Hi this is my first time posting at this site. I really like the Protege5. I really do not know much about Mazda's. Are the engines in these cars considered very reliable? The reason I ask is because I found a '02 Protege5 in my price range...but the catch is that it has 45k on it.
Now I would have no problem buying an '02 Honda, because I know they last forever...just wondering if Mazda's are just as good.
Thanks

 

I'm gonna break the 300 000 km soon on my Protege '90 soo.... I think the engine is really similar so it will probably last forever

Also, I got it only last year, it was my mother's car. She bought it in 1994 and didn't take care of the car.... When I bought it from her (cost me 1$) it had a valve cover gasket leaking as hell all the transaxle and the head and the spark plug hole where covered with oil also the air filter was so dark I can't believe the car was still running lol In fact it was totally BLACK (it is suposed to be white)

The point is I'm actually trying to give this car a second life (it is not dead but I just want to take care of it ! ) and i'm beating it sometimes and it is still pretty strong! I'm not proud of it but, one day, (I still had the gasket leak) I wanted to know how far I could go in each gear toping the fuel cut-off, the result was about 50km/h in 1st and 110km/h in 2nd...... anyway it wasn't a good idea to beat it like that but.......... It is still running like a charm.. even in cold wheater (-30°C) it starts in a turn of a key no problem... really I like this car!!!! as soon as money can reach my pocket I will buy an another one without the rust and try to make a project car with it!

So, yes it's a reliable car !
My .02 cents!

 

Hi... I have a '01 DX with the tiny 1.6 liter engine. Bought it used about 6 months ago from a rental car company. The car now has 44,020 miles and everything inside the engine compartment is dry.

The car has no noises of any kind, in fact last month I got scared when I heard something making a click sound everytime I took a curve. I thought of the axles but it happened to be some quarters hitting each other in the coin slot. :-)

Last time I took it for the oil change, the dealer changed the front passenger strut assembly... Under warranty... :-)

Everything feels very solid.

I'll take it to the dealer next week to have the air conditioner checked as it is not cooling as it should...

Other than that, the car is superb!

 

The Protege5 engine has been around in many forms for years. Mazda has been making the engine since at least the mid 80s in 2.2L 12 valve SOHC verions and then 1.8L and 2.0L 16 valve DOHC versions. The 2.0 in the P5 is very similar to the one used in 626s, MX-6s and Ford Probes from 93 until the end of 626 production. The only problem I ever heard from the engines was ticking valve lifters. I believe that solid lifters were used after 98, though, and they are not as loud with age.

With proper oil changes you can get a lot of miles out of one. I've been in 2.0s with 150K that run great and I've been in a few that sound horrible (lack of regular maintenance).

With just 45K on it I'd say it's a safe bet that you wouldn't have any problems out of it if you take care of it.

My previous Mazda engine experience, in a 2.5L V-6 in my old MX-6, was great. I sold the car with 144K hard driven miles. The only engine issues I ever had were changing the valve cover gaskets. It still pulled hard and got great gas mileage and always started on the first try up until the day I sold it.

 

I wouldnt say "just as good", but dam close, and at a lot cheaper used price than what hondas are going for, definately a much better value.

 

I think it's so close between the two now that if it's a reliability debate... go with the one that has the more trustworthy automotive service center in your area... since eventually you will probably need to go to a dealership for SOMETHING..

If you have any preference on looks, handling or other factors.. go with the one that you will ENJOY more.. a car from either manufacturer will most likely last a long time with the proper care.. and it's easier to pay for proper care if you really like the car

 

i've had my 02 P5 now for a year, put about 20,000km's on it and other than the rear wiper assembly falling off while i was driving i've had no engine problems what so ever and i've done some 2500km drives and i've never had any trouble so i would definitly recommend it.

 

I had this car for ten years before we replaced it with the P5. I had 75,000 miles on the car when we sold it and no engine problems at all. Crappy stock plug wires, a bad A/C compressor at year 7, and a the famous clunk from the right rear strut and spring during the winter. When I read about this on the MP3 and Mazdaspeed I just grin and remember. For those with the clunk, it disappeared when I replaced the rear struts at 50k ( 7 year mark). Drove the **** out of the car, looked great and sold it for $3500, last year. Paid 11,600 in 1992. So definitely got my monies worth over the years. Rambling.... PROTEGE!! FUN TO DRIVE, RELIABLE!!! THE BEST!!!


Mickey

 

Just look at the amount of recalls and TSB's for the car, (there are very few) Especially in comparisson to the focus. Honda Civics are also quite good cars, there are plusses and minuses to either. The Civic will most likely ride better but not handle as well. (Car and Driver has picked the Protege consitently over the civic for some time now.)

 

What the hell? Ha ha ha ha. It fell off?

 

I had a 01' ES 2.0 for 18 months before I for my 03' Protege 5 on Jan 1'st of this year.

My ES2.0 has almost 35K miles and was driven pretty hard. Had not problems and had the oil changed every 5k miles and tires rotated (by myself).

The 16' Dunlops suck in the snow and are bad in the rain when they have milage on them. I have had snow tires for my Proteges the past two winters. I guess if you get the oil changed on a regular basis and make sure it is full, the engine will last forever. A little other regular maintenance is good, too.

I loved my ES2.0 and love my Protege 5 now and expect to get many years out of her. My sister has a 01' ES2.0 with almost 35K on it and has had no trouble with her car.

As others have said. Make sure the car has been kept up to date on Maintenance and it should be fine. If it a 5 speed, the clutch can take a lot of wear at that milage and should probably get looked. Depending on who has been driving it????

Good luck.........

-R

 

I had a "91 dx for 11 years. It was driven every day for 9 years. Still had life after 182,000 miles. Other than normal wear and tear, I only replaced an alternator, a catalytic converter, and the front axels. Still had the original clutch and shocks. I followed the maintainance schedule to the letter. Bought an '02 ES and expect the same.

 

To they last when abused?
Some car are reliable when used like a woman and some are crappy in term of reliability when you beat them.
I mean, I often rev the engine to the cutt-off at 7 000rpm will it stay reliable for at less 4 years or I can expect problem before that?

My car is rent for 4 years and I dont plan to keep it longer so I admit that I beat the car, but my problem is that if the car become crappy before the end of my rent.

 

i've got a silver 2002 p5 with 37K miles and not one problem! starts every time, runs strong, looks and handles great! best small car for the money i've ever owned. highly recommend it!!