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Mazda Protege Rust Problems

100 messages,  Last post on Dec 24, 2012 at 12:59 PM

You are in the Mazda Protege Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda Protege, Mazda Protege5, Auto Body, Paint, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 10 of 10

#91 of 100 Rusty Paint peeling Mazda protege by kschleic

Sep 22, 2012 (5:42 pm)

I finally had enough of Mazda to get rid of the car. The engine was great, however, the body was rusting and the paint was peeling. I bought a VW Passat TDI Sel Premium! I never ever considered a mazda because they totally denied that they had a problem. Good Luck to those that have Mazdas... No reason to follow this site anymore... Good Luck...

#92 of 100 Re: Rusty Paint peeling Mazda protege [kschleic] by autonomous

Sep 23, 2012 (7:19 am)

Replying to: kschleic (Sep 22, 2012 5:42 pm)
Good Luck to those that have Mazdas
Likewise, good luck with your VW.

#93 of 100 adieu adios auf vedeerzhen by 02mazda

Oct 13, 2012 (7:38 pm)

Decided against the Mitsubusihi iMiev. Too limiting for the price. Went w the Volt. Pick it up Monday. Will sell trusty rusty Mazda the garage down the street who worked on it. Does a good job selling used VW and Mazda cars. He knows the car as he has done all the work. Only 62k on my Mazda so should bring some good cash for a young high schooler or college kid. Mechanically in good shape. Just the pesky Mazda rust. Mazda was never even in the running, nor will be again. Best of luck to you all. Excited about the Volt. Have heard some fantastic web sites that are pro Volt. Some hypermiling nut jobs as bad as me!

#94 of 100 Re: adieu adios auf vedeerzhen [02mazda] by third_hand

Oct 14, 2012 (8:25 am)

Replying to: 02mazda (Oct 13, 2012 7:38 pm)
Just sold my trusty rusty for $900 to someone who has the same model and needs it for parts. 99k. 11 years old. Very disappointing. For shame, Mazda, for shame. Zoom zoom off, I say...

#95 of 100 Thanks for confirming rust issues by speeed001

Nov 13, 2012 (8:23 pm)

Was eyeing a 2003 P5, 123k mi for sale here in NW Indiana. has rust behind both wheels, thought it might be minor and an easy fix. After keeping an eye out for other similar Mazdas around town and noticing that every last one of them has rust in the same spot, i figured it was more than just a coincidence and googled 'mazda protege rust' and found this forum right off the bat. You guys just saved me from making a huge mistake. Thanks!!

#96 of 100 Re: Thanks for confirming rust issues [speeed001] by third_hand

Nov 14, 2012 (6:12 am)

Replying to: speeed001 (Nov 13, 2012 8:23 pm)
I just got rid of my beautiful (except for the ravenous rust) zoom-zoom and coincidentally now I seem to see mint 02/03 Protege 5s everywhere I look - and thus continue to feel bad about my loss/bad luck. Husband says they've likely had body work. But, like you, for the most part this make/model/year are all rusting in identical spots. Mazda's loss, because we will never buy Mazda again.

#97 of 100 Thanks for confirming rust issues [speeed001] by frogmann777

Nov 14, 2012 (6:43 am)

Replying to: speeed001 (Nov 13, 2012 8:23 pm)
2002 and 2003 Mazda Protege5's in any area with snow removal are terrible with rust. If you are prepared for major bodywork every two years, it is still a fun car to drive (I'm a delirious driving fan of this car and design). The Mazda3 is a much better car, especially within the past 3 or four years, but the body design is much different. Check out the latest Subaru Impreza.....very similar body style.

#98 of 100 Re: Mazda Protege Rust Problems [icvci] by cski

Dec 24, 2012 (12:23 pm)

Replying to: icvci (May 19, 2008 1:57 pm)
I have noticed rust on Mazda's in my families Mazda dealership. My moth-in-law is part owner of a local dealership.
 
I had a 2003 Mazda Protege' and loved the click-click of all the controls and it was very nicely done inside and out. I had no complaints that summer.
 
However, I drove with a lead foot and wore out my tires by fall. I ended up hydroplaning and slammed into a jersey wall full speed.
 
I thought it had all season radials. WRONG!
 
I thought it had all season radials too. WRONG!
 
I really thought that all cars had both of the aforementioned "features" and was sure at least that it had all season radial tires. So, my mistake, my insurance claim.

#99 of 100 Re: Mazda Protege Rust Problems [cski] by 02mazda

Dec 24, 2012 (12:53 pm)

Replying to: cski (Dec 24, 2012 12:23 pm)
We sold ours about 3 mos ago. We did get $5500 US for it. Only had 62k miles on it. Was in grand shape save the rust around one wheel well. I liked most things about the car, but the rust and Mazda's refusal to fix it left a bad taste. Never another. Leased a 13 Volt & I am smitten. Think it will be plug in hybrid/electric from this point on. Feel a lot better about using less gas and polluting a whole lot less.

#100 of 100 Re: Mazda Protege Rust Problems [cski] by frogmann777

Dec 24, 2012 (12:59 pm)

Replying to: cski (Dec 24, 2012 12:23 pm)
The factory tires for 2002 and 2003 Protege5 were terrible in the wet.
I am running a summer set that is forgiving in the wet, and a winter set on separate wheels.
I put the car with original tires in a snowdrift up to my windows on all sides,
after spinning out on a curbless street and coming to rest by the side of the road, perpendicular to the road. I had serious snow tires mounted with a couple of weeks.

Messages Page 10 of 10

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