Hey StuttersC...does your tapeworm tell you where to go?

 

1. The thing I hate the most is the RPM issue (which I noted on the tech board). - we really haven't driven it on the highway yet so...

2. The center armrest isn't really an armrest! - I agree. I almost laughed when I tried to put my elbow on something and it wasn't there.

3. The door locks should be on the door near the handle, NOT on the top. - I don't have a problem with this. What I do have a problem with is where the door lock switch is located. They should have put everything where the window switches are.

4. Normal (legal) highway speeds for the US measurement system (miles, that is) aren't clearly noted on the speedometer. - this doesn't bother me since my other cars are like this.

5. There's no visual indication when your fog lights are on. - Yep this annoys me too - mentioned it to my wife about how it needed a little bulb inside there to show it's on/off.

 

Originally posted by StuttersC
The only problem I've had so far was trying to get that freaking oil filter off at my first oil change...The guy at the factory that puts those things on must have fore arms the size of a body builder's thigh or something.

Sears sells an oil filter removal tool that attaches to the end of a socket. That always works for me.

 

I got a rattle that sounds like it's comming from the passenger seat. Also another rattle that sounds like it's comming from the back. Can you explain a little more were this "metal bracket" is so I can check it out.

 

The metal braket im talking about is this...

BRACKET

Hope this helps...

 

I guess my biggest gripes would be the high RPMs there is very little of a first gear and fifth is quite similar to fourth
My second gripe is the noise, I think this has something to do with the high RPMs too.
Third, the quirky steering, its really quick to steer but it's also quick to take you somewhere you dont' want to go if you let go of the steering wheel!
Fourth, rough suspension, I really like getting my kidneys beat up when I go over our rough MN roads.
Things I like: Being able to take an on/off ramp at 60mph.
Great gas mileage (compared to my tour)
sunroof!
that my car (contour) is still faster off the line than my wifes car (protege)!

 

only things i have to complain about so far is that i think a 6th gear would have been great. i made a 2 hour trip the other day for the first time, and it wasnt annoying or anything running in 5th, but gas milage would have been much better if there was a 6th. personally i like the gear ratio. it helps keep you in the power band quite nicely.

other thing is the that my paint is screwed up. just made a post about that a few minutes ago though.

 

Yeah that side Marker looks real nice. I agree with all the things mentioned. ESPECIALLY the Door lock. I previously owne d 90 LX and it had the SAME door lock. You would think they would change it after several years. Oh well.

 

I just bought a ES/GT last feb. and I love it, really it's for the wife but I had to sell my RX so we share right now. The only real complaint I have is the lack of initial throttle response. It's a automatic so I don't know if the standards are better or not. I have supprised a few cars though with the quickness of the little guy though, lots of fun!

 

Only on a bad day...

I knew it had to be something like that!!

My friend and I eventually took the smallest oil filter wrench he had, cut about 5/8 of the handle off so we could turn it and wrapped about five feet of duct tape around it to grip the oil filter.

The wrench was to big with out the tape. It was the first time he ever used that particular wrench. And, now, it is my wrench anytime I do an oil change. No problems are expected in the future.

 

Hello, Regarding the issues...in my eyes.

The designers for the driveline aren't that screwed up when they set the gear ratios for the Protege.
The Protege ES (or Cdn LX) get comparable gas milage to many other cars in it's class. The Protege runs a 1.8L/2.0L in these models which is a pretty large engine for a compact. A Honda Civic with it's 1.5L or 1.6L will naturally get better milage, fuel milage also being the companys focus. I've driven Ford F**kuses that get the same fuel milage over long trips and it only has 110 hp from a 2.0L Zetec. It would be nice to get better milage but I don't think it's that far off from others...The Protege also has a smaller fuel tank that many cars, I've noticed at the pumps.
The high engine speed in 5th is common in cars that build power in the upper RPMs. The car probably gets better gas milage at 3000RPM @ 65 MPH, compared to 2000RPM @ 65 MPH. The air restrictions of flying a brick through the air at these speeds could cause the driveline higher wear & tear(I don't care people say, look at a plane or a submarine for that matter and look at a car...aerodynamics becomes a buzz word!)
The FS/FD-ZE engines are all aluminum and aluminum dissipates heat quicker than cast iron blocks so the engine can run cooler resulting in less wear. Finally the biggest threat to a small engine isn't prolonged high engine speeds, it's the lugging from low RPMs up that most people do on a daily basis that kills a motor. High load dosen't mean high engine speeds and high load is what bends things! An engine is most comfortable running at any speed as long as it's constant.
I'm not saying anyone is wrong but from the otherside of the fence...my opinions

 

ALL 2.0L Mazda Protege engines have a aluminum head and and IRON block.

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of all aluminum? Anyone know?

 

Less weight and less heat are the first things that come to mind.

 

people...i am new here and this is my first post so, i dont mean to be causing troble just giving MHO.

my previous car was a 99' Civic Si and i bought it soley for the engine. i lovbed VTEC and 8Krpms-but it aint for everyone. just for the record too, my Pro5 is built a HELLUVA lot better than the Si!! yeah itsslower but its got 20 or so more foot lbs of torque!!!

the Si had a final drive of 4:40, which is short. on the highway at 90mph I would turn almost 5Krpms. did it bother me? HELL NO!!! would i like a 6th gear ont he Si and the Pro5-HELL YES!!! if you dont like the short gearing then perhaps you shoulda bought an auto version? w/out the short gearing the 2L motor would be even slower!!! remember its only got a 130hp.

also, just because it runs a higher rpm in 5th doesnt mean the engine will wear excessively (unless Mazda engines are shabby and i dont think they are.) Its actually better on the engine than if it were turning only say 2Krpm. reason is that, since the engine is at a higher rpms when in 5th gear (highway) it puts the engine in the fat part of its power band which helps it not to strain as hard under acceleraton or even cruising on the interstate up a hill).

if the engine were turning a lower rpm, and a hill came up on the horizon, the engine would strain and/or bog whilst trying to get up the hill, unless you dropped it down a gear. it makes it easier for not only acceleration, but it puts less strain on the engine while putting the torque to the ground.

lastly, small displacement/small torque engines usually must have a short gear ratio in order to even apply torque to the ground. if you took the ratio of a Z28(tall gearing) and put it in an 99-00' Si(or any of hondas B-series motors-even the type r) you would have a helluva time trying to even get it started since it only makes 100 ft. lbs of torque at 7000rpms!!!

anyways, im happy to be here as I am happy to own the coolest and most fun to drive car (IMHO)-the Protege'5!!

i used to be a member (for almost 3years) of www.clubsi.com but i got really tired of the honda riceboyness and immaturity of the honda scene. so here i am!!!

lastly, i used to make CAI's(cold air intakes) for the B16A2 DOHC VTEC engine (99'-00' Si) and I am now going to be prototyping one for the MP3/Pro5. im not selling anything here (not yet at least), so no flames please. im just trying to help out those who want the same performance as an Injen/AEM, but for half the price. if anyones interested, email me at spoon137@bellsouth.net

again its great to be aboard!!!!!!!

chris jefferson