bmassche

Have you heard ford wants to cut 500 dollars from each new vehicle to cut costs, they have hired lots of new engineers to find the extra 500 bucks, I hope ford dosen't get theit hands on the next generation protege ford

ZZOOOMM

Since Form took over Mazda they have put out the shitties car ever. No more screws, they just snap together like models. We pay so much for new cars and they are so cheaply put together. I have a 2002 Fazda Protege 5. If you go to fast over a speed bump I am afraid that the hatch might pop off my car. I used to beet the crap out of my mazda's and they always preformed. My 89 Mazda MX-6 turbo rules, I have had many offers from people to sell my car. I say that it is my casket. I will be buried in that car.

tradr

yes, ZZOOOMM, but..

your Protege 5 is around 97% Japanese in parts and is assembled in Japan.. with no ford influence at all except for seatbelts.

and Ford hasn't taken over Mazda

and your Mazda MX6 Turbo is mechanically the same exact thing as a 1st gen Ford Probe GT (which is also turbo) anyhow, which would make it more of a Ford then your Protege is.. but erm.. or is it the other way around, that Ford copied Mazda for the mechanicals of the mx6.. don't know.. it's all good either way.

Mazda Mx6's are fun little cars, I was considering buying an 89 LX that was minty and owned by a girl but passed on it the last minute.. turbo is that much better.

Anyhow, regarding ford cheapining (sp.) their product.. maybe they'll make the interior on all their cars Vinyl, like the police cars

They could also remove the 5th gear from their 5spd trannys, and 3rd gear from 3 speed automatics..

Maybe they'll make floormats an option like Honda (but that wouldnt save much hehe)

leungwingkei

But you almost must realize that big companies lay off employees to return greater shareholder equity.

macdaddyslomo

I'm amazed you guys talk about Ford like this....since Ford has taken PART,not full ownership of Mazda,they have been intrumental in Mazda's turnaround...this is the first year in many years that Mazda has been profitable....the Mazda from the eighties and early ninetys was going under...and every company that Ford has taken over greatly IMPROVED build quality and design....look at Jaguar,Landrover,and Volvo..all ford owned...Mazda has GREATLY benefited from its partnership with Ford...also lately when Ford does cost-cutting on vehicles they dont make it worse...they find a cheaper way to make the same part,or cut a better deal with a supplier...dont just assume less expensive means worse..if that was the case you wouldnt want a Mazda....it's not like they are considered hogh end cars to begine with,are they?

David

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tradr
[B]yes, ZZOOOMM, but..

and your Mazda MX6 Turbo is mechanically the same exact thing as a 1st gen Ford Probe GT (which is also turbo) anyhow, which would make it more of a Ford then your Protege is.. but erm.. or is it the other way around, that Ford copied Mazda for the mechanicals of the mx6.. don't know.. it's all good either way.


The MX-6 and the Probe were built off the Mazda 626 with the 626 motor. There was a five door Turbo 626 for a few years. Nice car to. .

turbonium959

I would absolutely agree with you. If it was not for Ford, Mazda could be a very different company. I think it was Mark Fields who turned around Mazda, and cuz he did such a good job, Ford has put him in charge of their Premier Automotive Group. If it was not for Ford, there would be no RX-8 today. I drive a '97 Pro DX. I have driven other cars too. If you were to ask me what I value most in the car, and in my Mazda it would be comfort. I feel great driving the car, and I am 6'7". But besides that. The over all fit and finish is great. I don't care if I don't have the fastest compact sedan. As long is it warm and welcome inside, then I am fine with it. So, please do not blame Ford. They are going trough some deep sh*t right now, and it will take time for them to recover. I do not think Ford will touch Mazda. Ford only uses Mazda's parts, just like Chrysler with Mitsubishi, or GM with Isuzu or Toyota. Ford has already cut many cars from domestic line up - Cougar, Escort, Villager. It would be a mistake for Ford to take something that just did so well, and then start chopping away from it little by little.

Evil Homer MP5

i don't think its cause the cars are not luxurious, i belive its cause the entry level cars by ford (focus) have had lots of recalls, and poor build quailty, that is why i decided to go with the pro5 instead of the ZX3 or ZX5.

bmassche

I am stating facts, why would a company publish that they want to cheapen their cars? The japenese would never tell anyone about it they would just do it! Anf ford is doing this to save a measley 500 per car. American cars are cheaper anyway seing as they are built here

macdaddyslomo

Oh,my,god!...A measly $500 A CAR!!!!??? Do you have any idea how many cars are Produced by Ford,Lincoln,Mercury,Mazda,Volvo,Jaguar,Land Rover,and Aston Martin combined...take that number and multiply it by $500...thats a sh**load of money!! It amazes me how people never think about what they say before they say it....less expensive and cheaper are 2 different words,and I GUARANTEE you Bill ford never said "cheaper"...Ford actually spends money on how to save money the right way...Ford doesnt save money by skimping on crappy product,and if anybody actually did any research,you would see the Focus only had those recalls on the 2000 MY(thats model year for less-informed car buffs)..the Focus sold like gangbusters in Europe and seemed to match well with current imports in its class in the US,it also tested well so we built it here..the problems with 2000MY was it was built hastily to get the product out,and also take take advantage of the HUGE amounts of cars being sold in the US in late '99-'00..there are little to no problems with the 2001 and 2002MY Focus so there! Getting back to my point...Ford actually spends money to research how to make the SAME product,but make the production process less expensive,without sacrificing quality..so dont bitch ,cause when Ford saves money,so does Mazda,and then it trickles down to us Pro buyers..keep in mind the engine going in the 2004 Pro was commisioned to Mazda by Ford for its products,but Mazda will use it as well .2.4L 170bhp and like 35mpg!!!!!..do a little research before you slam a car company