27th Sep 2007, 02:41
Mazda had three or four versions of the 2001 Protege on the market. If you are looking at a plain version, your gas mileage probably will be better than mine (an ES with a 2-liter engine). Also, I drive relatively few miles per year, mostly locally, so that also hurts my gas mileage.
Perhaps I've been lucky, but reliability has not been an issue with either of the Mazdas I've owned over the past 10 years. Both were bought used, five years old, and both have been 100 percent reliable (with proper maintenance).
I will say that with proper maintenance, reliability has faded to a relatively small issue with modern cars. The advent of fuel injection and the ongoing perfection of computer chips means your car will start, be it a Hyundai or Mercedes.
I do my own oil changes -- not because I have to, but because it forces me to look under the hood every 3,000 miles, more or less. If a belt is worn, or a CV boot is torn, I see it and fix it before it becomes a bigger problem.
With the soul of a sports car, Mazda definitely rules...
26th Aug 2007, 12:23
Hello, I had 1995 Olds Cutless break down and now it needs a timing chain, and possible valves redone making the repairs if both need to be done around $2500, of which I do not have money in hand to do. However, I need transportation. I stated the previous because, I am looking at a 2001 Mazda Protege with 74,450 miles from a used car lot and noticed that mileage stats on paperwork in car (previous owner left with car manual) stated something like 26 miles city and 31 highway. You state above that your city mileage is bad. I guess I wonder after reading all comments and if I purchase this Mazda am I going have the same lousy gas mileage. Or does this car still give you decent gas mileage if you maintain in properly. I have done some research on this car and that has brought me hear to this site. However, if anyone can assist here I would appreciate it.