sjdmp5

My dad has a 02 Golf TDI, the other day we're in the garage trying to change his low beam headlight bulb. Except that he can't get at it, So I decide to read the owners manual to see what it says, and it tells you to take the car to the dealer and have them do it. I started to laugh.
VW's perceived quality is a left over from when they were actually built in germany, My dad's golf is built in Brazil (?) and has been in for warranty work twice in 30,000km, my pro5 hasn't been in once in 35,000km.

ProtegeMaster

When the MZR engines are introduced to the Protégé/Mazda3 line, I think you’ll find no one complaining about “How the old engine could take a lot more abuse than the new ones can”. More likely, I think you’ll notice people talking about how much more powerful, quieter, more refined, and efficient it is. No one will be crying about the demise of the FS-DE, nor will they miss it.

The modern engine designs currently offered by Toyota, Honda and Nissan are better engines in nearly every way. You think the high volume Japanese auto makers would all switch to aluminum engines because they’re worse than the older designs? Hell no! They’ve done it because these engines are better, period.

Notice how many people ask about, “Hey, would the MZR fit in my current Pro?”. Notice how many people speak of it’s superior power output, noted smoother operation, and better efficiency? I think that should say something about the current engines in the Protégé: People notice that this engine is behind similar class offerings in pretty much every single way. I find that reality condescending.

The FS-DE is an old-*** engine. All the other mainstream Japanese auto makers have moved on to better things, while Mazda still hasn’t. They’re behind in the game, and we’re the lesser for it. This bothers me, and I speak of it so frequently because I feel greatness is being squandered. I honestly feel the current engine has stolen the potential for true competitive distinction in the Protege. While we have advantages in other areas, such as perhaps handling and appearance, there's nothing wrong with suggesting that we'd be better off with a more rounded package. It's true, we would be.

And regarding noise, you think Protege doesn't also sound loud under hard acceleration? That's insane!

Anyway, this isn't meant to argue with anyone. I'm just saying bring on the MZR's and let's leave yesterday behind, already. I mean, ****.

Corolla? I would consider this car, and indeed have been considering it. What I don't like are it's appearance and the fact that you can't get rear disc brakes in any trim level. I consider disc brakes on all four wheels an indispensable safety feature and will not tolerate a car that doesn't have it. Reliability and safety are critically important to me-- Any car I buy must have at least a 'better than average' reliability record, it must have at least side impact airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, and reasonable crash test results. Corolla ain't it.

acidbbg1

I test drove the Camry and the corrolla before i purchased my mp5 and i must tell you those thing cannot handle turns for Sh*T the engines maybe quick but what good is speed if you cannot keep the car on the road!

MP5 was underpowered but as soon as i threw on my NX Kit all that went out the window

Chas

kueball83

I am with acid on that. What is the point of being fast if you cant keep the car reasonably on the ground. PLus you can only go so fast before getting in trouble. Some cars you hit the speed limit in quicker. I already have 3 speeding tickets dotn need anymore.

PhotoPro5

I gotta agree. If you don't like the car (the engine being a major part of your car) why'd you buy it in the first place? Go buy a Corolla if you're not happy. I can't think of a more boring non-descript car. But hey, at least the engine is newly designed.

I used to bag on the build quality on my Trans Am for while, then I got over it and accepted for what it was; inexpensive, reliable, good handling, and fast transportation.

But I suppose the LT-1 was old and low-tech...

VPower

hey,

theres ppl like me who stand right beside their Pro!



*hehehe, sorry for all the grammars errors
me french canadian

itzkcatz

I must agree with the corolla comment my 00 chevy prizm has the 1.8 doch 16 valve vvti (comes in the mr2 and celica also) and its very peppy and great on gas.. too bad the rest of the car is chevy and half the **** is broken already (doorhandle cup holders cd player clock). And right before we traded it in the door opened on me and almost killed a lady getting into her car. Then i slammed it and it wouldnt open reguardless why didnt they keep the 1.8 in them? i know the new mazdas are coming out with a form of vtec/vvti ..Jon

itzkcatz

Well that sucks for corolla drivers lol. I would blame it on my brother who took it 100 feet into the woods and swamp at 90. But that wouldn't effect the insides of tha car. The entire shell got replaced. Jon

leungwingkei

This is what I hear when I rev my Protege5, a mellow exhaust note down low which is accompanied by a high pitched engine whine up high when the intake runners switch from long and narrow to short and wide.

