I think I'm saying goodbye...

[MSpeed2397]

After building my motor and everything...I'm looking at getting out. I have to say it was a fun 3 months of driving in a year and a half period...good times :-\ Overall I had fun initially but this car got to be too much of a hassle for me. I guess I get shat upon cos not everyone has these issues. I believe my next car will be a 1.8T 337 Edition GTI. I'm sorry my mazda buddies but I believethe time has come. I'm definitely still down to come to meets if it will be allowed...haha. If anyone is interested in some parts let me know. I have a few lying around still (such as an AFC with a couple short wires and a DNA MBC). It's been a good time with you guys esp. you cinci and tristate area people.

Thanks for everything,
Mark

 

[Kooldino]

I won't hold it against you for getting out because moded cars require work and commitment, but leaving a Protege because you think it's a hassle and moving on to a VW is just lollerworthy.

 

[B1GHAM]

I won't hold it against you for getting out because moded cars require work and commitment, but leaving a Protege because you think it's a hassle and moving on to a VW is just lollerworthy.

LMAO - agreed.... esp. after my VW experience...

to each their own though... Just dont blame the Mazda brand for a single experience.

 

[Kansei]

in before the lollercaust

the 337 edition gti is a beauty, I'm sure I'd like one myself. Do you plan on modding it?

 

[MSpeed2397]

If you were in my position you may think otherwise. I am tired of dealing with dumbass issues that never get resolved by shops around me. I honestly don't have someone in the area that is willing to work with me on my issues. Besides that there is a VW dealer way closer to me than a mazda dealer. From day 1 it has been issues and continues to be issues due to dumb s***, but I am getting out because I am heavy on the loan and need something cheaper as well. Thanks for bashing the new car I am thinking about though!

 

[MSpeed2397]

By the way, I don't blame mazda, I blame the previous owner. This is exactly what I didn't want to get into. A flaming of my decision. I apologize for offending people with a VW...

 

[MSpeed2397]

Kansei - Yes I plan on modding it, but I'm not sure exactly what yet.

My girlfriend's Jetta has been far more reliable than my car though. I love the handling, I love the car, but it hasn't worked out for me. Since nobody in the area wants to deal with it, I figure I can get something that people will want to deal with and want to help me out.

 

[MSpeed2397]

By the way, why do people get all pissed and think that anyone that leaves their protege is blaming mazda for it?

 

[MSpeed2397]

B1GHAM what was your VW experience? Please link to thread if available

 

[Kansei]

Well when people say they are leaving it because of problems with the car, it happens. I don't blame you, I wouldn't be able to deal with a car I can barely ever drive.. my car is a daily driver through and through, with 83k miles on the clock (only 6k since going turbo) but it has been rock solid reliable for me, not a single problem that I didn't directly cause myself through modding, and even then I've never been left stranded.

 

[B1GHAM]

LMAO no ones pissed...

I do feel, esp after my bad VW experience (of both service AND quality) that you are just making a lateral move. I loved my VW for what it was though, it just didnt excel in any one area.

the 1.8Ts are nice little motors though... as long as you are willing to put in the appropriate work. Just like the MSP, they arent the cheapest thing to mod well.

the other downside to VWs is, when they are out of warranty, they are expensive as hell to fix.

I wouldnt be opposed to buying the right VW (R32, or new R36 ) under 1 of 2 conditions. 1) I could get parts hella cheap somewhere. 2) It had a factory warranty.

GL with the 337, I personally like them (and the R32 OMG just amazing..). Just dont expect a huge change from some of what youve already experienced. I want you to have realistic expectations.

 

[MSpeed2397]

Basically I love the car, I just don't think my karma is for this thing. For instance, every time I got it back from the shop it had something happen to it. I really just don't think I am meant to drive it. Honestly Kooldino, if you were in college and had to find rides everyday to class for the past year almost, would you stick with the car? I'm not calling you out or anything, but just trying to put you in my shoes. I don't want you all to think I'm bashing the car cos I'm not. It just really isn't my car and it kind of pisses me off that the first reply to my goodbye to friends thread is bashing me. I appreciate it...really.

