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Mazda Protege Owners: Future Models

Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
edited March 2014 in Mazda
2003 Mazda Protege Compact Sedan
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Comments

  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
  • dsm6dsm6 Member Posts: 813
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    I wish the orange was just a trick :(
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    Didn't you know? Orange is in:


    http://www.detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0207/17/c01-536535.htm

  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    I'll decide what is in for myself.
  • dsm6dsm6 Member Posts: 813
    Look at it this way - If the paint job has any orange peel, it will look right at home.

    Linus and I will be waiting in the pumpkin patch this Halloween for one of these to come rising up out of the mist.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    Ick. :P
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    New Mazda 6 Designed to Set New Standard in Global Midsize Vehicle Segment


    http://www.carseverything.com/content/article/1346/

  • groovypippingroovypippin Member Posts: 264
    I'm interested to know if anyone out there has details on the 2004 Mazda3 (next gen protege). Here's what I know.

    It will be built on a new platform that will be shared with the Ford Focus. I know that fact will draw lots of moans and groans, but it actually doesn't bother me. The current Focus PLATFORM is a good one and Ford has proved that it can build excellent platforms with the Mondeo and Lincoln LS/Jaguar X-Type.

    The car will use Mazda's new MZR four cylinder engine family, apparently including the 2.3L - which puts out 150HP in NA and 162 HP in Europe. Should make for very good performance if those numbers hold or improve.

    Other than that I know very little, other than the fact that the car will borrow styling cues from the RX-8. Any additional info would be appreciated.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    I hear Mazda3s will still be mfr'd in Japan, which bodes well for it (I'd still be wary of the Focus, which I think will carry on the current one's track record of spotty build quality, but we'll see).

    I like the new engine options. Given the 2.3L's specs in the heavier Mazda6, it should be a real kick-in-the-pants in the Mazda3. Plus, not having to hassle with timing belt changes every 60-105k miles will be nice.

    I saw a preview pic of a Procus that someone posted a link to on one of the Protege boards. I'll have to hunt it down.
  • groovypippingroovypippin Member Posts: 264
    If you can find that link, it would be much appreciated. I've had a devil of a time tracking down any pictures and the ones I've seen are of doudtful authenticity.
  • panamaltd2panamaltd2 Member Posts: 162
    I am just as interested in the next Protege (Mazda3) as you are because it will be my next car. Please post any sites were you have found pictures or info. Here are some sites of mine.


    This one has commentary.


    http://www.telusplanet.net/public/rbhutson/miata/arc_2001/musings_v7-09.htm


    This one has an extremely small picture (sketch)


    http://www.busybeetoys.com/scoop/scoop-edn31.htm


    Click on "323" on this site and the wagon at the top is a next gen Protege wagon (I think)


    http://members.rogers.com/sofronov/Cars/Mazda/Future.html

  • groovypippingroovypippin Member Posts: 264
    I really appreciate the links you provided. The hatch shown in last link is drop dead gorgeous.

    If that's the next gen Protege then I am very, very excited. I only hope it's accurate. The styling looks very Alfa 146-like (which is, as Martha Stewart would say, a good thing).

    With all the Mazda Protege talk on these boards - one of the busiest threads on Edmunds - I'm very surprised at the almost total lack of talk of the the next gen Protege. I hope this discussion thread heats up a little and that others can offer more insight and hopefully more photos
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    is because there really isn't any detail about it, except that it'll share platforms with Ford and Volvo compact cars.

    besides, people are WAY head over heel on the current generation to even bother thinking about the next gen! :-D
  • groovypippingroovypippin Member Posts: 264
    Hey, I agree the current edition is great. I'm still getting to know and love my 2002 Mazda Protege5, but my father is part owner of a Mazda dealership and the Protege is our bread and butter car in Canada (currently sitting as the #2 best selling car in Canada, behind the Civic)

    That's why I'm interested in the next gen. Mazda needs to hit a home run with it. If the hatchback in the link above is accurate, I have a feeling that the new car will be a Mickey Mantle 550 foot home run.
  • groovypippingroovypippin Member Posts: 264
    I had the opportunity to chat with someone who went to special showing of future models that Mazda hosted for dealer principles in New York last Spring and as far as his memory serves the phot is authentic.

    In other words, that is in fact the next gen. Protege5. Very, very impressive looking vehicle.
  • panamaltd2panamaltd2 Member Posts: 162
    Hey check out this site I just found,

    www.mazda3.hu

    It is hungarian, and the word across the fuzzed out car means "coming shortly" I think we are looking at the first pic (albiet fuzzy) picture of the Mazda3!
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    looks suspiciously coupe-like, or has midget-sized rear doors. Hope that's only a concept photo/artist's impression. Although it seems to be the same proportions as the hatchback in post #13!
  • groovypippingroovypippin Member Posts: 264
    I think even that fuzzy picture looks very exciting. Apparently - as my lucky friend who was in New York says - the styling cues fromthe RX-8 are quite strong in the new Mazda3.

