What happens when Ford gets hold?

Protegars

Member
Am I correct in what I heard about the Ford 2.0 liter engine to be used after this year in the Protege( I am new) ? One of the things I like about the Protege is that it is one of the few US market Japanese cars still made in Japan with about 97% Japanese parts. Unlike most Hondas that are now made in the USA. I don't know about you, but when Honda only makes their very best cars in Japan ( i.e. Prelude, s2000) that tells me something. Anyway, maybe they'll just source the block and add their own components like the Mazda 6. Any comments??
 
and I dont think they would want to "Fix Or Repair Daily" the engine, if they do I will cry! The last thing we need is an American engine in a Japanese car!
 
from what I remember reading (i think), Ford will actually be using Mazda's 2.3L 4-cyl in their next gen Focus. So no worries...for now. (2thumbs)
 
ford is using the mazda's new 2.3 in there focii...the only engine that mazda is using from ford is the duratec 3.0 litter V6 for the mazda 6,

the ford focus, mazda protege, volvo (can't think of the name) are using the same plat form next year.
 
Will you guys stop complaining! I for one would not mind having the Zetec motor in our cars because at least then we would have aftermarket parts to choose from, including a supercharger! The engine is NO worse than ours. Our engines have problems too and so does the Ford Zetec. Unlike the skeptics here, in Europe they actually LIKE the Zetec motor! Course' they like diesels too! (So do I!)

Im not saying one car is better than another, nor I am saying that you guys cant have your opinion, I am just saying that sometimes it goes a little too far. Most of the people on this board are very esoteric and way too pragmatic (wait a sec...Im pragmatic...scratch that comment!:)) and think that if its not stamped with "Made in Japan" on it that it stinks!

IF I had my druthers, I'd own a Peugeot 206-180 (has a 2L 180hp motor) or a Renault Clio Sport 172 (2L 172hp engine) and many others. But, would any of you buy one or just let your bias' get in the way because theyre French made? A good car is a good car no matter where its made. All of them have their little nags and faults.
 
From what I've read...

both the Protege 2.0 liter four and the Mazda6 3.0 liter six began as Ford motors. Mazda made some redesigns and improvements for their usage. The four in my Daughter's Contour (nice drive train, the rest of the car is crap) looks an awful lot alike the four in our new P5. The cam covers look like the same casting. Any wonder that Visteon produced the ECU for the MSP?
I have also read that the '04 Protege/Focus will have Mazda based drive trains, Ford based chassis, and Volvo based safety systems. Since our state is going to raise the sales tax, I now have two more reasons to enjoy my '03 P5. Jim
 
Re: From what I've read...

Jim Frye said:
both the Protege 2.0 liter four and the Mazda6 3.0 liter six began as Ford motors. Mazda made some redesigns and improvements for their usage. The four in my Daughter's Contour (nice drive train, the rest of the car is crap) looks an awful lot alike the four in our new P5. The cam covers look like the same casting. Any wonder that Visteon produced the ECU for the MSP?
I have also read that the '04 Protege/Focus will have Mazda based drive trains, Ford based chassis, and Volvo based safety systems. Since our state is going to raise the sales tax, I now have two more reasons to enjoy my '03 P5. Jim

I hope you aren't saying your protege5's engine is a ford design because it sure as hell isn't. There isn't a single ford part on the current 2.0.

The new "Mazda 3" ones? yes, but not the one you have now!!
 
Re: Re: From what I've read...

Gro Harlem said:


I hope you aren't saying your protege5's engine is a ford design because it sure as hell isn't. There isn't a single ford part on the current 2.0.

The new "Mazda 3" ones? yes, but not the one you have now!!

Yep you're right. The FS engine began life in the early to mid 80s. Remember the old 86 B2200 trucks or the 88 626 (2.2L 18 valve)... good ole' cast iron FS blocks.
 
the 2L focus/escort/contour engine is not the same as the protege 2L. I rebuild the cylinder heads for these engines, the ford enigine is a totally different design other than both being DOHC. They are nowhere near interchangeable, nor is the block, intake, etc.
Mike
 
I thought Mazda still retained creative/manufacturing control over their cars with the exception of the MPV and the B-series trucks. For instance, FORD didn't influence/design the new RX-8, the Mazda6, and Mazdaspeed. Even on the Miata, FORD can't touch it. These platforms are Mazda's bread & butter and provide distinction. I just hope they don't start manufacturing Proteges in North America. If they do, the quality will definitly decrease. I've seen first hand similar decrease in quality in a 7th generation Honda civic and I was disappointed. After the demise of my civic @ 34K, I vowed to only buy Japanese manufactured vehicles.
 
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