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Comments
I think I am drving a SUV for the price of an economy sedan.
It sounds like you're getting the mileage of a midsize. I'd check the #s and drive by Mazda see what they think about this one.
Dinu
That 205 miles is LOW. Are you sure somebody isn't stealing gas out of your car at night?
Hope this helps.
fowler3
You might also wanna start keeping a log of fuel mileage for your car, so you have something to show the dealer when you do take the car there.
I remember getting mileage that low on my 2001 ES once, but it was because of a large passenger load, heavy use of AC, a hot climate, and lots of pedal. Mileage never got that low again on me though.
You might want to check this out.
Dinu
I'm still averaging about 29 mpg with that mix. 2000 Protege ES 5-speed (which according to EPA gets lower gas mileage -- believe it or not -- than the automatic), with 41,700 miles on the odo.
Meade
8 Protege5s
5 MP3s
1 Sport20
Sign up!
Meade
Meade
Really? Dead so it can't drive in traffic or go 85mph on the highway? B/c I just did that last week when we went to the beach. And got good mileage too.
Dinu
2001 ES w/auto and A/C on (only when it's REALLY hot)
"When flooring the car with the AC on and one passenger, the wheeld don't even spin, although they try to when only the driver is aboard."
Are you driving that Jetta that hard?
Dinu
Any input is appreciated.....
Bruno
Mybrakes are still ok now at 42.200kms in 13 months, and the car has held up very well. No problems, no rattles.
Good luck with your purchase!
Dinu
http://www.mazda6.co.uk/
chikoo recommended this site on the Mazda6 discussion page for the images therein, but there are also interviews with Mazda developers and engineers that should not be missed by anyone interested enough to be on this board (IMO). These Mazda team leaders clearly state their use of Audi and BMW as benchmarks, and in some detail explain why. Totally absorbing stuff!
And, there is a downloadable 6-page brochure on the Mazda6, and downloadable "complete specifications".
Okay, I'll let you off the hook just for today :P
Not sure what the climate is like in your part of Texas, Don--maybe ABS isn't as crucial.
But as Bruno said, if your son is used to it, maybe it's worth looking around a little more.
Besides, if it were my kid, and I DIDN'T get the ABS, I would always have that nagging feeling...but that's just me.
Good luck!
--Dale
ABS seems to be the way to go - just that it cuts down on what's still available ....
here's the new car lineup breakdown:
7 first gen.
1 2nd gen.
23 3rd gen., which include:
SEVEN MP3s
8 Protege5s
ONE Sport20
I'm speechless..... in a good way... :-D
I prefer it that way anyhow since I can't fit in the Protege/P5 that has a moonroof. I need that extra inch.
BTW, my wife is now leaning towards a P5 for her next car. I've finally worn her down. (And the upcoming 6 being a little too big for her tastes).
Of course, she probably won't let me drive it.
Also, the reason I said about the wheels spinning was to reflect the lack of power. That's true in alot of economy cars though, so it's normal for the Pro.
Wheel spin doesn't help you accelerate faster anyway (well, not by much).
Thanks.
Meade
As an example, find published stopping distances for a Pro ES with ABS and an MP3 Pro (didn't have an ABS option).
It has been argued, though, that an excellent driver can keep the tires even closer to that limit than a typical ABS system. We're talking about professional race car drivers, not folks like us. Besides, your typical race track is Autobahn smooth compared to the type of traction variability you see on your average American road.
Where ABS can increase stopping distances is on loose surfaces like snow, where snow can pile up in front of a locked wheel in a snow plow effect thus shortening stopping distances - maybe.
This is, of course, assuming you have one of the later generation ABS systems such as the one currently on the Pro.
Second, I've owned two cars with ABS. In both, I had situations where I had to panic stop. Whereas on a test track, you know when you're going to panic stop and can think about and prepare for how you're going to do it, you don't have that opportunity when the garbage truck lumbers across your path after running a red light as it happened once with me. My common panicked maneuver of thoughtlessly stomping the pedal, as all of us have done, resulted in wheel hop and a violently pulsating brake pedal which I doubt a smaller person (I weigh 276 pounds) could've maintained pressure on.
