Protege/MS Protege thoughts

[hobie237]

I keep finding myself drawn to the Protege for all the parts compatibility with the Miata, and the couple that I've driven over the years have been reasonably decent vehicles.

I'm especially drawn to the Mazdaspeed version, although I've only driven one, and not for very long, it was a long time ago, and I didn't really get to push the car.

So anyway, what kind of real-world gas mileage do these cars return? How do they ride on the highway? Anything I should know?

[RosenthalMazda]

I've owned a 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege. Pumpkin Orange. The only major failures I
remember have been subwoofers. There was this and that but that was the major one.
It's been so long that I can't remember the exact mileage but if I wasn't winding it up all
the time I think I had no complaints.

Sold it after my daughter and wife wanted to shovel snow while I was at work (Drove
the Envoy). Protege was in the driveway and they wanted to shovel the snow AND my
driver door at the same time. I had no faith in the shop getting the pearl paint right.
I miss it sometimes when I see one in for service.

[hobie237]

Have you happened to notice if they regularly come in for service for certain items? I'm guessing not or you would have mentioned something. How many were made?

[RosenthalMazda]

2003 model year
Spicy Orange — 600
Black — 1150

2003.5 model year
Titanium Gray Metallic — 1,100
Blazing Yellow Mica — 500
Sunlight Silver Metallic — 500

Major subwoofer failures. Has a kick ass Kenwood stereo though.

Nothing really everyday. I wish I still had mine.

[RosenthalMazda]

Now that I think about it, Racing Beat supplied some of the mods for that car. Sways,
exhaust... the rear sway bar bushings squeeked to no end. A modified was eventually
offered under warranty. Wastegate actuator is another popular replacement.

Footnote to the previous post, it looks like all 1150 black cars were produced before the
600 orange.

[hobie237]

Wow, thanks for the info!