Just about right. I would aim for $3000-3500 installed for a reasonable factory turbo kit. Any more than that and you're better off looking for a new car that comes from the factory with a turbo. Warranty on the turbo and install would also be nice. I'd like the turbo to add about 50 to max HP and torque figures. I would be a bit concerned about torque steer though as I've even experienced slight torque steer in my stock Pro5 when making a sharp turn under heavy throttle (the car starts to feel like it wants to do donuts - not good unless you're TRYING to do donuts). Maybe wider tires would help.
Call me a spoiled youth who doesn't get it, but I don't plan on ever keeping a car more than 5-6 years. My career of choice should keep me in reasonably good financial shape and I doubt I'll ever NEED to be without a car payment. It might be nice but not necessary. I just can't ever see myself with a car I love enough to keep 10 or 12 years. There's always something newer and better coming out in one way or another. I suppose I could see keeping a reliable car to run into the ground, but turbo reliability doesn't concern me horribly. If it runs fine 5 years and I get my money's worth, great. I guess I get this mentality from computers. They're practically disposable - if you abuse yours and it only lives 2 years instead of the expected 10, that's still ok because in 2 years it's obsolete anyway. That said, I take very good care of the things I own because I'm proud to have them. It's just that if they don't last as long as they could under perfect conditions, I don't sweat it either.
newcar: The RPM gauge reads right at 3000 RPM at 80 in 5th gear. It's a 1993 Civic EX coupe. On my recent trip to Florida the Protege was right at 4000 RPM at 80 in 5th gear. It's ironic that a 2.0L engine runs at a higher RPM than a 1.6L.. usually it's the other way around. Not only are the revs lower at 60, the Civic redlines at a higher RPM. Consequently a Civic gets much better gas mileage than a Protege. His 93 is rated at 29/35 with a 5-speed while a 2001 Civic is rated at 32/37.
I'm not trying to dog the Protege. I just think that the Civic is ahead of the Protege in some areas like build quality and engine refinement/technology. But then again, you can't get 4-wheel disc brakes and factory fog lights on a Civic. And as far as handling and driving the Protege is great.
Twice in as many months, I have been robbed of my valve stem covers! As stupid as this sounds, the MP3 comes with Racing Hart 17 inchers. They (had) lovely chrome valve stem covers and chrome surround that fits over the stem itself.
Both times I have come out (once parked in front of my house, the other time in the office parking lot) and found the covers missing. Oddly, the chrome stem surrounds WERE'NT taken.
I went to the local speed shop and purchased a new (not quite as nice) set. Now, Saturday while parked at work, they were taken again.
While I would love to wait for the vandal to try it again so I could show him the reason _I_ carry The Club in my car...reality hits and reminds me that I can't be everywhere all the time. So, has anyone seen a valve stem cover with a razor sharp edge? Maybe a high voltage zapper?
That still seems way off. My integra was around 4000 rpm at 80 mph and that was a 1.8L. How in the heck would a Civic with a smaller engine and less torque be 1000 rpms lower. What are the rpms at when you're going 60? 1900? 2100? I still say B.S.
Bob, I feel your pain my friend. I had a complete set of wheel covers stolen from my brand new 92 Ford Escort Hatchback (a Mazda chassis & powertrain with Ford sheet metal and switch gear). Understand, this sweet little hatch was prolly a week old. I walk out to my car to go to work, NO wheel covers! I was really shocked. I was sooo stupid. I called the cops and they came out filled out a report and basically told me tough luck pal ! O.K., I purchase a new set of wheel covers from the dealership, $115.00! A flippen week later, the wheel covers are gone again? Bob, trust me I'm not shocked this time, now I'm very verrry hissed off. I spend the $115.00, again. I thank God, no further theft issues in the 7 years I owned the car. However, I have never purchased a new car with wheel covers again. A 94 Toyota Corolla and a pair of 00 Mazda Protege all have had alloy wheels. Bob, I feel your PAIN. :-{
I don't think it is the engine so much as the gearing. Mazda gears theirs a little lower across the board to give drivers at least the feeling of zoom-zoom. Acura might have done the same, thinking the average Integra driver was probably more agressive than the average Civic driver. Mazda could change the gear ratios and I am sure the gas mileage would improve a good deal, but the car would not feel as zippy. It is a balancing act, and I prefer the setup in the Pro better, but there are others who probably don't.
