Faults:

CV joints.

Transmission (180,000).

One fuel injector (198,000).

General Comments:

This car is an excellent first car, the car has good fuel economy and is generally reliable. Most problems associated are due to not keeping up with simple upkeep (transmission, fuel injectors).

Although this car was made in the early 90s, it is still able to keep up with its contemporary economy cars today thanks to its responsive (peppy) 1.8L engine. It has no problems pulling into traffic and overtaking, and also I have observed the car has a top speed (automatic transmission is lower) of at least 115.

This car has taken me and my friends and family to Florida many many times, and is still being driven today. I have other cars (MR2), but I still enjoy driving this one, even though I'm a big guy (lineman) and I keep other big people inside.

Faults:

Really, the only real "bad" thing since I've owned is that I had to replace the water pump at 175,000.

General Comments:

Car runs great and handles like a dream.

Easy on the gas & eyes :)

Would have loved to been the 1st owner, but alas I'm the 3rd.The 2nd owner really didn't want to sell, but had no choice :)

Faults:

Replaced clutch at 160,000km, replaced CV joints at same time since they have to come off anyways when you do the clutch. (CV joints common problem on 1st generation Proteges)

Replaced rear struts and strut mounts @ 188,000km. Strut mount rusted through.

Speedometer cable broke at 170,000km. Replacement part only available from dealer.

Fuel gauge sending unit failed at 165,000km. Not fixed.

New muffler at 170,000km. Previous one was original?

General Comments:

Great balance between performance and fuel economy. Car is 15 years old, and still gets better mileage than a new Matrix, new Protege, new Corolla, etc.

Engine has good pep and sounds cool too!

Faults:

Trunk doesn't have proper springs to keep it open.

Radiator has been changed twice.

Both front CV joints have been replaced.

Muffler and pipes have been completely replaced 3 times.

Power windows, especially front driver, now closes very slowly.

Power locks have been disabled as they unlock all 4 doors, but don't lock them all.

Engine now has a slow oil leak.

Middle brake light on spoiler has rusted out and no longer works.

General Comments:

Have had this car for 12 years and has been a very reliable car. Still on original clutch at 316,000 kms (almost 200,000 miles) and can still top out at 180 km/hr.

Handles wonderfully and one of the early 4 door 'sports' sedans.

Sunroof still slides smoothly and never had any leaks.

5 spd transmission, although not the smoothest, is fun to shift through.

Very comfortable sport seats, great for long driving. Cruise control still functions like new.

Faults:

I have own this car for more than seven year and the only thing that has gone wrong with my car is the water pump. I had to replace it twice within one year. The car had about 165000 first time. The second time it was because the first time that it was replaced the mechanic left to much tension on the drive belt and that ruined my seals.

I also replace my radiator at about 150000 miles. It was actually good that it got ruined because I replaced it with an aluminum radiator. Other than the part mentioned above the only thing that I have had to do is just maintenance stuff.

General Comments:

This is a very well manufactured car. It is relatively chip in price and gives you good performance for the buck. I have done some modifications to my car and it makes very good horsepower even after 335000 miles. I can still give some of the new car a good run. It is kind of hard to find performance parts for this car. It is not as popular as Honda or, but if you do some research you can find out which car are compatible with your car. That is what I have done. Some of the Mazda cars use similar part as the Protege. The only thing that I don't like about this car is that the gear ratios on the transmisiion are very close. If this car had a transmission with taller gears it would be great.