My 1st Protege arrives tomorrow - MP3

[Callasports]

This is one of those first time, introductory messages that show up all the time from the "newbies", and it's my turn to share my excitement about the MP3 joining the family tomorrow.

I look forward to closing the deal on a blue, one-owner MP3 in about 10 hours from now. Local car that a nice fella needs to sell. 75,100 miles, no body or paint damage, fairly clean interior and exterior, drives great, shifts great, new tires, front rotors, and pads. Down side = has a slight cigarette smell and does not have a CD receiver (aftermarket or original) or the factory-installed subwoofer.

All of the above for about $6,500. Pretty good deal, I think. I'm a fairly big Miata enthusiast, I'm on number six now - and plan to keep it around for a long time as I get it right. I wanted an inexpensive car to commute in and replace an '04 GTI 1.8T that I hated putting the miles on. (Hated the check engine light that appeared to enjoy staying on permanently!)

I've ALWAYS liked and wanted a late model Protege since their arrival in '99. And the MP3 edition was one that I've lusted over. Never thought one would show up locally and priced to move at the same time I've been watching for a clean ES to become available.

I look forward to cleaning this one up and preserving the MP3 heritage that this group has supported for years. Talk to you soon. Callasports in Raleigh, NC

[01bluemp3]

nice, welcome

[Captain KRM P5]

welcome to the forums

[manofmacg3]

Awesome! Welcome to the forum.

[Revs]

Welcome Callasport.
I remember the anticipation of getting my MP3. the night before was almost like waiting for Christmas morning, haha.

[MP3N.Y.C]

Sweet.. Welcome aboard and make sure to use the search option when you have a question about the MP3.

Pete

[winty87]

thats exactly how I sounded when I went to look at it and the next day I came home to it sitting in my driveway afterwork. Best 18th b-day present a kid could get

Congrats.

[Protege52003]

welcome to the board......nice choice on the MP3 and sorry to hear about your GTI problem's. how many miles were on her?

i like my 04 GLS 1.8 Jetta........and have had no trouble with her!

-R

[1somamp3]

Glad to hear another MP3 on the forum.....congrats with the car:)

[Bigg Tim]

Welcome aboard and don't be afraid to ask questions, there are a ton of knowledgable people here.(thumb) When you get it, see about getting the production number and post it in the production list thread here:

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31432

the phone number and all is in there. It's neat to know which one you have out of the 1500 there were.

[Callasports]

Thanks for the interest in my MP3 and the warm greetings. Picked up this sweet little car yesterday morning. Had some drama in getting the title signed over. The soon-to-be ex-wife posted some reluctance to sign off on the title. Scared me since the credit union was nice enough to have already paid off THEIR loan with my check but couldn't produce a clean title for DMV! Wasn't sure what was going to happen, but somebody talked a little sense into her and she took care of this business late yesterday.

The car is actually cleaner than I initially thought. Will detail it this weekend. Before I ever test drove it Wed nite, I had read about the clunks and squeeks from the stabilizer bars. I own the CLUNK. My wife hasn't ridden in it yet, but she'll hate that. (Note to self: learn more about relocation brackets that are on this forum) It was kind of neat that I knew more about the noises this car makes than the original owner who is a mechanic and has had it since new. That's a tribute to this forum.

I'll definitely stick around and try to learn from the group, use my search buttons, be nice to others (I am nice), and help spread the word MAZDA that has been berry, berry good to me.

I look forward to replacing the belts (maybe hoses too) and changing the tranny (and diff if separate) to some Redline fluids.

The VW GTI really wasn't too bad. The CEL was due to the GHL Motorsports turbo-back exhaust that played games with the 2nd O2 sensor. The fix? Use 2 spark plug non-foulers to pull the sensor further away from the center of the exhaust pipe. Cured it. Learned that from another forum site. Dealer said I needed a factory cat at $950 since the aftermarket one "was burned out." Not the case.

Sold the GTI, bought the wife a New Beetle convertible, sold her 2003 Miata and bought me the MP3!!! Everyone's happy. (And get to keep the '94 Miata tucked in the garage.)

[nocar]

did you happen to buy this car from tallahasse florida?

[Kansei]

I sure hope not. My best friend is so excited about buying that one. Parents agreed and everything... (ughdance)

[nocar]

::EVIL GRIN:: < thinks maybe I should buy it bfore her

[Kansei]

oh that's just evil. One of my friends freaked her out today by IMing her and claiming that the guy sold it to someone else and she panicked. :)

There is a decent selection of Lazer Blue MP3s on autotrader.com

[Callasports]

What a great car! Shampoo'd and detailed the interior and engine compartment and also installed an Alpine head unit in it this weekend. I thought the steering wheel leather was bad and needed replacing, but soap and water cleaned it right up. Tight little ride, I must say.

This car was purchased from it's original owner in Raleigh, NC. Bought new at Frema Motors - Mazda dealer in Goldsboro, NC on Oct. 22, 2001. (Do you think it sat around a while? I would think that's a little late in the calendar year for an '01 like this to be hanging around the lot...)

[Kansei]

Awesome. You'll love the car I'm sure. These cars are just so much fun.

[nocar]

how much did you buy it for exactly?

[Callasports]

$6600 without radio/ head unit. I think he could have retailed it for a bit more, but it would have to have been detailed & radio installed prior to showing it to most folks.

Fair deal.

[MP3N.Y.C]

Bought new at Frema Motors - Mazda dealer in Goldsboro, NC on Oct. 22, 2001. (Do you think it sat around a while? I would think that's a little late in the calendar year for an '01 like this to be hanging around the lot...)

I dont think that these cars sat long on the lot. I bought mine in Nov 2001 and the dealership said that they got it late from Mazda. I think late Sept early Oct is when it came into the dealer. Good luck for me when I went out looking for a new car.

Glad it looks good all nice and detailed. Have fun with it

Pete

[nocar]

wow 6600 if i can find one for that price id buy it today, have fun with it.. if you find any more sweet deals like that shoot me a pm

[1somamp3]

wheres the pics?

[Jeph]

Congrats, now it just needs some boost...

[Callasports]

I'll add some asap - probably Friday. This Protege handles GREAT -- better than the Miata!

Got to address the clunk and the squeek soon.