When I got it, a bit of work was required concerning a odd idle problem, which turned out to be a simple $5 fix on the cracked air intake duct.
The FOLLOWING "faults" were all actually 100% preventative and none of the repairs were necessary, I just wanted to "refurbish it" so it'll be set for a while, the car needed none of this to run perfectly, as I said purely an product of my paranoia:
I had the front rotors resurfaced, and all brake pads replaced.
Put some Bridgestone tires on it, absolutely the best tires I've ever driven on.
Had transmission flushed/cleaned.
Had plugs/wires and distributor cap replaced.
Had timing belt, water pump, and o-ring replaced.
Had fuel intake system, fuel injectors, combustion chambers/piston, and valves cleaned (and refurbished if applicable) professionally.
Had front engine seal replaced.
Front bucket seats were a bit worn and the drivers side one had a very small rip. Put covers on them.
Had thermostat replaced.
Replaced all filters/"dummy" things such as fuel filter, oil filter, PCV, and air filter. Used "Premium" replacement parts.
!! ~~ UPDATE ~~ 5 Years Later... (19th February 2008 ~~ !!
CURRENT MILEAGE : 232,000
ADDITIONAL REPAIRS since MILEAGE 155,000:
- The original Bridgestone HP-50's wore out, got Kumho HP4's but was not as happy with their softer feel and narrower tread, replaced them 50% through their life with HP-50's again, the HP-50's are still at 75% of their life at this moment.
- The rotors and calipers are all still original, but showing their age and Ford based design. (I've come to discover both the brakes and the automatic transmission in this car are Ford originated designs).
- The transmission is coming to the end of its life, and I expect to replace it within 15k miles, though performance, mileage, and operation are still as good as ever! Evidence of wear in the fluid and stuff seem to be indicating its coming to the end of its operational lifespan at 245k or so; not bad for a Ford based design (but Mazda built in Japan, which if you look at reliability ratings seems to have a big difference between American built Ford applications of the same transmission design.
- I replaced the exhaust with OE parts from cat converter back for about $450 total, sounds lovely.
- Did timing belt once, coming due for second time.
- Replaced the original radiator around 190k.
- Replaced the rear struts.
- I always use Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 10w-30 for oil changes, the car drinks only around 1 quart every 3000 miles (which according to several mechanics is pretty much the AVERAGE AMONG NEW CAR ENGINES WITH LESS THAN 50,000 miles on them!), the engine is original and starts/runs/idles/redline's perfectly, and I have extended the manufacturer recommended oil change intervals (b/c I use superior oil filters, and Full Synthetic) to 5000 to 8000 miles depending on duty (I am a college student now and both traffic and open road/long trips have accounted for significant amounts of use each).
- I have replaced the brake pads a couple times.
- Still on the original BOSCH Platinum Spark Plugs I put in when I got the car.
- Had a couple fender benders; no damage in any of them (4-7mph each), although one caused nearly 1000 damage to the quarter panel of a car weighing 500lbs more and not to mention 10 years newer. A tough little car, even once damaged a compact pickup yet itself came out unscathed!
- Replaced the radio after the cassette part of the ORIGINAL system gave out... replaced ORIGINAL speakers with new ones of same size, cost me a little over 100$ and I installed myself... this is a reasonably easy car to work on and when you put the interior panels and such back on they fit properly and as well as they did before a testament to the excellent manufacturing tolerances of the Mazda Protege even after 15 years of duty!
- I use BG 44k every 20000 miles, and Chevron Techron Fuel System Cleaner at an alternate 20000 mile interval never overlapping with the BG. The engine has required only scheduled maintenance, and has been very reliable.
- Fixing this car is laughably cheap, (automatic transmissions, CVs, radiators, brake parts, you name it my mechanic has looked them up for me... and except for the exhaust which OE is relatively expensive, this car is EXTREMELY CHEAP TO FIX... parts are CHEAP!!!)
This has been the cheapest car in my family to operate over the years, and if you consider that mine put on miles starting at 145k for me and theirs mostly new, no more than 70k in any instance when they acquired them) this is pretty darn amazing.
I'm going to probably replace the automatic transmission in 10-15k miles (it will have 240-245k miles on it and hopefully will actually still be working, just being preemptive).
I will drive this car until it dies, or until I can buy a new car, almost certainly another Mazda... If it runs and I can afford it I'll keep my ole trusty Protege too! And my expectation is this car will go for at least another 5, 10, maybe an even larger number of years.
I considered buying a new Protege, but the very low cost to insure, drive, and maintain my current 1993 Protege is leading me to reap significant savings by continuing to drive it. Its interior and exterior are in very good condition even after all these years, built to last for sure!
The car still gets 29 city, and 35 highway in a running average of fuel economy. Mileage has been consistent over the years as well! It never spews oil smoke, or anything like that either, she runs very clean, and as noted she uses about the same oil that a new engine does which is frigging amazing)
The Protege is a well designed car that holds it's own against other small sedans of its era and beyond.
The Protege grips the road like a cat on a rug; it cornered confidently and briskly with almost no body lean or tire squeal, all the while providing perfectly tuned road feel. The steering system is taut, precise, and has sporty "firm" feeling that gives terrific road feel. The cars handling and acceleration were in fact ON PAR with those of my '83 Toyota Celica Supra GT-S... It truly exceeds what anybody would expect from a small sedan of this price.