On wheel covers, I have only had that happen once, on a 92 Camry, it it just makes you sick. Not much you can do about it except replace them or get alloy wheels. I hated spending the money to replace them since they were so drab anyways. I would especially hate replacing them had they been stolen from my house since there might be a higher probability of getting hit again!
I am aware that most of the discussions here gravitate around newer models however I was wondering if anyone could give me any information about older Proteges...I found a few great deals on some 1998 LXs..I am a college student on a very limited (very!) budget who currently drives a Toyota Tercel (93) that I am eager to replace (maintenance trouble...rare for a Toyota but when it does happen watch out!) I am concerned about poor acceleration in the base Protege engine from those years but as expected, the LX is far cheaper than its more powerful ES counterpart...would I seriously be doing myself a disservice in springing for the LX in place of maybe hunting around a bit harder for an ES? Does anyone here own a protege with the base engine from the pre-99 models and if so what can you tell me about it? Keep in mind I would probably be getting an automatic...it's either this or a '96 Civic -- I'd really rather not go with the Civic and the Toyota Corolla is the ultimate in boring...so the Protege seems like a great alternative. Any info would be appreciated.
I have no idea where the Civic RPMs discussion got going, but my '99 civic LX 5-speed turns about 3400 RPM at 80 mph. Downside of this car: not much oomph at low rpms. Upside: notably quiet at 80 mph for long trips.
As to the turbo Protege - what is this about 180 HP in a MPS? The '02 Protege ES/MP5 is, what, 135 lb-ft/130 hp.
If I could be a Mazda design engineer for a day ... 160-170 hp/lb-ft would be about right. I don't want a car with dual personalities (think old Ford SVO mustangs), just broader power and the kind of "excess acceleration" for onramps to match the handling that the Protege/MP5 already has. The interior, exterior of the current mp5 is fine by me - don't mess with the ES seat cloth design, ditch the big wing and stereo from the MPS.
Mazda has to be treading a fine line. They can't offer something that blows the Focus/Focus SVT out of the water (Ford owns 1/3rd of Mazda). They don't want something to overshadow the upcoming 6 in base 4-cyl trim. They just need to address the many comments that the sedan/mp5 need some more power. The Passat 4-cyl turbo is, what, 170 HP?
Actually, while Ford makes internal changes Mazda can make some money for them.
As to reliability, Proteges are way more reliable than Jettas, and mazda has extensive turbo experience. Make my MP5 turbo midnight blue.
Anyone else notice that the gas gauge on their '01 ES goes very slow for the first half of the tanks, then VERY quickly for the last half?
This is disconcerting, as you think you're getting great mileage and range, then boom! - the gas light comes on.
BTW, I'm averaging 31 MPG Canadian (26.2 MPG US) and about 350 miles per tankful, for my normal city/highway commute. How does that stack up with everyone else?
When manufactures decide on gearing, torque characteristics (which are directly related to engine size) are a major factor that they consider. That is why engine size DOES matter when you are talking about gearing, as well as a couple of other things. That is why my old mustang 5.0L loafed around below 2000 rpms 99% of the time. That is why I don't buy it when someone says that a Civic is only at 3000 rpms at 80 mph. I understand that some cars are geared for "economy" and some are geared for "sportiness" but 3000 rpm at 80 mph in a Civic?
I noticed that in both the 1999 and 2001 Proteges I used to have. Totally normal. Never a problem with either one of their gas gauges in 38K miles on the first one and 20K miles on the second one.
The '98 Proteges are pretty good cars, from what I hear. They are also the smallest bit roomier, due to changes in side impact materials in the doors or something like that (I read it somewhere). The base LX 1.5-liter engine is a little slow, especially with automatic. The power is adequate though, and fuel economy is pretty good from what I have read.
