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Comments
Looks like you all have been very talkative.
I haven't owned an American car since 1973. Bought an 1974 Audi Fox 5-speed and never went back to big iron. That was during the Oil Imbargo days.
The problem with American cars was, you spent the first 60 days going back to the dealer getting things fixed, lost time from work, mad bosses. From 1974 to today I have never had that problem again with German and Japanese cars. With those the first 60 days is spent enjoying the car(s).
Keep the posts coming! I hate having to scroll down the Sedans list to find you.
fowler3
Meade
I remember seeing the first aluminum Audi at the International Automobile Show, in Frankfurt, Germany in 1993. It was an A8 and they didn't paint it, it looked like a chrome-plated car. Talk about reflections and glare, that car was something else. People couldn't take their eyes off of it. I have a picture of it, wish I could post it some place.
That's one auto show you should see. It's every September. Huge, like going to Disney World, all cars and trucks and even a big building displaying auto parts and accessories.
The best part was the bratwurst and beer sold by venders around the show grounds. Great for tired feet.
fowler3
All performance parts and will fit the Protege ES 1.8L and 2.0L. Any extra modifications an owner makes to an MP3 can easily be made to an ES, and vice-versa. I might see the need for a separate board when the turbocharged MP3's hit the market next year. But until then, the MP3 is really no quicker than the '99 ES which is the lightest of the third generation Protege's. And, I still feel the 1.8L is much more willing to rev than the 2.0L.
I do find it funny that I have never brought this up before. Apparently, Vocus and I are not the only ones that have screamed I will never buy a Mazda again... Will I ever buy a Mazda again? Of course. I couldn't imagine buying anything else. Of course, next time it will be a Miata, new RX-8, or new RX-7. But, the rapidly upcoming replacement for the 626 with it's 210-215hp V6 is looking mighty interesting...
Meade
The new engines for the Focus and Protege are a group of new engine designs. One is a 2.0L (I believe it is the Duratec HE (High Efficiency)) and the other is going to be a 2.3L which is already seeing use in the 2001.5 Ranger/B-Series trucks as well as the 2002 Ford Mondeo in Europe. This 2.3L has been codeveloped by Ford and Mazda (with Mazda taking the engineering lead, basically while Ford stood by holding the wallet) and will be built in the United States, Japan, Europe, and South America for use in Ford and Mazda vehicles worldwide. The 2004 Focus and Protege will move to a new platform, probably a derivative of the outstanding Mondeo platform on which the new Jaguar X-Type sits.
Meade
Meade
Bill
The new Protege and Focus will either sit on a modified Mondeo platform or a totally new platform developed for Ford global compacts. Since the 626 is growing slightly in interior room, I'm sure the Focus and Protege will grow in interior room as well. Then, Mazda will introduce a new subcompact hatchback probably based on the Mazda 121 platform. This new vehicle will be powered from engines ranging from 1.3L to 1.6L with direct injection and S-VT (Sequential Valve Timing).
I forgot to mention in my last post that the new 2.3L will also see duty in the Tribute (replacing the Zetec 2.0) and as the base engine in the new 626 (replacing the 2.0L). It seems Mazda is really pushing their MX Sport Tourer concept and many analysts speculate it will probably see production in a form similar to the concept. It is a technology tour-de-force with Mazda's take on hybrid technology. Mazda's hybrid system uses a small direct injection S-VT engine along with an electric motor. The gasoline engine powers the front wheels during freeway driving, while the electric motor powers the rear wheels during city cruising. There is a "Zoom Zoom" button that will activate the electric motor for extra passing power on the freeway. Also, the vehicle has full all-wheel drive capability which automatically activates when traction has been lost at the drive wheels. It also features Mazda's Toroidal CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) which allows the engine to stay at a certain rpm (for best efficiency or for best performance) while the transmission continuously changes the gearing ratio to change speed.
I'll probably get alloys with my next set of tires so I can put snow tires on my steel wheels if the all-seasons don't work out. I also can use the chains (cables with little sleeves really) I got for driving to Tahoe back when I lived in California.
