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Peace Y'all!
I am about to get my windows tinted..here in Atlanta they want around $300 for tint. I've had my last few cars tinted in Clearwater, FL for $110 w/ lifetime warranty. Me thinks me will be taking a drive to Florida soon. The name of the place is Pelican and they did an awesome job on my 99 Accord. Just can't justify paying $300... the guy at the place here said that the titanium tint used at the other place was out-dated and would discolor. I had the 99 Accord for 2 years and there was no discoloration or bubbles in the tint, so for the $200 difference I will take my chances and enjoy the drive.
As far as California goes..I went to a wedding in San Miguel..not sure if you are familar with that. It's about 150 miles or so south of San Fran I think. I enjoyed being in California but in San Fran a 1 bedroom shack/cottage was over $200,000. It's not worth it to me. I will stay in GA..pay lower gas prices, lower mortgage (WAY LOWER), and not have to worry about eartquakes. However, I will take every opportunity to visit Cali.
Its a Black 01 ES 2.0 (auto. Yes, automatic) with the spoiler and all decals removed. It has 17in rims that look very much like the ones on the MP3. Its a totally custom 50-shot NOS system with the bottle bolted to the floor behind the passenger seat where you can reach it from the drivers seat. He also has injectors for 100-shot but has not tried them. He claims that with the 50-shot system (on the dyno) it makes 140hp at the wheels with no other mods. I dont know what that translates to at the crank (perhaps 170???). As expected, he says he gets horrible torque steer and lots of wheel spin when he wants it. He also claims that 0-60 is in the high 7sec and pulls the 1/4 in 16sec. I'm not sure I buy those numbers. My ES 2.0 auto probably gets to 60mph in 11sec so I dont think that the 40-50hp he is getting would strip 3+sec. He wants to do lots of intake and exhaust mods but is having trouble finding quality parts.
I wonder what this does to his warranty?
Fallbrook isn't bad as you can commute to both OC and SD counties.
I think you are on track with hotjobs.com or the Sunday edition of a local paper ( www.ocregister.com ). I'm sure Jerry will give you his local one as well.
I imagine most people who've purchased a Protege or Sentra in the last couple of years (since the Sentra redesign) have compared these two very similar cars. Both are reliable cars which fall towards the sporty end of the small car spectrum. You probably can't loose either way, but for me the Protege ES won hands down. I much preferred its exterior and interior styling, the interior space, and ergonomic feel. In particular, the shifter, steering and stereo controls of the protege feel much better to me. I LOVE the handling of Protege, but I can't honestly say that I know its better than the Sentra. I've never taken a test drive where I'm allowed to push a car enough to really feel a difference and I'm skeptical of anyone who says they could tell a difference only from a test drive. Reviewers seem to say that both cars have outstanding handling.
My only reservation was that a similarly equipped Protege was a bit more expensive. When Mazda started offering the customer cash rebate, college grad rebate, low financing, free sunroof (when I purchased I was able to get all of the above - this is not always the case at times you must choose between the financing and rebate) it became no contest.
One important point and judging by your inquiry it may be something weighing on your mind - I think many people have purchased the Sentra based on its higher horsepower and I'm guessing the folks on the Sentra board will tell you the Sentra feels much more powerful than the Protege. This is good marketing by Nissan but simply isn't true, at least not for the way 99% of us drive.
This a bit technical but hopefully my point will be clear:
The torques of the two engines are essentially identical and the protege's peak comes on earlier (135 ft-lbs @ 4000 rpm vs. 136 ft-lbs @ 4800 rpm for the Sentra). Thus, if anything, the Protege should feel slightly more powerful where most of us do our driving in the 2000-5000 rpm range. It is only at the very top end that the Sentra starts to out-torque the Protege hence the higher horsepower rating (horsepower is simply the product of torque * rpm).
In addition the Protege is lighter (very slightly) and, more significantly, is geared more aggresively. So, for example, in a drag race the Protege will jump off the line somewhat quicker and will push you into the back of your seat with more force (what most people consider to be the feeling of "power"). The gains for the Sentra come only at the top of each gear because the Protege will ask to be upshifted sooner.
So the Sentra will win the race, but all the gains will come while the Sentra is running at ~5500-6500 rpm in first gear, while the Protege has already upshifted to 2nd. And again with the Sentra in 2nd while the Prot is in 3rd etc. Even if you drive quite aggresively, your not likely to feel this very often in everyday driving.
I was working in the yard doing some planting in 98 degree heat, 90% humidity, and suddenly I felt really sick. Real weak, started seeing sparkling things, got dizzy, went inside and sat down under a ceiling fan. It got worse.I had sevear stomach cramps. Clammy all over. Drank three glasses of ice water and I got over it by the next morning.
