The Rebound

[*insertusernamehere*]

Alrighty y'all, Felicia was replaced. I got a Mazda Protege 5. I like it alot.







Interior pics to come. It's already dark outside and i just realized I don't have any. It drives really nicely, sharp steering and small amounts of body roll for a stock suspension, which is very nice. The interior is actually rather roomy for a car so small but at the same time not that small. I'm definitely digging the hatch big time. O2 sensor code came on and I think it needs a pcv. Both will be sorted next week, until then, I like it! I have some spots on the hood and a whole bunch of small scratches i want to try and detail out in the near future before winter comes around.

#MazdaMotorsportsFTW

[Senor_Taylor]

MAZDA MOTORSPORTS!!!

What exactly is a Protege? A trim? A full fledged model?

Super happy for you, man. You've dealt with an unreliable ride for too long.

[*insertusernamehere*]

Full fledged model. The only trim I'm aware of the protege5's was a mazdaspeed protoge5. Of course, plain ol' "protege" is the sedan and P5 is the wagon.

The Mazda 3 replaced the Protege(5)

[Senor_Taylor]

Ohhh. This doesn't even look that old, though. What year? Mileage? Specs? GIVE US INFORMATION.

[rherold9]

Ohhh. This doesn't even look that old, though. What year? Mileage? Specs? GIVE US INFORMATION.

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[Senor_Taylor]

Of course I could have googled it. This is a discussion forum. I'm here for discussion.

I guess next time I want to have a conversation with someone, I'll just stand in front of them and not say a word while I research all of their details on Facebook. That's more efficient, right?

[ViPER1313]

Nice pickup! My mother had one of those back in the day, I always liked driving it. If that is a 2003 make sure the intake manifold recall is done yesterday, and keep your front strut towers clean in the winter!

[*insertusernamehere*]

Called Mazda and searched on their website and said there's nothing for my car. I'll take a look this friday and see whats going on there. I'll also read more about that recall. Thanks for the heads up, man!

Ohhh. This doesn't even look that old, though. What year? Mileage? Specs? GIVE US INFORMATION.

Taylor its a 2003 Mazda Protoge5, 180miles, 5speed, its silver, with black tires and silver rims, it has a ***SUNROOF*******KEYLESS ENTRY****THATS HOW THE DEALER SAID IT!! I actually just realized this morning while reading off the VIN to Mazda, it has a 6 disc CD changer, oh the things that were cool back in the day. Nowadays i only want to know where I can plug my phone in. It has a sub in the spare tire well, where my spare still is, so that was convincing. It has 130hp so its still slow. It weighs 2700lbs, so its not light. I'm not quite sure how the car even moves with that combination. I whipped it around an exit ramp to go clean it with Chip at his place and I was very impressed.

Owning the BMW must have left me with PTSD or something. I had a nightmare, and yes - a nightmare - that I was driving the Mazda and the temp gauge shot up to the red before I could even take my foot off the gas... then i woke up breathing heavily with my heart in my stomach and with my stomach on the floor. Smh

[Jake]

Dude, 2700 lbs? That's pretty light. An E90 BMW 328i wagon is 3527.

I've always thought these were neat. I like small-ish wagons. Shame they never made the MSP (Mazdaspeed Protege) in the wagon body. JJ (from NASA) has a 2002ish Protege with well over 200k on it so hopefully this'll treat you right for a long time to come.

[rherold9]

You'll enjoy the Protege's handling. That's light for a wagon though. Most wagon's weigh a lot more, but then again they have a lot more power. Mazda's make you feel more confident then you should feel in a Mazda.

Looks like yours is pretty clean. Should be an easy car to maintain. Be interesting to see how similar it is to my car in the engine bay and underneath

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[SlimKlim]

Yeah my GTI is ~3200lbs and they're all proud of themselves for scraping "a ton of weight" out of it compared to the MK6.

[ScottyB]

great little car, i researched them alot last time i was car shopping. i love P5's particularly after experiencing my buddy's mazdaspeed protege back in the day...really underrated chassis. i've heard it said they are the FWD miata and its not far from the truth. btw 2700lbs is practically featherweight by today's standards, so enjoy that flickable handling because its a rarity.

make sure the oil is topped off and keep it well washed off from salt in the winter months. also what Adam said about the intake bolts.

there is a decent aftermarket for these and simple bolt-ons from the mazdaspeed suspension can make this thing into a giant killer on a mountain road.

[Senor_Taylor]

Yeah man, any car under 3000 lbs these days is light. I don't know if the paranoia will ever go away, but I hope it does for you. Looks like we have a new MM booze wagon. Just try not to break this sunroof too

[Mike]

i've always liked these. haven't driven one, but on paper they seem pretty cool. nice pickup.

[JustinG]

i've always liked these. haven't driven one, but on paper they seem pretty cool. nice pickup.

+1

[*insertusernamehere*]

make sure the oil is topped off and keep it well washed off from salt in the winter months. also what Adam said about the intake bolts.
.

Lol research done indeed It's already there on the passenger side engine bay. Plan was to ask Kaan if he wanted to help me with chop and weld, but shhhhhh I haven't gotten there yet, it's all surface/shallow rust.

You guys do have a point, the e36 was like 3200. I think alarms went off in my head about the weight cause it had 130hp. Its so little. Definitely mis-judged how much hp can push (or pull in this case) what weight. It could handle another 50-70hp to help it get along. I miss the torque of the BMW too. I'm still adjusting to what gears i want to be in when slowing down and downshifting. Whatever gear I estimate to be sufficient is always too high, I need to remember to go one lower, it won't dig itself out of the low rpms...or well i guess it will I just expect more :lol:

[95SVTCobra]

Nice pick up Matt! It cleaned up really well, and was for sure fun riding in it on those backroads. It seemed to handle corners well. I know you will enjoy it :thumbup:

[ScottyB]

It could handle another 50-70hp to help it get along.

allow me to show you to your next rabbit hole
[youtube]cI0iVebmzbk[/youtube]

KL swaps are the only way to fly for more reliable power and a stronger tranny. hopefully i haven't ruined your enjoyment of the car with this already :lol:

[*insertusernamehere*]

If someone can figure out how to get me an FS-ZE I'll gladly take that. I can't imagine the FS-DET being even remotely reliable.

In case you don't know mazda terms:
FS-DE: 2.0 4cyl 130hp
FS-ZE: 2.0 4cyl 170hp (mazdaspeed everywhere else)
FS-DET: 2.0 4cyl turbo 170hp (mazdaspeed US)

[Jake]

I think the Speed Proteges were actually pretty good to own and live with. David L and I have a buddy who had one when we were younger (in that super-sweet orange!) and he never really had issues with it. I think a tune really wakes 'em up.