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Comments
it's just rubber bushing hardening during cold weather.
As "meinard" said it's still 10000-1.
Dinu
I never had any major problems with the LX, but the low financing rate that Mazda Canada is offering was too good to pass up.
Not only that, but when I was in negotiations, I told my buddy about the MSP and he came along with me and traded in his 2002 Altima for a Titanium Gray MSP! He says he likes the MSP tons more than his Altima!
Anyway, happy zooming to all!
Congrast and happy motoring! And be careful with those alloys! No more hubcaps now:)
Dinu
It's getting pretty cold here too. Another winter...
Dinu
Nessie? Hmm I knew a "Nessie" on another forum, could this be the same? I'm also from Virginia.
Sorry your '99 didn't turn out, give Mazda another chance. Most dealers use the first 12 months to get the rattles and squeaks out. My 2001 didn't have any and still doesn't. Maybe the roads you travel aren't in the best shape?
fowler3
My Protege is approaching 46,000 miles since I got it in Jan '99. Been pretty great, though I admit my wif'es '03 P5 definitely corners flatter and has more oomph. A stiffer chassis and suspension and a torquier engine will do that though. Oh well, bought a bit early in the model's life cycle, but I still love it too much to part with it.
I also forgot to say that I got the g/f's sister to get a silver ES-GT as well. She lives w/ us right now b/c she's going to school. So right now, there are 2 ES-GT's at my house!
driving larger cars or SUVs, despite whether you traded from big to small or if you still have the larger vehicle. He's especially looking for drivers of the Mini Cooper, Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Dodge Neon, Hyundai Tiburon and Mazda Protege. Please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com by Tuesday, October 28, 2003 with your daytime contact info and the type of vehicles you had and have.
Thanks!
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Did I say I love the ES-GT?
Dinu
I have owned several vehicles and only this one has been a pain. I don’t know if mileage accounts for the noise but I have 64,452 miles on the car. Maybe that is a lot for a 99 Protégé but I live in Virginia where traffic is heavy. I am just amazed that so many love there Protégé, I must be missing something. While driving it today, the cassette player started making major cracking and static noises. (Yes, I still use a cassette play – I listen to books on tape while stuck in traffic.) I guess now I will have to get a new cassette player. If it is not one thing it is another. I may have to join the SUV club?
It seems like you've had problems with your Protege since you first bought it - if you are thinking of replacing it with another vehicle, the Town Hall has lots of resources that you will find helpful in making a replacement decision. Check out the tabs above for all kinds of info on new and used cars, as well as great tips and advice.
It is true that most of the folks who hang out here report excellent experiences with their Proteges. I suppose that you may be just the victim of bad luck.
Anyway, like I say, if you would like the folks here to try to help you with the issues you are having, all you have to do is ask. On the other hand, if your purpose is to continue to make the point that you are unhappy and need to make another decision, we hear you on that and wish you well. It's not necessary to belabor the point.
:-)
Good luck!
Dinu
Frankly, I think you're being a little hard on the car. For having just a noisy cassette player after 64,000 miles, you're doing pretty doggone well. We had to unload my wife's Chevy Cavalier because, at the ripe old age of 52,000 miles, it was on its third $600 head gasket and this one was leaking coolant like a sieve. My Dad raves about his 1997 Buick Riviera -- a 30,000 car back then -- and he doesn't see a problem with the fact that he's had to replace engine pulleys to the tune of $300 a pop twice in 70,000 miles. He's also on his third alternator in the car.
Not many people can brag that their engines have had zero problems in 65,000 miles -- but interestingly, Protege owners, from what I've seen here, can.
My Protege is a 2000 ES and, even though my car is a year newer than yours, I have 65,000 miles on it (and I live in Virginia too). Even so, I have had zero problems with the car.
Tell us a little more about your rattles and noises, and I'm sure the brain trust here can help you solve them.
Meade
-lk
Meade
The first real engine sharing is going to be the awesome 2.3l I-4 that is in the M6, and now soon the M3, and also Ford Rangers and some Focus-es. Its a great engine, with decent low-end, lots of spunk and VERY rev happy. Take my word for that or go test drive it!
[ ...
The defect was found inside a sensor in the engine that could lead to a short-circuit and stop the engine from working. There have been no reports of accidents caused by the problem. ...
The recall affects many popular cars manufactured between 1998 and May 2003, including the Sunny, March, Cube, Primera, Presage, X-Trail, Skyline and Fairlady Z, as well as two cars built for Subaru-maker Fuji Heavy Industries and Mazda Motor Corp. on an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) basis ...]