There is one person in this room who has a 1995 Protege DX automatic, but he hasn't been here for about a week (he is making a long-distance trip). You could go back and read over posts in the forum if you would like.
How far do you live/work from Laurel, Maryland? I had to drive up there Friday to pick up a telescope (one of my hobbies). We crossed the Potomac and came up 301 past all the cheap liquor stores, then through Patuxent Wildlife Refuge and into the metropolis of Laurel (yuck). I have a funny feeling I wasn't too far from you! I could feel the love!
If you can find an ES they are much better than the LX. However, the 95-98 Protege ES was about 5-10% of the mix. Narrow it down to an automatic that dogs the 1.8 and you have tough search ahead of you. I loved my '98 ES, it just needed handling improvements.
3400 rpm at 80 mph in a Civic - yes. Really. 5th gear is way up there. My civic is geared more for mileage than power, and it isn't pretty if you hit the gas at under 2500 rpm. At least it makes for a reasonably quiet 80 mph. Rather have the turbo mp5...
I take Route 3 home everyday from work actually. If you follow 301 North, it eventually turns into Route 3, which in turn runs into 97 North. 97 North then goes into 695, the Baltimore Beltway system. I go that way, then take 295 (BW Parkway) to get home. The BW ends right in Baltimore by the PSINet Stadium. I live literally 8 blocks from PSINet and the Inner Harbor. I work where the Capital Beltway (495) and 50 meet.
From where we had the MAPP II, I work about 30 mins. north toward Maryland, and almost 2 hours from Richmond and 95 (I drove to and fro North Carolina that way). That should give you some idea.
Considering the Protege ran 4000 rpm at 80 mph (my 2001 did anyway), that does seem low for a Civic engine. My Jetta runs 3000 at 80 though, and it's a 1.8 turbo. So it can be done.
I think that 50hp (or 180hp/180torque total) is upper limit before 2 main things happen: 1) Torque steer. I hate torque steer. 2) Reliability will go to hell without more internal mods.
If you just want 50-100hp to mess around with you can probably set up custom 50/100-shot NOS system for WAY WAY WAY less than my $3k limit.
My reasons behind the 30hp number are pretty simple: 1) Low boost = high reliability 2) Dont have to mess with the stock compression 3) Dont need an intercooler 4) Dont need intake mods 5) MPG will remain north of 25 6) Its enough to knock close to 1sec of the 0-60 time.
If I was in charge of Mazda my Protege would have AWD, 270hp rotary, and an F1 shifter.
Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Subaru have all made or make reliable, efficient, turbocharged 2.0L 4 cyl. engines with 200 hp or more. The 2.0L turbo that Toyota used in the Celica and MR2 was an excellent engine with 200 hp. Mitsubishi until recently has used their 2.0L turbo engine in the Eclipse, Galant, Laser and Talon with up to 210 hp. That is also an excellent engine. Nissan uses a 2.0L turbo in Japan and it has powered a number of cars with in excess of 200 hp. SR20DET I believe. As you probably already know, the WRX uses a 2.0L flat four with 227 hp. In Japan, some of these engines make 280 hp, although even I think that is a little extreme for a 2.0L. My question is this: Why should the Mazda 2.0L turbo only make 180 hp? I'll tell you one thing: If the Mazda engine only made 180 hp, it still wouldn't be any more reliable than the above mentioned engines with the exception of the 280 hp versions.
Have you ever given the name Protegé a little thought? A protegé is usually somebody's understudy or in training. Is that what we bought -- training wheels? LOL
Vocus...At the rate you are putting miles on that Jetta you'll have more miles than me at the end of next month and I've had my car since July.
