Hi all. I'm new to the forum. I just bought myself a 2002 Mazda Protege ES with 141k miles, power everything and sunroof for $2000 (has some rust on rear quarter panels). I am very new to little cars as my only other car right now is a moderately modified dodge cummins. Getting 17mpg wasn't cutting it.... Plus I have to make a trip from Ohio to Wyoming and back.
1) I'm having a small problem with the trans. It's an auto 4 speed. Every gear shifts hard and there is no slippage whatsoever. However, when the car is cold, and you drop it into drive, it will take a second.... Sometimes even up to 3 seconds for the car to drop into drive. Once it does, it is perfectly fine. When the car is warmed up, the hesitation to go into drive is near nonexistent.
Is this a big problem? Or can I live with it? It needs to survive a 3500 mile trip at the very least. I'm very impressed with the mpg's. So far I got 32mpg hwy (hand calculated!) at 75mph and 28.6mpg mixed driving.
2) I'm hearing some odd rattling from the rear that is very noticeable on rocky roads and bumps.. Even on flat roads you can faintly hear the rattling. It sounds like it could be struts/strut mounts from what I have read online. If I post a video of the sound, could you all help me pinpoint what it is?
Thanks all!
1) I'm having a small problem with the trans. It's an auto 4 speed. Every gear shifts hard and there is no slippage whatsoever. However, when the car is cold, and you drop it into drive, it will take a second.... Sometimes even up to 3 seconds for the car to drop into drive. Once it does, it is perfectly fine. When the car is warmed up, the hesitation to go into drive is near nonexistent.
Is this a big problem? Or can I live with it? It needs to survive a 3500 mile trip at the very least. I'm very impressed with the mpg's. So far I got 32mpg hwy (hand calculated!) at 75mph and 28.6mpg mixed driving.
2) I'm hearing some odd rattling from the rear that is very noticeable on rocky roads and bumps.. Even on flat roads you can faintly hear the rattling. It sounds like it could be struts/strut mounts from what I have read online. If I post a video of the sound, could you all help me pinpoint what it is?
Thanks all!