help Scott find a whip

[.RJ]

if I was a theif - easy targets would be high on the hit list....

Big difference between being able to get into the car and being able to drive away with it easily.

[ScottyB]

It sounds kind of ghey, but I think I would take the 130hp ZX2 over a lot of cars that have 170-200 hp.

no i'm with you. it's kinda why i am considering the protege5 in the first place.

[ViPER1313]

It sounds kind of ghey, but I think I would take the 130hp ZX2 over a lot of cars that have 170-200 hp.

no i'm with you. it's kinda why i am considering the protege5 in the first place.

If you haven't driven one yet, go do it. I'm looking for a nice one myself at this point. The steering and brakes are telepathic, engine is peppy (if a little rough), and it will get well over 30mpg everywhere. Not to mention you can get a low mile (30k as opposed to 80k+ for a WRX/E36) example for what you want to spend, and it will have Mazda reliability to boot. The 2.0 is non-interference too, unlike 99% of Honda motors (just one less thing to worry about down the road.)

Upgrades are the weak spot, although there are supercharger kits for it if you achieve baller status somewhere down the line.

[Feersty]

- SVT focus....terrible gearbox problems are all that's holding me back on these. Feersty, have you noticed anything with yours? how has your dealer treated you on warranty stuff?

I have not noticed anything with my gearbox, but with a lot of the SVTFs it is really hit or miss. Some have zero problems with it and others have pressure plate exploding which results in a hole in their bell housing.

The really bad part is that these parts[transmission] are not ava. I would contact Ford and let them know that you are aware that theres a TSB on this problem and you may be able to get them to do a P05 on it which would leave you just paying a deductable.Though you are out on warranty, they have ways of doing that in "beyond warranty repairs".

As you know I bought my car used from the dealership. Sheehy Ford in Springfield to be exact. I had 30 days essentially where the dealership would pay for anything wrong with the car. This proved to be very valuable, because there were definitely a few things wrong, such as master cylinder replacement, rear hatch button inoperable, key fob broken, random check engine lights, battery light. There were definitely a few things. Buying it from the dealership definitely proved to be pretty valuable.

Right now I have a slight leak from my oil pan gasket that I need taken care of.

The Warranty box was checked when I bought the car, but I believe it is out of warranty.

[HAULN-SS]

If it's not leaking more than a quart every 2- 3 tanks of gas I wouldnt even worry about it.

[.RJ]

If it's not leaking more than a quart every 2- 3 tanks of gas I wouldnt even worry about it.

You're kidding right? That much oil is going to make a complete MESS of everything in the engine bay. If its more than a tiny drip, replace the gasket.

[ScottyB]

the more i'm reading about the protege5 the more i'm loving it. seems like a bulletproof, wagon version of a miata. and the horsepower thing...i did the math, and it has a better power/weight ratio than my old accord and i had a ton of fun with that car. if i really need more power there's enough aftermarket to take care of me, but i bet i'll be just fine.

yay mazda!


Feersty -- thanks for the feedback, it helps

[CaptainHenreh]

You'll find yourself hardpressed to go wrong in the MP5. People rant and rave about the handling.

I, personally, don't like the Focus SVT on an engineering level. I mean, clearly the 2.3 MZR's potential far, far exceeds the old 2.0 Zetec...so why bother having SVT go over it? Take a 2.3 MZR with VVT and Variable intake, place in Focus, and BAM! You have a more powerful, more reliable, and more modern engine.

I mean seriously, Ford -- WTF.

[.RJ]

Here ya go

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[HAULN-SS]

no way dude - he said oil PAN gasket - it's not going to hurt a damn thing if the pan gets a little damp with oil. And I'm pretty certain it'd take more than a slow leak to get oil all voer the engine bay, unless new engine bays have a fan under the oil pan blowing up into the engine bay

[Mike]

did rob ninja edit? i could have sworn i saw "head gasket." or are back to back 16 hour days (yes, i'm still at work and i have yet to pack for the tradeshow in vegas, which i leave for in 10 hours) starting to get to me?

[.RJ]

no way dude - he said oil PAN gasket - it's not going to hurt a damn thing if the pan gets a little damp with oil.

What do you think happens after it leaks out of the pan? It drips on the axles and gets all over the f'ing engine bay.

[Mike]

no way dude - he said oil PAN gasket - it's not going to hurt a damn thing if the pan gets a little damp with oil.

What do you think happens after it leaks out of the pan? It drips on the axles and gets all over the f'ing engine bay.

AND DOWN MY BALLS! LIKE THE SWEAT!

[.RJ]

:?:

[HAULN-SS]

dude, every car i've ever owned has had an oil pan leak, and i have NEVER seen it go any higher than the bottom of the pan. U CRAZY

[Mike]

i'm losing it; get off me.

[.RJ]

dude, every car i've ever owned has had an oil pan leak

Edited by Jack

[Jeff]

I LOVE IT!

[HAULN-SS]

what're you implying there RJ?

[NTIman]

I've never seen oil go higher than an oil pan either, but I think RJ has a valid point. If it hit an axle, it could definately get everywhere.