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Does anyone have the cargo net installed? What do you use it for specifically? The one I saw at the dealer would not really hold groceries or even prevent them from moving around. Is it worth $74 + tax?
If you need the ABS and side air bags and don't wish to bite the bullet on the cost of the moonroof/cassette player optional equipment, you should speak to a sales manager. A top box Mazda dealership should be able to find out if there are any other options. I do not think you can "custom order" most Japanese imports like you can domestics. If I remember correctly, you can ask your local Mazda dealership to contact Mazda USA. Mazda will search for your preferred model, color, and options in their inventory of incoming stock from Japan, for a match with your desired vehicle config. I believe your local dealer will ask for a small deposit ($250 or so, is customary) and have Mazda USA divert that vehicle to their list of incoming cars.
Alex, we are all on a budget, just ask my wife, hehe! However, the $750.00 custmer sales incentive will almost pay for the moonroof/cassette options. BTW, you will not be sorry you purchased a Protege, my friend. Zoom Zoom Zoom.
Respectfully;
Larry
Instead of working in an 80-year-old streetcar maintenance shop doing PR work for the local transit company, I now (effective April 2) will be Public Relations Manager for the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, the local authority that oversees Richmond's toll roads and "The Diamond," home of the minor-league Richmond Braves! (Free tickets, I hope ...)
So besides extra money, what are the benefits?
For me:
- 11th floor office with a window overlooking downtown and the James River! (Sure beats a second-floor window overlooking a bus maintenance yard)
- More flexible work hours
- Lower-cost health, dental and vision
- Power, prestige and importance
For my beloved Protege:
- his own, free spot in a new parking deck
- no more tolls - I work for the toll collector!!!
ZOOM ZOOMMMMMMM!!!! I'll let everybody know my new e-mail address after I make the move. My last day here at this job and address is Friday, March 30.
Now maybe you'll understand why I've been so vacant on this topic lately! Busy with painting, baby stuff purchasing and JOB INTERVIEWING!!!
Meadeball
-Larry
Black ES interior: Mine has the black interior, and I notice it gets hotter than hell inside when the sun is out (my car is black, too though). It also collects little pieces of paper and stuff too, but it's gonna be alot cleaner than the gray I used to have in my DX (mats were shot after 6 months).
Cassette player: It only costs $150 for the cassette and I am sure if you threw a big enough fit about it, the dealer would eat the cost. I like the dual playback option though, because I still have some cassettes I listen to.
Cargo net: I went to Pep Boys and got a cargo net from them for $17 or so. I am having it installed in my car when I go for the first oil change, at $35. Total of like $50, which is better than $75.
Protege durability: Before my 2001 ES, I had a 1999 DX automatic model that I basically beat the crap out of and commuted 104 miles a day in without a problem. I had a little shift issue (never resolved), and the CD player used to like to hold onto the CDs longer than I thought it should. For all the miles and abuse that car took (used to hit redline almost every shift), it held up extremely well. Only a little squeak in the door panel when traded at 37,800 miles, so that isn't bad at all.
ES color: I liked the Seabreeze when I saw it, and I have black. Black is hot inside sometimes, and hard to keep clean though I don't mind washing it. The Millenium red is nice too. I didn't like my 1999 silver DX after getting it, because nicks in the paint and bumpers show up very easily. But you couldn't go wrong with any of the colors on the Protgee palette.
Happy driving! ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM!!!
Cassette Deck:
6 months ago I thought they were a waste, but then I started to get books on tape for my commute. Now, since I am stuck in this DX for two months, I have no cassette and I'm bummin'. My wife keeps asking if I have listened to my birthday presents yet, and I just have to give a tearful response.
-Larry
Love the cassette player. Judy Collins rules...
Linda
Did your zooming in your new ES include a romp up Rt 10? It is a Car and Driver 10 best roads in America. I'm taking my ES up it Memorial Day Weekend on the way to Lake George (slight detour.) I can't wait. We did it in our Quest last July. Nothing like the smell of brake pads against the pine scented backdrops.
Regards,
Mark.
Mark.
btw the flags are cool...
Anyone else experience a problem with their 2001 radios?
One note of irony - one of the reasons (albeit not a major one) that I chose the Pro ES over the Civic EX was all the problems with the Civic radio that I saw posted on the Civic board.
Good Luck;
Larry
It sounds like a LOT of damage, and I think any car with that much damage is going to cost the big bucks!
Are you sure it's not Route 9 you ae talking about? We are going up to the nothern part of Lake George this weekend. There you will find lots of opportunity to really drive your ES. Up towards Hague, over Tongue Mountain it is so.....beautiful and challenging.I have to admit, that this particular stretch of road is the main reason I bought this car.
Linda
so my wife now is driving with half of a clean hood.. Stupid cats...
the auto tranny is only auto if you put it in D.
If you shift in 1, it stays in 1.
if you [non-permissible content removed] to 2, it stays in 2 only.
switch of O/d and shift to D -> shifts to 3rd gear.
switch on the o/d -> shifts to the 4th gear.
great going.
I enjoyed it last evening around town.
If the transmission is running in 1st and you change the selector to 2nd, it'll shift to 2nd immediately.
Changing from 2nd to D with O/D off will not shift the transmission to 3rd (unlike 2nd) unless the the transmission's brain determines it's time to shift to 3rd. You can only delay shifting to 3rd.
Same with switching the O/D on with the selector in D. You can only delay shifting to 4th.
The rental will probably be a Corolla or Prizm. Guess I will have fun the next couple days with my tall behind scrunched into a Corolla. Oh joy!
2003 Mazda RX-8
This idea has been around for ages but people always preferred the smooth torque converter over a friction disc. I believe it was a '70s Vauxhaul that had a vacuum controlled version but they just faded out. Now with all the good electronics, these systems are solid.
Besides, I would much rather see the RX-8 with a true 6-spd manual transmission. There's no reason to have a rotary engine if you have an automatic. A rotary puts out too little low-end torque (although it IS excellent for only a 1.3L) to get any type of decent performance with an automatic. And... half the fun of driving a stick is the clutch! (Although I can think of many four letter words I have called the clutch when I'm stuck in wonderful Southern California traffic.)
enjoy,
Scud
http://slate.msn.com/shopping/01-03-08/shopping.asp
Ok, I'm sitting here waiting for rolling blackouts to hit my desk so I can go home. Does anyone on here work for So Cal Edison?
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