The ride is firm, conveying a sort of German-esqe feel of firm yet controlled ride. The cabin is isolated acceptably from the engines noise, wind noise, and exhaust noise. However, it is a bit below par compared to its other Japanese competitors, but not bad by any means.
Just to note a minor observation: The engine has a buzzy, pleasant sound to it and the exhaust has a delightfully audible tone when accelerating, a Mazda "sports" touch.
Although I prefer 5-speed sticks this vehicle has a 4-speed automatic with a neat "semi-manual" capability that allows you to safely and easily utilize a speed lock mode that you can shift via gear selector positions; it works well when you need a bit of assuring power or for anticipatory acceleration.
The brakes feel VERY "touchy" and sensitive when you first use them, but it becomes natural feeling after a while. Furthermore, the brakes are powerful, responsive, and make for good straight stops; all the while providing an excellent "firm" responsive feel on the pedal.
The interior and trunk are incredibly roomy for its exterior size; I'm 6'3" and find the front seats more spacious than some full-sized trucks! The rear-seats are not as comfy as their delicately sculpted frontal counterparts, yet seat 3 more comfortably than any other small sedan I've ridden in.
The interior fit-and-finish, quality/feel and display/control design are top-notch, with many subtle touches that give a feel of "luxury" (ex. Rhinoskin imitation vinyl on the dash, inspired by Audis small car decor to which Mazda hoped to steal away a few buyers).
The engine is rock-solid reliable and very undemanding, it provides excellent response and smooth natural acceleration. Overall, the Protege easily tricks the casual observer with its generic exterior look, but for those who drive them it truly is a steal; a reliable and affordable car that handles as well as, feels as well as, and competes with the much more expensive European upscale compacts let alone Japanese and American offerings.
The only price you pay for this sporty feel is the very German-eque firm ride, and a little bit of noise. All in all this car and all Proteges in fact, are some of the best designed small sedans around... and it's sad to see the platform go (which changed only moderately from '90 thru today, with only slight modifications to the body/chassis with each update) Yet, the new "3" that replaced the Proteges was co-engineered with Volvo, and has proved a worthy successor.
!! ~~ UPDATE ~~ 5 Years Later... (19th February 2008 ~~ !!
CURRENT MILEAGE : 232,000
since MILEAGE 155,000:
- Many years ago (and I stress like MANY, FOUR) I drove this vehicle under controlled conditions at nearly 125 MPH, it's reasonably stable and still had room to go faster, I'd wager you could squeeze 10 more out of it.) DISCLAIMER: DO NOT, DO NOT try this, I was young and stupid and my car was younger, and NEVER EVER attempt dangerous speeds on public roadways.
- This car saved my life several times. Listed:
* Stopped center lane of 5 lane highway abruptly from 75mph speeds, I had looked down at my radio and wasn't paying attention and looked up to a slow moving semi-truck seconds away from me impacting it, I checked my left and swerved around that truck at nearly 65mph, I couldn't believe it managed the maneuver successfully, never threatening to go out of control.
* A person jumped in from of me late at night on a divided BLVD, a slammed on the breaks (non-ABS, 4-wheel disc), and swerved to the other empty lane... my back wheels skidded out (I was going about 60mph), I traveled sideways in both lanes on my side, but maintained control and corrected my path successfully, without hitting the curb and avoiding potential impact with the phone poles; I was lucky, my car saved my butt.
* In the mountainous back country of eastern West Virginia up in the Appalachians. It was raining torrentially, I was on a roughly paved back road with several surprise curves, one of which I spun around 180 degrees on, but managed to keep the Protege on the road and was able to bring the skid in to control. (After the incident I pulled off through the storm, and realized that I had hydroplaned on the 1.5 in of water sloshing down the roadway) A similar incident resulted on a curve at night when a deer jumped out but it too was correctable.
AT IT'S limits THIS CAR IS STILL PREDICTABLE, and PROVIDES AN ADMIRABLE LEVEL OF HANDLING CONTROL IN VERY DIFFICULT CONDITIONS. These are only a few big examples over the past 5 years. Most were brought on by driver error, but the car saved my butt.
Thank you for your comment on this vehicle- I am debating on purchasing a used vehicle to get me back and forth from work, and between the 93 Geo Storm and this, I think I may have to chose this one... Thank you.
I had a 92 Geo Storm GSi automatic, and I just got the 93 Mazda Protege with 104000 miles on her. I must say it's one heck of a machine. All these reviews about the handling - I couldn't agree anymore, awesome handling.
Also has a good bit of get up and go. I prefer stick, but this one will do.
This is the only Mazda in the family, but we love her. Have only had her for about 2 weeks, but it's so fun to drive, and great great gas mileage. I paid 1795 for it.
Does anyone know how good they are in the snow? If so, please let me know, thank you.
I have a '93 Mazda Protege. Just hit 139000K. No work has been done yet. This past month I have experienced two incidences where it just clicked instead of starting... any ideas? Also I read here that everyone is concerned about the timing belt; should I have that work done?
Thanks for your answers in advance...
Your battery is dieing... replace it ASAP.
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