Gearing can make a huge difference in the RPM that a car turns. At 80MPH in 5th gear the Civic is right at 3000 RPM. I'll have my fiance double check our eyesight tomorrow though. As has been said here before, low-end power isn't much to talk about but it's a much quieter and smoother ride on the highway. The Protege's engine kinda reminds me of my 97 RAV4. It's fine up until about 70 but once you get past that point it's just not much fun to go fast and/or rev high. The higher the revs get the more buzzy the engine is.
Being a "wordman," I have to respond to your pretentious post poking puns at our Proteges. According to my Merriam-Webster dictionary, a protege is "one who is under the care and protection of an influential person."
I prefer to think that Mazda chose the name because the car was their little project in excellence -- the car that made the company, so to speak. Or you could consider that "Protege" is referring to how the car treats its occupants.
My 2000 ES 5-speed is going to turn the 30,000-mile mark on the way home from work today!!! I guess it's time to treat this problem-free zoomer to the whole 30K service. (Ooops -- I "missed" the 15,000-mile service.)
Now, I have had Proteges and other Mazda vehicles before, so I've done this before -- but do any of you 1999 & 2000 owners who've reached this point before me have any advice on stuff I should look out for?
Lately I have noticed a very slight "rotten egg" smell sometimes when I arrive at my parking deck after my 20-mile commute. But it's usually after I've done some NASCAR-like expressway driving on the way to work with all the other crazies out there. I know this can mean a bad catalytic converter, but I refuse to believe this on a car with only 30,000 miles (and a Protege too -- my other Protege went 83K and never needed one, and I've never replaced a cat on any car I've owned). Could this be because the car's emissions are a little out of whack after 30,000 miles, especially since all I've done is change the oil, and whatever they do for the 30K service (i.e. change plugs, etc.) might correct it? I've only noticed it in the last month or so, and only on some mornings.
"Lately I have noticed a very slight "rotten egg" smell sometimes when I arrive at my parking deck after my 20-mile commute."
Eliminate cabbage and bake beans from your diet and that periodic rotten egg odor will disappear. BTW, those late night Taco Bell runs don't help either! ;-}}}
Ok, all this work might not be required by the owners manual. Some of this stuff might be fluff. However, it's my nickel and I'm going with the dealerships 30,000 mile maintenance service package. I think of this as insurance for potential problems that could occur after Mazda's 50,000/3 year warranty runs out. Often times the service managers can pull a few strings for their best customers. BTW, I'm taking my wife's PRO-ES in Friday and mine next Thursday! We both have 31,000+ miles now! Yikes, $490!
Larry: After the accidents and now the maintenance, you are just made of money aren't you? Just kidding.
Meade: I had almost 38K on my 1999 Protege DX when I traded it in, and almost 20K on the 2001. I never noticed a rotten egg smell from either one of them. That might signify a PVC valve change in due. That's part of the 30K maintenance too I think, but not sure.
When I had my 30K done on my Protege DX, they messed up the tune-up (I think) and the car idled roughly for the next 7K+ miles that I had it. Make sure if you notice any problems, to take it right back to the service place right away. Also, I took my car to Goodyear and had the 30K maintenance done. It definitely will be cheaper than the dealer's 30K maintenance would be. Also, don't worry about missing the 15K service. It's only an oil change and tire rotation. They try to add alot of extra things in there though, so be warned.
Jason: Meade didn't get the P5 yet. When are you getting it Meade?
I've noticed something that is very periodic and very strange when I drive my new Pro5. I sometimes get a very short loss of electrical power and it seems like a loss of engine power. Mostly it's in the morning when I'm driving to work with my lights on. It's incredibly short probably less than 1/3 of a second. All I notice is a very slight change in engine noise and a dip in my lights. I've only seen it a couple of times. My first instinct is that i have a loose main ground.
I lost track of the two turbo threads, but one was with respect to a turbo kit for an existing protege 2.0L, and the other was with respect to a factory turbo 2.0L. Peak hp would, and should differ for each.
