So...what are the common problems/gripes?

[grue]

I wanna hear about everything.

I know about the suspension noise, but what else is there?
Do they rattle when it's cold? WHen it's warm?
Does the transmission suddenly freeze and fire gears at people in the passenger seat?


etc etc etc

 

[Stealth5]

i dont think any protege rattles...theyre one of the more solid compacts, unlike ford focus, i drove one and i thought the world was coming to an end

 

[Limited Edition]

i'm not sure if this counts as a problem, but getting into 1st gear sometimes require harder force. Or pressing the clutch twice to get it in there.

 

[grue]

i'm not sure if this counts as a problem, but getting into 1st gear sometimes require harder force. Or pressing the clutch twice to get it in there.

That's common enough on a lot of cars, actually. I seem to recall a lot of VW owners mentioning they have to double-clutch into first if they're moving at all, even just a couple of mph

 

[Grimace]

Synthetic tranny fluid would help that (usually) if it is exasperated by cold weather.

 

[jroof]

I absolutely love this car but...I have definitely developed the "clunk". Besides that, I wish the seats had a little more lateral grip. Aside from that, it's incredible.

 

[AGR]

My MAZDASPEED is wonderful, and having a 24 mile drive (each way) to and from work is great. 95% of which is through nice back country roads.

I have the Kenwood figured out now, and have been burning some MP3 CDs - very cool! It's really a killer sound system.

I still need to get it back in to the shop, however. The emblem on the steering wheel is scratched. I noticed that when I first drove the car with 25 miles on the odometer. Also; if the sunlight hits the gauge cluster just right, you can see that there is a scratch on the lens (gauge cover) over the speedo. But, nobody but me would ever notice it. I think, also, my alignment is just off a tiny bit. It tends to pull only slightly to the left, but sometimes, it's hard to tell really. When I brake, it brakes straight.

Also; I (still) think I have the only Black Mica MAZDASPEED on (and around) Memphis streets. At the other dealer (the one that didn't get my deal), they have one.

Still convinced; nothing touches it for $20,500! Especially, when you consider the entire package.

Cheers!

 

[msp1east]

Hey, me too have found two scratches on the clear plastic of the cluster housing. Also the back of the driver's side seat has horizontal lines that won't come out. Question.... has anyone experience a problem when they make a U- turn with the wheels rubbing the wheel wells? When I either go forward and turn the wheel all the way or even go backwards and turn the wheels all the way, it feel as if they are(wheels) are touching the inner wheel wells. Has anybody have this problem?

Thanks D

 

[dafababa]

I have a puul to the left as well. thats funny to because my dealer told me that the tech took it to get aligned at some shop around the dealership. hum thats odd? Also and this is pretty bad but it is so damn cold that the shifter is a b**** to use. Also I hate the winter because my car looks like a getto cruiser with the steelies on, and the damn salt is not the best thing for the paint or the looks of the "BLACK STALLION". Thats all for now

 

[MSP Pro]

Plastic scratches can be easily repaired by using 3M Professional Plastic Polish #39010 after using 3M Professional Plastic Cleaner #39017. These were developed to fix taillight lenses that were scratched with the sander in auto body shops.

Yes, my son-in-law works for 3M, which is how I know about these.

 

[AGR]

Plastic scratches can be easily repaired by using 3M Professional Plastic Polish #39010 after using 3M Professional Plastic Cleaner #39017. These were developed to fix taillight lenses that were scratched with the sander in auto body shops.

Yes, my son-in-law works for 3M, which is how I know about these.

Sounds Good! I really don't want the dealer attempting to replace my gauge lens because of a couple of scratches.
Do you know where these 3M products can be purchased? Thanks!

Cheers!