1998 Mazda Protege LX (same as US ES) review from North America

In km's

78 000 - replaced front sway bar end links (clunking going over bumps)

80 000 - replaced front engine mount - engine shaking at idle.

82 000 - replaced trans fluid with Synthetic - delay engaging into drive when cold (old fluid was very dirty, replacement fixed issue)

83 000 - fixed water in trunk problem by sealing up small paint cracks just above rear bumper mounts (can get to them from under car...)

85 000 - intake manifold blew between cyl 3 and 4 - idled very rough, and threw a 'CEL' - replaced.

86 000 - replaced oil pan gasket (re-RTV'ed it with Ultra-Copper) - oil drip/leak.

90 000 - numerous front brake issues, eventually solved by using Mazda rotors (both NAPA premium with Ceramix pads and Raybestos rotors with raybestos pads appeared to act warped) - mazda rotors and pads were fine.

100 000 - replaced rear sway bar end links (clunk in rear)

120 000 - front steering rack noise when going over bumps - living with it.

125 000 - replaced front struts (not needed, for performance...)

130 000 - Blew alternator - replaced.

140 000 - cat to exhaust pipe flange rusted, needed to be replaced to allow connection to exhaust pipe.

150 000 - replaced front sway bar end links again.

155 000 - replaced throttle position sensor (didn't want to shift when cold - rpm got to 7500 once... - replacing the sensor fixed it)

160 000 - replaced rear engine mount - shifting seemed unduely harsh.

165 000 - clunk in rear - likely rear struts (clunk when cold, gets better when warm)

170 000 - rust started on driver rear fender and bottom of driver's door - Radio switches malfunction (just took apart and cleaned circuit board) - direction signal switch fail on left-turns (took switch apart and cleaned it)

180 000 - radiator is starting to drip just a bit when warming up from cold (old Audi did the same - OK when hot or when cold)

In addition to regular maintenance (timing belt, spark plugs, belts, atx fluid & filter. O2 sensors replaced pre-failure (but the NTK replacements failed, replaced with one additional NTK and a Bosch. Spark plug wires replaced pre-failure.

Despite the above issues, very reliable/consistent. The only issue which could have stranded me was the alternator.

'PEPPY', especially at just above freezing.