I would just like to know what are common problems for the Protege? Also are maintance cost and price of parts expensive or cheap compared to the Civic, Corolla and Sentra? I would appreciate any feedback...

 

well there is that problem of a noisy engine on a cold start...goes away after about 30 seconds to a minute, stock stereo system is crap too other then that its awsome...get a ram air intake and a short shifter and you will totaly love this car!!!

 

First off, what kind of protege? are you looking at a new protege? if so, then nightowl's listed "problems" are for the 2.0's. If you're looking used... there aren't too many complains. which are you looking for?

 

I looking at the Protege ES 2.0 (new) with automatic.

What about cost of maintence....do you people find it expensive especially when replacing parts...?

 

NOPE>..but then the only PARTS I have HAD to replace is the oil filter....if you are getting a NEW or relitively new pro....you really shouldn't have to worry about parts....that is unless you are talking about MOD parts....in which case you will find them about average, to just a little more...seeing as how there are so many more companies making honda parts...they are a little more competitive.

 

look at the 5sp...I rented a ES 2.0 for a week with an automatic. i bought a Protege 5 with 5 speed...it is more fun to keep the "powerband" under my control. The auto still zipped...but the 5 speed has been more fun

That's my 2 cents worth

 

i think one common problem is the 130hp... ok for a car but not great for a sports car like the P5,
good looks but not enough power

 

correction...
sporty like car

 

definately not a sports car although it looks sporty. look up the paint problems thread. that's my only complaint along with the cold rattle wich will hopefully be fixed someday.

 

This isn't really a problem with the Protege per say, but we had some hella snow and ice a couple weeks ago. I managed to hit a curb, which caused my steering wheel to wobble. I took it into the dealer for them to look at it, and they told me I had to replace the rim...there was no other damage. Well, I've got a, '01 2.0 LX...just plain old steel rims.

Wanna know how much an OEM steel rim from Mazda costs? $187.08....for a STEEL RIM!!!! What a rip off. I'm certain that there is nothing special about the rim....it's just a plain old 5 bolt 15" steel rim.

So in regards to parts being expensive, I'm not sure about any other parts, but the steel rims are a bloody rip if you get one thru the dealer. But since you're talking about the ES, I guess you won't be worrying about steel rims....I think the OEM alloys were about $300 or so thru the dealer

Edit: I should mention that this is in Canadian dollars

 

$187 just for a steel rim , thats bloody expensive just for one steel rim for a small car....

from the replies received, theres not too many problems with the car expect for the engine rattle on a cold start and paint problems...

the engine rattle on a cold start, does that affect the car in any way? Is it a design flaw or is it a normal operation of the car...?

 

its normal operation of the car, are engines don't like running cold.....from what i hear thats a problem with most mazda's anyways

 

there are none

 

Could the "engine rattle" be related to the heat shield of the car? I saw a car show last night and there was a Q about this lady's vehicle having that problem on here Nissan 240 SX. She mentioned that ever time she starts her car (when the engine is cold), she would here a rattle noise. After the car warms up, the rattle noise would disappear. Both mechanics on the show mentioned that it could be the heat shield of the car, the bolt has probably rusted away...could this be the "engine rattle" for the Protege...?

 

go and check out this thread...
http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...&threadid=3238

i believe that the cold-start rattle is actually emission control stuff. mazda apparently class the noise as a fault but haven't done anything about it.(?!?).

there are a pile of other theories contained in that long-winded thread so you can make your own mind up.