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I had a friend teach me how to change my oil for the first time, since I'm not a big gearhead. It was incredibly EASY! The hardest part is crawling under the car and draining the oil, but other than that, it's a snap. Considering the fact that the dealer here charges $40 bucks for a sythetic oil change, I think I'd rather do it myself for about $21! ($18 for a 5 quart jug of Mobil 1 10W30 Sythetic, $3.20 for an oil filter, forgot what brand)
-Larry
and Meade, 10/6 sounds good to me, so count me in for MAPP as well.
I'm right in N. Va btw, Falls Church to be exact...
-Larry
Larry ... Ahhh, Birch Beer! I'm a big fan of the Sioux City variety, and I just remembered the big 2-liter bottle you brought last time! And the sangria ... tasty! Maybe I'll bring some of my favorite beer of all time ... Legend Lager, brewed right here at a Richmond microbrewery. Just gotta watch out for those rangers ...
And don't forget the cigars!
Paul (vocus) has conversed with me via e-mail today and it looks like October 6 and the same location are good for him. Larry, looks like you're in consensus. And I called my wife (after making these plans, like a typical man) and she said the 6th looks good to her and Sean too. So at least the original ... er ... "brat pack" will be heading for the hills again!
Now we've just got to drum up interest from everybody else. I haven't gotten over to the Pro5 topic yet, and I've got a meeting to go to for the rest of the day. Maybe one of you guys can drop over there and tell 'em to come check out the news here?
This is getting exciting again! Keep on zoomin' and I'll be back in tomorrow morning with an update on MAPP II ... The Sequel.
Meade
P.S. Looks like Paul's buddy can't make it this year, so no lasagna!!! We'll have to make do, somehow, without it. Tell ya what, I cook a mean pop-tart! Just kidding -- I do pretty well actually! But it looks like Jim's already got us in good hands!
Also, I might just get a good friend of mine to make me something interesting to bring to the picnic, since she is a pretty good cook and I am not. We shall see.
My e-mail is: jfmartin@nr.infi.net
I live in NC, although from VA, near Greensboro.
How about Smithfield ham biscuits? Sounds great!!
I'll look into NC BBQ.
fowler3
In the meantime, want to see what a Protegé5 would look like with another manufacturer's front end on it. Check out this company's new model for 2002, only $33,150!
http://www.lexus.com/showroom/model/is_sportcross.html
and in MP3 laser blue....
http://www.lexus.com/showroom/model/is_sportcross_2.html
Butt-ugly steering wheel, but hey, they use the same kind of cruise control stalk the Protegé has. And buyers think they are getting Lexus quality?
fowler3
Early to mid-September is best for me. You guys?
Regards,
Pete
Excuse my ignorance, but where is Busse Woods Forest Preserve? Is that near Chicago? I'd be coming from the Twin Cities area and I'm quessing Chicago is about a 6 hour drive from hear.
Newcar31 - You sure seem very technically knowledgeable when it comes to cars. If and when I get my Pro, I'm sure I'll be seeking your advice.
Mike.
I actually test drove an LX 2.0 at the new Walser Chrysler/Mazda in Burnsville last week. It was very nice. I need to see what I can get for the Intrepid, either on the used car market or trade. I've had a nasty habit of going through cars too quickly and taking big depreciation hits. I bought a new '99 626 EX V6 and sold it a year later (August 2000) with 20k miles to get some extra cash to use for finishing the rest of my basement. That's when I bought the Intrepid used w/ 78k miles. Well, here I am a year and 20k miles later, itching to buy a new car again! One side of my brain is telling me to drive the Intrepid until the wheels fall off, spread the depreciation out, invest the $230 or so dollars a month into a 'car fund', and buy a new one at that time (2 or 3 years down the road). The other side of my brain (the fun side!!!) tells me to buy the Pro now, pay the $230 a month for 48 months (this is what I estimated the payment to be if I can get anything close to what Edmunds TMV trade-in price is for my Dodge), and force myself to hang on to this car for at least four years until it's paid for (is there any kind of group therapy for guys who cycle through cars about once a year?). Judging by the enthusiasm by the majority of people on this forum, I think I would enjoy the Pro for several years!
By the way, is that 5 hours to Chicago averaging about 80 to 90 mph? I had a ticket late last August doing 89 on Hwy 10 near Little Falls, so I need to watch it so my insurance doesn't creep up too far. Damn, I kind of miss that 626! It was a 5spd too.
