Mazda Protegé

maltb

Paul,
Having had a black car, I became a shade seeker. Every place I parked I looked for shade even if it meant a long walk to where I was going. Of course, you do get a little sap from the tree and possibly some stuff from whatever is living in the tree, so there is a trade-off. Aside from that, you may want to see if NASA has any used air-conditioned suits.

Just think about Zooming on a Friday night with your clean Pro.

mazdafun

It's actually in the owner's manual, but in the "what to do in an emergency" section, not the maintenance or specifications sections, as one would think.

The listed torque is 90-120N-m (66.4-92.9 lbf-ft) per nut. FYI, I have a 99 LX.

It's best to snug up the nuts while wobbling the wheel to properly seat the nuts before tightening them down to avoid damaging the cones in the lug nut wells too. The more I think about the damage they can cause, the more I'm against the use of powered tools on cars for maintenance items.

mazdafun

It's awful cramped in the Protege engine bay. That's why I'll probably pay someone to change out the belts in my Pro instead of servicing them myself, like I do with my 323. Still, I prefer a compact car to a mid-size like the 626. Besides, I actually have more headroom in my Pro than in a 626.

There's gobs of room around the engine in my 89 323, but it produces only 81hp and 92lbf-ft.

protegenic

OK, we all know black is hotter, but having lived my entire life in Texas and now Georgia, you know what? In the summer they are all hot inside! Crack the windows if you can when parking and use the re-circulation setting when you are trying to cool the interior down fast. Anther thing I do is go with the windows down for a few minutes to get the stifling hot air out. Roll 'em up and you should be in good shape in a shorter amount of time.

mdaffron

The A/C is SUPPOSED to blow cooler in the recirculate mode. That's the coldest setting. Read your owner's manual.

BTW everybody, "Emerald Mica" ain't that far from black either. My 2000 gets nice n' toasty in the sun. But I have owned black AND white cars in the past, and I can definitely tell the difference!

Paul, if you'll keep your windows partially down for the first few minutes you're driving, you can let some of that trapped hot air -- which can reach 130 degrees or so -- out, cooling the car down to maybe 90 to 100 -- and that'll help your A/C a great deal. After five minutes or so, put your windows up and make sure that baby's set on recirculate -- then the system will be progressively cooling air that's already been cooled. If you keep it on the fresh air setting, it's constantly pulling in outside-temperature air and have to cool it.

Meade

techblast1

Looking at the ES 2.0. Mazda says they can deal much better on the LX 2.0 with discounts and lower APR (4.9%) for 60 months. Leasing is not so good as the residual value is ONLY 35%!!!!! Versus Honda at ~50%. For example I can buy an LX 2.0 with the Comfort and Premium package for 14,512US. What do I loose as far as handling quality? Is the body and chassis the same as far as stiffness and sheet metal improvements? I realize the brakes are not as good due to the rear drums and slightly smaller rotors and that the tire size drops an inch, but I believe the anti sway bars and frame improvements should be identical?

Heck I guess I need to test drive the LX 2.0. Have only looked at the ES

P.S. Damn nice car (ES), handling is in a class of its own. Price is great, but leasing costs more than a Honda Civic as the depreciation is still higher in the Protege.

vocus

The Civic is a very boring car to drive though, with its redesigned low-tech suspension and boxy shape. Nothing can outhandle the Protege ES (except maybe an Impreza WRX), and it's alot of fun to drive. I know first-hand that Mazdas don't hold their value well though, but that's true with almost every small car. If you can get a better deal with the Civic, then go for it. But make your decision carefully, as you will have to drive the car for several years.

Meade: I do open the windows and sunroof (to vent position w/shade closed) and recirc. the AC. I start with all 4 windows and roof open to vent (the car is parked that way anyway), then roll up the front 2. After about 3 mins., I put up the back windows. Then, close the roof after about 5 or so. It's still hot as hell inside though. Oh well, guess that's the price you pay for having a svelte colored car.

