Hey, all

I went to one of the Montreal area Mazda dealers, and decided I had to try one of these. I drove a automatic (can't drive stick... yet) 2003 ES 2.0 in burgundy (or whatever that shade of red is, LOL).

OMG, does this car go!!! I stomped the gas a couple of times, and Jesus, it did not hesitate. I almost couldn't tell that it was shfiting gears on its own, LOL (but that may be because I'm so used to the brutal kickdown of my 1980 Cutlass ). The steering was just ridiculous... I got the impression the car was choosing its direction at the exact same time that I was... instant response. I love that slim, 3-spoke steering wheel! Ride stiffness was a bit harsh, but believe it or not, that's what I'm looking for...

The ES model is a little too rich for my blood, however. However, everything that I like about it is in the LX model, so all this is doing is cementing my choice.

Just biding my time now....

 

Actually, I think the steering wheel is quite beefy? Compared to the 6 other cars I've owned though...

 

well he was (or still is) driving a '80 CUTLASS, any new car would feel like a sports car to him

 

Har, har...

Yes, I am still driving that 80 Cutlass. It's actually unkillable if you don't mind the additional creaks, groans, seal problems, etc. The engine will certainly outlive the car itself. But, anyways, I'm not on this board to romanticize an old V8. I WILL part with it this year... Montreal winters are just too devastating to it.

Nigaud5sx, what I meant about slim was in reference to the center of the wheel: uncluttered and clean. I rented a Ford Crown Victoria for business purposes a few weeks ago (yes, another V8... don't razz me about it )... and HALF the dahsboard was replicated onto the steering wheel. I was like wha...??? Half the time, I couldn't tell if I was touching a button or not. I hate those fat trapezoids in the center of the wheel.

The ES's wheel had a few buttons on it (cruise control, etc.), but the LX has nada, though it's the same shape. I also saw a Miata in the showroom (what a BEAUTY), and I noticed that the Protege and the Miata have the same, sporty steering wheel. Tres cool, that...

ZoomZoomH, do you deny the ES's sporty feel?

 

oh no doubt, it is one of the best handling out of all the current compact cars.

I was just messing with you since you made it sound like it's the greatest car EVAR

 

It goes , just not very fast when it goes.

 

Last time I checked you couldn't get the sportshift with the LX either, plus fog lights and stuff like that are extra. I would try and get a good price on a base ES if you liked it so much.

 

The 2.0 ES is fast?!

Damn, I almost lost to a Ford Expedition the other day.

 

compared to a '80 Cutlass it is

everything's relative my friend

 

Wooohoo, another Montrealer! Welcome to the forums! I bought my ES 2.0 last year from Mazda 2-20 on des Sources - which dealer did you go to?

ES 2.0 automatic is fast??? Mine's a stick, and when I first got it, boy did I think it was fast! Soon enough I realized it just feels fast because of the sporty and fun way the car drives. Eventually you'll start realizing that it ain't that fast afterall - although I have beaten my share of Civics, Corollas, Neons, Integras, etc.

As for the LX vs. the ES - I'd go with the ES and GT package because of the sportier interior and exterior. It's only 2000 or so more but definitely worth it. There are other differences between the two that have been discussed on other threads so do a search and you might end up deciding to get the ES-GT like I did

 

hey man that red burgundy color thing is called "Metallic Red". I like the color. Thats the color of mine. Its like a burgundy and metallic shade to it so its cool. Its not like those Hondas that have that faded cherry red.

 

LOL, why does ZoomZoomH beat up on my Cutlass so much?!? I can only hope that the Protégé will last half as long...

That being said, I'm really starting to have problems with the "old Olds", and I've decided that it's served it's time.

damaster, I went to Gareau on Papineau. Not many dealers in my immediate area.

About the LX 2.0's apparent lack of speed, Montreal is not exactly bursting with speedways. I'll take healthy acceleration over straight-line speed anyday.

 

our lx 2.0 is jsut as fast as any ES 2.0, same engine same tranny (manual) etc. The only difference mechanically is disc brakes vs drums inthe rear , I've heard that the ES has a stiffer suspension set up but have yet to really see it. Otherwise all the ES things are aesthetic, other then the differnt auto trannies, but really get a 5spd and learn to drive it. The 2.0 isn't a great automatic tranny engine, it'll work ok, but the true fun comes with a 5spd in this car. We got our lx with a sunroof, tape/CD, cargo net for 16k, 14,400 with the dplan, we thought it was a great deal and we haven't had one single problem in the year that we've had it. Great little car, not fast in the acceleration departmetn, but I was able to keep up wiht a mustang cobra on an off ramp the other day, how many 14k cars can do that?

 

A COBRA??? Bet he wasn't pushing the gas too hard

I think 2001+ they just decided to put the 2.0 liters in all the proteges, I guess to cut the costs. Beforehand the ES had a more powerful engine than the other models.

 

A COBRA??? Bet he wasn't pushing the gas too hard

by the way he cut me off to get on the off ramp and how he nearly lost it getting on the freeway, he either wasn't a good driver or was pushing it to the limit, then again it could have just been a v6 mstang with all the badges and ground effects, I've seen a few around that you damn near have to open the hood to see if its genuine. Anyway my point is that the protege can corner with the best of them, especially in mp3/mazdaspeed flavor but the dx/lx/es can corner pretty damn well in their own right and as we've all mentioned that's the best thing about this car.