Fare Thee Well
 

Well folks, the time has come to take my leave. As any surviving veteran members of this board might recall, from day one I was never happy with the primitive, raucous, tiring characteristics of the Protege, and I was violated by a slew of quality/repair issues that incensed me with blinding hatred and rage toward Mazda; for their breach of my trust and their deviation from the honor of building a vehicle befitting the principles of logic, reason, and quality-- At least in terms of the experience I was afforded (understanding that many here have thankfully had a GOOD experience with this car).

Through the course of my unhappy ownership, I was insulted with a slew of issues, including brake, clutch, and electrical problems-- Noisy, punishing ride characteristics that made long road trips arduous and loathsome. A grating engine that was forced to run at high RPMs at slow cruising speeds and rendered comparatively lousy fuel economy all the time. Interior rattles that never ceased, ever, and began while still brand new. Sadly conceived ergonomic decisions. It all offended me greatly, and kindly I took to it not.

I babied this car like no other, and never drove it hard. I had scheduled service done before required. It was never a daily driver given that I walk to work each day. It couldn’t have been kept under better conditions more conducive to trouble-free operation. Yet Mazda fornicated me nonetheless. To them, for what they’ve done, from Hell's heart I stab at thee! For hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee!

To everyone else here, who are at no fault for what I experienced, I relay my sincere thanks for all of your help, be it direct or indirect, over the course of my time in this midst. My personal problems with the car notwithstanding, this has been an excellent resource and has been most helpful in making the most of my ownership. About up until the time of the mass exodus from this board to other sites, this was a busy, animated, free speaking, civil local that was fun and informative. Albeit The Hayes Code now prevails, it seems. Bugger.

So I take my leave with sincere appreciation and a wish for all of your continued good times in the Protege. It wasn’t the car for me, but that doesn’t preclude the hope that someone else out there is well served by it!

Adieu!

Re: Fare Thee Well
 

Sorry to see you go!
What did you replace it with?

That is the most well-worded post on teh intraweb evAr.

FWIW, I pound my P5 like a slave and it's one of my favorite cars of all time. Like it says in your profile caption...you deman perfection...you should've paid for perfection. Go buy a $160K Gallardo and enjoy it....THEY are perfection, not a $12K entry-level mazda.