The other tires I'm looking at rate comparably in snow traction (at least according to the readers that post their opinions on Tire Rack's site), but cost significantly less (mid 40s or 50s v. high 70s and up) and have been around at least as long. The X-Ones are rated as being quieter though. The 175/75R13s on my '89 323 are probably the best tires I've had on it, but I want to try something different and somewhat sportier on my Pro.
Well I would hope the power of the Edmund's name would get more than 10 people, especially since anyone buying one will search for something on the web. But to answer your second question, yes, why not have people who have modified their Proteges join in and have a board of performance minded people, as opposed to the general information on the other boards? I was a member of an Alfa Romeo on line e-mail group, and it was very enjoyable. You get some very knowledgeable people with similar interests.
We'll try this again later, I guess.
First, I think the car looks great, and the wing, front valence and other tweaks make the car look very good. The seats are also very comfortable, a huge plus for a car in this price range. The tires are not too low, unless you live in Manhattan. The car is also an outstanding value! Figure what it would cost to set up an ES this way, including the sound system, and you'll see what I mean. The car handles like a son of a b*tch, and having owned nothing but sports cars- real ones- for over 20 years, I am damned impressed. The MP3 is one of the truly great values out there, and frankly, I don't believe Mazda made a profit on a single one of them.
The MP3 is nothing more than a factory tuned Protege sedan! To start a seperate board would be pointless. This board is labelled "Mazda
Protege (SEDANS Board)."
MP3=Sedan. No matter how you "mod" it, it is still a Pro Sedan.
I for one love reading about mods that I could do to my Pro. However, I don't have the cash right now to do what I want to my Pro. But that still doesn't mean I don't like reading about them.
Regards,
Protege_fan <------That's all makes of Pros.
However, next year's should be quite interesting. I'm assuming the Protege Accessories and Modifications board doesn't quite cut it for a separate board for modifications? We have discussed all kinds of things in there from sound system upgrades to tires to strut tower braces. Otherwise, I hear MazdaMP3.com is quite the place for MP3 owners. There's a guy on there who has 193hp at the wheels on a lightly modified MP3. All he added was the MazdaSpeed intake and exhaust cam kits, ram air intake, and racing catalytic converter. He still is waiting on a high compression piston set and an ignition computer. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like a very friendly board.
We now live in a town called Mountaintop Pa., just south of Wilkes Barre.
Bill
Thanks
This is exactly what I was looking for!! Now I dont have to wade through comments about choosing the right snow tires. Thanks! And stay safe, no matter what you drive.
dran, check out SuperChips.com for Asian, European, and domestic performance chip applications. Unfortunately, there is not a chip available for the Protege. I have e-mailed them about two years ago. They replied that there isn't enough demand on the market to create a chip for the Protege, plus the EEC-V emissions computer is hard to get around. They said if enough demand generates, they will consider making a chip for the Protege. If they did make a chip, I would expect the power gain to be about 10-11hp and 15-16lb-ft of torque looking at the gains for the 1992-1995 626/MX-6 2.0L chip. That engine is basically the same as the Protege 1.8L and 2.0L.
-Larry
-Larry
I keep reading about modifications and wonder which ones I would make. Actually, I'm not a speed freak and would go for whatever would maker my Protegé a baby Millennium S. LOL
Neither am I an audio person since I'm totally deaf in one ear, but I do enjoy the stereo in my Pro and it's one of the reasons I bought it.
My biggest complaint about the Protegé is the too small door mirrors, which I put on my survey back to Mazda. I'm also going blind in my right eye due to glaucoma and really need large mirrors like the
ones used on SUV's. But have learned to adapt to the smaller ones.
Some days I make other drivers' trips exciting.
No modifications needed.
ROTFL!!
The other day, my neighbor noticed me pulling into and backing partly out of my garage several times and asked what was I trying to do? I told her, 'Make a U-turn!'
They don't make home garages wide enough these days if you use the wall space for storage. I was trying to position the Pro so I could open the door wider. A big bag of dog food, against the side wall, was preventing this.
fowler3
hope this helps.
