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Mazda Protegé

24043 messages,  Last post on Jun 10, 2012 at 12:01 AM

You are in the Mazda Protege Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda Protege, Sedan

Messages Page 2200 of 2405

#21987 of 24043 nitrolady... by oskwi

Jul 24, 2003 (3:57 pm)

I have a 2003 Mazda Protege sitting in my garage as we speak...the ES has four wheel discs while the LS has only front...I drove both before deciding on the ES version. I'm the one who actually pointed out the brake difference to the salesperson. However, both versions I test drove did have the ABS. I would assume both handle competently. My decision was primarily because of the color...ES was white while I could only get a loaded LS in green, and secondarily, because of the fog lamp and six speaker package that came with the ES.

#21988 of 24043 protege_fan, vocus, oskwi, newcar31 by nitrolady

Jul 24, 2003 (8:06 pm)

Thanks for your quick responses. My reason for wanting the LS is also because of color (want beige interior since I have a beige dog), and charcoal (ES interior) wouldn't work at all, unless I wrapped the dog up in saran wrap prior to letting her in the car ....
 
After all this, it turns out that the dealer can't locate the car I want (LS, beige interior, any color except black or white, ABS package, 5 speed). So I'm off to the Hyundai dealer for an Elantra (no flames, please-- I do love the Protege!) since that was my second choice.
 
Thanks again for your input.

#21989 of 24043 demmicon! by nitrolady

Jul 24, 2003 (8:19 pm)

Didn't see your first post since I'm new to the board, but I did have a 93 Protege DX which I gave to my brother. He still has it and it has given him no problems whatsoever, which is amazing considering the fact that he lives in Phoenix, and the heat is very hard on cars. I gave it to him when it had about 70K on it and I think it now has 90K or so. I gave it to him about 3 years ago.
 
The only thing I can think of is that he is noticing a rhythmic and repetitive clunking (or clicking?) sound when he turns hard to the left, and a friend of his who listened to the sound told him that the 'half shafts' probably need replacing and this is common on FWD vehicles of this car's age/mileage (I personally have never heard of half shafts).
 
The car was wonderful to me when I had it, never had any breakdowns, failures or anything, though I did make sure to change the oil pretty religiously at 3k, and did tune-ups, and other scheduled maintenance as recommended. I also had a good mechanic who did the timing belt at 60K or so as well as resurfacing rotors, new pads, new hoses & belts, flushed radiator, tune up, etc., etc. Was a bit expensive for all that (I think $700 or so), but as I said, the car never failed me.
 
The car is still on it's original starter & alternator.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Nitrolady

#21990 of 24043 Dogs, half shafts and older Proteges ... by ashutoshsm

Jul 24, 2003 (9:47 pm)

Dog in a seran wrap - I'd rather walk all my life! Now if I had a cat, I might do something unspeakably evil to it - but never to a dog
Your logic is sound, get the beige interior car - for all practical purposes, the braking with rear drums will be great as well, if not exactly class leading!
 
HALF shafts? He probably has torn boots on his CV Axle joints (Constant Velocity) - which kinda look like half shafts, so I can imagine the reference makes some sense. I tore mine up in the 60s (60K/65K) by tearing up a 30-mile gravelly road (Pikes Peak) Cost a small fortune (not really!) to repair - I got it done for around 250 total including labour for both axles, with a 12-month warranty.
 
Demmicon - Older Pros - there are numerous owners of older Pros and even 323's that swear by their reliability, build quality and safety. Ask Mdaffron to tell you his favorite story about his 40mph rear-ending of a Volvo Wagon in his 92LX! He promptly went out and bought another, which gave him great service as well.
 
Other protege clubs and groups may have more anecdotal stories that point to the reliability of the Pro for the last 2-3 generations

#21991 of 24043 Dog in Saran Wrap by boggse

Jul 25, 2003 (5:06 am)

That is actually a good idea. At least the dog would be too stupid to realize what you were doing to it. Cats are too smart to allow anyone to wrap them in Saran Wrap.
 
Actually, I influenced my wife to get a black dog to match the interior color of the P5. As for the Miata, that dog will never set foot in the "my car."

#21992 of 24043 Ted by dinu01

Jul 25, 2003 (5:17 am)

"As for the Miata, that dog will never set foot in the "my car."
 
I feel the same way about food in my car - and it's not even a Miata. Nothing enters the cabin unless it leaves it as clean as it was before it/he/she came in. Therefore, my muddy soccer shoes and their grass-stained socks travel next to the Fabreeze bottle and Armor-All in the trunk
 
Dinu
Obsessive about his car(s)

#21993 of 24043 trunk by boggse

Jul 25, 2003 (7:17 am)

"Therefore, my muddy soccer shoes and their grass-stained socks travel next to the Fabreeze bottle and Armor-All in the trunk"
 
I suppose that is true. I could make her put the dog in the trunk.

#21994 of 24043 But ... by ashutoshsm

Jul 25, 2003 (7:39 am)

... only cats deserve to be put in the trunk. Preferably in seran wrap (TM)

#21995 of 24043 PS by ashutoshsm

Jul 25, 2003 (7:40 am)

The cargo tray and organizer in the 6 is awesome.
 
Required content: Do they make something similar for the Pro/P5?

#21996 of 24043 by anonymousposts

Jul 25, 2003 (7:44 am)

Why not buy an Element as a second car? No carpet to worry about and the seats are washable. Also, with the seats up Spot or Tiger would have more than enough room to move around. And if they have an "accident" you can just wipe it up. The Element may be funny-looking but I feel it's the perfect car if you have pets that frequently travel with you.

Messages Page 2200 of 2405

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