Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
www.beaterz.com
Get a good look around the site. This guy has a great sense of humor.
http://www.angelfire.com/nc2/mycoffeecan/
And while you're there, check out the nice 'spoiler' mod...
http://www.angelfire.com/nc2/mycoffeecan/page3.html
LOL!
Ride: solid, inspired confidence, tight turning circle.
Brakes: had ABS; did a panic stop from 50 mph; mostly kept to a straight line with the rear swinging out just a bit to the left.
Seats: nice and firm, although a VW type height adjuster lever would be a big step up from the dumb wheels that you need a wrench to turn when you are seated.
Dash: white gauges look great in daytime but the red is hardly the color to use at night. Wish they kept the LX green.
Center stack: neat and clean. The armrest, or what passes for one, is just about useless as it is too short and too low....again....look to VW's.
Leg room: great in back; not as good as some, like VW again, in the front.
Acceleration: zoomzoomzoom....nice engine.
Overall: got to be one of the best for the bucks.
Can't wait to see and drive the 5.
Civics don’t zoom. Step on the gas and the engine revs, but the car doesn't go any faster. Honda safety feature.
fowler3
P.S.- Is anyone else excited about this whole Mazda rejuvenation plan?! I think it is really cool to know about, and I can't wait to see that they next generation of vehicles are going to be and look like. I have a feeling that in about 3 years Mazda will be one of the cars to own.
A few years ago (3 or more), I was looking at the protege., but I did not see the appeal in it. The car looked like a econo-box. The dealership in VA, was also not very interested in making a sale ( I guess the money from the miata's was keeping the stomach's full ).
Mazda has just recently started to improve the look and appeal of their cars. Mazda still needs to work on improving its dealerships.
I think that mazda will be making cars for a while to come. But they still have to "GET WITH THE TIMES". The new line looks a lot more appealing, but the advertising still needs to be more widespread ( if they plan to be around ).
I also see that, ford could have a negative effect on the future of mazda. As most people know,the protege is one of the last JAPAN made cars.I would hate to see this car change into another focus. I think that mazda needs to do whatever it takes to keep this car built in japan. I can not see this car being what it is now, if it is built with the TOUCH OF FORD. I have never been interested in any ford products. I associate the word "CraP" with ford.
The FORD built protege, will have as much value as a hundai. They will have to offer extended power train warranties just to sell them. The diehard MAZDA fans, will not buy into a ford product very willingly. At least I will not.
On the other hand, I saw the Jetta wagon at the NY Auto Show. It looks great, with all the usual VW pluses (styling, quality feel) and minuses ($$$).
I hope Mazda releases a "regular" version of the 5door wagon at some point. I'm all in favor of sports wagons, but personally I'd prefer a classy wagon like the Jetta over a "go-fast" looking wagon like the 5door. Just my thoughts.
As for the Jetta Comparisons...um a 1.8T is in a whole different league from a Protege. Leather, torquey engine, excellent interior. But for that kinda equipment one is looking at spending 21k compared to the Protege's 16k.
Regardless. I guess if one is comparing 2L engines, then it makes sense. And yes the protege is gobs better than the VW then. The VW 2L engine is one of the worst on the market. It's the main cause for so many Jettas coming back to VW as lemons.
Of course, one could deck out a Protege ES, or even get the MP3 for less money than either of these Jetta's. Or for real performance and about the same money, one could buy a tire scorching 1995 RX-7 twin turbo... the "chip" for it bumps this screaming 1.3L to nearly 300hp!
I'm definitely gonna check out an MP3. are they out? Mazda's website leads me to conclude so, as does Carsdirect, but I haven't heard back from a dealer I contacted about it.
BTW, the Jetta with the VR6 you do have to use premium and you have a car that's burdened with another 120 lbs. on the nose, thus making handling quite unwieldy. I drove the two back to back. First the VR6 and then the 1.8T, both with the obligatory sports suspension. It was night and day for me. The VR6 felt sloppy and the nose plow was quite evident. Plus the reliability of a VR6 compared to a 1.8T is huge. The 1.8T is a robust, well made engine. The VR6...I don't wanna get flamed.
As far as Midas, I took my mom's Bonneville there and the brakes were never right again. Between them and Mineake (sp?), they both suck butt. Take the car to Goodyear or the dealer for the pads. Or simply buy the factory pads from the dealer, give them to the shop, and tell them to put those on there.
I've noticed that just about "anytime" I click it I downshift. But that might just be from 4th to 3rd unless I'm really crawling. Also the car seems a little beefier with the OD off. Again that might also be lack of the top gear.
I know that with today's electronically controlled shift points, etc. it would be easy for a maker to set an auto with two different personalities depending on whether the button is in or out.
Am I imagining things again? Or does this seem to be the case?
Off topic though. Still want to drive this new MP3. People keep telling me it'll make me happy, but I must admit I'm not convinced by the specs. Fearful it'll be too slow for my liking but have nice handling.
Not to run the 1.8T subject in the ground, but I had this engine in my last car, an A4. It was a good little engine, although I didn't like it with an automatic since the small amount of turbo lag is much more apparent, especially when trying to dart into the Atlanta traffic! I considered the 1.8T Jetta, but, to me, getting an engine that requires premium fuel, and gets only 21-24 mpg on average, just wasn't worth the 0.5 sec decrease in 0-60 time compared to my ES (to say nothing of the cramped rear quarters and the much higher price). If I were interested in a VW, I would step up to the Passat. I saw the 2001.5 the other day and it look really sharp.
Some drivers use it around town staying in D3 for faster stoplight getaways.
Great feature since Honda’s “Grade Logic” feature doesn't work all that well. The Accords and Odysseys still “hunt”.
fowler3
I'm looking ot save some money on my next car and the Pro5 is my #1 choice at the moment, with the ES sedan second.
Last year, we replaced all four brakes on my wife's 1995 Cavalier with Meinekes. Again, very pleased.
I'm also pleased with the "lifetime" replacement warranty Meineke offers -- I guess they figure by the time you replace your brakes once, you're not going to keep the car long enough to do it again -- and the warranty doesn't extend to a second owner. You know, they stand behind their work. If you guys are having trouble with Midas or Meineke, you should take the car back and give them a chance to make things right. I've had nothing but good luck with Meineke.
Now, if you wanna talk about Firestone ...
Meade
This last picture of the MSRP didn't come out so well. I believe the price was $18,380 or something like that. This Protege5 had the automatic, power moonroof, and floor mats. It was absolutely beautiful!!! Much better in person than in the pics!!! And that yellow!!! Blinding!!! Striking!!!
May I quote your post in another forum with proper credit jstandefer?
These pics are free to the taking for anyone who wants them!!! Use them however you want!!!
Feel free to check out this discussion I started on the Pro5 in the VW Vortex's CAR LOUNGE.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/vwbb/Forum1/HTML/017221.html