Mike.
http://www.mazdausa.com/conceptcars/default.asp?screensaver=yes
1989 Ford Probe
1991 Toyota MR2
1987 Toyota Celica
1993 Acura Vigor
1997 Toyota RAV4
1987 Toyota Corolla FX16
1987 Toyota Corolla FX16
1988 Toyota Tercel
1990 Acura Integra
1994 Acura Integra
1991 Acura Integra
1992 Acura Integra
1998 Honda Civic
1989 Honda Civic
1993 Honda Civic
1999 Honda Accord
1991 Honda Accord
1993 Honda Accord
1993 Honda Accord
1991 Nissan 300ZX
1994 Lexus LS400
2000 Chevy Silverado (the oddball of the group)
2001 Protege ES
Injector cleaning..on my last car once or twice a year I'd put a bottle of injector cleaner in the gas only when I knew I'd be burning a full tank of gas that day, my theory being that the cleaning is continuous until its all used and at highway speed the cleaning is more vigorous and its not left to soak any seals,gaskets etc. My two cents.. Dennis MI
A Protege would serve as our "in-town" car - and get me to and from work with verve and economy. It would also be the vehicle I would use to pull my small sailboat and trailer (combined weight 400#) to and from the lake. Which raises a few questions:
1) Is there any reason you think the car would not be up to the job?
2) Does towing do anything untoward to the warranty?
3) Do any of you have a trailer hitch on your Pro, and if so, what brand did you install?
4) Any changes on the Pro '02?
I have pulled this boat & trailer combo with an 88hp. '94 Escort with no trouble, and my truck has about 120 hp., I think, and it does fine. I'm used to moderate acceleration when towing and grew up driving cars with smallish engines, so I'm not expecting anything blindingly fast. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks and may you all Zoom-Zoom happily.
Pro02
However, if you're determined to tow, you may be out of luck. The owner's manual for my Pro5 says "Never tow a trailer with your Mazda." However, the car does produce 130 hp, and if you could tow the light boat with an 88hp car, it might work for you--I'd check with your dealer AND a mechanic.
Thanks for the heads-up about Mazda's prohibition against towing. I suppose if there were a warranty problem, say the tranny, the trailer hitch would be a bit obvious and might lead to trouble.
Thanks for your words of wisdom,
Pro02
2001 Mazda 626 Incentives:
Free Luxury Package (LX)
Free Premium Package (LX-V6)
4.9% APR for 60mos (maybe 48mos?)
Are you going to finance this vehicle? Remember, the 2001 Protege has 0.0% financing and payments are not too much more than what the used Protege will run for:
1998 Mazda Protege ES 5-spd*
$9,490
8.9% APR
48mos loan
$0 down
$235/mo
2001 Mazda Protege LX 2.0 5-spd*
$14,695 (MSRP minus a conservative $700)
0.0% APR
48mos loan
$0 down
$306/mo
*Applicable state sales tax and state licensing/registration fees must be added.
For that extra $71/mo, you are getting the 3yr/50,000 mile warranty plus 24-hour roadside assistance. Plus, it gives you the peace of mind that nobody has abused this car before you. Hey, if someone is willing to let you borrow money for free, I say take it!! BTW, that price I gave you on the 2001 Protege includes all of the equipment of the LX 2.0 (AC, power windows/locks/mirrors, 2.0L engine, cruise, CD, tilt) plus the remote keyless entry system ($100), power moonroof (free), and 15" alloy wheels (free).
Thanks
Andrew
The customer-cash incentive (rebate) has no effect on the dealer's profit. Don't let a dealership tell you otherwise. When you are dealing with the dealer, deal as if there was no rebate involved. Once you come to a price you are satisfied with, tell them you want to use the rebate as a down payment. That rebate is money in your pocket. The dealer can't touch it. My question is: When did they start a rebate on the Protege5? From my understanding, only the sedans have the rebate.
So far (after only 131 miles) we are very pleased with this new car. It is quiet, stereeo is ok (our 97 Protege's sounded better). The new car has moonroof, ABS, and cassette. It will take some getting used to the red lights of the dash gauges at night. The 5 speed shifts so smoothly. Will provide further updates as the car gets broken in. We have bought quite a few Mazda's since 1985 and they have all been very reliable (with the exception of a 94 B-4000 4X4, which is a Ford anyway). We expect this new Protege will be very reliable, and fun to drive to boot.
