Ask the Car People.SM


Does the Protege compare in reliability to Civic or Corolla? - READ ONLY

110 messages,  Last post on Feb 10, 2003 at 12:05 PM

You are in the Maintenance & Repair - Archived Discussions Forum.

This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Lost? Ask the M&R Host for directions! discussion.

What is this discussion about? Mazda Protege, Sedan

Messages Page 11 of 11

#101 of 110 class action by disgruntled4

Jan 13, 2003 (1:54 pm)

i didn't even know about others having this problem. although Mazda has said it's not a problem, it DOES affect performance and will surely bring down the resale value. I can only imagine trying to sell it and telling the potential buyer "hey, that noise is nothing." I know I wouldn't have bought the protege if I had known about it. I am frustrated that I couldn't find anything about this problem prior to my purchase. It is obviously something they keep a lid on, right? Where can I find info on this problem?

#102 of 110 My opinion on Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs): by zueslewis

Jan 13, 2003 (1:56 pm)

As contained in my reports:
 
The manufacturer’s publishing of a technical service bulletin on the engine noise issue does not relieve them from having a minority of vehicles that are defective and does not relieve them from being liable for a vehicle with uncorrected mechanical problems. Manufacturers tend to think that just because they publish a TSB on a given issue, they have a “get out of jail free” card. The manufacturer, in my opinion, is still responsible for the appraisal differences between this car and one like it without the problems described in these repair orders.
 
When looking at potential used car purchases, appraisers may choose between the vehicles with the minority of the vehicles with these issues and the majority of these vehicles without these issues. In that light, there is a huge value difference.

#103 of 110 zues by newcar31

Jan 14, 2003 (5:37 pm)

Have you heard of the Protege engine "rattle" before?

#104 of 110 Actually, no, I haven't. by zueslewis

Jan 14, 2003 (7:21 pm)

My opinion on TSBs is the same, whether it's a common issue or not.
 
TSBs were designed to help technicians diagnose problems and now, unfortunately, they are used as a legal defense (excuse).

#105 of 110 '95 Protege still running strong! by jrdwyer

Jan 16, 2003 (5:17 pm)

Honda and Toyota both make some great products. My previous car was a '92 Civic hatchback and I had no problems with it in 65K miles. But it was too small, so I shopped around and ended up with a '95 Protege LX 5 spd.
 
After 153K miles, it still runs as good as when I bought it. The engine dosen't burn or leak any oil and the clutch and tranny are strong. So I feel the Protege is definitely as reliable or possibly more reliable than a Corolla or Civic.

#106 of 110 Mazda 323/ Civic/ Corolla by canoe2

Feb 08, 2003 (6:37 pm)

Rarely see any Civic/ Mazda323 in older models before 1990 in Canada, but there are many Corolla still around. This proves the Corolla is very reliable.

#107 of 110 Wrong! by dinu01

Feb 08, 2003 (7:26 pm)

Many Corollas still around? I have seen a limited # of Corollas manufactured before the early 90s, but quite a few Civics. The 323s were very few before 90, but you can see many 323s/PROs and Civics as of 90+ (at least in Montreal and Toronto).
 
Dinu

#108 of 110 Love my '93! by charlesms

Feb 10, 2003 (3:28 am)

Hey guys... have a '93 DX with 120,000 miles... it's great and fun!! No problems with it!
 
As for the current models... you're probably going to find that the reliabilty is really good. 10 years down the line, the honda or toyota might be better, but honestly I'd say you can take the Mazda to 150,000 easily. I really don't think you'd have a problem.
 
My guess is, it's just going to be up to you on the test drive. The protege has been well known for Autocrossing (if you're really into that, check out the mazdaspeed protege... sweet stuff). The Honda and Corolla aren't bad cars by any measure... though I've driven my roommates 2001 Corolla a lot and I didn't like it compared to my 1993 Protege.
 
As for the cold engine noise issue on newer models.... as of right now... there is a fix that is slowly being distrubted to dealers... it involves an ECU flash and a replacement solenoid for the VICS system. The cold noise does not harm the engine at all. It is a system designed to reduce emissions from cold engines (which are typically much higher than when the engine is warm).
 
If you want more info visit
http://www.protegeclub.com

#109 of 110 are proteges and the escort by cutehumor

Feb 10, 2003 (8:38 am)

built on the same platform? or share parts? someone educated me on this subject. I know Ford owns Mazda so I'm curiously if and when they did this. I know the chevy prism and toyota corolla are identical..what a bargain.

#110 of 110 Ford doesn't own Mazda outright by boggse

Feb 10, 2003 (12:05 pm)

just 39% of it. As I understand it, the second generation Escort was built on a modified (enlarged) 323 platform. Mazda helped out considerable with the redesign, and it was built in a pair of factories which were co-opperated by Ford and Mazda.
Not sure about the 3rd gen. Escort. Some parts are shared between the Escort and Protege, especially the Escort GT. Almost no parts are shared between the Protege and Focus, and if they are, it is most likely a fastener or something else generic.

Messages Page 11 of 11

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement