Nitty Gritty of the 2003 Protege
April-11th-2004, 08:56 PM
#92
Protege Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 32
Prob going to fix it ... do a few more things to it and once paid off either sell it or make it a project car or something ... i dunno its still in good condition except for trunk problem ... who knows ... i hope to hell this trunk thing isnt a sign of things to come ... i'll keep you guys posted
April-13th-2004, 09:02 AM
#96
Protege Newbie
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Greely, ON
Posts: 6
CtrlAltDel,
It's so funny to hear you describe your GA. Not funny... haha , but funny... you mean GM hasn't fixed any of that crap yet? I bought a 1991 Crapolier new back in the day, and I had almost all of those same problems. It only came with a one-year, 20,000 km warranty at that time, but when the 92's came out they had a 3-yr 60 or 80 k included. So GM wrote all the 91 owners and offered a 3-yr 80,000 km warranty for $200. I jumped on that one.
My trunk leaked from the day I bought the car, till I sold it. My alternator was super-charging and blowing headlights. I went through a dozen or so before they figured it out. The dealership I dealt with was pretty good though. The replaced the headlights for free and even reimbursed me for one that I bought at a parts store when I was on a road trip.
I put 200,000 kms (120,000 miles) on that car in about 4 years. I hated every single one of them. I sold it for $2000 to a buddy who put another 100,000 kms on it.
During the 80,000 k warranty period (only took me 2 years) I had it in for warranty related issues something like 45 times. I remember trying to count how many times it was in, but lost track. I vowed never to buy a GM again. 13 years, 6 cars and not one GM since that and nowhere near that many problems on anything I've had, including an Eagle Talon TSi that was renowned for it's issues. I'd buy 100 more talon's before buying one GM.
Anyway, our P5 is a reliable car. Solid, but a bit of wind noise from the drivers side. Due for an oil change now, so will probably have them tighten up the doors and the window closings on that side. Fuel econ is not great. I hear it's a bit better on the Mzda3. It's fun to drive, which is something you can't say about a GM, no matter the HP. Tonnes of space. Stock stereo is okay, but not going to blow your windows out, for sure. Stering is very direct, brakes are good, but like someone else said, you should probably have them serviced yearly. I haven't, but a friend's car just had the backs replaced because of an unstoppable squeaking.
I would recommend the P5 or the sedan, for sure. There seem to be a lot for sale, so pick your car, take your time and you'll get it for a steal. My wife's last car, before her P5 was a '93 323. We couldn't kill that thing, which is why we went Mazda again.
Like I said, take your time, find one that has exactly what you want (ie. colour, transmission, sunroof, a/c) and if you can't get a great deal on it, wait. There'll be another one for sale somewhere else in a couple of days.
Good luck,
Geoff
It's so funny to hear you describe your GA. Not funny... haha , but funny... you mean GM hasn't fixed any of that crap yet? I bought a 1991 Crapolier new back in the day, and I had almost all of those same problems. It only came with a one-year, 20,000 km warranty at that time, but when the 92's came out they had a 3-yr 60 or 80 k included. So GM wrote all the 91 owners and offered a 3-yr 80,000 km warranty for $200. I jumped on that one.
My trunk leaked from the day I bought the car, till I sold it. My alternator was super-charging and blowing headlights. I went through a dozen or so before they figured it out. The dealership I dealt with was pretty good though. The replaced the headlights for free and even reimbursed me for one that I bought at a parts store when I was on a road trip.
I put 200,000 kms (120,000 miles) on that car in about 4 years. I hated every single one of them. I sold it for $2000 to a buddy who put another 100,000 kms on it.
During the 80,000 k warranty period (only took me 2 years) I had it in for warranty related issues something like 45 times. I remember trying to count how many times it was in, but lost track. I vowed never to buy a GM again. 13 years, 6 cars and not one GM since that and nowhere near that many problems on anything I've had, including an Eagle Talon TSi that was renowned for it's issues. I'd buy 100 more talon's before buying one GM.
Anyway, our P5 is a reliable car. Solid, but a bit of wind noise from the drivers side. Due for an oil change now, so will probably have them tighten up the doors and the window closings on that side. Fuel econ is not great. I hear it's a bit better on the Mzda3. It's fun to drive, which is something you can't say about a GM, no matter the HP. Tonnes of space. Stock stereo is okay, but not going to blow your windows out, for sure. Stering is very direct, brakes are good, but like someone else said, you should probably have them serviced yearly. I haven't, but a friend's car just had the backs replaced because of an unstoppable squeaking.
I would recommend the P5 or the sedan, for sure. There seem to be a lot for sale, so pick your car, take your time and you'll get it for a steal. My wife's last car, before her P5 was a '93 323. We couldn't kill that thing, which is why we went Mazda again.
Like I said, take your time, find one that has exactly what you want (ie. colour, transmission, sunroof, a/c) and if you can't get a great deal on it, wait. There'll be another one for sale somewhere else in a couple of days.
Good luck,
Geoff
April-20th-2004, 05:09 PM
#103
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: near sheffield (UK)
Posts: 15
hi i have a 99 mazda 323. 1.8 sport. the economy isnt THAT bad but it could be better. It handles pretty well, although does roll a bit if you push it hard, i think the ABS cuts in too quick, and you do get some brake fade when you really stamp on the stoppers. But in the end you stop but you do **** your pants.
the car is now classed as reliable as i have owned one for a couple of months and NOTHING has broken, unlike my last car which needed something doing every week!
Speedwise I raced an 1990 RX7 i didnt ask him what mods he had done, but it sounded like the typical exhaust and CAI. kept up with him to about 100 MPH until someone got in our way, and then when the road was clear again the guy didnt want to race! he pulled up at the next lights where i waited and he said "WTF is THAT!!" made me laugh cos i now own him!
the following week I rolling roaded my car and got 127BHP/113LBSFT. which surprised me as it is stock as far as i know.. its pretty light and nimble and its quiet compared to the diesel i used to have before this car.
I have two aluminium subs and a 400W RMS amp and the thing beats the bass out of the boot like it has been designed for BASS! you will know what i mean!
if you service it regularly and take good care and drive it steady i dont think there is a reason why it should break down. and by the way the Mazda 323 came as the third most reliable car in this country only beaten by a Lexus and some other import car (cant remember which)
the car is now classed as reliable as i have owned one for a couple of months and NOTHING has broken, unlike my last car which needed something doing every week!
Speedwise I raced an 1990 RX7 i didnt ask him what mods he had done, but it sounded like the typical exhaust and CAI. kept up with him to about 100 MPH until someone got in our way, and then when the road was clear again the guy didnt want to race! he pulled up at the next lights where i waited and he said "WTF is THAT!!" made me laugh cos i now own him!
the following week I rolling roaded my car and got 127BHP/113LBSFT. which surprised me as it is stock as far as i know.. its pretty light and nimble and its quiet compared to the diesel i used to have before this car.
I have two aluminium subs and a 400W RMS amp and the thing beats the bass out of the boot like it has been designed for BASS! you will know what i mean!
if you service it regularly and take good care and drive it steady i dont think there is a reason why it should break down. and by the way the Mazda 323 came as the third most reliable car in this country only beaten by a Lexus and some other import car (cant remember which)
Last edited by 323sportUK; April-20th-2004 at 05:14 PM.
