I don't see how it could be THAT nose heavy. I believe the Mazda 2.5L V6 is all aluminum as opposed to the 2.0L in our cars now which has an iron block. I'll bet the V6 isn't that much heavier. Besides, the Protege is based off of the European Mazda Capella and I believe they use a V6 in that car. With leather and a V6 option, the Protege could really compete with the Jetta, which despite the high price, has been a pretty successful formula. I don't know about you guys, but I would LOVE the Protege with Mazda's silky smooth revving 2.5L DOHC engine. That would truly set the Protege apart from ALL other Japanese competitors.
I'd like to see the Mazda Miller Cycle 2.3 L V6 live on, so I vote for that one instead of the 2.5. The cost is rising on this car, though.
re: comparison to Jetta - Until the new more powerful V6 comes out for the Jetta, I personally would go for the 1.8T, just as many would prefer a turbo four for the Pro over a V6.
The more powerful 6 for the Jetta is already out. The 210 hp miller cycle motor would be absolutely kick-[non-permissible content removed] in the Protege. Could you imagine a Protege with the MP3 suspension and the miller cycle motor? That car would terrorize the race track...
By the way, since you appear to be a Mazda employee (is that so?), what do you think of the increasing roll of Ford in Mazda (according to a recent press release, Ford is to supply 70% of all parts/platforms for Mazda within the next few years)? Maybe you prefer not to discuss it in a public forum.
according to a recent press release, Ford is to supply 70% of all parts/platforms for Mazda within the next few years) I shudder like the next guy.
Actually, I don't see a problem so much with engineering as I do with playing penny pincher with suppliers. As automakers try to shave costs they need to make sure they aren't shaving tolerances and materials. I think the Tribute/Escape is a good example of how not to share vehicles. The Tribute is so close in function that the car mags only give it a single line saying it is just like the Escape. Of course, being that all the components are the same, the Trib dittos the Escape's miserable quality. In the US, the production and component supply is all controlled by Ford. Even when Mazda noticed problems early on, getting Ford to make any changes is like row boat telling an ocean liner to turn around: Even if they can hear you, it takes a while to do.
The good in all this though is Mazda can benefit from Ford's engineering. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Japanese built Focus. I personally like the car and from what I have heard(never driven) it's a nice handling little car. The '04 Protege will basically be sharing technology and engineering. the source of the parts, from a logistical stand point will most likely be Japan. Automakers are more likely to have components built local to the assembly plant.
Even if there is some direct component sharing, I don't think it is all bad. While Ford doesn't have top marks for quality, they have built some pretty good stuff. I think the Ford engine in my MPV is a great example of how it can work to mutual benefit. The Duratech motors are for the most part great engines. The other thing to remember here is that it's not just Ford proper. It's Ford/Mazda/Volvo teamed up to produce a vehicle that for Mazda's sake will be produced in Hiroshima.
Sorry if I rambled or got redundant, but I never proof read.
There was a recent headline I think on Car and Driver.com about how suppliers rate the auto companies. Ford ranked last. They keep pinging the suppliers to cut costs, and make many last minute, untested changes that make the suppliers look bad. Such last minute changes and cost cutting also seem to create alot of recalls.
My worry is that design will be driven by big brother more and more as the joint platforms evolve, until little brother's models differ by no more than some molding and a nameplate. At least that can't happen with the Miata and the RX-8, and at least Mazda does seem to have some significant engineering input at this stage of the game - like the new 2.3L I4 used in Fords and Mazdas in current and yet to come models.
You are right in that Ford has managed to engineer some things correctly, though. I've driven the Focus - I drove a sedan a few years back with the since discontinued "Street Edition" option package. It featured, amongst other things, a Euro spec suspension which eliminated alot of the body roll in the softer US suspension settings. It handled very nicely, with a well controlled and relatively flat ride, not unlike the Pro, but it handled road imperfections better than the Pro. The recalls scared me away, though. If the joint 3(PRO)/Focus car is built in Japan with Japanese parts, it just might be OK.
