. I initially tried a set of Dunlop SP Sport A2s but they also turned out to be awful tires. Then I followed the advice of several folks here who'd made the following move and purchased a set of B.F. Goodrich Touring T/A VR4s, which are available at Costco and other chains and are a very economical yet nice-handling tire. So far I have about 5,000 miles on mine and they're doing very well; no complaints.
At least four owners on this discussion have these tires on their Proteges.
Whatever you decide -- do it quickly. Poortenzas are dangerous tires (especially in the rain) when they've got some mileage on them. I speak from experience and from hitting the back of a stopped Volvo 245DL at 45 mph!!!
And welcome, by the way!
Meade
I just wish these people would remember Mazda's commitment to building vehicles that are fun to drive in every category, and keep in mind that the 6 and the MPV are alternatives.
Also, keep in mind that Larry was on fire about Corollas not a year ago, so I think we're learning he's as fickle as you-know-who!!!
Personally, with a small family of my own just getting started, our Protege/Protege5 combination is just right. And we don't have any plans to increase the size of our family at this time. In any case, being a former hatchback fan in the 80s, I'll be looking hard at the 3 wagon and hatch when it's time to put Zoomster out to pasture. I'll probably be looking at the first of the 2006 models, so don't y'all get all excited just yet!
Admittedly a lot can happen in the two years I'm talking about, so my target may change to a 6 wagon provided they bring 'em over here. But the thought of that cute little 3 wagon (pictured on the other site) with a 2.3-liter four in it is irresistable right now, and I can't wait to test-drive one!
Meade
You can buy a new remote from any Mazda dealer. I think up to 3 remotes can be stored in the car's computer.
Sounds like the driver door lock cylinder is broken. Up to you if you want to fix it, as you can just use your keyless entry fob. Easier to replace the battery than the lock cylinder.
Sigh.
Meade
This car is a 40-mile daily commuter, so milage came into the game too. The very first car I considered buying was Honda Civic though. Now I have protege, I think it's a better buy overall.
BTW...I'm thinking about buying a keyless entry from EBAY and programming it myself according to the instructions I found on some protege board. I hope it works.
Ugh!
I know Hyundai's got a great warranty. I know Hyundai has improved drastically since the days of my '88 Excel. I know Hyundai is growing like crazy.
I just wish they'd build attractive cars that aren't so ... er ... "unique" in appearance!
Meade
Only the major parts?
I'm thinking about buying an online extended warranty very soon.
Mazda changed their basic warranty mid-2002. You'll have to check with Mazda or a dealer, I guess, to see which you have:
Pre-mid-2002: 3 years/50,000 miles
Post-mid-2002: 4 years/50,000 miles
Of course, if you're a high-mileage type like me (which is apparent by your admission of your long commute), the years don't really change anything. I've got a 3-year-and-2-month-old 2000 ES with 60,700 miles on it. But I did extend the warranty when I bought the car; it's covered for 7 years/100,000 miles bumper-to-bumper with a $50 deductible. Haven't had to use it and from prior experience (knock on a Japanese Maple), I probably won't have to use it. But for the $13 a month it added to my car payment, it seems like pretty good peace of mind.
Meade
Thank you for answering my questions.