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Raymond was just sending a wise-acre remark in my direction.
It's okay...you can all come out and post now.
--Dale
It's time to have my timing belt replaced and my trusted local mechanics are willing to do this for me, but in their research they are being told that there are two special Mazda tools needed for this procedure.
Are these tools really needed and what are they for?
Also, what all parts do I need to get: so far my list includes: timing belt, valve cover gasket, external belts.....
What am I forgetting? Thanks for your expert help.
M. Karns
It's time to have my timing belt replaced and my trusted local mechanics are willing to do this for me, but in their research they are being told that there are two special Mazda tools needed for this procedure.
Are these tools really needed and what are they for?
Also, what all parts do I need to get: so far my list includes: timing belt, valve cover gasket, external belts.....
What am I forgetting? Thanks for your expert help.
M. Karns
It's time to have my timing belt replaced and my trusted local mechanics are willing to do this for me, but in their research they are being told that there are two special Mazda tools needed for this procedure.
Are these tools really needed and what are they for?
Also, what all parts do I need to get: so far my list includes: timing belt, valve cover gasket, external belts.....
What am I forgetting? Thanks for your expert help.
M. Karns
Hi All:
It's time to have my timing belt replaced and my trusted local mechanics are willing to do this for me, but in their research they are being told that there are two special Mazda tools needed for this procedure.
Are these tools really needed and what are they for?
Also, what all parts do I need to get: so far my list includes: timing belt, valve cover gasket, external belts.....
What am I forgetting? Thanks for your expert help.
M. Karns
Wise-acre? Wow...that's a fairly substantial area to be wise...
I own 1 95 DX, and had the timng belt trplacement at 60K done by the local Mazda dealer. I liked the idea that they would do it within a day, offer me rides, and best of all - that they would warranty the job for 12/12000. So if the valves decided to collide (is the engine even an interference type) it would be their problem.
Sorry, can't help you with the parts, question, thought I'd tell you what I did.
I'm sure some of the knowledgeable regulars will respond (to your questions) on Monday.
IMO, I don't think they'd have any trouble changing the agreement to a buy instead of a lease. Either way, they're making money. IMO, if they're a GOOD dealership, they shouldn't give you any hassles.
Let us know what happens!
Good Luck,
Larry
Just looked out and saw my neighbor washing his pickup and his wife's Jetta. We are under a water restricted use program, NO WASHING cars -- $200 fine. It's near 90 out there and this guy is collecting disability for a bum knee -- can't work, yeah right.
Anybody know how to dryclean a car?
That Focus pic posted way back, what an ugly car and in an ugly color! Those Mazda6 colors don't tell us much and Mazda's color-pickers aren't the sharpest. They have one or two people do that.
What are your color choices? List the seven best colors you have ever seen on cars. Include interior trim colors to go with them.
My selections:
Cobalt Firemist Blue Metallic w/Medium Blue trim
Champaign Mist Metallic (lighter than Sand) w/Bergandy trim
Chestnut Metallic (dark red) w/beige trim
Silver Metallic w/Light Burgandy trim (on a BMW M3)
White w/Red trim
Black Metallic w/Red or Beige trim
Dark Green Metallic w/beige trim
fowler3
It's a base model with A/C, AM/FM-CD, PS, 5 speed. No power locks or windows.
I thought long and hard about this purchase before finally making it. My experience with new cars has been an '85 VW Jetta, '89 Chevy S10, 2000 Mazda B2500 and now this. All manual tranny. Have owned used BMW, Datsun/Nissan, Toyota, Ford, Chevy, VW Beetles and one Mercedes-Benz diesel. Basically, I purchase for the long haul. In fact, I traded the '89 Chevy S10 in on the Protege'. Had owned the truck for nearly 1/3 of my life.
I love the acceleration and handling. The quality isn't exactly what I was expecting (doors seem a little thin). Was playing a CD today and it skipped on the first song whenever I went over bumps in the road. After the first song, it was fine though.