I'm sure Mazda is too. Isn't the Pro the current sales leader model for Mazda right now?
Yes, rushing last-minute changes leads to lots of problems. There's not enough time to do a reasonable (we can't foresee every single problem) check for negative ramifications. I live with this almost every day. Never time to do it right the first time, but plenty of time (and money) to fix it for the rest of its product life cycle.
I changed ATF at 30,000 miles during oct 2001(i guess). From then on, I have seen that the shifts are good but downshifts were extremely sluggish until the car has not run at least 15 miles(getting warmed up?). After that, the downshifts were pretty reasonable. All this when the ambient temp were keeping below 40F. Keep in mind I had no problem with upshifts.
Now starting this week, I see that car shifts nice and quick on the downshifts even when cold. What changed?
For one thing: The ambient temp. is keeping well above 60F day and night.
So my question is: Was using a synthetic ATF making it harder for the transmission to WARM UP during cold season? since everybody claims that synthetics keep cooler than regular. Too cool, i guess?
Is it a matter of them staying cooler? I thought that it was all about viscosity. What I understand is that synthetics flow better under cold conditions and don't break down easily under high temperatures.
In regards to your problem, I would think that the synth ATF would flow better at start up and therefore not be sluggish. I'm not sure what is happening in your tranny!
you caught one of my many inmnmmmffamous typos. 'Tis true, my typing is not always impeccable. Fortunately, I'm too big a person to call attention to the grammatical errors that others might make
And no, you goof, Alvin & the Chipmunks are NOT Disney characters.
I was referring, of course, to Chip and...well, you know.........
"The 2002 J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey is out, and it's no surprise that Toyota once again is ranked as the top automaker, followed closely by Honda."
BTW, this topic thread is in the Edmund's Town Hall Top Ten hotest topics. NOT the sedan thread?
Oh, in my Wal-mart (No, it's NOT mine per say...) they have "Autoshine" ones and we don't get the Nic-sand ones. I think it's an American vs. Canadian thing. And you're right. Nic-Sand is a terrible name for a MF cloth! Why don't they just re-name the company to "Scratch your paint a lot"??
Anyway, I've got an Autoshine one and it looks pretty good, but I'm going to get some "Neatitems" ones tonight and compare them.
I just met up with a guy from the Autopia forums. He hooked me up with some towels from www.neatitems.com. Really nice guy. I was ashamed though because he was driving a 328 Bimmer that was super clean and my Pro looked like a dirty rat
Oh well...I have the tools...now I must clean!!!
BTW, I would love to try Souveran or Klasse, but I don't wanna do mail/internet ordering. I'm not a fan of that kind of business yet.
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Comments
re: comparison to Jetta - Until the new more powerful V6 comes out for the Jetta, I personally would go for the 1.8T, just as many would prefer a turbo four for the Pro over a V6.
Meade
The Sleep Inn across the street has comfy rooms for a reasonable price.
according to a recent press release, Ford is to supply 70% of all parts/platforms for Mazda within the next few years)
I shudder like the next guy.
Actually, I don't see a problem so much with engineering as I do with playing penny pincher with suppliers. As automakers try to shave costs they need to make sure they aren't shaving tolerances and materials. I think the Tribute/Escape is a good example of how not to share vehicles. The Tribute is so close in function that the car mags only give it a single line saying it is just like the Escape. Of course, being that all the components are the same, the Trib dittos the Escape's miserable quality. In the US, the production and component supply is all controlled by Ford. Even when Mazda noticed problems early on, getting Ford to make any changes is like row boat telling an ocean liner to turn around: Even if they can hear you, it takes a while to do.
The good in all this though is Mazda can benefit from Ford's engineering. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Japanese built Focus. I personally like the car and from what I have heard(never driven) it's a nice handling little car. The '04 Protege will basically be sharing technology and engineering. the source of the parts, from a logistical stand point will most likely be Japan. Automakers are more likely to have components built local to the assembly plant.