Malt: It's kinda hard to shine my car up due to the amount of scratches all over it. I have one large one on the hood near the symbol in the front, and many smaller ones all over. I guess it's the price I pay for living in the city.

ashutoshsm

(I just posted this at the Protege5 forum; just got back from test driving a Pro5 when I had the service department rotate the tires on my 95 DX.)

And what fun it was!

That wagon (I almost forgot it wasn't a car, it handles SO well) handles amazingly well!

Congratualtions to all buyers on their purchase!
If I needed a wagon, I know which one I'd buy!

On a side note, on some really sharp turns at speed, and abrupt lane changes, I felt the TTL (suspension-steering on the rear) kick in. Familiar feeling, I have a 95 DX - but WAY better feel! The suspension and the low-profile tires help it handle really well!

The 2.0 engine doesn't rev as happily as the 1.8 from older Proteges (ES), but definitely has more torque and power that you can feel. Its a little slow to kick in - almost like a turbo!

The interior is excellent, by small car standards, and I, for one, like the copper/silver trim as mush if not more than the black trim from last year's models (ES).

In short, all superlatives for a Nice Nice car. And the salesperson was pretty nice to let me try it (cosidering I service my 95 Pro there all the time, including my recent 60K mile service!).

Again, for people considering wagons in this price range, that don't nearly need an SUV, this is the one to buy!

-ashu

ps: I asked about possible changes for the next model year, and unfortunately traction control is not being considered. But doing that would entirely eliminate demand for the 626, I guess! I mean, whats left - the Pro (in every variant) is as good if not better than the 626, already! Not to mention Japan-built with no Ford transmission parts!

tocan

Recirc will keep recirculating colder air, true, but you shouldn't run with it for too long, because it also recirculates the carbon dioxide you breathe out. You should be using fresh air most of the time; it is much healthier. (Although sometimes if I am in heavy traffic with lots of fumes I will use recirc to keep it out of the passenger compartment.)

Nomi

panamaltd2

Hey guys, one of you ( I can't remember who) told me in the chat room about a website at newcardesign.com but I can't find the site! Can you help me please

newcar31

I think the torque specs are going to be different on the ES model. A 99 LX has plastic hub caps with steel wheels right? Alloys generally have a lower torque spec, I am going to have to look them up. Protogenic---I used to have a black integra and I cracked the windows when I parked also---it made the interior get dusty real quick. I haven't been in the chats recently because I have been working. I remember hearing that someone wanted tailights that looked like the P5 lights for their sedans. Here is the link: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/dpstore/dp-nv14880.html

repj

I just noticed that my CD player isn't working in my 99 ES. Will take it to the dealer after I get back from a week's vacation in Maine. Can't wait to get out of DC and the heat here. I think that I will have the dealer check the A/C too. When I first bought the car I was super impressed with the A/C. The output was ice cold. Now it is just cool. Does anyone know how the dealer checks to see if the a/c is in spec, and what the specs are???

Thanks

mdaffron

Black is a boring color. Old-fashioned. Think: Ford Model T.

To quote Henry Ford way back when:

"We'll paint 'em any color, 'long as it's black."

Just kidding. But I've had my black car experiences. Between keeping it clean and keeping it cool, I can't decide which reason I'm glad I'm not driving one now!

It's supposed to hit 95 here in Richmond today, and through the weekend. Boy it's nice to have a car with a killer air conditioner.

Meade

vocus

Meade: Maybe the 1999-2000 Protege ES looked boring in black, but the 2001 looks very nice IMO. The 16-inch wheels, rear spoiler, fog lamps, black-chrome grille, and revised styling all make the black look very sporty and classy. Once I saw the car on the showroom floor, that was the clencher for me. I am glad I got that color, except when it comes time to wash it.

