Victor1994
Member
- :
- 2002 Mazda Protege5
Alright, so I have a 2002 Mazda Protege5, bought it February last year, with 122k miles now. Before I bought it, it was in excellent condition. However, the small dealer patched the other side of the radiator (Side facing bumper) and I didn't see any leaks when inspecting the car before purchase. He didn't even tell me either, which resulted in it overheating on my way to work a month after purchase, blowing the head gasket. Got the gasket fixed, and head machine and inspected, and now the rings in cylinder 3 are going out. It has a low compression of 60-70 with the rest fine at 120-160. I haven't done a leak down test, but I'm assuming it's a ring considering that I'm burning oil (not enough to see blue smoke). I have to fill it with a quart & 1/2 of oil between oil changes.
Anyway, I absolutely love these cars, I got it because we had one before that reached to 300,000 miles before the engine blew from my aunt not changing the oil when we sold it to her, bummer. Extremely reliable, great fuel economy, simple, and fun to drive. But what I want to ask is, is it really worth keeping? I have been debating whether to fix it, obviously putting a new motor in it, or trade it in and move on to another vehicle. I have test drove the new 2014 Mazda3 Hatchback, but I'm kinda disappointed in the look a bit and space it provides. It also doesn't give me that feeling I have with my Protege5. The sedan actually looks better.
But as I said, should I keep or move on? :/
Anyway, I absolutely love these cars, I got it because we had one before that reached to 300,000 miles before the engine blew from my aunt not changing the oil when we sold it to her, bummer. Extremely reliable, great fuel economy, simple, and fun to drive. But what I want to ask is, is it really worth keeping? I have been debating whether to fix it, obviously putting a new motor in it, or trade it in and move on to another vehicle. I have test drove the new 2014 Mazda3 Hatchback, but I'm kinda disappointed in the look a bit and space it provides. It also doesn't give me that feeling I have with my Protege5. The sedan actually looks better.
But as I said, should I keep or move on? :/