Bill
This is a great forum and you will find all kinds of advice and help here, if needed.
fowler3
Bill
A good friend, who was leaning towards buying the Civic EX, bought a Seabreeze Green Protege ES with the S-plan pricing and the 0% rebate, with the premium package (were people aware that the sunroof is currently being offered for free?).
She felt it was better value for money, and a much more fun car to drive, go figure ;-). I did more of the convincing than the car dealership, literally! One place had no ES's and had her drive an LX 2.0, and she (rightly) felt the Civic EX would be a better choice! But when I insisted she go to another dealer, much further away, and try the ES, she enjoyed driving it so much, that she changed her mind! The better warranty, roadside support, one-year replacement plan, price, and APR may also have had something to do with it!
Thanks, to people who posted info about the S-Plan, I passed that on to her - and she got a great deal (300 below invoice, I think).
Can people post some info about extended warranties? Buy from the dealer, buy yourself, or wait for a while (but buy before the manufacturer's warranty runs out)?
edmund: The Protege is quickly moving up the list of my favorite cars. I loved my Accords but the size of the Protege is a little better since it's just me and my jerk/fiance. The highway ride is hard to beat and after sitting in a 01 Civic EX today I couldn't be happier with my decision. The Protege has WAAAYYYY more personality. If the car holds up well and doesn't depreciate tooooo much then I might have to put it in first place. I like this car that much.
Add the 0.0% financing in and you have yourself the best small car out there. It has the drive and personality of a VW Jetta but with a lower price and better reliability. I am a diehard Honda fan but Honda dropped the ball with the new Civic and I am disappointed.
Now if they'd just offer the 0.0% on the Pro5 and we'd have 2 Pro's in the driveway..
Cindy
01 Pro ES 5-speed
It didn't change a lot but it did "lock down" the front end and seems to keep it from following grooves as bad. On corners it seems to sharpen the feedback from the front end slightly, I noticed it mostly on highway onramps. I usually take onramps at or near the fastest speed I can...being that they are so much fun!
Sorry Jstandefer...maybe it was suchismit that was from Chicago...I've been off the board too long! ;-)
Busse Woods is near Highway 53 and Route 72 in Elk Grove, Illinois, or about 40 mins NW from downtown Chicago.
I'm going to see if my local Mazda dealer will let me post flyers for the CAPP if we decide to have one.
Regards,
Pete
1.) Snaked the clogged toilet and retrieved my sons's 4 inch action figure toy from the trap. Funny how a 4 inch toy will not pass thru a 3 inch sewer line? :-(
2.) Sanded, primed and gave 2 coats of paint to our mail box post. Went to Home Depot and purchased a new mail box and installed. This little deal took most of the afternoon. Did get to see bits of the Indy NASCAR race. :-)
3.) Installed a new lighting fixture in the dinning room and the kitchen. This project only cost me, most of my IRS refund check! :-(
4.) Took the wife and son to the pool. Well, I did have a great time at the pool! However, I missed the end of the INDY race. Not so bad though, because I really hate Jeff Gorden! Now, if Tony Stewert or Dale Jarret would have won, I would have been hissed off for missing the end. ;-O
Well, at the end of the day, I did not get to Zoom Zoom(except the short ride to the pool) and did not get the chance to wash and detail my "mistress's", lol! Hopefully, I scored enough brownie points for next week?
-Larry
I went to the dealership the other day, and they had a silver P5 automatic with everything but the alarm. God, how was I tempted! I might even go back and stop by there today just to kill my curiousity...
"Never tow a trailer with your Mazda."
Apparently, the people who wrote the manual are not paid by the word. It doesn't really discriminate between "not recommended" and "prohibited".
Still, I have a hard time imagining that if you could tow your light load OK with your '94 Escort that you couldn't with a new Protege...
A Protege LX (not 2.0), with auto, comfort group and moonroof is invoce 14875 + 480 destination charge.
Is the S-plan pricing off of straight invoice, or invoice and destination? (okay a difference of maybe $7, but just curious...)
Does tax apply to the destination charge? Doc Fee? Title? License?
In Illinois cars under 15K are taxed one way, over 15K another; ie, under 15K and a new car the tax is 390; between 15-18K it is $750.
TIA for any input.
Thanks ...
Julia
pro02