For an add on turbo kit for an existing 2.0L, 180 hp or less seems like a reasonable number. For a factory turbo 2.0L (like Nissan's, Subaru's, etc.), that sounds modest. Why? The factory folks can lower the engine's compression ratio (as mentioned by nematode) as a first order, easy to accomplish measure to make higher boost levels safe. They can of course, with greater ease than with an engine already on the road, beef up other components if they so desire. So, this 180 hp level as being a limit of reliability on a 2.0L is relative to whether or not you are referring to the turbo kit for existing proteges, as mentioned in one thread, or a factory turbo for an MPS protege as mentioned in another. Then there is nematode's point about torque steer - another issue entirely.
Personally, if mazda produces turbo mps protege , I'd like to see around 200+ hp - actually it will depend upon the cost of the car. Whether or not mazda wishes to acknowledge it, a turbo mps protege with its price increase, performance image, and by the virtue of its forced induction, will be compared directly to the WRX. The WRX has 217 hp.
Actually it's at 227 according to the factory numbers.
I agree about the aftermarket turbo. Unless your willing to make some fairly significant changes to your engine to get the higher HP numbers a 20-30 hp jump would be well within reason. I think when you start messing with compression ratio's etc your messing with the reliability and stability of your engine. When your car needs to take you from A to B daily it's touchy to mess with it's reliability. personally I would be happy with somewhere in the 10 hp range. I'm hoping I can get that on my P5 with a new exhaust and maybe some induction changes. Preferably after my warranty runs out. (GRIN)
If for some reason you have the ac on (ac will come on with defroster, will it not?), I would imagine you would see a dip in engine rpm, dimming of the lights, etc., when the load on the engine changes as the ac compressor cycles on. Just a thought.
I hate to say it I wasn't paying attention to the whole ac-defroster argument that was going on. Was it ever decided if it does come on when on "defrost" even when the ac button isn't pushed?
The funny thing is that the dimming that I'm noticing is the headlights on the road more than inside the car. I don't notice if the dashlights are dimming. Of course it's hard to tell with my oh-so-sporty red dash. (GRIN)
The AC compressor comes on in all modes automatically except face and face/feet. But that shouldn't cause your lights to noticeably dim. Way back when I had my 1999 DX (almost a year ago now), the headlights went real dim one time on me and the car surged, but never again. I never had the car checked again, because it never did it again.
The dealership where I traded in my 2001 Protege has it on the lot STILL after 5 weeks. They are trying to sell it for $13,900 with almost 20K on it and a huge scratch on the front end. Never happen! Like I said, it's still there after 5 weeks.
I should clarify my statement. Let's suppose Shrique's light dimming, rpm dropping, phenomenon (let's not call it a problem just yet) is in fact caused by the ac compressor cycling on. This may, or may not, be normal. I've owned cars for which this is normal. I also owned a car for which this meant the alternator was failing. If I owned a protege, I'd go check mine to see if it exhibits this phenomenon, but sadly, I don't yet own a protege.
A quick poll here of protege owners might help. We have one vote from Sporin that this is normal operation. Any others? Or perhaps someone (Sporin?) has more mechanical knowledge of the protege, with respect to this phenomenon, than I?
I've seen my headlamps and interior lights dim if I turn on my AC or rear defroster while my car's still warming up (idling in P). I assume the same would happen with any large electrical loads at this point in time.
When driving around, I notice loss in acceleration when the AC compressor kicks on for a fraction of a second, but I don't notice any dimming of my headlamps (probably because the engine is turning at higher than idle speed). I'll keep an eye out for this phenomenom.
I dont think that Mazda would have any trouble getting the current 2.0L tweaked to 225hp from the factory and still maintain reliability in a cost effective manner. I predict a car in that range would cost about $25,000 or pretty much in line with the old Eclipse GSX and the current WRX. Most of the cost increase reflects the cost of making the engine capable of sustaining the punishment of force feeding probably close to 15psi. Things like forged cranks, pistons, headers, fuel pump, intake and exhaust mods, new ECU and other stuff like that adds up faster than one would expect. The turbo itself is only about 1/4 of the cost of the increase to 225hp with good reliability.
