2000 Mazda Protege ES review from North America
"Excellent value"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Oxygen sensor in cat. converter bad at 90,000. Never replaced - I just drive with the check engine light on.
Car has had 3 CD players from the manufacturer. Current one is also broken.
Chronic alignment problems.
Tires from the manufacturer were cheap, hard, and needed to be replaced at 20,000.
New alternator at 160,000.
Problems with heat/air-conditioner fan at 150,000. Air-conditioner has always been weak.
Replaced numerous other components including drive axle, suspension parts, removed heat shields.
Brakes were hard to get used to at first - them seemed soft.
Numerous dash lights are burned out.
General comments?
This car has only stranded me once at 160,000 miles when the alternator went bad. It has been stored outside in Minnesota since I bought it with 7 miles in 2000. Overall, very high quality car. I have bumped a few other cars at low speeds, and it has been rear ended. For $14,000 brand new in 2000 - great value.
Recommended reviews
| A Good Entry-Level Car |
|
| A definite keeper |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 2000 |
| Year of manufacture | 2000 |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8 Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 3 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 7 miles |
| Most recent distance | 179000 miles |
| Previous car | Honda Civic |
| Date of Entry | 12th May, 2008 |