Hello from north of Toronto Ontario Canada

[fishguy190]

I'm currently driving an 02 Protege 5 and still love it. However, the Scion looks like it going to be the replacement when ready, the pro still has a few years left in her. Have to say, I'm very excited about this car.

I'm also a member of TOprotege and love the community, drop by, we always love new friends. Looking forward to getting to know some other car fans.

[FT86-guy]

Welcome to the boards!!! I'm sure you'll like the car when it comes out.

[fishguy190]

judging by the preliminary reviews, I should love it. I very much looking forward to taking one on the twisty backroads that are 2 minutes from my house.

[TrailDust]

Welcome aboard the forums!

[AE86]

Welcome to the forums!

[FR_S_Fan]

welcome,

anything mods done to the protege?

[fishguy190]

Thanks for the warm welcomes.

Exept for tinted windows and upgraded stereo, the Protege is stock, we originally bought it as the family car and at that time I was driving a 98 protege sedan. Once we replaced the sedan with an 08 Outback, I took over the Protege 5. Since it was already 7 years old, I wasn't going to put any money into it. Saved that for some body work since I didn't rust proof it.

The next car will have some mods done, I just need to figure out which one it is and then start planning. It's already looking like the FR-S is going to be a good one for modding. I love the way my Outback puts power down (not that it's fast), so I'm interested in how the FR-S engine will differ. Seems the power band might be similar. You really don't feel a power surge until about 4000 rpm and then it doesn't feel like it's struggling. The one thing that happens to me a lot is that I hit the rev limiter (yep, the wife loves manuals too, I'm pretty lucky) on the Outback because the boxer is much smoother than the I-4 in my Protege and it doesn't feel like it's time to shift yet.

[Administrator]

Welcome to the site. I am in Toronto as well.

Hope to see you around. I try to make it out to the meets when I can.

[FR_S_Fan]

Thanks for the warm welcomes.

Exept for tinted windows and upgraded stereo, the Protege is stock, we originally bought it as the family car and at that time I was driving a 98 protege sedan. Once we replaced the sedan with an 08 Outback, I took over the Protege 5. Since it was already 7 years old, I wasn't going to put any money into it. Saved that for some body work since I didn't rust proof it.

The next car will have some mods done, I just need to figure out which one it is and then start planning. It's already looking like the FR-S is going to be a good one for modding. I love the way my Outback puts power down (not that it's fast), so I'm interested in how the FR-S engine will differ. Seems the power band might be similar. You really don't feel a power surge until about 4000 rpm and then it doesn't feel like it's struggling. The one thing that happens to me a lot is that I hit the rev limiter (yep, the wife loves manuals too, I'm pretty lucky) on the Outback because the boxer is much smoother than the I-4 in my Protege and it doesn't feel like it's time to shift yet.

No doubt the FR-S will be good for modding. Toyota made this car for enthusiasts, aftermarket support has already started!
I haven't seen a chart or anything showing the power band but so far it's 0-60 is pretty good, 1/4 mile is lacking @ 15.3. I kinda expected that since the FR-S is a car built for the turns and not straight line performance.

[Alfie]

WELCOME!
...amm, why have I seen SO many of those mazdas with insanely rusty hatches and rear wheel wells??
Now Im starting to see rusty mazda 6's!!! I only oil sprayed my honda twice in the first 3 years, it just turned 9 last November and not a spec of rust!
Is it the spray that saves, or quality of steel??

[hatchi]

Mazda those new gen i must say have a HUGE issue with rust ive been noticing a lot of rusty mazdas lately!


The quality of steel is a huge factor.

[fishguy190]

from what we've heard from some of the Mazda techs on the club, in 02 Mazda switched primers and it's been nothing but rust issues ever since. Those in the club who were smart enough to spray their cars, don't have the rust issue. I had the rust issue because I didn't spray. I ended up putting a lot of money into some body work a couple of years ago because it was cheaper than a new car and it was mechanically sound. I have also got really low kms for the age (just past 145,000 km this week), so its still got a lot of life in her. I'm spraying yearly now to slow down what had started.

Maybe now that Ford is out of the picture, things will get better. But it seems everything is getting worse. My brother-in-law's 07 Civic had rust on the hood within two years, no stone chips or anything.

Every car I get is going to get rust protection from now on.

[Rhymin Hieman]

I am also form North(East) of Toronto. I used to drive a '91 Protege that was way more fun to drive than the exterior design would suggest. I retired it in 2007 after it failed it's last emissions test and replaced it with a 2003 Camry 5 speed which is less fun to drive, but very roomy and has proven to be quite reliable (over 300K kms with no major issues). Anyway, can't wait to see an FR-S with my own eyes and maybe take a test drive. It will be the number one contender to replace my Camry when (if) it dies.