1999 Mazda Protege vs 2017 Mazda 6

Early in February, I was told the lurching and hesitation in my 1999 Mazda would require a new engine. 

That would make moot my attempt to get to 300,000 miles.  New motor would mean starting over.  So I accepted the fact that my baby would need to be replaced.  

But not then.  I had only 3,200 miles to go to make it to 300,000.  The mechanic said it "probably" wouldn't die on me.  So the quest was on. 

Complicating matters is the fact that I have a work from home job now.  So it took me until July to rack up those last few miles. 

And it was getting scary at the end.  Mid-July.  Arizona.  I could have the a/c on.  Or I could use the brakes.  

Not both.  

Applying the brakes when the a/c was on caused the car to stall.  I went without a/c for a couple very hot weeks.  

But I made it.  


I had previously test-driven and evaluated cars so I knew I wanted another Mazda.  I drove my Protege into the dealership with 300,012 miles on it.  

And drove out with a new Mazda 6. 

A whole lot has changed in cars since I bought my Protege 18 years and 8 months before.  

There's the whole push-button start for one thing.  That took some getting used to.  My Protege was a manual transmission.  Seemed more logical to get an automatic this time.  Supposedly the gas mileage is optimized for the automatic.  But I kept forgetting to put the transmission in Park.  There were a handful of times I couldn't figure out why the car wouldn't shut off.  

The key fob in your purse threw me off as well.  I kept reaching into my pocket for my keys.  Gotta say though, I like the keyless door and trunk opening. 

The automatic headlights and windshield wipers are a nice touch.  I was paranoid for a while, thinking the lights weren't going to shut off on their own.  

I love the backup camera and warning. The only thing I don't like?  I don't like that I can mute the radio, but not turn it off.  

I've adapted.  The dogs have adapted.  Back seat is still good sized.  I added seat extenders so they wouldn't fall off onto the floor.  The leatherette seats are more slippery than my old cloth seats.  The windows are a little smaller.  Bogie has to duck his head more to stick it out into the breeze.  

Overall, very pleased.  Haven't had a car payment in ages.  That's not fun.  But it's peppy and gets good gas mileage. 

And I can use the brakes when the a/c is on. 

 

I love my car

I am not a car person.  If you saw my car you would know this.  I don't go for shiny and new.  I like my cars quick, dependable - and paid for.

I got my 1999 Mazda Protege in November 1998.  It was my first brand-new car.  When I test drove it, the salesman grabbed the handle over the door.  I like an immediate response when I press the accelerator.  But I don't want a gas hog.  This was a nice compromise.  Quick off the line, but gets 33 MPG in a mix of highway and city streets.

It isn't pretty any longer.  (But it is still cute!)

I dented the front fender many years ago hitting a support post in the parking garage.  I filled in the missing black paint with Sharpie.  The rear bumper is scratched from being push started when the computer chip was malfunctioning.  Rock chips on the front hood required more Sharpie cover-up.

A hail storm in October 2010 did a number on it.  The multiple dents make it easier to pick out from the multitude of little black cars in parking lots.  They add character.  (Isn't that what they tell women with smile lines?)

A friend backed into it last fall and put a teeny, tiny dent in the front fender.  She was distraught.  I said "Have you seen my car?"   She thought I was being nice, but one more dent didn't bother me.  You have to look really closely to see it anyway.

The interior is still in great shape.  One small mended tear in the upholstery where my leg rests against the front edge of the seat.  And the ubiquitous dog hair everywhere.

The flap on the visor mirror fell off.  Seeing myself when the visor was down was distracting, so I super glued the flap.

The exterior is usually dusty, and there is dog drool down the sides of both passenger doors.  But I have a good mechanic and he keeps it running well.

It's quick and gets good gas mileage.

And have I mentioned that it's paid for?