NC: The taillamps you linked to aren't the same as the P5's are. Yours are Altezza lights, and can be had cheaper through EBay as well. If you look at both designs next to each other, you will see a significant difference in design. And I am the one that wanted the P5 taillamps for my ES sedan.

peregrine_11

Wanted to tap the brains of those who know more about suspensions than me (which is probably everyone). I love the firmness of my 01 Pro-ES's suspension, but I've gotten worried a couple times while driving on the freeway because I've hit little "speed bumps" made by over-winter repairs to the road and they've really jolted the car (the change in the ashtray rattles, the stuff in the trunk bounces around). I'm usually going between 55-70 when this happens.

I don't mind the bounces, myself, but I did want to see if I'd need to be at all concerned about the suspension. I'm assuming it's gotta be tough enough to handle these jolts (it's not like I'm burying the tires in a pothole or anything), but it just got me wondering. Any thoughts?

re34240

I just bought my 2001 Protege ES yesterday. and I love it! It it my first 4 cyl car, and its fun to drive.

Last night, I was going to go cruising with my girlfriend and the moon roof open. to my dismay when I turned the lights on... the dash lights didn't come on. I couldn't see my gauges or anything.

headlights worked. tail lights did NOT. and if I left the lights on when I left the car. there was no warning tone.

I was going to take it to the dealership this morning to have it looked at but.. everything works today! very strange. I didn't mess with anything. anyone have any similar experiences or any ideas on what could be wrong?

fowler3

panamaltd2, one of these days I will get that URL right in the chat room. The subject line is the correct URL.

It’s a web site for professional and student car designers worldwide. It also includes the International Car Shows, many of which are not in automobile magazines. There are exhibits from car interior designers and suppliers. And proposed car designs from freelancers hired by the manufacturers, including Mazda.

You can spend hours on that one web site. Over 3000 photos taken at recent car shows.

fowler3

fowler3

There's a change box to the left of the steering wheel that has some flocking in it to prevent change rattles. The ashtray is plastic.

Try avoiding tar patches as you drive. Look way ahead and steer so your wheels pass to the sides or the car passes over them. You can't miss all of them, but it helps.

fowler3

newcar31

I know they are not the exact same as the P5 tailights but they are similiar. If you wanted the P5 lights, you are going to have to do some *major* body work.

vocus

I would probably be better off trading for the P5, but I am not going to do that. I have already decided that my next car is going to have more power. I like the power in the Protege ES, but there are some times (like when merging into fast moving traffic with the AC on high) that I want more power. I do plan to keep this Protege for several years, as I just got it. But my next car (around 2005 or so) will be a V6 mid-size one.

mdaffron

Paul's unhappy again!!!



Meadeball

charis

I am hoping to buy an ES or LX2.0 in the next couple of days. Ruled out the Civic - didn't like it nearly as much.

How are you (and where are you )thinking you can get the LX2.0 w/ Comfort and Premium for 14,512? I'd love that.

This is my first car purchase and I'm trying to figure out how to get the best deal The car you've mentioned comes to 15684 invoice. I'd love that car, but don't want to pay that price (I'll be adding AT to it as well). I've had trouble figuring out the discounts and such. How did you end up at 14521?

thanks

vocus

It does sound awfully familiar, doesn't it? Nah, I am keeping my ES for the long run. I ate some negative equity (about $1000 or so, since I had 2 trade-ins) on this car, so I will keep it for awhile until it's paid down or off. I plan to pay $80 or so extra a month on my car payment though, as to pay the car off a year early.

drew_

fowler3

Have you considered turning the AC OFF, momentarily, while you merge with traffic? That would give you the boost.

;D

fowler3

vocus

It would also give me a face full of hot air. Not in 90+ degree weather, can't stand no AC even for a second. Also, it seems like the AC isn't that cold even in recirc. mode and it takes a long, long time for the car to cool itself down. Even with the windows cracked, it still takes awhile.

fritz1224

You got 12 mo/12k mile for free adjustments, including adding refrigerant if needed. Take advantage of it and have it checked. Then keep a close eye on it and if it stops cooling to your satisfaction have them fix it. Of course the black color will definitely strain any cars A/C. You do have black, don't you?

