Meade: I'm in Ohio until tomorrow night...work-related conference. Really wish I had just driven the Protege, cause I have a rental Cavalier (of course) that reeks of cigarette smoke. AND I just had to stop at a service station so that they could fill up the front tires...they were both really low.
Okay, gotta go...these Kinko's visits are killing me.
Every time they see you coming, they seem to give you a Cavalier. What's that all about?
When I have to have a rental, I always ask what they have in the class that's available, and choose from that. I got stuck with an 03 Escort (fleet only car, before anyone says they don't make them anymore), and hated it. The car was way too small and hurt my back pretty badly. I took it back the next day and got a Mitsubishi Lancer. Glad I did, as I kept the rental for 3 days instead of the first-mentioned one day.
"Is this what the Protege has to look forward to when it goes on the Focus platform???"
No. The problems with the Focus seem to be the Wayne assembly plant. They've been fine in Europe. The next Protege won't be built at Wayne, it will be built in Japan.
It's not that different actually. The mileage limit was already 50K, and they added another year. I guess it makes a difference for some people, but for someone like me who puts 50K on a car in 2 years, it doesn't make alot.
Just got back from lunch and checked out the new Motor Trend. For 2004, the Focus SVT supposedly gets a 225 hp Mazda turbo 4 cyl. Could this be the next Mazdaspeed Protege engine?
is not out of the question. Rumors about awd 250+hp AWD SVT Focci having been floating around for a number of years now. Probably just one of those development teasers, though.
And if you don't like torque steer, just don't go full throttle on it. The rest of us will start building up our arms to be able to control it. ;-)
BTW, I have a FWD car with 240 hp and, more importantly, 280 lbs-ft of torque. Torque steer is noticeable but (IMO) manageably small.
A number of disruptive messages have been removed. Personal disagreements are entirely out of place here. Either take it off-line, or ... hmmm .... just leave it be.
If anyone has any questions or comments about what has gone on here, please email me rather than continue the disruption in topic.
I have just been listening to a 19 minute audio interview that "womanmotorist.com" had with Phil Pasci, Marketing Manager of the Bridgestone/Firestone Tire Company, about the new Bridgestone Turanza and Potenza, as well as the new Firestone Affinity Tires. Listen yourself at
I have always been upset that Mazda put V-rated Potenza 195/95/15 tires on my Protege LX sedan, rather that a tire more suited to the kind of driving most sedan buyers are going to do. Now Mr. Pasci comes right out and says that most people would be better satisfied with Turanza LS Touring tires rather than Potenza tires. Furthermore, he says the Turanza is made in the same speed ratings as the Potenza, is equally safe, provides a far less jolting ride and a far quieter ride! Also, he implies that the harder-riding Potenza is only meant for very sporting driving. Some time ago I asked Bridgestone why they had agreed with the V-rated Potenza for the Protege and their answer was that it was a Mazda decision, not a joint decision with Bridgestone. I feel it was a bad mistake! Just look at all the negative postings in this forum regarding the Potenza tires.
I haven't been on this board as often as I used to, so I figure I should give you guys an update...
I am now a proud owner of a '91 RX-7! I just got it Thursday, very excited about it, been driving it all morning, gonna go take it for another spin in a few minutes!!!
Congratulations! That one is in beautiful shape! Enjoy! I sure wish Mazda would see fit to make rotaries available in more of their vehicles (the RX-8 will be a welcome addition). Can you imagine a rotary Protege? That great handling with smooth rotary power would really be so nice (and a unique selling point). I know it's probably cost prohibitive for Mazda, but I think many people would go for a Pro sized car with a Rotary if it were no more expensive than say, a Jetta 1.8T. Forgive me if I've totally missed something obvious about the lack of rotaries from Mazda. I'm kind of out of the technical loop!
This site also has that photo, previously referred to by others 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) !!
Now you have a real stormer and a daily driver that is still fun going to work. Which to drive? The one with gas in it. I've had two cars at a time and that's what I did.
Oh yeah, see the Mazda6 MPS 2.3L 280hp AWD sedan in December Motor Trend. Doesn't look like the car we will get. European version with different front treatment. Looks a lot better.
That pic of the 03 Protege looks like it could be the new P5 for 2004/2005. The P5 was built in 2001 as a 2002 model, so Mazda might bring out the new P5 in 2006 assuming a 5 yr cycle or along with the new 2004 Protege. I certainly can only speculate.
Looks ok to me. I like it! Now has anyone seen what the rededigned 04 PRO looks like?
Very useful post. You guys may remember the first review of F. in C&D. They were very ecstatic, devoted a lengthy review and talked almost in terms of a revolution in car design. If the Euros can make 'em right, it can't be the design in terms of being difficult to build. Whoever is at fault, this car ain't coming back. Let's see the 626 is being made where? And the line is being 'made over' as at Wayne to the new 6. I'm certainly waiting a couple of model years on the 6.
Ahh memories. Had one of those back in the early 90's. Thought I'd never own another car with a piston in my life. Rotary engines are smoother than any regular engine could ever dream to be...Til the apex seals fail durn it. Watch that oil level!!!! And make sure it passes emissions.
we need a sedan too, not just a HB (even though if they were priced equally I would have taken the P5 over the ES, but for $2.000 CDN more, ES it was).