In my turbo comment I was only refering to the aftermarket turbo. The aftermarket is a whole different ball game. I still contend there is no way to reliability make even 180hp with the current 2.0L engine without significant mods. I think that the current can make 180-225hp easily if you dont care about reliability. If money is not a big issue and the parts exist I bet I could get it to a reliable 225hp for around $10,000. Then again you could just go out a buy a WRX stock and get that + AWD. Power costs money but thats pretty easy. Reliability costs more money and that proves to be far more difficult.
I should really clarify what I said about dimming. on first impression it acts almost like the lights cut out for about a 1/3 of a second. As the lights are dimming from the loss of power they pop back on and ramp up. I mean this is a very short time that this happens. It's almost unticeable and if I didn't have the lights on I might not notice it at all.
That is an awful low dip, if the headlamps appear to cut off. I can only get that to happen if I turn on the headlamps and then attempt to start the engine.
It's unusual for an AC compressor or defroster grid to pull enough current for the voltage dip to be that noticeable. One possible cause is a worn battery. It "backfills" until the alternator can catch up to increased current demand. You might want to have that checked. Of course, replacing the battery only costs about $35-$65 (depending on brand and model, and if you do it yourself).
Comments
Always try to trade with a little warrenty left to sweeten the deal for the next owner.
fowler3
Call me a spoiled youth who doesn't get it, but I don't plan on ever keeping a car more than 5-6 years. My career of choice should keep me in reasonably good financial shape and I doubt I'll ever NEED to be without a car payment. It might be nice but not necessary. I just can't ever see myself with a car I love enough to keep 10 or 12 years. There's always something newer and better coming out in one way or another. I suppose I could see keeping a reliable car to run into the ground, but turbo reliability doesn't concern me horribly. If it runs fine 5 years and I get my money's worth, great. I guess I get this mentality from computers. They're practically disposable - if you abuse yours and it only lives 2 years instead of the expected 10, that's still ok because in 2 years it's obsolete anyway. That said, I take very good care of the things I own because I'm proud to have them. It's just that if they don't last as long as they could under perfect conditions, I don't sweat it either.
I'm not trying to dog the Protege. I just think that the Civic is ahead of the Protege in some areas like build quality and engine refinement/technology. But then again, you can't get 4-wheel disc brakes and factory fog lights on a Civic. And as far as handling and driving the Protege is great.
Both times I have come out (once parked in front of my house, the other time in the office parking lot) and found the covers missing. Oddly, the chrome stem surrounds WERE'NT taken.
I went to the local speed shop and purchased a new (not quite as nice) set. Now, Saturday while parked at work, they were taken again.
While I would love to wait for the vandal to try it again so I could show him the reason _I_ carry The Club in my car...reality hits and reminds me that I can't be everywhere all the time. So, has anyone seen a valve stem cover with a razor sharp edge? Maybe a high voltage zapper?
-Larry
On wheel covers, I have only had that happen once, on a 92 Camry, it it just makes you sick. Not much you can do about it except replace them or get alloy wheels. I hated spending the money to replace them since they were so drab anyways. I would especially hate replacing them had they been stolen from my house since there might be a higher probability of getting hit again!
Now if Mazda could install some sort of device on the front end that would shoot out rotten eggs at people who cut me off in traffic....
Meade
2000 ES 5-speed
As to the turbo Protege - what is this about 180 HP in a MPS? The '02 Protege ES/MP5 is, what, 135 lb-ft/130 hp.
If I could be a Mazda design engineer for a day ... 160-170 hp/lb-ft would be about right. I don't want a car with dual personalities (think old Ford SVO mustangs), just broader power and the kind of "excess acceleration" for onramps to match the handling that the Protege/MP5 already has. The interior, exterior of the current mp5 is fine by me - don't mess with the ES seat cloth design, ditch the big wing and stereo from the MPS.
Mazda has to be treading a fine line. They can't offer something that blows the Focus/Focus SVT out of the water (Ford owns 1/3rd of Mazda). They don't want something to overshadow the upcoming 6 in base 4-cyl trim. They just need to address the many comments that the sedan/mp5 need some more power. The Passat 4-cyl turbo is, what, 170 HP?