patricesc

What a great forum you have here.
I was so disappointed earlier this week when TWO Honda dealers rejected my reasonable offers on a 2001 EX.
Now I am glad!! It forced me back to Edmunds & putting 3 more compact vehicles on my list: Sentra, Corolla & Protege. Today I drove all three & fell MADLY, PASSIONATELY in love with the Protege. I already have a PIN # & wanted to use the S-Plan to buy the Protege on the spot, but the two Mazda dealers in my area (Charleston, SC) don't have the car I want: Light Sandalwood Manual ES w/Premium package. Four questions for you "Pro" fans:
1. Is anyone able to locate a dealership within 300 miles that has "my" car?
2. If I buy it out of state, will I have to pay BOTH state taxes (I will be transferring tags from my current vehicle)
3. True or false: If I receive the current $500 rebate, am I ineligible for the great financing Mazda is offering right now (36 months for 1.9% -- local dealer told me I couldn't have both, but I cannot imagine why not
4. I have never owned a moonroof before & can't wait to have one ... what is the purpose of the "moonroof wind deflector"?
Thank you kindly for helping me & I can't wait to write y'all notes about ZOOMING!!

newcar31

I am not sure about your other questions, but I got 0% financing, $400 college grad rebate, and 6 months defered payment at the same time. Assuming that you cannot get them both and you pay sticker price, here is the deal without tax:
$16,895-
$500
=$16,395 @ roughly 8.0% for 36 months= $513.76 per month
or
$16,895 @ 1.9% for 36 months= $483.18 per month
Go for the 1.9% if you cannot get both, it is about $1100 difference in financing which is obviously better than a $500 rebate.

panamaltd2

Sometimes my moon roof makes some noise when it is in the open position. The moon roof deflector will help channel the air going past the moon roof up and above the moon roof opening so you don't get as much wind noise. Personally I would not get it because it sticks up and doesn't look very good. The noise from the moon roof isn't very much anyway. You can buy the car now without the deflector and if you decide you need one they can install one for you.

Sporin

You should only have to pay the sales tax in the state you REGISTER the car in.

patricesc

You ALL answered my questions so well. Thank you for the responses. I decided I am willing to go ANY state surrounding South Carolina to find the one I want.
The interest rates MAZDA is offering are incredible -- does anyone know if there is an expiration date for them? (I'd hate to lose 1.9% in lieu of locating side air bags!)
Again, I thank you for all the information.

fowler3

I, too, bought my Pro LX 2.0 at the High Point NC dealer and was talking to edmunds2460’s salesman yesterday about his (edmunds2460’s) deal and the car he bought. They had to find it for him, and we discussed that. I can ask tomorrow what they think the chances are of finding a Light Sandelwood ES.
That's the "gold" I think.

You should pay the taxes in S.C., but the most important thing you need to get first is the S.C. inspection sticker. You have time to pay the taxes, think it’s 30 days from date of purchase.

Will you be getting new tags, or be driving with a NC 30-day tags? If the latter, get the SC inspection sticker and carry the bill of sale in the car until you get SC tags. If you are stopped show the officer the bill of sale and your drivers license. You shouldn’t have any problems though.

The wind deflector also keeps a blast of air from hitting backseat passengers in the face. But I agree with the others, buy it later, they snap-in on clips. At the High Point dealer -- dealer installed options are YOUR option, with the exception of the pinstripe, which they install perfectly along the car’s horizontal character line from tail lamp to headlight. (Not above and curved like most dealers.) It ads length to the appearance of the car.

The HP dealer has a whole bunch of the new Protegé 5’s in stock, you might like one of those. No Light Sandelwood. Red,Silver, Blue, and Black. The interior trim is completely different from the ES, more of the brushed aluminum, different fabrics; and a really sharp leather-wrapped Nardi steering wheel.

Your best route: Charleston-->to Columbia-->to Charlotte-->to High Point.

fowler3

vocus

I had the dealer check the cooling of the AC, and they said it was fine. Must just be the black.

fowler3

I’ve noticed that, too. Even the LX 2.0 takes a while to really cool the cabin down, but if you can drive at speeds above 35mph for 15 minutes it starts to cool down faster. DO keep your windows closed. It’s also a problem of small vent ducts.