Congrats, nice looking car. I always liked how you could flash the headlights through those little slits in the front without popping them up. Very cool. I never rode in or drove one though, so I don't know how a rotary sounds.
My mother used to say, back in the day, you could tell a Mazda from any other car. She said that Mazdas with the wankel engine would go "hmmmm", while other cars would go "blum blum blum" when they ran.
Very neat. I'm thinking of picking one of those up too, and having it fitted to run SCCA Spec RX-7 classes. Auto-X would be fun too, and wouldn't require ripping up the daily driver.
My Silver 00 ES 5-Speed turned 30,000 on the way to work this morning. Still looks and runs like the day I picked her up. Still look forward to the drive as much as day 1.
It looks to be in very good shape, judging from your pics.
That's the generation of RX-7 I always wanted, but never could afford (when new) and now can't find one in decent shape. Oh well, I'll have to save up my $$$ and see how the RX-8 is (and whether I fit...headroom looks tight for me, just as in any other sporty car).
What you said right now is the reason I got the car I had wanted since they came out. I am young now, with not too many responsibilities as far as bills. I figure I will get the car I want now, because I will have a mortgage and all that good stuff later to look forward to. I can enjoy my car now, while I am young.
Comments
Meade: I'm in Ohio until tomorrow night...work-related conference. Really wish I had just driven the Protege, cause I have a rental Cavalier (of course) that reeks of cigarette smoke. AND I just had to stop at a service station so that they could fill up the front tires...they were both really low.
Okay, gotta go...these Kinko's visits are killing me.
me-in-rad....Glaze?? well nothing happens which is distracting...so am not sure what your eyes are looking for.
Hi Dale!!!....i had an escort rental once and that too reeeeeked of cig. smoke.....yuccckk.
When I have to have a rental, I always ask what they have in the class that's available, and choose from that. I got stuck with an 03 Escort (fleet only car, before anyone says they don't make them anymore), and hated it. The car was way too small and hurt my back pretty badly. I took it back the next day and got a Mitsubishi Lancer. Glad I did, as I kept the rental for 3 days instead of the first-mentioned one day.
http://www.detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0210/13/a01-611243.htm
And maybe I'm behind...but since when is the Pro going on the Focus platform? Did I miss an article?
Dale...you say one word about keeping up... :P
All 2003 Mazda's get a 4 year / 50K bumper to bumper warranty!!!!
If you already purchased a 2003 you will get the warranty also
zoom~zoom
Rich
No. The problems with the Focus seem to be the Wayne assembly plant. They've been fine in Europe. The next Protege won't be built at Wayne, it will be built in Japan.
But it's different story if they put it on the 4WD. We can always dream.
And if you don't like torque steer, just don't go full throttle on it. The rest of us will start building up our arms to be able to control it. ;-)
BTW, I have a FWD car with 240 hp and, more importantly, 280 lbs-ft of torque. Torque steer is noticeable but (IMO) manageably small.
If anyone has any questions or comments about what has gone on here, please email me rather than continue the disruption in topic.
Thank you.
http://www.womanmotorist.com/index-audio.shtml
I have always been upset that Mazda put V-rated Potenza 195/95/15 tires on my Protege LX sedan, rather that a tire more suited to the kind of driving most sedan buyers are going to do. Now Mr. Pasci comes right out and says that most people would be better satisfied with Turanza LS Touring tires rather than Potenza tires. Furthermore, he says the Turanza is made in the same speed ratings as the Potenza, is equally safe, provides a far less jolting ride and a far quieter ride! Also, he implies that the harder-riding Potenza is only meant for very sporting driving. Some time ago I asked Bridgestone why they had agreed with the V-rated Potenza for the Protege and their answer was that it was a Mazda decision, not a joint decision with Bridgestone. I feel it was a bad mistake! Just look at all the negative postings in this forum regarding the Potenza tires.
fowler3
I am now a proud owner of a '91 RX-7! I just got it Thursday, very excited about it, been driving it all morning, gonna go take it for another spin in a few minutes!!!
I love this car!!!!
but I still love my Protege too!
here are some pics
Gonna take it auto-crossing?
So how do you chose what you drive now?
Dinu
yes, I intend to run the rx-7 as my autocross car next season.
I have no idea, I'll flip a coin every morning to decide drive which one to work :-)
So which one are you going to bring to the next MAPP? I know the temptation will be there to wanna show off the RX!
HERE
This site also has that photo, previously referred to by others 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?
Oh yeah, see the Mazda6 MPS 2.3L 280hp AWD sedan in December Motor Trend. Doesn't look like the car we will get. European version with different front treatment. Looks a lot better.
Fowler3
Looks ok to me. I like it! Now has anyone seen what the rededigned 04 PRO looks like?
Dinu
Do like it though, for a hatch anyway.
Dinu
meinrad, lots of free time now, I lost confidence in the client, quit before getting burned.
Fowler3
How did u manage that steal?
Regards,
Mark.
I envy you, but congratulations!
It looks to be in very good shape, judging from your pics.
That's the generation of RX-7 I always wanted, but never could afford (when new) and now can't find one in decent shape. Oh well, I'll have to save up my $$$ and see how the RX-8 is (and whether I fit...headroom looks tight for me, just as in any other sporty car).
What can I say?
Meade
http://www.mindarrow.net/Mazda6IGSweeps/static/Mazda6IGSweeps.asp?cid=917&mid=10801
Meade