Actually, while Ford makes internal changes Mazda can make some money for them.
As to reliability, Proteges are way more reliable than Jettas, and mazda has extensive turbo experience. Make my MP5 turbo midnight blue.
This is disconcerting, as you think you're getting great mileage and range, then boom! - the gas light comes on.
BTW, I'm averaging 31 MPG Canadian (26.2 MPG US) and about 350 miles per tankful, for my normal city/highway commute. How does that stack up with everyone else?
cp
There is one person in this room who has a 1995 Protege DX automatic, but he hasn't been here for about a week (he is making a long-distance trip). You could go back and read over posts in the forum if you would like.
I get between 28 and 31 MPG depending on hwo much highway driving I do. My best ever was only 32.
-Larry
Meade
From where we had the MAPP II, I work about 30 mins. north toward Maryland, and almost 2 hours from Richmond and 95 (I drove to and fro North Carolina that way). That should give you some idea.
1) Torque steer. I hate torque steer.
2) Reliability will go to hell without more internal mods.
If you just want 50-100hp to mess around with you can probably set up custom 50/100-shot NOS system for WAY WAY WAY less than my $3k limit.
My reasons behind the 30hp number are pretty simple:
1) Low boost = high reliability
2) Dont have to mess with the stock compression
3) Dont need an intercooler
4) Dont need intake mods
5) MPG will remain north of 25
6) Its enough to knock close to 1sec of the 0-60 time.
If I was in charge of Mazda my Protege would have AWD, 270hp rotary, and an F1 shifter.
fowler3
fowler3
Gearing can make a huge difference in the RPM that a car turns. At 80MPH in 5th gear the Civic is right at 3000 RPM. I'll have my fiance double check our eyesight tomorrow though. As has been said here before, low-end power isn't much to talk about but it's a much quieter and smoother ride on the highway. The Protege's engine kinda reminds me of my 97 RAV4. It's fine up until about 70 but once you get past that point it's just not much fun to go fast and/or rev high. The higher the revs get the more buzzy the engine is.
I prefer to think that Mazda chose the name because the car was their little project in excellence -- the car that made the company, so to speak. Or you could consider that "Protege" is referring to how the car treats its occupants.
Meade
Now, I have had Proteges and other Mazda vehicles before, so I've done this before -- but do any of you 1999 & 2000 owners who've reached this point before me have any advice on stuff I should look out for?
Lately I have noticed a very slight "rotten egg" smell sometimes when I arrive at my parking deck after my 20-mile commute. But it's usually after I've done some NASCAR-like expressway driving on the way to work with all the other crazies out there. I know this can mean a bad catalytic converter, but I refuse to believe this on a car with only 30,000 miles (and a Protege too -- my other Protege went 83K and never needed one, and I've never replaced a cat on any car I've owned). Could this be because the car's emissions are a little out of whack after 30,000 miles, especially since all I've done is change the oil, and whatever they do for the 30K service (i.e. change plugs, etc.) might correct it? I've only noticed it in the last month or so, and only on some mornings.
Any ideas?
Meade
Eliminate cabbage and bake beans from your diet and that periodic rotten egg odor will disappear. BTW, those late night Taco Bell runs don't help either! ;-}}}
-Larry
Replace:
Oil & Filter change
Rotate Tires
Replace Spark Plugs
Change Tranny Fluid
Replace Air Filter
Top of All Fluid Levels
Check/Inspect:
Battery
All Lights
Brake Lining
Steering & Suspension Components
Check Alignment
Engine Drive Belts
Cooling Hoses
Lubricate
Chassis
Suspension
Body Hinges
Ok, all this work might not be required by the owners manual. Some of this stuff might be fluff. However, it's my nickel and I'm going with the dealerships 30,000 mile maintenance service package. I think of this as insurance for potential problems that could occur after Mazda's 50,000/3 year warranty runs out. Often times the service managers can pull a few strings for their best customers. BTW, I'm taking my wife's PRO-ES in Friday and mine next Thursday! We both have 31,000+ miles now! Yikes, $490!