I’m cold-natured and have to shut the AC off for a while or add heat to the blend on 90-degree days.
Can’t stand that cold air blowing directly on me.

Somebody mentioned a while back that they have to set the fan to #2, or above. Most cars require at least fan #2 when running the AC or it will freeze up the condenser.

fowler3

fowler3

When Honda’s "legendery quality" edged closer to myth with the 1998 series Accord,and now, the 2001 Civics, I decided to look at all other offerings from other companies. They haven’t been sitting on their hands all these years.

I am so happy I did! Protegés are like good wine, they get better and better as they age. (As you drive them.)

The 2001 Pro’s are every bit as good as what Honda is offering these days. Almost as spacious as an Accord, better handling than both the Accord and the Civic. Much better interior design and fabrics than the Civic. And more power.

When a manufacturer starts decontenting its best cars, start lookig around, get ahead of the crowd while you can get a great deal from a car maker who has been working hard to meet the challenge.

fowler3

fowler3

Worked in the yard all afternoon and then had to cook dinner for Tippy, my dog. Then get my dinner. Watched TV and, writing these messages. Time for bed.

fowler3

patricesc

Thank you for your input.
At the risk of sounding HUGELY corny, I've been praying about this car purchase for a long, long time & waiting for the 'inspiration' to move forward. It came last week, so I launched into my plan of obtaining prices from two local dealerships & having my own price war.
It backfired, they wouldn't budge & I was incredibly disappointed. Choices: 1. buck up & pay more $ for Civic EX or 2. consider other options.
The rest y'all have read about in previous posts (edmunds/homework/test driving other makes/
& falling in love with the Protege ).
I want to tell you something funny too ... I have read over two thousand of the 2949 posts in this forum & couldn't figure out where the Zoom Zoom thing came from UNTIL I logged onto MazdaUSA's wedsite and HEARD it with my own ears.
I LOL'd & grinned silently.
Thanks again. I'll keep you informed about my purchase so others can benefit from my experience as I did from theirs.

peregrine_11

I'm ticked off--I discovered something this weekend that I'm not happy about.

I was driving with my brother yesterday and went to make a relatively quick, but not crazy, lane change and heard a bit of a pop, like something had hit me (not a car, something else). I hadn't seen anything in the lane and even looked in my rearview after making the lane change and couldn't see anything there, either.

So, I drove the car for a little while and it was driving fine, then I pulled over to look at the car and make sure I didn't have any scratches, dents, etc. I went all around the car and didn't see anything, then, as an afterthought, looked on the undercarriage--and saw something on the other side of the car that looked frayed. I went around to get a closer look and saw that there was a piece of what I'm assuming is the soundproofing rubber that looked like it'd been blown out from the inside of the car out (not just scraped by something--besides, I haven't hit or driven over anything that would've done that). It was cool to the touch, so I'm not sure it was something that had just happened.

Anyway, I'm going to take it into the dealer to see if it's something they can fix, but I'm assuming it's not under warranty, so I'm really ticked off. If I'd driven over something or hit something and it was my fault, I'd be less ticked, but I've only had the car for a month and this just burns me...

vocus

Since you have only had the car for one month, I don't see why it wouldn't be covered. Take it to the dealer and don't worry about it until they tell you to.

the_big_h

impressions re cars down there:

- just about everybody has their windows tinted, for fighting the Texas sun I guess. Looks really nice, I think I'll tint mine too when I get the chance.

- Pickups, lots of it. Every 3rd or 4th vehicle I see on the road is a pickup. Never seen that many pickups on the road at the same time around here. Lots of F-150s.

- Did not see ONE Protege. Actually didn't see that many Mazdas down there either, saw 1 Miata and 1 626, and that's about it. Guess Mazda's not big down there.

