what bug's you the most(3rd gen)
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2
Mazdaspeed Protege
Lets See what bugs me the most.
1. Outside vents that are forced to be open when front defroster is on. Have you ever driven in traffic for an hour sucking on the exhaust from a diesel.
2. When you know more than the certified Mazdaspeed Mechanic and you explain to him the problem/solution and he still does not understand.
3. Unexplained power surge
4. Single speed intermitent wipers
5. All of the Mazdaspeed Protege engineering problems that are only problems because Mazda refuses to do it right.
1. Outside vents that are forced to be open when front defroster is on. Have you ever driven in traffic for an hour sucking on the exhaust from a diesel.
2. When you know more than the certified Mazdaspeed Mechanic and you explain to him the problem/solution and he still does not understand.
3. Unexplained power surge
4. Single speed intermitent wipers
5. All of the Mazdaspeed Protege engineering problems that are only problems because Mazda refuses to do it right.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,099
From: Austin, Tx
For the most part you get (got ) what you pay for.
BUT, I do have a big gripe about the carpet. I think it's just cheap. My car is 2 years old and the carpet is almost see through. Maybe its because I vacume to much.
BUT, I do have a big gripe about the carpet. I think it's just cheap. My car is 2 years old and the carpet is almost see through. Maybe its because I vacume to much.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 165
From: arizona
"pseudo" cloth visors lol, i didint know it was supposed to be sharp around the edges like that, for some reason my car has really good days nad absolutly horrible days, i cant fihgure out why but one day it will run fast as ever then the next day it feels like a slug...maybe its just me....
Matty's Lead Scrumpet!!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,143
From: Ok City
No...turbochargers are for emptying out your wallet and blowing up your engine...not necessarily in that order.
I've done the turbo Focus route...and believe me, the Focus crowd is wayyyy ahead of the Protege crowd when it comes to tuning.
That being said, I'll stick to my nice looking, yet painfully slow, wagon and call it good.
I've done the turbo Focus route...and believe me, the Focus crowd is wayyyy ahead of the Protege crowd when it comes to tuning.
That being said, I'll stick to my nice looking, yet painfully slow, wagon and call it good.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,099
From: Austin, Tx
I'm with Phantom, I'll do a little more to it but after the cams and the normal bolt ons thats gona be it. I only have 2yrs left and then I can by the 71 stingray I've always wanted! UUUMMMSTINGRAY!!!!!!!
Awesome Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,186
From: Pittsburgh PA
I think everyone here would agree the car is underpowered, but that's not a gripe to me. The 3rd gen Pro I think , stacks pretty equally with nearly every single car in it's price range/size.
And it handles better. I knew what I was getting when I bought it.
My biggest complaints: the stock shifter makes me feel like I'm driving a bus. And, I dunno how to explain it but the driver side headrest creeps up on me. Every month or so I have to push it back down into place.
Lastly, and the only truly annoying thing are the inside door locks. They are just badly placed, or badly designed. And in just the right place for my elbow when the window is open!!!!
And it handles better. I knew what I was getting when I bought it.
My biggest complaints: the stock shifter makes me feel like I'm driving a bus. And, I dunno how to explain it but the driver side headrest creeps up on me. Every month or so I have to push it back down into place.
Lastly, and the only truly annoying thing are the inside door locks. They are just badly placed, or badly designed. And in just the right place for my elbow when the window is open!!!!