Even if there is some direct component sharing, I don't think it is all bad. While Ford doesn't have top marks for quality, they have built some pretty good stuff. I think the Ford engine in my MPV is a great example of how it can work to mutual benefit. The Duratech motors are for the most part great engines. The other thing to remember here is that it's not just Ford proper. It's Ford/Mazda/Volvo teamed up to produce a vehicle that for Mazda's sake will be produced in Hiroshima.
Sorry if I rambled or got redundant, but I never proof read.
My worry is that design will be driven by big brother more and more as the joint platforms evolve, until little brother's models differ by no more than some molding and a nameplate. At least that can't happen with the Miata and the RX-8, and at least Mazda does seem to have some significant engineering input at this stage of the game - like the new 2.3L I4 used in Fords and Mazdas in current and yet to come models.
You are right in that Ford has managed to engineer some things correctly, though. I've driven the Focus - I drove a sedan a few years back with the since discontinued "Street Edition" option package. It featured, amongst other things, a Euro spec suspension which eliminated alot of the body roll in the softer US suspension settings. It handled very nicely, with a well controlled and relatively flat ride, not unlike the Pro, but it handled road imperfections better than the Pro. The recalls scared me away, though. If the joint 3(PRO)/Focus car is built in Japan with Japanese parts, it just might be OK.
Yes, rushing last-minute changes leads to lots of problems. There's not enough time to do a reasonable (we can't foresee every single problem) check for negative ramifications. I live with this almost every day. Never time to do it right the first time, but plenty of time (and money) to fix it for the rest of its product life cycle.
Now starting this week, I see that car shifts nice and quick on the downshifts even when cold. What changed?
For one thing:
The ambient temp. is keeping well above 60F day and night.
So my question is:
Was using a synthetic ATF making it harder for the transmission to WARM UP during cold season? since everybody claims that synthetics keep cooler than regular. Too cool, i guess?
I am stumped!!
In regards to your problem, I would think that the synth ATF would flow better at start up and therefore not be sluggish. I'm not sure what is happening in your tranny!
Anybody here knows what is going on?
http://espn.go.com/page2/s/simmons/020531.html
go down to about 3:19 in the log, yeah!
And no, I don't mean 'Goofy.'
No, Einstein...I was referring to one of the two imfamous chipmunks, of course.
-Dale
1.)Alvin was from ChiTown? BTW, how comes all those chipmunks have high pitched voices?
2.)Can most State certified school teachers spell "infamous"?
-infamous love train
Anybody else hate those animated pop-ups on Autoweek? I find them extremely annoying.
by mazdafun
Layout is fine, nonetheless the graphics are verrry verrrry BLUE!
-love train
And no, you goof, Alvin & the Chipmunks are NOT Disney characters.
I was referring, of course, to Chip and...well, you know.........
What's up?
What did you want to talk about?
You learn something new every day! Thanks Dale.
But there's a good reason they call it the "Happiest Place in Earth."
Meade
I'd be there...except for the stupid firewall!!!!
If ONLY I had access to photoshop...
"The 2002 J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey is out, and it's no surprise that Toyota once again is ranked as the top automaker, followed closely by Honda."
BTW, this topic thread is in the Edmund's Town Hall Top Ten hotest topics. NOT the sedan thread?
-love train
It'd be only fair if she "annexed" my MF towels...I bogarted a bunch of cotton towels for my car a while back
) towels for something like $5/pair.
Anyway, I've got an Autoshine one and it looks pretty good, but I'm going to get some "Neatitems" ones tonight and compare them.
Oh well...I have the tools...now I must clean!!!
BTW, I would love to try Souveran or Klasse, but I don't wanna do mail/internet ordering. I'm not a fan of that kind of business yet.
Love,
Meade
--Dale
Meade