Protege_Joe

ok this is a weird question so...ya

is the Mazda6 a replacement for 626 and is the Mazda3 going to replace the protege and if so will the Mazda3 be the 4th gen protege

eggynatey

Yeah, I'm pretty sure you're right., except they are doing away with the "Protege" name altogether, I think. Too bad they're replacing the Protege 5 with a Matrix-a-like. The main reason I bought my P5 was 'cause it looked better then the competition. Now it seems Mazda is following the jelly-bean styling trend.

Did you ever find an intake? I cruised around ebay, and didn't see one for a 2001 1.6. Maybe they're universal with the 1.8? Or maybe an MX3 or something... I dunno.

carguycw

Yes, the Mazda6 replaces the 626 and also the Millenia. I wouldn't call the Mazda3 a "4th-gen" Protege; I'd call it the next step in a long history of name changes for Mazda's 9th generation of compact car in North America.

1971: R100
1972-78: RX-3, 808, Mizer
1977-80: GLC
1981-85: GLC, 323
1986-89: 323
1990-94: Protege, 323
1995-98: Protege
1999-2003: Protege
2004+: 3

nate0123

Anyone hear anything about trim levels?

Perhaps a 3i with the 2.0 and a 3s with the 2.3?

Although the new 6 trim levels don't necessarily correspond to the engines...

JoeT

"a 3i with the 2.0 and a 3s with the 2.3"

That would be a reasonable offering, nate0123.

I hope they don't build them at a Ford Plant - I am a little bummed, actually, that they are making the 6 at Ford (I think Flat Rock). I remember the fiasco with the Ford tranny in the 626 - please Mazda, don't allow any more Ford parts in these next-gen cars!!! I don't trust Ford plants to build with the same gap tolerances as Mazda in Japan.

nate0123

A friend of mine had a 95 or 96 626 auto. I think she went through 3 or 4 *new* transmissions, and had problems with all of them so she finally got rid of it.

cjb200

Those models are correct. And The 3 is being built in Japan, at the same factory the Protege is built at now.

Just FYI, most of this stuff is already posted in the General Mazda forum.

nate0123

Thanks. Didn't care enough to do a search.

jjac28

i think it's ok that the protege name/look will be gone.
your car will become more unique and more admired for it's special look and abilities...
and fewer people will drive it. it will not become common like the civic where you see them everywhere.

nate0123

Personally I hope the new car doesn't lose the distinctive Protege *feel*. They did something right with the way the car feels, due in large part to the precision and amount of feedback in the steering. I almost have a feeling that a total redesign could miss the mark if Mazda isn't careful. Too much power assist, too much isolation, too much suspension damping, too quiet a cabin...

Sure there is room for improvement in other areas. I'm just a little nervous that the car will take on more of the Focus dynamics. Not that they're bad, per se. But they don't lend to a car that's as fun to drive as the current gen Proteges.