It's that time again guys. Instead of complaining about how few parts we have and how expensive they are, lets show companies that we're interested in them producing parts for our cars. Below is my latest attempt to drum up some more aftermarket support for our cars. If anyone else is interested in polyureathane bushings for a 3rd gen, send them an email. Maybe we could set up a bulk buy if they decide to make some parts for us. Here is their email address: hyperflex@energysuspension.com


Hello,
I'm a proud owner of a 2000 Mazda Protégé ES. I've used your products on cars I've owned in the past, and have been very pleased with them. My problem now is that you don't currently have any bushings available for the 3rd generation Protégé (1999-2002). Do you have any current plans to make parts available for this vehicle? If not, would you consider producing parts, and what kind of interest would you need to see to do so? I'm particularly interested in front and rear control arm bushings, and front and rear sway bar bushings. I belong to a couple of on-line Protégé groups with over 1000 members. It's a fast growing group, especially since the introduction of the Mazda MP3 and Protégé 5, which share the same basic suspension as the other Protégé sedans. Thanks you for your time, and I would appreciate any information you could give me.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/protegetech
http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/index.php

 

Eric I took your advice and did a cut and paste of your e-mail and sent it off .The more people send one in the more companies will take notice .

 

WHAT THE HELL ARE BUSHINGS??? LOL

 

A common application of polyurethane (aftermarket) bushings is at the sway bar end links. Say you have two metal pieces that connect to eachother but not rigidly. It needs some play room but you don't want it slopping around either. . . put some bushings there. Hope that helps describe what a bushing is.

Why aftermarket bushings? If stock equiptment gives too much play for your tastes, you can add stiffer bushings to give a more ridgid feel.

 

Way to go guys! That was a good idea Edwin, I forgot about those bushings. Motor and tranny mounts would be great.
This is how economics works. First companies must know there is interest in a product that they could make. This is why we must send them emails asking for the parts we want. Second, they need to know there is enough demand for the parts at profitable price so that it makes sense for them to make the parts. So we need as many of us as possible to contact companies seperately so they have some idea of how much interest there will be if they do make the parts. Third, when companies do make parts for our cars, we need to support them with purchases. One major way aftermarket suppliers determine how much demand there is for a particular vehicle is to look at sales of other parts for that same vehicle. The increased popularity of the 3rd gen Protege, and the MP3 and Protege 5 in particular, has already created more of an interest from aftermarket suppliers than for the second gen Protege. Have you seen how few parts are available for them? Just look at the Second gen area on this forum, there's hardly anyone there. We just need to keep pushing and supporting them to speed things up.

 

I don't know which companies you are referring to, but in my experience buying parts for my 3rd gen, most of the parts are marketed toward the 1.8L or 2.0L engine, or the general car. Some companies do seem a bit confused about those two engines being the same, except for crank stroke. I've only seen one post on this forum about a possible turbo kit for the MP3 and Protégé 5 that didn't mention the Protégé sedan. That person hasn't followed up on this forum, or to personal emails as far as I know, so I wouldn't consider them an accurate representation of other profession companies out there. Look at Bosal, AEM, Injen, Corksport, Mazda Motorsports, NOPI, etc. I don't see anything marketed specifically for the MP3 or Protégé 5 from them. We may see more of that in the future because of the attention those cars are getting in the automotive press, although since the MP3 was a limited production run of 1500 units, I doubt too many companies will rush to makes parts for it alone. As you said, as long as we know the parts fit, who cares, just make 'em. I will continue to send emails to companies I am interested in making parts for us, and let them know I have a '00 ES sedan. After all, there are a lot more of us than MP3 or Protégé 5 owners so far.
As for the 1st gen, and even more so the 2nd gen Protégés, unfortunately, I don't really see things getting much better for them because the number of cars isn't increasing. If more people currently owning those cars become interested in modifying their cars, and they organize and show companies some interest, who knows. Mazda is selling far more of the 3rd gen Protégés, especially with the 1.8L or 2.0L engines, than they did 2nd gens, or even 1st gens. That makes it much easier for us to get parts, especially with Mazda's renewed emphasis on sporty performance. Our biggest threat right now is Mazda/Ford moving the next Protégé to the Focus chassis/drivetrain. Think about how long Honda kept the Civic/Integra platform around and basically unchanged, and how many they sold. Both of those things help the aftermarket by allowing time to develop parts, and sufficient numbers of potential customers to make it financially worth the effort.