(Moderator, I wasn't sure the right forum for this, so please bump to the right one if this one is inappropriate)
We live in Vancouver BC so generally the vehicle rust problems because of our mild climate and salt free roads are about as good as it gets in Canada. Nowhere near as good as arid California but...
After searching for a while within a rather limited budget (less than $6000) for a really clean mid-2000s used hatchback we found a 2003 Protege with 145K on the clock. We had a BCAA inspection done and aside from some recommended minor fixes and adjustments, the big worry was a thin line of rust showing up under the hood on the sheet metal under the hood over the right strut tower.
The BCAA mechanic could not detect (by visual means) any deeper rust at present which would indicate immediate action. However after many calls to local dealers, body shops and web searches to try and get some sanity around the many alarming reports and horrible history of the various Mazda rust plague problems through the years. After all, Consumers Reports lists this vehicle in their Best of the Best used cars to look for.
This car has got Red paint with no bubbles, blisters or any other indications of body rust.
My son and I would like to keep this car for a few years so are there any actions we should be taking to preserve it?
If the rust is presently confined (after 12 years and 145K) to the seam over the strut:
1) should we be taking drastic pro-active action, i.e. R&R the front strut area body/chassis attachment points
2) ignore it and monitor.
3) electric anode rust prevention gizmo (are these a scam or do they really work?)
Thanks for reading and all suggestions/comments welcome.
-Mike & Mike (longtime experienced with Honda and Toyota but Mazda nubes)
We live in Vancouver BC so generally the vehicle rust problems because of our mild climate and salt free roads are about as good as it gets in Canada. Nowhere near as good as arid California but...
After searching for a while within a rather limited budget (less than $6000) for a really clean mid-2000s used hatchback we found a 2003 Protege with 145K on the clock. We had a BCAA inspection done and aside from some recommended minor fixes and adjustments, the big worry was a thin line of rust showing up under the hood on the sheet metal under the hood over the right strut tower.
The BCAA mechanic could not detect (by visual means) any deeper rust at present which would indicate immediate action. However after many calls to local dealers, body shops and web searches to try and get some sanity around the many alarming reports and horrible history of the various Mazda rust plague problems through the years. After all, Consumers Reports lists this vehicle in their Best of the Best used cars to look for.
This car has got Red paint with no bubbles, blisters or any other indications of body rust.
My son and I would like to keep this car for a few years so are there any actions we should be taking to preserve it?
If the rust is presently confined (after 12 years and 145K) to the seam over the strut:
1) should we be taking drastic pro-active action, i.e. R&R the front strut area body/chassis attachment points
2) ignore it and monitor.
3) electric anode rust prevention gizmo (are these a scam or do they really work?)
Thanks for reading and all suggestions/comments welcome.
-Mike & Mike (longtime experienced with Honda and Toyota but Mazda nubes)
