02 Mazda Protege 5

I looked at one for my brother today. Very low mileage. Some rust (rear 1/4's and front edge of hood). 5spd.

I took for a quick little run (no plates so not far). Motor purrs like a kitten.

My brother needs it for commuting. He lives in the boonies and has to drive into downtown Ottawa for work. He does not want to put the mileage on his 2013 GMC Sierra (or the fuel!). I told him to clean up the rust and slap some rust protection on it. He needs to run for a couple of years tops.

Any reason not to pull the trigger?

I had one when new. Really fun to drive, and not at all bad looking. Lots of space. I had at least three bolts back themselves out in the first year of ownership - two on the roof rack, and one on the exhaust manifold heat shield. Not much power, but the engine likes revs. The short NA availability makes them a little less common than the 3. I hear rust is a major issue.

All the ones I've looked at in pa are rusty

Rust is a problem (luckily I was able to get a southern car!)

Check the motor mounts, common issue with most mazdas of any era

Get used to doing wheel bearings (design sucks ass)

Combined MPG around 25 for me (30s just highway and low mid 20s city)

Love the car for daily use and the handling is second to none for a 10+ year eco box hatch/wagon.

I really like mine. I'd agree that rust is an issue. Mine has a B&M short shifter, MazdaSpeed springs, GR2 struts, Brembo rotors, bronze shifter bushings etc. it's great at off ramps but I gotta say, the highway runs I made weren't the most enjoyable as 5th feels like 4th.

They are good looking, especially with Rally Sport mud guards!

They are prone to seized rear calipers. Our old one went through three or four over the course of its life with us. Great beater, however.

I also had one as a new car. I always loved the looks, and the steering and handling were very good for a front-driver. I autocrossed it once, and it had a ton of understeer, but when I tracked it, the handling was a lot better, though it did boil some grease out of the hubs and onto the wheels.

As a commuter it'll be fine, but I have to say, for a 130hp 4-banger, the mileage wasn't all that impressive. 30 at best, more like high 20s most of the time. Tip: removing the roof rack really cut down on the wind noise.

Overall, it was decent, but I probably should have gone with the Focus I cross-shopped at that time. I only had mine for a year before trading it on another F-150.

Rust is always an issue on them. I don't remember if the 5's were plagued with the CEL from the dirty EGR valves.

Good news is that between TOprotege and Club Mazda Quebec, there are a ton of P5 owners that can provide parts and advice.

Nice to see another (almost) Ottawa member! :)

Get it up on a lift and check all the suspension points for rust. Mine failed due to rust on the rt trailing arm attachment point. Really I think you should be looking for a mid 90s Tercel. My 94 is much more solid than the Mazda was at 8 years older and for the same kms.

im on my 2nd one. love them.

do the timing belt and cooling system immediately, as well as the brake fluid. drive the piss out of it.

expect the rear calipers to sieze and budget for them when doing rear pads.

also, if it has roofracs, wxpect them to leak when they crack.

mine, an 02 auto, gets 24-28 with my driving.

Michael

Well he pulled the trigger.

2002 Protege 5 - 55,000 kms, yup that's about 34,000 miles. Verified one owner car.

Car belonged to an older lady who barely drove it less than 5,000 kms per year.