I decided after that incident that my next cars wouldn't have ABS if I could do anything about it.
Oh -- third reason. Lose the main ABS pump on a Protege and you're out approximately $2,000. Call your parts department if you don't believe me. We had the ABS argument a few months ago and I called and got prices.
No thanks!
Meade
Old ABS systems may have cost you a couple feet when compared to a highly skilled driver. Now with EBD (brake force distribution) on a 3 or 4 channel ABS, you really are better off with ABS. Correct me if I am wrong, but I know of no manual braking system that lets the driver modulate each wheel (not to mention that it would be a PITA).
An untrained driver (I'm sure that's what you meant) is more likely to stand on the brakes than pump them. In your case, it was a matter of you not taking the time to get used to your vehicle's brake system as is so common and you had previous experience and training (maybe informal) in a non-ABS vehicle.
I know I've said this many times before on here: EVERYONE should go find an open paved lot and practice panic stops no matter what braking system you have.
So, I'd turn that one around and say - yes, you don't know when you'll need to make a panic stop and the situation won't be a controlled one and we're not all expert drivers practiced in the art of threshold braking - we're stompers. Therefore, ABS is a good thing to have.
As for the cost of repair - that's something to consider. A relevant question here, though, is: how often do ABS systems fail? - and I don't really care to hear anecdotal evidence on this. Anybody have stats?
Here's another question: when ABS units fail, do they typically need to be swapped out entirely, or can they typically be fixed in a less costly manner?
Gimme a break. Why bother getting a car at all then if you're worried about having to have something replaced or fixed.
BTW, not enough experience, maltb? I'd had the truck for four years and about 90,000 miles when that occurred. Oh well.
Meade
Strange that on the '01's power windows were standard on the LX in the US, but not available on the Canadian LX.
Based on what YOU said, you did the wrong thing so I could only conclude that you didn't have enough experience with your braking system. I'm not trying to knock you Meade, but the argument against ABS just gets weaker and weaker as the systems get better. I used to be very skeptical about ABS but eventually I had to face the facts. You might want to do the same.
First line under "Member Conduct" in the Town Hall Member Agreement: "Town Hall welcomes all points of view on automotive matters."
If you want to start a pissing match, e-mail me. I don't hide in secrecy like some cowar-- I mean members -- do:
mdaffron@the-rma.org
No manual came with my truck instructing me on the proper usage of ABS. If I'm not mistaken (and you probably will tell me I am), ABS is installed in cars so the car will brake better based on the usual stomp-the-pedal reaction most (i.e. non-auto enthusiasts) do. And by being able to modulate the brakes more quickly, it can do a better job than the driver avoiding a loss of control in some situations (such as rain). I've hit the seatbelt of a Protege at 45 mph and totaled the car, and been rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. I know what hydroplaning and the resultant accident feels like (and by the way, ABS would NOT have helped me avoid that accident). I am very much aware of safety features. What did I learn from that accident? I now have outstandingly highly rated wet traction tires on my car and I drive very carefully -- and at a speed relevant to conditions, not road signs -- in bad weather -- if I decide to drive at all. (Because you can't trust the other guy, even if HE has ABS, my friend.) And I have decided that my extra precautions make ABS an unnecessary expense. (BTW, the truck's ABS system failed twice -- under warranty, thank God.)
If there are any real public, printed-in-the-manual "instructions" on using ABS, all I've ever read is that you're not supposed to pump your brakes if you start to lose control ... just use constant pressure. So as far as my "experience" with my braking system goes, I don't think there's much else I'll learn that I haven't learned in my 22 years of driving.
Meade
Now when I got the PRO I was thinking about ABS, but when it costs $1.000, forget it. If it was about $500, I would have chosen them.
Dinu
And on and on and on...
Dinu