It seems it concerns Mazda Familia, aka Japanese Protegé(5). I'm not sure which market cars are specifically concerned. I have just sent an email to MazdaUSA and request the information.
Bruno
(model - score - overall ranking)
1. Mazda 323 - 88.1 - 9
2. Toyota Corolla (older - pre-Dec 01) - 86.4 - 22
3. Honda Civic (new) - 85.7 - 28
4. Honda Civic (older - pre-Dec 00) - 85.5 - 29
5. BMW 3-Series (Compact) - 85.2 - 32
Dinu
A powertrain from wrecked Focus SVT became available. Very inexpensive and I was thinking it would be a very nice combination in the Protege LX I have. Darn.
Dear Bruno,
Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to you.
You are requesting current campaign information regarding your 2002 Mazda Protegé5. According to our records, your 2002 Mazda Protegé5, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) XXX has no open Mazda Recall Campaigns or Special Service Programs at this time.
Please understand recalls are mandated by the Federal Government, not by individual car manufacturers. Also, keep in mind that Recalls & Special Service Programs are VIN specific. As such, not all vehicles produced during a model year will be affected.
In regards to your question on the sensor, Mazda is not affiliated with Nissan and therefore, we do not have information on Nissian's Recall or what sensor is involved. The Mazda Familia is not a vehicle made for the United States Market. I am not familiar with that particular vehicle, however, Mazda vehicles made for other markets do normally have different specifications than vehicles made for the United States market. Because recalls are issued by the Federal Government and not individual car manufacturers you may want to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for further assistance with your question. You can reach them at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
Again, thank you for contacting Mazda. It has been my pleasure to assist you. Please feel free to reply to this message with any further questions or comments.
...]
Short version: they do not know!
See what Audi did with the S4 - a compact (almost sub-compact) car with a V8!
my Protege is still running strong, NO RUST!!!
Dinu
I cleaned the whole rear undercarriage of my car today...and added a zoom-zoom sticker to my AWR rear swaybar, for those interested:
http://www.knology.net/~negatize/images/IMG_1663.JPG
Mine is at 66-67K, but kms not miles
Dinu
I have a friend in Florida who is hard on cars, he can trash a new car in 30-days. He takes his frustrations out on his car and anything else mechanical. Some people are like that.
fowler3
And, YES, I will be ontime. The room opens 15 minutes early, first one in turns on the lights.
fowler3
-Paul
Paul do you live in Baltimore or DC?
-Larry
Btw, I have 64,025 miles on my 2000 Protege ES and my wife, Trudy has 63,295 on her 2000 Protege ES and neither Mazda rattles, rusts or squeaks.
Larry, have you had your 60K service(s) done yet? I haven't (I've changed the oil, of course), and just like when I was late for my 30K service (did it at about 34,000 miles), I can tell the car wants new plugs. I smell rotten eggs every so often. Man, these cars KNOW when it's time for a tune-up! Gotta find $250 and take it in!
BTW Larry, Paul lives in Baltimore, right near the Inner Harbor. I don't think he's capable of responding here at this time. Or so he says.
Meade
And I never smell rotten eggs, sure you didn't leave a grocery bag under your seat?
Your right on, Raymond. Time for us to swap them again. 730 miles is as far as I've ever let them get apart.
Been, also thinking about get 2 sets of dedicated snow tires and rims? I guess now is the time to do the deed if I'm gonna. Time to visit TireRack.com and prolly stop by NTW too. Anyone else thinking snow tires for a 15 inch wheel this winter?
-lovetrain
No, gonna schedule both of em next week. Cost me at least $450 each. I'll have the usual dealer vodoo checks & lube, tranny service, oil-n-filter, front break shoes replaced, and plugs and wires done.
-oldhead
Here in VA the manual calls for timing belt replacement at 105K miles due to emissions stuff, for some reason ... and my service writer at the dealership confirmed and supported waiting until at least 90K, citing his own Honda Civic whose belt he replaced at 90K with no problems. Check your manual to see if PA is included in that regional thingy.
(Nice to have that timing belt service placed so wonderfully after 100K, when I know Zoomster (poor ol' buddy) will be in someone else's hands, and his timing belt will be an S.E.P.
(Somebody Else's Problem)
Good Lord willin' an' the creek don' rise, I'll be toolin' along happily in my '05 Mazda3 by then!
Meade
P.S. Nothing like a good little mileage debate to get this group going on a windy morning!
Meade
-Dr. Larry