Researching Used Protege's
January-28th-2007, 02:06 PM
#33
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 239
Originally Posted by KrayzieFox
I don't get that either. I've only gotten over 300 miles on a full tank of gas if I drove on the highway the whole way. I'm always filling up between 250 and 280 miles so hearing that some people get 400 miles is just insane to me. I don't drive it like a race car, but even when I drive like a grandma it only increases by about 1 or 2 miles per gallon.
January-29th-2007, 12:12 PM
#34
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 116
Shasta - you can get the VIN number on the driver's side dash. Copy it down and run it through a reputable company like CarFax. There is probably an Ontario Motor's Association or something to that effect that will have the VIN number on record if the car is bought in Ontario. (Alberta has AMA - Alberta Motor's Association)
January-31st-2007, 09:15 PM
#35
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Southern Ontario
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Cool thanks Olestra. I actually have another question. First I'm not jerking anyone around with all the questions, I'm just not in an immediate hurry to purchase so just taking my time looking through the want ads, I want to make sure I get a good well cared for unit.
Regarding traction control, is there a button that tells you it has this option? Like on or off or is it always on?
Regarding traction control, is there a button that tells you it has this option? Like on or off or is it always on?
February-1st-2007, 01:44 AM
#36
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
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This will make your search a little easier:
Only Mazdaspeed3 has TCS. At first I thought 07 Mazda3 has it as well but I can't seem to find it, I searched both Canadian and US Mazda sites. My 06 GT doesn't have it, that's for sure. So I can't answer your question as to weather it's a button or not, but on a lot of other car makes it is.
Only Mazdaspeed3 has TCS. At first I thought 07 Mazda3 has it as well but I can't seem to find it, I searched both Canadian and US Mazda sites. My 06 GT doesn't have it, that's for sure. So I can't answer your question as to weather it's a button or not, but on a lot of other car makes it is.
February-1st-2007, 04:44 PM
#37
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Southern Ontario
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Originally Posted by Olestra
This will make your search a little easier:
Only Mazdaspeed3 has TCS. At first I thought 07 Mazda3 has it as well but I can't seem to find it, I searched both Canadian and US Mazda sites. My 06 GT doesn't have it, that's for sure. So I can't answer your question as to weather it's a button or not, but on a lot of other car makes it is.
Only Mazdaspeed3 has TCS. At first I thought 07 Mazda3 has it as well but I can't seem to find it, I searched both Canadian and US Mazda sites. My 06 GT doesn't have it, that's for sure. So I can't answer your question as to weather it's a button or not, but on a lot of other car makes it is.
February-1st-2007, 05:17 PM
#38
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 116
Originally Posted by Shasta
Really I've seen quite a few 2003 P5's advertising traction control.
http://www.edmunds.com/used/2003/maz...84/safety.html
Same goes for MSP.
February-2nd-2007, 01:37 PM
#40
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 116
Originally Posted by Da P-Funk!
You don't need it anyway... (especially if you have an auto)
Auto may need it less but it's still very easy to spin your tires in auto on ice. I remember always being able to rev high when my tires were spinning on ice in my mom's Integra.
February-5th-2007, 07:17 AM
#42
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Maryland
Posts: 999
-puzzled. Before TCS i would just feather the throttle when i sensed (felt/heard or saw the RPM climb) wheel slippage.
It does not give you traction - it just feathers the throttle for you. I can still do that. I must be 'amazing'. LoL.
It does not give you traction - it just feathers the throttle for you. I can still do that. I must be 'amazing'. LoL.
February-6th-2007, 11:37 AM
#44
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Location: Edmonton, Alberta
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Of course you can feather the gas, that's what everyone will do instinctively. But the fact is as soon as you get wheel spin, even a little bit, that's a loss of traction and your car's efforts are no longer maximized. Same thing with braking except the opposite - as soon as your tires stop rolling and lock, braking distance is increased. So you don't necessarily need ABS b/c you can also let go of the brake, but ABS will minimize your braking distance by preventing your tires from locking.
February-6th-2007, 05:58 PM
#45
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Southern Ontario
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Well I may have a potential candidate. Found a 2003 Protege 5 with around 78K. Went to the lot today and they are bringing it in off one of their other locations (3 hours away) for me to see and test drive. I'm not sure how loaded it is but does say it has the auto transmission, PW, PL, AC. I believe its a one owner lease return and has no history of any kind of accidents or out of province. I'm wondering since its still under the Mazda warranty should I get the extended warranty.
I guess I will have to see how it is. Oh I forgot to ask, whats the recommended timing belt replacement, 100K and is it fairly expensive.
I guess I will have to see how it is. Oh I forgot to ask, whats the recommended timing belt replacement, 100K and is it fairly expensive.
Last edited by Shasta; February-6th-2007 at 09:02 PM.