Considering a Protege5

[johnnyaction314]

hi everyone, i am in need of a new car and have come across an 02 Protege5 for sale in my area for roughly $5500 that i absolutely love.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...ion=&max_price=6000&cardist=12&standard=false

I am a little hesitant to buy this car first because its at the top of my price range, but this is hands down the car id like to buy based on looks and functionality. What i am not so sure of is reliability. I had heard horrendous things about Mazdas in the past, but I know they have totally turned around their cars post 2000. I know this car is better than the Mazdas of the past, but is this going to be on par with Honda/Acura or Toyota as far as reliability goes? i have never had an automatic transmission and would say that is one of my biggest concerns.

just looking for some insight into this car from anyone who has owned one for any significant period of time. just a forewarning: Dont bother writing about how fun the car is to drive, or how fast it is, or how it can be modified, etc. I dont really need any of that, just from a reliability standpoint, what are your experiences with the car? Also, no "Mine has 29k on it and its still running great!" I know that much. Thanks in advance.

 

[flash75]

When buying any used car you can usually plan on it needing some repairs/maintenance. You have placed some restrictions on what you want to hear, but here is my experience. 2002 P5 purchased new, now has 71k miles. It has been very reliable, no parts replaced other than filters and plugs. The miles are mostly highway miles on interstates. I had to replace one fog light, rock chip in lens. The other light has a lens chip, but it doesn't get moisture inside.

My car has automatic and is not modified.

Welcome to the forum.

Clifton

 

[raserx]

I think these are solid little cars. There are some things that wear out quick, such as the rubber engine mounts, but they can be easily replaced. I have 115,000 miles on mine and it still runs like new. There are several 200k + cars on here as well. I'd say that is reliable! Take care of these cars and they will take care of you.

 

[br289165]

Excellent quality and reliability. I bought mine new in '02.5 has about the same miles as the one in the ad. The motors were around awhile in the probe before theP5 so the glitches were well worked out. look for rust around the rear wheelwell lips. Other than that their great.Also the ad says it's a 5 speed.

hi everyone, i am in need of a new car and have come across an 02 Protege5 for sale in my area for roughly $5500 that i absolutely love.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=261472883&dealer_id=586586&car_year=2002&rdm=1249076414668&model=PROTE5&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2002&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=50&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&make=MAZDA&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=19148&advanced=&end_year=2010&doors=&transmission=&max_price=6000&cardist=12&standard=false

I am a little hesitant to buy this car first because its at the top of my price range, but this is hands down the car id like to buy based on looks and functionality. What i am not so sure of is reliability. I had heard horrendous things about Mazdas in the past, but I know they have totally turned around their cars post 2000. I know this car is better than the Mazdas of the past, but is this going to be on par with Honda/Acura or Toyota as far as reliability goes? i have never had an automatic transmission and would say that is one of my biggest concerns.

just looking for some insight into this car from anyone who has owned one for any significant period of time. just a forewarning: Dont bother writing about how fun the car is to drive, or how fast it is, or how it can be modified, etc. I dont really need any of that, just from a reliability standpoint, what are your experiences with the car? Also, no "Mine has 29k on it and its still running great!" I know that much. Thanks in advance.

 

[youngster2004]

I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I am thinking of ditching mine. I bought an '03 used in January '08. Mileage was 74 kms.

Since then I've had to replace a lock actuator, ABS sensors crapped out, a new timing belt with water pump and other belts, a new battery, new headlights, a warped front disc and now a new alternator. The car currently has 97 kms. on it.

Now I know that some of what is mentioned is routine maintenance, but it's costing me a fortune right now to maintain. The problem is I am not a mechanic nor am I mechanically inclined so I rely on a garage to do my work for me. It would be cheaper if I could do things myself, but I can't.

Comparing this to my '02 civic which has only needed a timing belt change, new tires and a break job in the 5 years I've owned it this Mazda is outrageously expensive.

Sigh....I love driving this car when it's full on, but the frustration level of maintaining it has me at my wit's end.

Cheers.

 

[dxaveP5]

its all part of buying a used car, its either u get a car thats been maintained well, or you get one that you'll end up spending alot of money to keep it up.
but in the end, the car is reliable and its a fun car to drive on the road

i got mine at 79K and spend alot of money to keep it maintained b/c previous owner didnt do anything to it but now its drives great at 110K

 

[poison]

Consumer reports recently rated it in the top ten best, most reliable used cars to buy.

 

[thecrash91]

yeah that ad is a 5sp, only few things are notorious for these cars, egr valve, (usually just a clean) and motor mounts, although some are hit some are a miss. depends on how it was treated. they run better when you floor it (thumb)

 

[blinduno]

they run better when you floor it (thumb)

as in thats the only way they accelerate... 0-60 in about 5 mins (hand)

 

[youngster2004]

its all part of buying a used car, its either u get a car thats been maintained well, or you get one that you'll end up spending alot of money to keep it up.
but in the end, the car is reliable and its a fun car to drive on the road

i got mine at 79K and spend alot of money to keep it maintained b/c previous owner didnt do anything to it but now its drives great at 110K

Oh I agree. I know that there is risk in buying used. Really though, how much of what I stated would have been due to poor maintenance from a previous owner? Small belts are no big deal and I understand the maintenance aspect re: timing belt changes etc.., but now with the constant malfunctions I am at a point where I am wondering What next?!!

I guess it would be a little more tolerable in my mind if I didn't have a basis for comparison with my Honda, but the reliability factor is playing in my head with this car and it makes me nervous. Right now I would feel better about something a little less fun to drive, but that I can count on to not give me nagging worries.(boom01)

Cheers.