-Larry
krotine
Meade: I had almost 38K on my 1999 Protege DX when I traded it in, and almost 20K on the 2001. I never noticed a rotten egg smell from either one of them. That might signify a PVC valve change in due. That's part of the 30K maintenance too I think, but not sure.
When I had my 30K done on my Protege DX, they messed up the tune-up (I think) and the car idled roughly for the next 7K+ miles that I had it. Make sure if you notice any problems, to take it right back to the service place right away. Also, I took my car to Goodyear and had the 30K maintenance done. It definitely will be cheaper than the dealer's 30K maintenance would be. Also, don't worry about missing the 15K service. It's only an oil change and tire rotation. They try to add alot of extra things in there though, so be warned.
Jason: Meade didn't get the P5 yet. When are you getting it Meade?
Any ideas or experiences?
For an add on turbo kit for an existing 2.0L, 180 hp or less seems like a reasonable number. For a factory turbo 2.0L (like Nissan's, Subaru's, etc.), that sounds modest. Why? The factory folks can lower the engine's compression ratio (as mentioned by nematode) as a first order, easy to accomplish measure to make higher boost levels safe. They can of course, with greater ease than with an engine already on the road, beef up other components if they so desire. So, this 180 hp level as being a limit of reliability on a 2.0L is relative to whether or not you are referring to the turbo kit for existing proteges, as mentioned in one thread, or a factory turbo for an MPS protege as mentioned in another. Then there is nematode's point about torque steer - another issue entirely.
Personally, if mazda produces turbo mps protege , I'd like to see around 200+ hp - actually it will depend upon the cost of the car. Whether or not mazda wishes to acknowledge it, a turbo mps protege with its price increase, performance image, and by the virtue of its forced induction, will be compared directly to the WRX. The WRX has 217 hp.
I agree about the aftermarket turbo. Unless your willing to make some fairly significant changes to your engine to get the higher HP numbers a 20-30 hp jump would be well within reason. I think when you start messing with compression ratio's etc your messing with the reliability and stability of your engine. When your car needs to take you from A to B daily it's touchy to mess with it's reliability. personally I would be happy with somewhere in the 10 hp range. I'm hoping I can get that on my P5 with a new exhaust and maybe some induction changes. Preferably after my warranty runs out. (GRIN)
The funny thing is that the dimming that I'm noticing is the headlights on the road more than inside the car. I don't notice if the dashlights are dimming. Of course it's hard to tell with my oh-so-sporty red dash. (GRIN)
The AC Compressor is on when in Defrost, Defrost & Feet, and Full Feet. There is no way around this apparently.
A quick poll here of protege owners might help. We have one vote from Sporin that this is normal operation. Any others? Or perhaps someone (Sporin?) has more mechanical knowledge of the protege, with respect to this phenomenon, than I?
When driving around, I notice loss in acceleration when the AC compressor kicks on for a fraction of a second, but I don't notice any dimming of my headlamps (probably because the engine is turning at higher than idle speed). I'll keep an eye out for this phenomenom.
In my turbo comment I was only refering to the aftermarket turbo. The aftermarket is a whole different ball game. I still contend there is no way to reliability make even 180hp with the current 2.0L engine without significant mods. I think that the current can make 180-225hp easily if you dont care about reliability. If money is not a big issue and the parts exist I bet I could get it to a reliable 225hp for around $10,000. Then again you could just go out a buy a WRX stock and get that + AWD. Power costs money but thats pretty easy. Reliability costs more money and that proves to be far more difficult.
It's unusual for an AC compressor or defroster grid to pull enough current for the voltage dip to be that noticeable. One possible cause is a worn battery. It "backfills" until the alternator can catch up to increased current demand. You might want to have that checked. Of course, replacing the battery only costs about $35-$65 (depending on brand and model, and if you do it yourself).