What motivated my purchase was a number of factors. The auto is made in Japan. The feedback I gleaned from this discussion board helped to more or less solidfy my decision. And the reputation/warranty along with the test drive sealed it. Had strongly considered a new Sentra. However, I'm so pleased with this auto so far.
Questions for the group here:
1.) How has the Protege' performed for you on long trips? For example, fuel economy, handling, comfort. Beginning next year, I'll be making trips from Central Texas to East Tennessee about twice yearly. Typically non-stop going out (about 1200 miles).
2.) Have you had any major problems while under warranty? How about once the warranty expired?
I have a problem with my left hip that is aggravated by the upward sloping edges of my 2002 ES seats (I have a similar problem with many office chairs) Has any one found a a need, or a way to "flatten" the seat bottom cushion? I am currently using a folded towel, but it does not look or work great. My next thought is a custom made cusion from some dense foam rubber.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Cheers
-old head
-larry
-larry
love train
Paul-No, unfortunately I've never owned a Pro so I traded in my '91 Acura Legend for it. They only gave me $2k for it but that's okay considering how beat-up the car was. Faded paint, cracked windshield, rust, transmission problems, no AC and some minor body damage still got me $2k.
Meade fixed a rattle he had with no troubles, IIRC.
On long trips, I find my 99 LX (with a 1.6L engine) to be quite comfortable. Not as cushy as an Accord, Camry etc., but quiet enough for an "economy" car. Bumps are harsher than in something more softly sprung like a Corolla or Focus, but that's the compromise I made for the better handling (Focus is too tippy in the twisties for my taste). I yield about 34-38mpg on the freeway, depending on speed, continuity (stop-n-go or just plain go) and hilliness (is that a word?).
Typical long trips are "day" trips to Detroit and back, which is about 4.5 hours each way for me. I don't feel tired from sitting and driving. I take breaks about every 2 hours, although I hear that hourly breaks are better for longer, multi-day distances.
Of course, it could be weeks that I am driving it, since I have not heard anything yet regarding my (POS) Jetta yet. I sent a certified letter to HQ about the car, we shall see what happens from there.
by th83
and test drive a Mazda.
(It's mine, temporarily anyway)..
The Outback I had before got a chip in the windshield from an SUV on Saturday. My insurance company is paying for the repair though, so that's good. This is my 2nd comp claim in a year though, so I hope they don't drop me for it.
Anyway, i listened to friends and C&D, went to Mazda, and my P5 has been flawless. Get a stick and you won't miss that turbo. I sure don't. Good luck.
If you could email me (click on my username to see the email) and tell me more about your experience, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
I do like my Protege DX loaner though. Maybe I will tell them I am keeping it..
Just kidding. The only Pro for me would be the ES or P5.
Although I'm sure the lack of (and consequent weight reduction due to absence of) PD, PL, and some other features may make the DX a bit (100+ lbs?) lighter than the ES. This should, however, be compensated by the lightweight alloys (relative to the steel wheels) contributing to less unsprung weight.
Curiouser and curiouser!
I knew the DX was lighter (and also knew it had the same engine), but I thought it still felt more spry than my ES did.
Also, I like not having to put up the front seats when people ride in the back of the Protege, like I have to in the Jetta.
I did notice, however, that this DX starts to shake on the highway around 85mph or so. My Jetta doesn't so that, and my 01 ES did not either. However, my 1999 DX did. Maybe it has something to do with the wheels or something? I don't know.
Larry,
Did I read somewhere you live in TN now? Just wondering, because I just moved to Nashville.
Bryan, I'm glad your Protege is running right and the repairs were done correctly. Keep posting, my friend! ;-)
-Larry
Of course, we didn't help by piling in 5 guys (it was very crowded, but I managed to get into the front seat on the return leg) who weigh anywhere from 180 to 250 pounds each for a lunch trip. Oops. Should've figured we'd exceed the rated load for the Jetta, especially since we're all engineers. :P
Too overcome by new-car enthusiasm I guess.
Here is a relevant link just for you information:
http://www.detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0206/25/c04-522807.htm