 

[dxaveP5]

yea i feel ya man.
i guess its just a matter of if u find a car that wont be crapily tread by prev owner or u find one that good.
but these cars are reliable in my exp, and friends who have owned the car

 

[br289165]

Sorry to hear about your dissappointments.I don't have ABS on my 02.5 so I can't say anything about that. Did the last owner run some big power amp for the sound system, cause it's only an 80 amp alt.Batteries normal at that mileage, headlights are a concern with some of these cars, not mine though and the water pump is a recommended replacement when changing the timing belt. Did the timing belt break or was it replaced as preventative maintenance?

I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I am thinking of ditching mine. I bought an '03 used in January '08. Mileage was 74 kms.

Since then I've had to replace a lock actuator, ABS sensors crapped out, a new timing belt with water pump and other belts, a new battery, new headlights, a warped front disc and now a new alternator. The car currently has 97 kms. on it.

Now I know that some of what is mentioned is routine maintenance, but it's costing me a fortune right now to maintain. The problem is I am not a mechanic nor am I mechanically inclined so I rely on a garage to do my work for me. It would be cheaper if I could do things myself, but I can't.

Comparing this to my '02 civic which has only needed a timing belt change, new tires and a break job in the 5 years I've owned it this Mazda is outrageously expensive.

Sigh....I love driving this car when it's full on, but the frustration level of maintaining it has me at my wit's end.

Cheers.

 

[youngster2004]

No timing belt was fine and was just due to be replaced (96,000 kms). Water pump had to be replaced at the same time so that was an extra burden. The alternator belt and serpatine (sp?) were worn and needed to be replaced too. Top it off with an oil change and tire rotation = just over 800 bones. That was a month ago. In may the car died and the battery had to be replaced. On top of the cost of a battery was a tow and diaganostic for no start = 300. Alternator and starter tested fine. The car died again two weeks ago. Supposed loose battery terminal. Tow + 1/2 labour (the mechanic worked on it longer than that and treated me pretty good on this one) = 100. Now in for the alternator should run about 500. So since May I paid over $1600 in maintenance and repairs and that is why I am a little out of sorts. The money aside, it's been the costant worry of getting things no working properly or having to keep up with maintenance. It's just bad timing because if the Timing belt wasn't due the cost would be a lot easier to handle.

The ABS sensors I don't understand. The warning lights have been intermittent for a month now. ABS is pretty well standard with most cars in Canada and in all my years of owning a car with them I've never had a problem. Ever. Now with the P5 it's been an issue twice in 18 months. I told the mechanic not to worry about it this morning. I can live without ABS for now, though it will drive me a little crazy seeing the warning light on. It seems it's only the RR showing a code, but I can only imagine the RL will go some time soon.

Anyways, sorry for the negative rants this morning. My frustration at all the money going out the door has just caught up with me. I wish I could do some of these changes myself, but I am pretty reliant on my mechanic and I guess that is the way it goes sometimes.

Cheers

 

[br289165]

If nothing else the trans and motors are real good unless they weren't maintained by the last guy.

No timing belt was fine and was just due to be replaced (96,000 kms). Water pump had to be replaced at the same time so that was an extra burden. The alternator belt and serpatine (sp?) were worn and needed to be replaced too. Top it off with an oil change and tire rotation = just over 800 bones. That was a month ago. In may the car died and the battery had to be replaced. On top of the cost of a battery was a tow and diaganostic for no start = 300. Alternator and starter tested fine. The car died again two weeks ago. Supposed loose battery terminal. Tow + 1/2 labour (the mechanic worked on it longer than that and treated me pretty good on this one) = 100. Now in for the alternator should run about 500. So since May I paid over $1600 in maintenance and repairs and that is why I am a little out of sorts. The money aside, it's been the costant worry of getting things no working properly or having to keep up with maintenance. It's just bad timing because if the Timing belt wasn't due the cost would be a lot easier to handle.

The ABS sensors I don't understand. The warning lights have been intermittent for a month now. ABS is pretty well standard with most cars in Canada and in all my years of owning a car with them I've never had a problem. Ever. Now with the P5 it's been an issue twice in 18 months. I told the mechanic not to worry about it this morning. I can live without ABS for now, though it will drive me a little crazy seeing the warning light on. It seems it's only the RR showing a code, but I can only imagine the RL will go some time soon.

Anyways, sorry for the negative rants this morning. My frustration at all the money going out the door has just caught up with me. I wish I could do some of these changes myself, but I am pretty reliant on my mechanic and I guess that is the way it goes sometimes.

Cheers

 

[-Batman-]

sir i'm a hard core honda man but even when i STILL had my hondas, i drove a p5 from florida all OVER the place (it was my friends) and even to other states and that thing was SOLID.

its one of the most reliable cars i've ever known personally. and i think that honda is the holy grail of reliability and still revere this car as on par with it

 

[RangerRingor]

Well, in my opinion, I'd buy it as soon as possible!

I received my 2002 Protege 5 from my dad about 2 years ago and I absolutely love it. I know it isn't one of the fastest cars going 0-60, but the car is absolutely solid. I love driving it around. Everything is absolutely stock except for my sounds inside the car. Anyways...

I have a 4 speed automatic and the car is currently around 111,500 miles. We haven't had any problems with the car in the past. We just regularly changed the oil and did the regular maintenance work on it. I'd say in reliability the car is really solid, maybe even more. And seeing that you are the same driver are a laid back driver like me, I wouldn't see any problems with the car. Just don't abuse it and it'll be fine. I'm even hoping to keep my car until it reaches around 225,000 miles on it. That's how much I love the Protege 5. But overall, the car is just a solid work horse. Hopefully, you'll make the right decision and good luck! (rockon)