test drive THE Mazda Protege has played understudy to the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic for many years. Perhaps it has been waiting tor one of these high-protile sedans to stumble in populari ty, allowing if to move into the big time. The problem is that the Protege came or stage inuch fater than the Corolla and Civic. The Protege first appeared in 1990) whereas “Fovota and Honda have had aa extra twenty vears to embrace the public's atlections So, rather than) compete directly with the Corolla and Civig, Mazda's image creators are portraying the Proteze as an alternative to mays market automobiles — a car for seapte who want something different from the mainstream. “It's for people who reject the herd-mentaliin of the Civic or Corolla tuver™ says Mazda's director of marketing Peter Whaky. Whalev states the main dif: SPECIAL Last One 1998 OLDS SiLHOQUETTE Was $33,565 + tax. Stk 20-2973 1958 Metro & Zar tb, best fuel effi- orn shear e fhews _SAUTO_ Oui fre Friday. October 9. REDESIGNED for 1999, the compact Protege still has the roomiest interior in its class, two new four-cylinder engines, a wider track and revised suspension, and a new base DX trim level. terence between the new 1999 Protege and other cars in its ches is the way the Protege looks and drives. “The Protege has a lively racter and) spirited han- “he cithtsed. fet me chip in another more practical difference -- the Protege is considerably roomier chy than other cars in its class, Pedesigned tor 1999) the first time singe 1995, the Protege sedan is now based on the — Japanese-market 626 Capela plattorm. It retains the old Proteze’s independent sus- pension Ctront. strut and) coll springs “rear strut, coil springs. and muti-links) and all models 4dr, #1 rated over Accord & Camry Special Price $26,388... a ciency. Was $12,335 | 2wd, Camper Special, Now $10,988 + tax. Ste? 01-2135 i 98 Malibu xm’s, 5 leit 1 $718,888 | 97 Escort Wagon § Burgundy, low km’s, only 1 left i$13 3,988. 1.359490 97 Cavaliers | 8 VG, pwr group, low | Nicely equipped, 5 left. from $13,888 89 Toyota Corolla 4dr, auto., $4,995 Pwr pkg, tilt, cruise, box liner, 5.7L aiito 20,000km's $29,988 km’s, AC Astro Van & 8 passenger, extended. 4 Was $28,050 Now $22,888 + tax, Stk# 21-3960 1998 Blazer LT 4dr, 4X4, leather. Was $40,405 Now $34,888 + tax. Sik 25-9452 ‘97 Toyota ‘Runner 94 Park Ave Ultra SRS5 V6, auto., Loaded, low km's, “nice car $20, 995... 25-0163 Si i Plymouta Vo Vovager! 95 Blazer oT 7 pass., AWD, 4 dr, auto., leather, full load, 32, 000km's low now have standard: front: and rear stabilizer bars. Further improvements in handling and stecring teel were achieved by a wider track, a Jower front rolt centre, and a higker reat roll centre, tactics used stccesstidly on the new Miata. ‘Pwo new engines are evail- able in 1999 but they are not Significantly different trom last a> 1998 — North Shore News ~ 34 im the herd vearse Base DX and SE. Proteues have ane LOR horse Lotue DOHC lo valve tour evlinder cagene which replaces a 2 horsepow er dA litre umt. There's a siigint reise Hi tongue Cron 90 tt ths co 107 nt Ibsa but 7 tound the ditterence hardhy notice able. Prother the base i. dre engine sufi ias poor law speed throtde response. particularh saith the atdomatic transmis sien. Fuel comumpnon h improved slgbtly. but ave tuel vonsumpoon is not muc better chain with the 1S-litre mietor. While the new moter is not sigmicanthy beter than the old one. it ts still a sporty, tree: reveing powerphint with plenty oF ap irvou keep the revs up. Yop oftthe-line 1X Proteges have anew 122 terse pewer ES ditre DOHC 16 valve four-eviinder engine which replaces a ditrerent 122 horsepower LS-litre engine. The new 2S titre engine has slightly more torque which IMproves throttle response, out again the difference ts insigniti cant. Toreally: wooder why Mazda went to all the trouble and: expense of designing wo completeh new engines. Orhee new features ates power Peeves tor See Transmission pase 33 what will you end up with? Wi Honda Homecoming NTE IZATION PACKAGE INCLUDES: A iland titer change Check for Hurd leaks W Battery toad, charging test Maspeat 5 sand Girnps WA Inspect all brakes tor wear %o and condiion © Inspect brake calipers, wheel evhnders and parking brake piv *HRee Ww Inspect tire weat and: pressase (A Tire rotanen ZB Inspect transmission fluid level, power sieering fluid level van appheable), brake thad level, clutch uid level al apphiable) (4 Inspeet drive belt condition (exetades uming heist BRING IT HOME TG inspect distributor cap. rier and: vires 1 Inspect windshield wipers, washers. jets and blades @ Washer thad top-up Inspect exhaust system @ Inspect springs and shock absorbers (4 Inspect all lights and bulbs @ Inspect and lubricaie doa: locks, laiches, handies 01 ao ale stent =) PACIFIC MIGESEIES 725 Marine Dr. North Vancouver Don't Open Your Hood to 987-4618 Strangers