2001 Mazda Protege ES review from North America
"Is it just me having bad luck, or is it actually Mazda?"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
My rear passenger side door lock failed twice, luckily they happened within the warranty.
When I first got the car, it pulled to the right for no reason. They had everything checked, but it was still pulling like hell. Then about 20K, the tires were almost shot. Can you believe it?
The worst thing was, the key barrel locked my key suddenly. They ended up changing the whole lock under warranty.
Around 40k, I started hearing squeaking and clunking noises underneath. They were so annoying. It was actually about the premature worn sway bar and end links bushings. You either replace them, (cost you about $200), or to live with it.
Remember to do the brake service at the recommended interval. The brakes on this car (sticky piston and messy caliper) easily fail and seize without any warning. I ended up paying $460 to do the rotor and new brake pads.
General comments?
Very good looking inside outside; classy and sporty. Handled like a true sports car before the sway bar bushing failed. That is it!
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| I like the interior and exterior styling of the car, but I would trade it for a more reliable car |
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| This model is a joy to drive and own, and was a terrific bargain |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model year | 2001 |
| Year of manufacture | 2001 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0 Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 4 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 40 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 78000 kilometres |
| Date of Entry | 27th April, 2005 |