    If that's the case, it should bea very good looking car.
  • jeffy729jeffy729 Member Posts: 45
    I sure hope the belt line isn't as high and the glass area as narrow on the production car as it is on the prototype in post #13. That would be a bit claustrophobic! I love the visibility in my 2002 Pro. Also, that rear quarter panel looks a little derivative (a la Pontiac Vibe).
  • panamaltd2panamaltd2 Member Posts: 162
    Nope, I believe that is the actually car. All the reports say that the car is quite coupe like even though it has four full-size doors. Lots of the styling cues look like that of the wagon shot (roof line, kink in rear window, etc...) Plus this is linked to the official Hungarian Mazda website. I bet it is the real thing, why would they fuzz it out if it wasn't? Do you guys think the 3 will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show?
  • jeffy729jeffy729 Member Posts: 45
    I hate to see Mazda trade the clean, classy styling they've used on the Protege for that. I doubt it will age well!
  • panamaltd2panamaltd2 Member Posts: 162
    I think the new design is even more classy and looks much more expensive looking which is what Mazda needs if they want to be the Japanese BMW. I love the current Protege but think it is time for a change (plus my lease will be up in 7 months and I want the next generation) All the reports indicate the Mazda3 is going to be a real stunner and I wouldn't argue with that. I see nothing gimmicky in the new design. Only well though out, clean, up scale lines. I can't wait!
  • jeffy729jeffy729 Member Posts: 45
    It's hard to tell from a photo. I may really like it once I see one in person (particularly the sedan). I hope I have the same reaction as I did with the current generation when it first came out. I was coming up on a '99 from the rear and thought it was a Mercedes C class at first! That's when I knew I wanted one!
  • panamaltd2panamaltd2 Member Posts: 162
    Yeah, I am sure you will! Good point about the current Pro. I too had seen them before I got mine and thought it was some kind of mini Audi or something. To bad that picture I saw was so fuzzy, oh well. Hopefully we will be able to see the real thing at Tokyo!
  • panamaltd2panamaltd2 Member Posts: 162
    Does anyone know when the Mazda3 will debut. What car show will it be unvieled at? It seems like Tokyo would be the best place because it is a Japanese auto maker.
  • groovypippingroovypippin Member Posts: 264
    I don't know, but I think Tokyo is a very good bet
  • alternatoralternator Member Posts: 629
    then I personally believe Mazda is going in the wrong direction! A sedan that looks like a SUV doesn't do it at all for me.

    The 2002 Protege already looks very much like the new Mazda6, so the family appearance is unified.

    And how can the "powers that be" at Mazda even consider changing the Protege name since all the glowing reviews and testimonials over the last few years are found under the heading "Protege" !!!
  • panamaltd2panamaltd2 Member Posts: 162
    I think Mazda is going in the right direction and at the same time moving upscale. This is what they need to do and make the Rotary the star in its line up. I don't think the Protege looks all that much like that Mazda6 and i believe the name change will do it good. i will be first in line for the new Mazda3. From what I here this car will blow the competition out of the water. Plus, it is really time to change the Protege.
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    if it's for the better, and I think the next generation Protege (aka Mazda3) will be leaps and bounds better than the current generation!
  • groovypippingroovypippin Member Posts: 264
    The authenticity of 5-door photo has been confirmed by top Mazda Executives who have seen the car (a little bird told me). That's makes me very happy, because I think the car looks stunning. Very upscale, I agree.

    My first reaction was that it had a very Alfa 146 look to it, which I think is a good thing.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    I can't seem to find it.
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    from the side, it looks right, but I think the front has changed a bit.
  • szabozeszaboze Member Posts: 3
    Hi, I am hungarian, I visited this site, but this is a pixelized mazda6, not? This is Mazda Mirai's site (a dealer), not a commercial Mazda homepage.

    SzaboZE
  • szabozeszaboze Member Posts: 3
    I have a picture from Mazda3. (?)


    image

  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    And I didn't realize the Hungarian and Indian flags were so similar!
  • alternatoralternator Member Posts: 629
    I really prefer that my cars have bumpers of some sort (and I'm sure my insurance company prefers that also)!
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    Nose is too much like a bullet-train's.

    And the rear-ward visibility looks compromised by that D-pillar and downward-sloping top line of the windows.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    does a bumper need to be clearly defined to exist?
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    is just one of MANY photoshopped "possible" images of the next gen Protege/Mazda3....

    what it's really gonna look like, probably Mr. Maltb is the only one that knows ;)
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    ;)
  • szabozeszaboze Member Posts: 3
    ashutoshsm : :), same (italian e.t.c) flag similar too :)

    SzaboZE
  • groovypippingroovypippin Member Posts: 264
    One of many pictures? I'd love you to post some others or links to them. I've been scouring the net looking for possible pics of the next gen protege and there's nothing out there.

    From what I've been told that photo above is either acurrate or close to acurrate and that's from high ranking mazda execs in Canada who have already seen the car.

    Given the fact that the Mazda3 hits showroom next September-October, I'm very suprised by the lack of info or even discussion of the next model. My guess is that we'll see it in the flesh at the Tokyo motor show. Can't wait.
  • panamaltd2panamaltd2 Member Posts: 162
    Please, can you tell us anything??!! Please, Please, Please. What about the sedan. Did anybody sneak any pictures? :)
  • kevin111kevin111 Member Posts: 991
    Went to a focus group event this evening, where they wanted to get our opinions of two cars, a hatch and a wagon vs. a group of other similiar sedans and wagons. Mazda did a really nice job, especially on the interior! The only problem I have is that the stereo is built into the center console and not a separate unit. The bucket seats are really nice, racing type, with lots of bolstering and support!

    In person, the front doesn't look so bloated.
  • panamaltd2panamaltd2 Member Posts: 162
    When do the rest of us get to see it?
  • alternatoralternator Member Posts: 629
    "2003 Mazda Protege Compact Sedan" actually uses the same photos that the following site uses and calls the "2002 MazdaSpeed Protege (Turbo)"

    HERE

    This site also has that photo, previously referred to in this discussion as a hatchback, which they label as the " 2003 Mazda Protege".

    I find it difficult to believe that Mazda would come out with a 2003 MazdaSpeed Protege looking like these photos (very little difference from the 2002 Protege), and then immediately follow with a radically different look in a 2003 standard Protege sedan (Mazda3?, I hate that name) !!

    Am I missing something here?
  • kevin111kevin111 Member Posts: 991
    Nice design though. Looked more substantial than the current Protege.
This discussion has been closed.

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