Hi folks!

I took the plunge and yesterday I became a proud owner of a 2003 Mazda Protege LX sedan, Laser Mica Blue! This is my first car ever (I'm finacing it, fresh out of college) and I hope that it lasts me well beyond 5 years!

The dealer couldn't find any cars of that color with 5-speed, so I ended up choosing the automatic. I've had the car for only a day now, but it's already a ton of fun! I love how the interior looks, and the handling and acceleration (even with the automatic) do deliver that "zoom-zoom" feeling during normal driving.

I was a little surprised by how not crappy the factory sound system is. I think all I want is a good subwoofer to deliver tight bass (don't need it booming or very loud), and the sound will be just what I want.

The dealer still has to attach the factory spoiler (just for looks, of course... is there any performance gain from it?), and put on foglights (now these can be useful in New England). Once that goes thru, I'm gonna post some pictures

I'm a free man now, you know... no more asking for rides, no more walk/bus/train to work, none of that! I go when I want, wherever I want! It's completely awesome!

BTW, after reading the threads here, I was all set on hand-washing my car weekly (or bi-weekly) with the 100% cotton terry towels and what not. However, the dealer said that he'll give me a free carwash at his dealership whenever. Now, it seems as though the dealership's car wash should be better maintained than your average gas station car wash... also, it could be a good way to wash the underbody of the vehicle. Should I take the dealer up on his free auto car wash option or should I bite it and do it myself?

Anyway, looking forward to fun times with my Protege!

 

Hey man welcome to the protege world were the world of asking for rides is no longer. Hey man my name is rick I have had my protege for 3 years last month and it is keeping me going and i still have things to finish the girl off. I wouldn't knock back the free washes at your dealer, though some can do a dodgy *** job, just take it there once and if your happy then take it to them a again, if not do it your self, cant wait to see the pics of your ride.

It didn't take me much time to change the stereo and the exust in my 2000 model protege and glad i did. Well mate take care and hope you enjoy your madazda. ZOOM-ZOOM-ZOOM

Your mazda should last more than 5 years hopefully they dont change the shape to much from now on.



http://www.imagestation.com/members/20omz

 

Congrats on the new LX! If you treat that car right, it will last you well beyond 5 years! I like the laser mica blue.

 

Thanks for the welcome guys! Good suggestion about the dealer's wash, I'll give it a shot, see how it comes out.

 

Congrats on your new car Astral

Enjoy the car, you'll love it more as the days go by...I know I do

EDIT: Get some pics up I wanna see!!

 

I wish the dealer would have offered me free carwashes. Congrats on your Protege. Hope you love it half as much as I love mine.
________
Pattaya apartments

 

Astral--

Where are you at? If you're already thinking about underbody wash, I'm thinking you're near snow, salt and all that other icky stuff....

As far as the free wash at the dealer-- go for it. Do not turn it down. Remember, all those other cars on the lot gets washed so you know at least the water supply and towel talent are halfway decent.

Most dealerships perform three "types" of washes-- the wash or rinse of the cars sitting on the lot, the wash and detail of the cars ready to be handed over to a new car buyer, and the wash of the cars for everyone else, e.g. service.


The last two types (wash/detail for buyer, wash after service) are typically done in the same wash bay and performed by the same personnel-- the difference is that the wash for everyone else is a speed-wash-- rinse, lather, a pass with the mitt, rinse, dry. It is, in most cases, better than the auto car washes at the petrol station. But if they're giving it to you for free, there's nothing to complain 'bout that!

 

enderFound-- I'm gonna get some pics up next week, 'round Wednesday-Thursday time--that's when I'm getting the foglights & factory spoiler installed. I don't want to take pics before those come on

ProjectZero-- I'm in Massachusetts, New England... so yeah, during the winter it gets pretty icky... I talked to some other folks and some said that I dont' need to worry about the underbody wash until winter rolls around.

It's the third day and the love affair continues I drive past Civics and Corollas and I'm glad I don't own one. Then I drive past Ford Escorts and Chevy compacts and then I get really glad I don't own one

 

Hi Astral and welcome to the forum.

Like your car and color choice.

I am from Worcester and have been using this forum since I got my PR5 5 months ago. Don't know how I found this page and wish that I had found it earlier when I had my '01 ES 2.0.

People will help you out and answer your questions when you have them. Some members will b@#*h a lot depending on what you say or ask sometimes, but I don't think they mean bad. Just make sure you follow the forum rules and everything will me ducky.

We will have to cruise main street sometime????

Later.

-R

 

Hey Astral and Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to our Club. There are TWO BIG fridge'S in the corner with anything you can think of in them...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have.

make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom don't care....and take it easy.

oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!!

 

Ok, after spoiler & fog lights, I finally took some pictures!

They have been posted to this thread.


Protege52003,
Yeah, we could cruise main st

 

Welcome Astral

 

hey congrats.

i bought my new 03 blue mica pro5 a few months ago.
brand new it came out of the dealer wash with swirls...
so no more dealer washes for me. its either touchless or
me washing it by hand.