| Model year | 1994 |
| Year of manufacture | 1994 |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2011 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 4 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 4 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 4 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
5.4 / 10
|
| Most recent distance | 410000 miles |
| Previous car | Mazda GLC |
Summary:
Absolutely the best car I've owned in 25 years
Faults:
Just regular maintenance things; tires, brakes, exhaust etc.
General Comments:
This car has been a tank --- absolutely indestructible. I am unable to kill it. I've tried.
It was bought to replace an aged GLC, and I've never owned a car that has performed as well; 410000 miles and still going. (the GLC rusted out at about 180k).
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 5th January, 2011
| Year of manufacture | 1994 |
| First year of ownership | 2010 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2010 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8 SOHC Automatic |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 4 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 9 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
7.4 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 187254 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 189289 kilometres |
| Previous car | Pontiac Grand Am |
Summary:
A huge mistake. Paid more to fix than for the car
Faults:
Intake went and coolant started draining into the engine. ($700 - $1200)
Automatic trans started grinding into each gear when the car was cold. Said it couldn't be fixed, just replaced. ($1800+)
Heater core just went, all coolant drained, car could have easily blown head gasket. ($600)
Window alignment wound not stay in place for anything.
Power locks were not powerful enough to lock the door.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 11th March, 2010
| Model year | 1994 |
| Year of manufacture | 1994 |
| First year of ownership | 1994 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2009 |
| Engine and transmission | Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 2 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
7.0 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 15 miles |
| Most recent distance | 140000 miles |
Summary:
This is a very good first car for people with a low budget
Faults:
Since my mom has purchased this car, she has had all the scheduled maintenance on the car and it's runs great to this day.
We just recently found out that the A/C could have been working for the years that we have been driving it without it because of some belt. I'm not sure of all the details, but when it first broke we took it to a mechanic and he told us it would be 1k+ to replace the whole thing when we only needed that one belt changed.
Never had anything serious go wrong with the car.
Only thing that kind of bothered me is that the horn one day started to go off on its own, so we unhooked it and took off the sensor pad underneath the centerpiece in the steering column and re-soldered it. It works perfect now.
General Comments:
This is my first car and I love it, This car has some punch to it, it's a kicker and fun to drive compared to the newer models and has a surprisingly good steering radius. (better than a Toyota Matrix).
The speaker wiring could use some TLC and a new paint job would be nice, but overall I love this car.
From what I have seen, I have the nicest 94 or around that year Protege. Others that I see have dents and broken lights, so I don't know how other people take car of this car.
And this car gets VERY good gas mileage (20+ mpg) for its age.
If you love this car, it will love you back!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 24th June, 2009
Sorry for you misfortunes. My 1996 Protege never got less than 37 MPG - but I had a manual transmission (I also wrote the review "Bland Box of Chocolates"). I never had issues with the air or horn. The only cosmetic thing wrong with it was the fact that the paint on the wheels was chipping and peeling. But that's understandable - the human has peeling skin, does he not? My Protege was a sweetheart - its deathblow was a clutch that went out at 124,000 miles - and a price that at that time I couldn't justify. Looking back, I wish I had replaced it.
| Model year | 1995 |
| Year of manufacture | 1994 |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2009 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8 D.O.H.C. petrol Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 6 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
7.8 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 39893 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 150127 kilometres |
| Previous car | Holden Commodore |
Summary:
Love this car, but wish it had the 2.0L turbo
Faults:
ECU burnt out at about 135,000 due to a short at the alternator.
Original tappet cover gasket started to leak into the spark plug well at about 140,000.
General Comments:
I bought this car from a little old lady (gospel truth) who in 8 years had only put on 40,000 kms. I've just added another 100,000 to it and it's still going strong.
I put in a K&N panel filter for a bit better breathing, and a larger pipe for the CAI. Got it moving a bit better too.
About 10,000k's ago I felt that the shockers weren't really working so great, so I replaced them, and while at it I put in lowered King coils. This lowered it about 50mm, and it hugs in nice in the corners now.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 22nd May, 2009