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-Larry
:-(
Respectfully,
Larry
I replaced them with Pioneer TS-A6999s. Highs are much crisper and the volume can get much higher without distortion. Mid (voice) frequencies are also much clearer.
A car named after its stereo system? As Christian Wardlaw's article implies, "boom boom" instead of "zoom zoom" I guess... :-)
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
I thought the MP stood for Mazda Protege and the 3 for the third engine/style available :-)
Got to go take a look at one at my dealership, was there a few weeks ago ogling the Protege5 (MP4 - fourth body style?)
-ashu
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
fowler3
I am new to this board. I was surfing around the internet looking for info on the 2001 Protege, and I stumbled across this board.
I guess I would have to consider myself a loyal Protege owner. My very first car was a 90 Protege SE, then in 96, I got a Protege LX.
I am now looking to get rid of my 96 Protege LX for a 2001. This time, I am getting the ES, I think.
However, I am having the most difficult time finding a ES, 5speed. There doesnt seem to be one in the entire states of Louisiana. Both my other protege's were 5 speed manual and that what I want this one to be.
Any suggestions on where and how to find a 2001 Protege ES in 5 speed??
fowler3
1.)What is the BEST time to REPLACE the Engine timing belt? 60,000 miles, 90,000 miles or 105,000 miles?
2.)Are there any warranty issues related to this replacement?
3.)What is the "scoop" on clause *2, "if your vehicle was initially registered in one of these listed states, the scheduled maintenance services set forth in this section apply to it: .......(14 states are listed including my state, Pennsylvania)"? "INSPECT for 60,000 miles, 90,000 miles, REPLACE every 105,000 miles.
4.) Finally, Maltb if your dealership did not offer you a demo car and you NEEDED to maintain the long term intervals on your PRO-DX, when would YOU replace the Engine timing belt?
BTW, if you ever visit PA and try our awesome local dutch scrapple, however never use pancake syrup on it, the server will know you are a tourist. ;-)
Respectfully,
Larry
It probably comes down to some weird regulations. The 2001 manual says inspect at 60k and replace at 105k (or as the typo has it: 10,5000).
However, I have been branded by personal experience on an '87 Jetta that I inherited(by marriage) and loved. My, then, girl friend bought the "well maintained" car from her brother with 70k on the odo. At 100k I got a call from a stranded fiance after saying g'night 20 min earlier. Sure enough, the TB stripped a couple of teeth at 70 mph, but fortunately, no engine damage occurred. With a new timing belt AND TENSIONER(another personal recommendation), the car was back on the road. At 160k and married, the car got a new TB, no questions asked. At 190k(and 2 kids) the car got a new home and was still running great.
I can't tell you if the belts they use these days are any better, but if they are willing to put that interval into print, you have something to fall back on. Personally, I'll error on the side of caution and do the 60k as it only costs me a Saturday morning and $25 for a belt.
I can't see why there would be any issues with the 36/50k warranty.
Ok, where do I find 'em dutch scrapple in California?
its funny that you suggest flying to MSP to get a new car. I am a flight attendant so flying to MSP to get a car isn't a problem. I am based in the midwest anyway (Chicago) so I am in these parts often. However, I live in Louisiana and would have to register my car there, not in Minn. Does anyone know how it works for buying a car in one state and registering it in another. Would have have to pay double taxes and reg. fees, etc. I would not want to pay those fees in MN, and then get back to Louisiana and pay them again to reregister my car????
any thoughts?
Malty, you can only truly appreciate a good piece of breakfast scrapple in South Eastern "Pe-Ay"!!! Dempsey's Diner makes a great Penna Dutch Scrapple breakfast in Lancaster for $2.69!! Nothing like fried pig parts in the morning!
Respectfully,
Larry
The MP3 was nice. The paint was excellent (laser blue). The ground effects package was a nice touch, but not shocking (we've already seen it on the Protege5). The rear spoiler actually looks a lot better in person than it does in the pictures. The interior was nicely done with a lot of "silver" accents. The lack of cruise control was extremely apparent. Also, the huge subwoofer in the trunk is poorly placed. It effectively cuts the trunks space by about 30% and blocks the opening for the 60% side of the fold-down seats. What you have left is an L-shaped trunk.
What made it even worse was the $5,000 markup on it! I'm sorry, but $23,500 is way too much for the car. Every dealership in the county is marking the MP3 up, except for my favorite who is selling it for sticker. Also, my favorite dealership's (I don't want to name the dealership anymore, since I got slapped in the face by one of the moderators for "soliciting") Mazda sales manager said they were getting three more in sometime in the next 30-45 days. Are they increasing the production numbers on the MP3?
Well, there were only 3000 10th Anniversary Edition Miata's imported to the U.S., and this dealership (thanks Larry) ended up with 35 of them. The sales manager said Mazda called him and told him he was getting three more! Hopefully it is true... since I used to work there maybe they'll let me test drive one!!! Oh well... I'm just waiting for next year's "whistling" MP3. Hopefully it goes "hmmmm" more than "boing" along with the whistle, if you know what I mean. But, what are the chances of that happening? :-)
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
Respectfully,
Larry Kline
Sooo, I decide that I'll take my son and I out for a nice drive in the country and grab a little ice cream somewhere along the way. What an awesome evening to cruise. I opened the windows and moonroof and we hit the road. I can hardly describe how much fun that is in a Protege. I thought about what a great car my 2000 PRO-ES has turned out to be. I'm still a tick under 24,000 miles and the darn car handles the twisties with confidence and the engine is buttery smooth. What great fun for $15,250.