 

[MSpeed2397]

I have very realistic expectations. I know I'll have to do the water pump sometime soon as well as the timing belt, but really it's just a matter of having a car to get school and back everyday without having it in the shop for 6 months at a time. Know what I mean?

 

[B1GHAM]

lets see....

I could start a long list, but Ill shorten it and kind of itemize it.

9 different door woofers, replaced under warranty.
1 window motor, replaced under warranty
2 TSB fixes for window anti-pinch device.
3 transmissions (5spd) due to defect. first one was a fight to replace, replaced under warranty.
1 water pump failure @ 32k miles, replaced under warranty.
EDIT: Just remembered one!!

4 brake pads + 4 rotors, replaced out of my pocket - $900. This one was partially my fault, but they had to be replaced @ 22k miles...


Those are what I can remember off the top of my head. There is more, but Id have to look through my service slips to remember specifically what they were.

now, I didnt baby that car but I also didnt beat the s*** out of it. it was a brand new 2003 jetta gls 2.0 5-spd. I cared for my car doing all my oil changes @ 3k w/ synthetic, and normal service @ the dealer every 10k (no need for every 5k since I was doing the oil). I liked the car, it fit my needs, but wasnt what I feel to be reliable.

I just had, IMHO, too many issues on a vehicle purchased brand new. Add that to the fact that My original dealership (where I purchased) SUCKED for service. After the transmission issue, where I was accused of racing the vehicle and was told they wouldnt cover a gross mistake under warranty (there was no sign of abuse, but there was a hole about the size of 3 fingers in the bell housing), I vowed never to take my car to them. Until the day I turned that car in, I drove an extra 20+ miles out of my way (about 30 minutes out of my way) to bring it to a dealer that was actually awesome.

 

[B1GHAM]

I have very realistic expectations. I know I'll have to do the water pump sometime soon as well as the timing belt, but really it's just a matter of having a car to get school and back everyday without having it in the shop for 6 months at a time. Know what I mean?

oh I agree... just keep in mind that parts for the VWs are about 4x that of the Mazdas... that means your $150 water pump, will be close to $600 on the VW ($580 was on my service slip to be exact).

 

[MSpeed2397]

Yeah, the mazda dealers around me pretty much suck and the VW dealers have been great to my girlfriend and everything. I just have to get HER to take my car in for service so they'll hook it up Like I said, I <3 the car, but I hate the fact I can never drive it. Frustrates the hell out of me...

 

[MSpeed2397]

My gf got hers replaced for under $400 and everything was very reasonable with the dealership. Also it kind of helps out that a buddy of mine's dad is the service manager...he's awesome and knows all about the 1.8T so that's another incentive for me.

 

[B1GHAM]

Yeah, the mazda dealers around me pretty much suck and the VW dealers have been great to my girlfriend and everything. I just have to get HER to take my car in for service so they'll hook it up Like I said, I <3 the car, but I hate the fact I can never drive it. Frustrates the hell out of me...

I see where you are coming from... Had I had the same experiences, I cant say that I wouldnt feel the same. Ive been more than what I feel is lucky with my car, esp after finding all the little "normal" wear and tear issues...

sucks, but depending on how you do it, buying a used car is ALWAYS a roll of the dice.

 

[B1GHAM]

My gf got hers replaced for under $400 and everything was very reasonable with the dealership. Also it kind of helps out that a buddy of mine's dad is the service manager...he's awesome and knows all about the 1.8T so that's another incentive for me.

It might be different where you are @, I just know that the prices listed on my slip would have killed me financially outside of the warranty.

 

[mspdfreak]

By the way, why do people get all pissed and think that anyone that leaves their protege is blaming mazda for it?

Hell, I did it and never looked back.(headbang)