My doctor said if I had stayed outside another 10 minutes I would have died. Those cramps were caused by the approaching stroke, damage to internal organs. Next time it will happen faster because of the first attack.
It can hit you so fast. So take it easy and stay cool. And wear a hat! You will be glad you did years later when others are getting skin cancer. It takes a long time for it to develop.
fowler3
Also, we haven't really discussed what will be coming for the 2002 MP3 (or will they call it MPS?). We know that it will be powered by something that "whistles." Will it be a supercharger or turbocharger? Horsepower? Torque? It would be great if Mazda put a 6-spd in it. Anyone heard anything?
I am finding that the MP3 five speed has a really tall 1st gear. There is also a big hole between 2nd and 3rd. In fifth, you are turning 3500rpm at 75, at 110 you are into the 5000 range.
After driving both in the same day I did find that the handling of the Protege felt lighter and more nimble. The Sentra felt heavier but it really stuck to the road when corning. Your right though the interior of the Pro is much roomier and very quiet. I was very impressed with that. I did notice though that the performance of the sentra FELT a little faster than the Pro.
I don't know I keep running it back and forth and I guess I just have to figure out if the perceived performance gain (the sentra is approximately 1 sec faster 0-60 when flogged) is worth it to me. I felt comfortable in both cars......I don't know.
Of course if I just figured out a way to get the extra 15 HP from the pro without resorting to NOS and keeping it cheaper than the $1k or so difference in price then I can just buy the Pro. (grin)
You know when it comes to test drives I just flog the car hard. I figure I'm here to evaluate a car I don't let the salesman tell me where to go I just tell him right off the bat that I'm going to drive him around for a while. Me and a WRX salesman had one heckuva ride not too long ago. You know that car really is tailhappy on high g corners. (chuckle)
The Protege has its advantages over the Sentra. Personally, I prefer the Protege's styling to the Sentra's. The back of the Nissan is just plain ugly IMO, but the Protege looks very nice to me. Also, the interior of the Protege is a LOT roomier than the Sentra. I didn't have a problem making a choice between the two, as I am 6'3 and couldn't really fit into the Sentra. But if you plan to have passengers in the back seat of the car for more than 15 or so mins., I would strongly suggest you choose the Protege.
I'd like feedback from the typical person, who changes the oil every 5000 miles, plus or minus 500 miles, gets their first tune up/rad flush/trans check around 30K, rotates tires each 15K and generally doesn't obsess over the car.
Will a Protege with this "relaxed" maintenance plan, driven reasonably, last 5-7 years? Or is following the Mazda service recommendations absolutely required for maximum vehicle life (excluding warrenty concerns)?
Dave
I still have an ancestor to the Pro, an '89 323LX that has surpassed 137000 miles and is still going strong (some body rust...darn midwestern salted roads). On pretty much the same intervals so far as regular maintenance, although I rotate the tires regularly as I like the Michelins I put on it. I also put on new springs and shocks at about 96000 miles (slight sagging), it's on its second radiator and 3rd muffler (2nd was a poor-quality Midas job...won't do that again). I guess I'll be holding onto it until the body disintegrates (it's my first new car).
If you take reasonably good care of the Pro (or any similarly well-designed and constructed car), it'll last you well past 100000 miles.
my dealer(Pacifico Mazda, Philadelphia) has a few for @12,000.
Change the tranny fluid. Worked like a charm for me!!
I also drove a sentra se followed by the protege es stick in the same day. Despite
the HP difference, the protege 'felt' about as fast, confirming what the torque
info is telling us. The sentra is a -very- nice car with a great interior, but there
is very little back seat room. When I set the front seat the way I like it (which isn't
all the way back), I could barely fit in the back. And, the protege chassis is nothing
less than terrific.
My only wish is for more power in the protege, though I can live without it and
will probably buy a 5-speed ES 1ES this fall (if I can find one).
Now on to the interesting part... How would a "relaxed" maintenance schedule affect the warrenty of the engine, should there be a major problem?
I don't know what intervals Mazda recommends for "severe" driving, but if you can only show you changed the oil every 7500 miles instead of the recommended (required?) 5000 miles, do they have enough to deny the service or claim? During the 36Mo/50K (is that correct) warrenty, shouldn't you keep to the mainenance plan, then after the warrenty period, do what you want....?
Dave
I was thinking of having my 2001 Protege repainted a lighter color (have alot of scratches anyway), but not for a little bit yet. How hard is it going from black to blue, yellow, or white anyway?
I posted this message on the Protege5 board under station wagons. Someone replied saying that there's an owner of both the Protege and the Altima (named Nikecar). At any rate, if anyone has any opinions about this comparison, I would be grateful to hear from you.
