1997 Mazda Protege LX from North America - Comments

Had to have the oxygen sensor replaced within a week after buying the car, and the catalytic converter went bad as soon as the warranty expired.

Had to replace the master switch for the power windows.

Although the repairs are terribly expensive this was a good car - very reliable, fun to drive, safe, and great on gas (37 mpg on the highway). It handled very well for such a little car. I didn't have a lot of trouble with it considering I put almost 30,000 miles on it per year.

It did, however, become very uncomfortable on long trips. There was a lot of trunk space which was helpful.

The car was horrible in the snow; it sat so low to the ground that I was forever getting stuck. I recently totaled it during a snow storm when it slid off the road and hit a tree. The front end was completely wrecked and I walked away without so much as whiplash.

I would highly recommend this car if you can afford the expensive (albeit infrequent) repairs.

I own a 1997 Mazda Protege. In 2001 I had to spend ~$1900

to replace a fan, compressor and whatever goes with it. Last three years have been trouble free for these items.

Now, the catalytic converter sensor light (check engine warning light) comes on. I have taken it to reputable repair person twice and each time he has turned the warning light off. That was within two weeks of each incident. He had said that using the car with warning light may not hurt because each time it has been the catalytic converter sensor light. He did this without charge.

Now it is on again for the third time. I am using the car, but not sure if I should continue without replacing the catalytic converter.

Any opinions?

Thanks.

Naik Naiknimbalkar.

A lot of times that check engine light will come on as a result of the 02 sensor, which could mean a catalytic converter problem. The one thing that you always have to remember when the converter is the problem is that Cats' don't die... They get murdered. A dirty air filter, faulty pcv, or any kind of engine miss fire <----I hear a lot about these cars having a rough idle, will turn the check engine light on, and possible ruin he converter. I do not own one a protege, but I am looking to buy, so I just thought I might try to shed some light on what sounds like some common problems.

Hi

I own a 97 protege LX for more than an year now. The engine light has been on since then, but it doesn't seem to be a major problem I have put on more than 18000 miles in an yr, bought it with high mileage and putting on so many miles is great. but repairs are normally expensive, but I do drive long distances with out any trouble, have driven back and forth to California and Newmexcio!

But I would rather go for something better when I can afford!!!

Sanjay.

To the person who wrote the last comment, I am considering a 97 with 240,000 kilometers on it, how much life do you think this car will have left in it?

I own a 1997 Mazda Protege LX with 85k miles on it and a 1996 Protege LX with 180k miles on it. Bought both of them used, one from a dealer (at 23k) and one from a friend (at 150k). Despite the difference in their mileage, they seem to wear out the same parts at the same time. For instance, in the past year and a half, I replaced both air conditioners (and one died again after a year), had to put new door locks on both cars, and now within a month, both cars have had their "check engine" lights come on and remain on. One problem (in the '97) was traced to the motherboard, which had a small short due to a spilled drink (Warning! the circuit board is under the dash right behind the drink holder! Who designed that???), but that was discovered only AFTER the dealer replaced the oxygen sensor for the THIRD time since I bought the car, trying to fix the diagnostic flag. Since the car cannot pass inspection with the light on, and its inspection was due that month, I had no choice, but to replace both items. Pricey! ($1500 for a new motherboard!!! I got one used) Now I find that the older car needs a new solenoid in its transmission to fix ITS engine light, and its inspection month is December, so again, I'm pretty stuck. Having two cars of the same type allows me to predict that pretty soon, I'll be replacing the same solenoid in the '97 soon too! Seems there's a bit of planned obsolescence going on here...

I own a 1997 Mazda Protege Lx. I have had to fix many things in the last 2 years that I have owned this. I bought it with 85,000 miles it now has 131,300. During this time of ownership, I have had to fix the radiator, the Cat (underneath my seat... $110 for the part!!) and because that was the wrong one, about 6 months later I had to fix the Cat (underneath the motor! $517 just for the part!!!). So when your check engine light comes on for the cat make sure your mechanic knows there are two of them!!! I have also had to fix the fuel pump ($340 for the part) and exhaust man. ($115 for the part) It is a spendy car to fix (part wise) but other than that I love this car. I previously owned a 2001 pontiac sunfire and I would have to say my mazda runs better and is more reliable. Even though the check engine light comes on more, it is still trust worthy to drive. I haven't had it break down on me yet..