Hey Fowler, glad your project is completed. Nice to have you "back"!
-Larry
;-)
-Larry
Bill ... Hi there. I don't remember talking with you before; then again, my brain is aging like a bottle of fine milk. I see you live in PA. We've already got two Pennsylvania folks who'll be hitching up their horses to their Proteges and putting that little orange triangle on the back and coming to the second-annual Mid-Atlantic Protege Picnic on October 6! Why don't you come too? If you're interested, e-mail me at:
mdaffron@the-rma.org
and I'll send you all the details. By the way Larry, Paul and other attendees, I'm getting mad at you. You're not talking up the picnic!
Meade
2000 Mazda 626 ES V-6, 5 sp.
Bill
I just checked out Racing Beat at www.racingbeat.com, and they have updated their information for the Protege parts that they are going to be producing. Check it out, I'm really tempted by the exhaust. Maybe I can get it on by MAPP II.
Steve
Why I want a bigger filter? 'cause the small filter is useful only for 3000 miles. After that it stops filtering. Mazda's owner manual call for oil changes at 7500 miles which is a dream with this american spec filter. I remember and so does somebody else on the board that the filter on the new cars from japan is a longer one...which would last atleast 5000 miles of filtering.
I rightly believe that they reduced the size of the filter in USA so that it can cope up with the hype of 3000 miles oil change....not so in Europe where the trend is for extended drain with the new synthetic oils and longer lasting filters.
I use synthetic oils and I observe that after 3000 miles, while the car still runs as smooth, the soot from the combustion is not filtered out from the oil ..and that is a concern for me.
Why should I change oils just because of a smaller filter?
So, will the length of the filter cause any problems? will it interfere when the engine turns on it's mount due to torque?
Jerry, Matlb..I am waiting for your inputs
During the @50,000 miles of ownership, how many times have you had to get your steering aligned?
Is it sill in alignment?
If you think the filter will work, try it. However, you also assume liability for your your decision. If you can find a filter maker that specifies a longer filter, then they assume the liability for their product.
Having taken engines from stock to wild and then back again, I have a real appreciation for the engineering that goes into OEM parts and what they are specified for.
Mike.
Open question re: '01 Pro ES. Twice now I've topped off fuel after low fuel warning light came on. In both cases it took only 12 gallons,leaving 2.5 gallons when light illuminates. Is this in line with other owners of "01 Pro ES?
Thanks in advance.
Pro_fan
Yooper...I keep checking my oil almost every week for any changes in color and thickness.
I also keep in mind how the engine starts and how it feels during revving.
Right now, I have 5000 miles from my last oil change..car still revs great...starts just like new...but oil has started showing black microparticles in it since 4000 miles and growing.
That is how I figured that the filter has reduced in filtering capacity.
Am I wrong?
I am open to any comments.
Dropped off my four month old 2001 Protege LX 2.0 at my local dealership because the "Check Engine Light" came on and the "Overdrive Off" light started flashing yesterday. Thought it was nothing more than a malfunctioning sensor that was covered under warranty. However just got a call from the service department informing me that "vermin" (mice or rats) had gotten into my engine and chewed the wiring at the turbo speed sensor at the transmission. Since the wiring was chewed by an outside influence, I'm out $224.
I'm just curious to see if this has ever happened to anyone else or is the dealership trying to take me for a ride. I would have preferred taking the car back where I purchased it (John Hine Mazda in San Diego--Thanks Jstander), but that's a 90 minute drive and I didn't think it would be wise with a warning light flashing at me.
Thanks in advance!!!
Cynthia
I've heard similar rat stories from time to time but it's not too common. What a bummer that they had to charge you for that. Takes the polish off a new car. Sounds like it's tie to set some rodent traps in the garage.
Meade
You're lucky they didn't die (and then rot) in there. Not much you can do but place traps around the garage. Not much can be done for a car parked outdoors. Just open the engine bay frequently. That discourages them from nesting.
The factory-installed unit was almost half again as long as the filters I got from a Mazda dealer (as someone said, a "tuna can").
I'll post the Mazda PN of my filter when I get home and read it off the box.