I don't suppose there's anyone out there who has owned (or driven) both a Protege5 and an Altima? I'm strongly considering buying the P5, but haven't yet driven the Altima. I loved my test drive of the P5, both the automatic and manual. There are a couple of issues guiding my decision. Price: The 01 Altima is attractive because there is a $2000 rebate and they're trying to get rid of them to make way for the newly redesigned '02 model. I can probably get a nicely outfitted GXE for $15,500 or maybe even a little less (if Edmunds is accurate). This is about $1500 less than the P5.
The other issues are performance, reliability, and space. As I said, I haven't yet driven the Altima (will do so this weekend). From what I know, both cars should be reliable. The wagon is a nice alternative for the extra space, but I'm also considering the Protege ES sedan.
Any input into the comparison of these two cars would be greatly appreciated!
Also, any opinion about the difference between the P5 automatic vs. manual? I liked the manual but might end up hating it in DC traffic!
1.)I am careful to drink as much water as my body can handle before heading out on a run.
2.)I run at a much slower pace.
3.)I check my heart rate frequently.
Also, I do not weigh 300 lbs and wear football gear (5'11" tall/133 lbs) In other words, I disipate heat easily. I run all the time. I spend 20 minutes in a sauna after every run (even hotter).
What it comes down to, is some people are more at risk than others. Korey Stringer knew enough to quit his workout on Monday, but felt compelled to keep going on Tuesday because of the photo published in the local Star Tribune.
You are absolutly right though that heat stroke can sneak up on a person, and that is why I take extra precautions on hot days.
And in my defense, I did say I was an Idiot. ;-)
http://www.saic.com
This is the company I work for. The acronym stands for Science Applications International Corporation. It is a Fortune 500 research and engineering defense contractor, but we are expanding into the commercial field. We are employee-owned and have outstanding benefits and retirement packages. We are also the largest employer in San Diego and we have over 48,000 employees spread out through 130+ countries. We always have a lot of job openings, but we are contract-based, so the jobs come and go.
http://joblink.uniontrib.com
This is our local newspaper's online job listing. This is another great place to look for available positions. There are a lot of temporary agencies that advertise here.
http://www.monster.com
This is a well known and widely used website for job seekers and employers. Hundreds of jobs in the San Diego area are listed.
Good Luck!!
Anyways, I changed the manual transmission fluid out of my 01 ES today and switched it to synthetic GL5 75W90 weight at 8000 miles. I am being a freak about maintainance but it seems like it shifts smoother now...... its probably in my head. One thing I do know is that it will shift smoother in cold temperatures; this past winter it shifted really harshly when it was cold in the morning.
Deciding between a Pro5 and an Altima, hmmm. If 01 Altimas are going for only $15K makes you wonder if that isn't the true market value all along.
I think I would wait to see the 2002 Altima before deciding. I saw a silver Pro5 this afternoon and it really stands out in a crowd of ho-hum bland sedans.
When you go shopping at a mall, or whereever, do you ever look around the parking lots and wonder why people buy such ugly, plain cars? Not one of them is a model, color, or styling you would buy.
Makes me wonder why Mazda advertises yellow Pro5's and Laser Blue MP3's. Maybe they should have a rust-colored one for the Wal-Mart shopers.
Sorry I missed tonight's chat, I have been tied up on freelance work since Wednesday a week ago. Worked Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 13 hour a days, only worked 11 hours today.
fowler3
fowler3
And ... how long have you had your Protege? You're already dissatisfied with the color? Maybe you should've spent some more time at the dealer's lot! Geesh!
(Hey, I have some nicks & scratches too! That's what polish and touch-up paint are for!)
Meade
Also, when it comes time to replace those nice Dunlops (performance-type tires), choose a touring type tire or something with a lower performance rating. Tire Rack collects users' comments on tires, including "Ride". You might want to check out what people say about tires you're interested in. Tires are usually compromises between often contradictory qualities. Quick and accurate response usually come at the cost of soft & supple ride.
After that, I'd look at softer strut cartridges and softer springs (although, with the lower-spring-rates, you have to be careful you don't end up bottoming-out over big bumps and potholes).
great prices on this site....
how come they don't advertise as heavily as tirerack?
I called this place here in Md., and they are willing to rewire my lights for like $25 or something. That's cool. Will have it done next Saturday, and getting tints this Saturday. I am going to post pics of my car eventually, but after I get the tints and lights done. Also bidding on some super white HID bulbs on EBay too, so we will see how that goes.
Oh, and I stand up as the first 2001 ES owner to pass 12,000 miles as of Wednesday. Anyone else close to my mileage yet?
NEVER, EVER BUY A CAR AT NIGHT!!!!
(New or used!)
Meade
http://www.pcisys.net/~bpc/auto_law/tint/
Looks like window tinting may be a no-no in Maryland.
Meade