2003 Mazda Protege 5 review from North America

A lot of things have gone wrong with this lemon:

Automatic transmission changed at 17000 km (no more 4th gear)

Kept stalling at red lights once every 2 or 3 months. No check engine light. Supposed fixes include twice the EGR valve and the alternator. Hasn't occurred in last 6 months.

Suspension front driver side. Multiple fixes.

Rapid burning head lights (bulb)

Radio CD (even the smallest bump on the road caused it to skip)

IAC valve.

Coil Packs.

Battery only keeps low charge (haven't changed it because only not started once last winter, so far so good this year)

Rear passenger ABS Sensor.

Fast break wear.

This car is fun to drive, but the fact that I got a lemon basically prevents me from fully enjoying it.

I am now selling it as I'm very disappointed with the long term cost to keep it.

Mazda Canada has done nothing to try and help. No more warranty... no help. My dealer was better when they gave me the replacement alternator.

I think Mazda has a nice car design, but it stopped there. Some of the problems occuring should be firing up a check engine light, but don't so end up breaking more pieces and having to bring your car to the dealer twice or more to get it fixed.