Even when I'm outside the car and my brother is driving it away when he needs it, I find the sound to be much more "refined" than any Corolla. The engine sounds are solid, a bit bassy, unlike the terrible hissing sound with the 1ZZ-FE.

My gf has a 2002 Corolla S, the power is decent,it lacks some low rev torque though comapared to the Pro. The engine sounds rough though as with other Corollas, my gf and brother and I all agree on this. The taller gearing on the Corolla lead to less noisy cruising at highway speeds, but it doesn't mean the engine is quieter, it simply is at lower revs, simple as that.

Alright, if you, ProtegeMaster insist the Pro sounds noisier, did you ever consider the quality of the noise? A F360 Modena is noisy, noisier than any econobox, but no one seems to complain about the noise it makes. Why? It's how the noise sounds.
In the same way mentioned above, even if my Pro is loud, which I think it isn't, the noise it makes is by no means irratiting.

And I agree with theMAN that old doesn't mean good. The Nissan QR25DE adopted in cars which orginally had either a SR20DE and KA24DE was not for performance or nosie reduction or whatever reasons, it was for reducing costs while sacrificing durability and reliability. The FS-DE excels in these regards. The FS-DE can be fitted with a turbocharger running 10psi boost on stock internals and run reliably. Can you do that with 1ZZ-FE? No, because quite simply the engine would not hold up.

So not everyone modifies their car, but that's not the point. The point is the testament to the durability and how well the engine is built.

The current E46 3 series BMW 3.0L unit is an old *** unit too, with some new technoligies applied to it, like how the FS-DE has received updates. Does the BMW 330i/Ci have a crap engine? Not according to ALL automotive magazines all there.

That is all.

y0sky

I actually purchased a 2003 Corolla S. I had it for 3 months before someone decided to steal it right out of my driveway and take it on a join ride and total it. I'm not mad though, insurance and gap insurance took care of everything for me. I am actually happy cause I ended up getting a better car out of the deal. The Corolla handled like ****. I hated going down the highway and getting sucked in by every 18 wheeler that passed me. That was the most annoying thing. The first thing I did when I test drove the protege5 was go down the intersate and make sure I didnt get sucked in while passing 18 wheelers. The protege5, although may not get as great gas milage, is overall the funner car to drive.

itzkcatz

Are prizm swayed like a bitch. But it had overdrive which was great. U could barely hear the engine on the highway ..Jon

kc5zom

The 360 Modena doesn't make noise. It screams. And it is the most beautiful scream you will ever hear. My Mazda, on the other hand, makes a lot of noise. But I bought it for handling, disc brakes, etc that I could not get with the competition.

Engine noise doesn't entirely bother me, the Mini is noisier than my Protege under acceleration. But that half *** crap Mazda did to make it ULEV compliant screwed it up (engine rattle, anyone?). BMW would never send an engine out as half *** engineered as Mazda did with this current generation. However, the new 2.3L is a gem as is the 3.0L (although it is still noisier by far than both of the Accord engines).

PS - Before some smart *** responds about the M3 engine, I know. But they also feel that most of those are due to owners abusing the motor, and as a class act doubled the warranty on all M3's.

shoelick

MAD props to Pro_Fan for dropping the knowledge on the ignition coils. Lets just say many other German car makers are having this exact problems with coils. Can start a car without 'em. Then whata ya got. A shiny lawn ornament. way to be in the know on the industry Pro_FAn! Just buy Japenese. No stupid b.s. to worry about. Turn the key and go!

ZOOM_ZOOM

eggynatey

Why are all the magazines out there sleeping on the protege what up with that

kc5zom

Well, an Accord DX with the new four-cylinder is not $30k. And their pushing 160hp smooth as silk. And the V6 Coupes are sweet, even get a 6-speed. The Civic EX engine is nice too. If the handling had not sucked so bad I would have bought a Civic. But now, frankly, BMW's little Mini is stomping everything in this class (unless you just have some need for people in the back seat to be comfortable (screw em)).

Even with the new 6 Mazda is lagging. The Accord V6 gets better fuel economy and 20 extra horsepower to boot. I think Mazda needs to get their **** together and start working on their engines more. Otherwise it just looks like they are playing catch up with the competitors because they had no choice.

I like Zoom Zoom. But its cheaper to put a suspension upgrade on a bad handling car than it is to replace a thrown together engine with absurdly crappy emissions design.