never ever seen this problem
The tranny isn't no honda tranny, meaning it isn't as smooth as one, but it's not a shity as some make it seem. Drive it right, and it's fine. The only people I've seen have troubles with any protege tranny are the ones that don't know how to drive it.
Not saying you guys don't know how to drive or anything, don't take it the wrong way, but the only ones I've seen with problems are the ones that ask for it. I've read a lot of mp3 owners here having the same troubles, most of which seem to know what they are doing, but then again, I've never seen them drive either.
And, why would anyone need to downshift into 1st a lot?. Isn't this pointless?