Well after about 20 mins. of pure joy, my 5 year old son asks me if we can see a movie like Mommy? Well, $30 bucks(2 tickets, popcorn, sour patch kids, airheads and some sodas) later, we watched Dr. Doolittle Part 2!!! O'well the drive was a lot of fun!
-Larry
Sean Christopher is now a month old and has happily zoom zoomed with Dad several times.(Notice the lower-case "zoom zoom" -- Mommy's been in the car with us.)
My 2000 ES 5-speed now has about 23,000 miles on it and is running well, although I've been bad and haven't performed my 15,000-mile service. Anybody know what it entails and how much change I'll part with? Or should I just change my oil and filters and wait until 30K?
My Poortenzas are just about bald. I'm surprised they passed inspection last month. I've had to rotate them every 5,000 miles; if you don't, they sing to high heaven.
Larry, I've also been nonexistent here because of another time-consuming event of late ... a June 4 lightning strike in my back yard that came into our house on our electrical service ground. The house and the family are fine; I wish I could say the same for my brand-new home theatre system and ham radio station!!! Just when you thought grounding protected you ...
Oh well. I'm here, just not as often as before. But I am still loving my third Protege and drooling over the Protege5. But now I have no money! How are things going for MAPP2?
Meade
Meade, baby Sean is probably too young for MAPP#2 (the 2nd Mid Atlantic Protege Picnic), however; I would love to have another Protege get together, next spring (2002). My vote is for late May 2002, at the same spot as the first MAPP. I'm sure we can get a few of the newer owners and Vocus & friends, your family and the Kline posse together for an even bigger picnic than the 1st get together
-Larry
Nonetheless, the chats have been fun and until recently, pretty active. Just a reminder to everyone, Every Thursday 9:00 EST, "be there or be square"! LOL, that sounds dumb, but it really is fun and we NEED your support.
Respectfully,
Larry
I took my 2001 ES in for service over the weekend, because I noticed some pulsation when stopping and thought warped rotors to be the culprit. The shop (Darcars Mazda in College Park, Md.) said no, but they are full of it. (BTW, their service sucks. Avoid them at all costs!). They also centered my steering wheel, per a TSB as they said. Everything is fine, but I will have to take the car back before 12K for the rotors again. I now have ~8700 miles and still liking the car alot.
MDaffron: Glad to hear that fatherhood is treating you well. Sorry to hear about the house, and glad everything is fine now though. Good luck on being a daddy!
MAPP2: I will probably be able to make it to the second annual MAPP. Kinda looking forward to it, since I am about the only original member who has a 2001 Protege now. Since everyone poked fun at my lowly DX last year, I am going to make them jealous now.
-Larry
The rotors on my 1992 LX had to be resurfaced TWICE by 30,000 miles because I was coming home from my 26-mile commute full of zoom zooming (well, it wasn't zoom zooming back then -- it was simply enjoying kansai engineering
Turns out the deluge of cold water on my hot-enough-to-fry-an-egg rotors was warping them from the sudden and prolonged change in temperature! Ever since I learned that, I always go inside, have a beer, take a shower, read the mail, whatever -- I give the car about a half-hour or so to cool down -- and THEN and ONLY THEN do I do my wheels.
Seven years and a few cars later, I haven't had to resurface one rotor.
I only say this because I know how uppity we all are about keeping our Maz-Mazzes clean and spiffy! (Don't read anything personal into this, Larry, unless you're feeling GUILTY!!!)
Meade
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010601/laf082a.html
Next Wednesday, you should see a new set.
I remember the Kansei engineering thing too, Meade. I can remmeber sitting and reading the 1992 model brochures and laughing about that one.
I test drove it.... Purely awesome. I am in love. I was about to write a check for $18,000 and drive away, but I have to play hard so I can get a good deal. Anyway, the one I want is Black with ES premium package, alarm, cassette, and sunroof deflector.
The car is awesome in black. They also had red and green in 5 speed.
Anyway, I think I will be purchasing a car in chicago and driving back to Louisiana. Its a shame I cant find a 5 speed ES in the entire state of LA.
Silver might be a better choice if you can find one, but any metal flake-painted car will absorb some heat, but not like black. Even the Sand Mica gets warm. You will probably have to use your AC year-round.
Check AutoTrader.com --> New Cars --> Mazda Dealers and see what they have on their lots in most of the states. And check on Rebates. Read back about 1600 posts and read about the S-plan for a good price.
fowler3
I've had to replace two broken studs on the hubs of my '89 323 because of careless reassembly of the nuts...that's why I rotate my own wheels now too. When the tech uses any power tool to run a nut onto a stud, they can't feel if the nut cross-threads the stud. Yeah, yeah, technically the nut is supposed to be softer than the stud so it breaks instead, but it takes only one broken stud (and a $40-$50 fee) to sour you on someone else rotating your wheels.
The torque specification should be in the service manual. I don't recall seeing it in the owner's manual, but I'll take a look during lunch.
Still, a bit more power would be nice. My wife seems to think I have enough, especially when I forget she's riding with me and zoom zoom.
I was thinking of going as far as to have the car painted another lighter color, but I know it will be too hard to do (doorjambs, etc. when doing a color change from so dark to light) and probably be expensive and reduce trade-in value to boot. Guess I will just have to stick with leaving the windows and sunroof cracked while at work.