Reliabilty of Automatic Transmissions in Proteges

[maskedSONY]

I've come across a relatively low-mileage Mazda Protege ES with an automatic. I'm going to attempt to convince my parents to get the thing to replace an absolutely piece of junk van, but I need to hear from people about the reliability of the protege automatics. Are there things to look out for? Everybody I knew who owned an automatic Mazda 626 had tranny problems near the 100K mark - is this the same for the Proteges?

Feedback welcomed.

 

[maskedSONY]

additionally, what kind of mileage does the Automatic give you? I've gotten between 27-31 with my 5-speed ES, should I expect similar numbers?

 

[Tom03es]

I had a 1991 Mazda 626 with an automatic. My transmission had a minor issue around 130K miles- hard shift due to a sticking valve in the transmission. But then with about 175K miles and on a road trip through Missouri in 110 degree heat with a bad thermostat, the engine ran hot and the transmission ran hot (to the point where trans fluid was boiling out of the dipstick tube)- I cooked the transmission. I had it rebuilt (stupid me) and it never ran right afterwards.

My Protege ES has the sport shift transmission (with the +/- thing to shift it similar to a manual trans) and I have about 51k miles on it. So far, no issues. I did the DIY trans flush at 30k miles with some Red Line synthetic fluid. Best tank average mileage I've ever got was 26.x. Worst (all 80+ mph interstate driving) was about 21 or so. I seem to get better mileage when I use the +/- mode.

 

[Chawk]

i have a 5 spd manual, and they are great, i have 200k on the original engine and trans, and did not even have to replace the clutch until 183k, but from what i have heard about the automatics, are that they are bad. I have read about people having problems with them. I would go with a manual one if you can find it. as far as gas mileage is concerned I probably get around 400 or so to a tank, the gas is really good with my car but it is a 1.6.

 

[323]

my friend has a 2000 1.6 automatic. let me tell u the history lol.... when he first got it brand new him and a few of our other friends always went to the 'meets' and everyone raced the hell out of it, at least for half a year on weekends. a lotta dum ppl shifted it too *ignorance* people pushed the s*** out of his car and im surprised to see it still running with no problems. maybe hes a lucky one. also changes his tranny fluid all late. its @ 81K right now and about 9k overdue a change

 

[323]

i have a 5 spd manual, and they are great, i have 200k on the original engine and trans, and did not even have to replace the clutch until 183k, but from what i have heard about the automatics, are that they are bad. I have read about people having problems with them. I would go with a manual one if you can find it. as far as gas mileage is concerned I probably get around 400 or so to a tank, the gas is really good with my car but it is a 1.6.

200k on the original engine and tranny. thats a good thing to hear out of curiousity, how are your driving habits?

 

[Chawk]

I drive 45 miles one way to work. I am a family man so I don't race the car, plus when it is stock the 1.6 is slow as s***. the roads are mostly country, and I don't rag the car. right now the car is actually disabled, i am going over tomorrow to pull the tranny out and tighten the pressure plate bolts or the flywheel bolts because something is wrong, and I am worried that if I don't fix it now the bolts my sheer off and I would really be out of luck then.

 

[maskedSONY]

What about the Protege5 models with automatics? Do those owners have transmission problems at all? Or should I just start a thread in that forum?

 

[bazooka joe]

What about the Protege5 models with automatics? Do those owners have transmission problems at all? Or should I just start a thread in that forum?

02 auto 100K+, turbo'd for the last 35K, no issues with the tranny...i don't beat it but i drive it!!

 

[Chawk]

i would start a thread in the other forum if there is one, i have no idea, sorry.

 

[mazdalover17]

i got 25 mpg on my 2.0 automatic 2003 protege.

 

[SlowPro98]

I've got over 100k on my auto P5, it's making some noises so I'm going to replace the filter and flush it. We (my wife and I) don't really beat on it (much). we don't race, we just drive fast, especially when leaving Hartford during rush hour. We have yet to have a problem with it.

 

[SlowPro98]

02 auto 100K+, turbo'd for the last 35K, no issues with the tranny...i don't beat it but i drive it!!

I'm stalking you (peep) Senpai