- The gas price is amazing. $1.38 for regular? I haven't seen that kind of price around here for years.

any Texans would like to comment on these?

portly56

Hey all: I can't figure out how to search Edmund's forums efficiently. If this has been discussed before on the protege forum before, please let me know.

I want the new 140hp engine from the MP3 dropped into my 2000 ES. I know nothing about cars: is this possible? Could I buy the engine from mazda? Could it be installed with no problems? Could I sell my used engine? Can anyone estimate the cost of such an operation? What about the warrenty?

Thank you! Sorry if this has been discussed before.

Sporin

The extra 10 HP comes from a different exhaust, intake manifold and tweaked engine management (increased timing?) as I understand it. Otherwise, it is essentially the same engine.

I don't see the logic in doing an engine swap for 10 extra ponies.

portly56

my 2000 es has only 122 hp (as opposed to 130 in the 2001 ES), so its actually 18 hp and and (I think) 22 lbs of extra torque. I think the 2001 ES/MP3 engine is also based on a new design vs. the 2000 ES.

But, could I *truly* get a 10-20 hp/torque increase with some engine mods? I would definitely rather do that vs. a new engine!!

Sporin

Is your engine the 2.0? I didn't realize the HP was up for the '01's. For '01, that engine has 130hp and the MP3 has the above-mentioned bolt-ons and software that give it another 10.

I imagine you could get your '00 engine (122hp) to 140 with bolt-ons if you can find the right stuff. Exhaust, headers, intake, and revised engine management should get you that.

bluong1

Talking about 2L engine, I notice that the engine of the Protege sale in US and Canada has different characteristics than elsewhere:

US&canada
---------
Power:130hp@6000rpm
Torque 18.7Nm (135 ft.lb)@4000rpm
Compression ratio 9.1
Max speed (P5) 195km/h (122miles/h)
Acceleration (P5) 0-100km/h 10.4s

Austria, German, UK, Australia, Japan, ... (?)
--------------------------------
Power 130hp@6000rpm
Torque 17.4Nm (126 ft.lb) @4500rpm
Compression ration 9.7
Max speed (P5) 203km/h (127miles/h)
Acceleration (P5) 0-100km/h 9.7s

Bruno

dran

This is based on things I have heard which may not be fact, but may be worth your time investigating. Some veterans may want to comment. I thought someone said the 2000 ES 1.8 liter engine was based off of the miata's engine. If so could someone bolt on a miata turbo or super charger. I know they're available (came across them looking for protege parts), and can add 50hp and up. If I had a 2000 ES this is the question I would be trying to answer

edmund2460

There's no insp. sticker needed in SC fowler. My High Point dealer of course put the NC sticker on. I'm tickled that they remember me. Actually I asked them to locate an ES prem and they found one in VA but I changed my mind. When I gave up on prem. pkg I decided to call on them again and they had the light sand metallic. They are the only guys who were able to tell you immediately on the phone the S plan price. Which is as it should be. I have two older cars (Sable and Jetta) and I'm strongly tempted to dispose and get another new car. Don't want two Proteges and suspicious about the 626. Millennia appears not to have found a niche or it is overpriced. Wish Mazda had another sedan (all Japanese). About the Zoom-Zoom song, I hate it. Just wait till you are on hold with customer relations for 15 mts and have to hear that rag over and over. I wish they would either add something else or get rid of it.My owner survey came in this week and I gave a 10 on everything. In comments I urged Mazda not to give Ford any part in design/mfr or their cars.

newcar31

The 99-00 1.8L engines are FE mazda engines, not based off of the miata. They are based off of the 626 2.0L engine. The old 1.8L cars, 98 and previous are miata based. It would not be worth your while at all to swap in the MP3 motor. If you are going to do an engine swap, go for the 1.8L or 2.0L mazda turbo engine.

fowler3

disappeared after a few posts and e-mails. =P

Wonder who she is?

edmund2460, why no inspections in SC? Do they just not care down there?

I use to visit in Kingstree and was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base for a while, near Sumpter.

fowler3