I sold my VW Jetta GLX and got the Protege ES 2002 GT model and I have to say.. what a car! It drives so smooth it's absolutely crazy! Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback on this car.

Only two questions...

a) do you take the hood deflector off when washing your car?
b) I still don't know if I should use high octane gas

PJStyles

 

congrats, although i love the glx's and i wanted one before my protege (too expensive though :[).

as for the hood deflector, i dont have one, so i dont worry about it! just get regular gas, unless you hear knocking (which most people dont) but if you hear knocking, get the higher octane. :]

 

I've decided to put only high octane gas so I have the peace of mind knowing I did what I could... Pinging or not, why not just use the higher octane gas... saves me from having to try and listen to pinging.. not even sure what it sounds like to be honest

PJStyles

 

plus you'll get better mileage with higher octane, I know I do, so it kinda makes up for the extra cost

 

To read why you are wasting your money on high octane gas, and possibly causing future engine problems, read this thread:
http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...&threadid=8052

Stop throwing money down the drain (or out the tailpipe). The maual recommends 87 - why would you think you know better?

 

As far as the hood deflector goes, I had one on my '97 Civic Si and never once took it off in 5 years with no problems. Just remember, the more you take it off and replace it ,the greater the chances of scratching that new paint of yours. Now as far as what octane you should be running, what does your manual say you should use? If they say you should run 87, then chances are the engine and ECU were designed to run 87. I run 87 in my MP5 because I don't need to waste money on gas and additives to clean out all of that excess carbon. That is my 2 cents, for what it is worth.

 

OK - I'll admit it - I have to learn how to type faster - hihoslvr - ya beat me to the punch!

 

How do you go about cleaning, polishing and waxing the area of the hood under the deflector without removing it?

PJStyles

 

Do yo have the bugshield deflector, a "hood bonnet", or a full bra?

I have the bugshield - I love it, but I do take it off now and then to clean under there. If that's what you have, pop the hood - you'll see the bolts it's secured with.

 

*hihoslva

As far as cleaning it , you can use a 100% cotton cloth and ease it between and rinse with high pressure H2O. Being a brand new car, I wouldn't be worrying about waxing yet.

 

Damn - not again!

 

PJ -

Congrats!!!

My son is looking at exactly those two cars and trying to decide between them. How was the Jetta?? Do you find a big difference between the Jetta and the Protege???

Regards,
al

 

I found a huge difference between the Jetta and the Protege. Mind you I had the 1997 VW Jetta GLX and it was fully loaded with leather seats and all but when you drive the Protege, it's a much better drive than the Jetta. I feel so much in control of the car with the Protege and it's the smoothest riding car I've ever driven.

Also... the Jetta had a VR6 engine. As nice as that was, I really don't miss it at all. I get up in the morning now looking forward to take my car for a spin

PJStyles

 

I have the plastic hood deflector that's held on by screws under the lip of the hood. You can reach almost all the way under it with a thin cloth or sponge, so I've just been reaching in as far as I can to wash/dry/wax. I'll probably take it off once in the autumn and once in the spring each year to clean and wax the entire front of the hood, but no more often than that.

My previous car was also a Jetta VR6. I sure miss that engine, but whenever I start wishing I still had it I remind myself how much better the Protege handles and how much less it costs me.