Faults:

Passenger side caliper leaking, replaced at 196,556 miles.

Shifter assembly is falling, needs to be replaced.

Passenger door handle inside broken.

Motor mounts worn needing to be replaced.

Passenger side wheel bearing, both ball joints and tie rod ends replaced.

Rear struts replaced by previous owner.

Radiator replaced by previous owner.

Replaced stock exhaust with a Pacesetter cat-back system.

Replaced stock spark plugs (NGK V power) and wires.

Replaced stock clutch with a 6 Puck sprung hub clutch from Clutch-Net.

General Comments:

This car is quick and responsive with the stock suspension.

Replacing stock springs with H&R sport springs, 1.25 front 1.0 rear drop.

The 1.8l DOHC motor is very powerful, Mazda has built this motor to withstand abuse, they even have a stock windage tray. (prevents the connecting rods from splashing in oil)

Moonroof is nice on hot days.

Faults:

Water pump at 220,000km.

Radiator at 215,000km.

Drivers side seat cushion cracked causing major discomfort.

Last few months most of the wear/tear items started to fail.

Clutch every 160,000 km, vehicle driven hard.

Exhaust and brakes where almost replaced every few years, Canadian climate causes increased rust.

Door pillars prone to internal rust, all pillars should in inspected, this is a costly repair that cannot be properly fixed. The only way to repair rusted pillars is to replace the door.

General Comments:

The Protege would be considered the best vehicle that I ever owned.

Still maintained a top speed of 200km after 260,000 km.

Great gas mileage, 720km on a tank (trip to Florida). The car was so reliable that I had a new A/C from Mazda installed after the vehicle was almost 7 years old.

If the protege was rust proofed from new, it would have saved the car (pillars rusted)

The car is still on the road today, I just purchased a 1991 GT model (Canada only) I just wish I could find the current owner :)

Faults:

I had to replace the relay that controls the engine cooling fan about 5 years ago.

The car is white and the paint was flaking when I got it. I contacted Mazda about the possibility of a paint recall and was told that there was not one, but I have seen several early 90's white Mazdas with the same problem. I think the dealer just blew me off.

General Comments:

The car handles well although the rear end feels light when driven at a spirited pace.

Car consistently gets 25mpg in town and low 30's on the road.

Car still has original clutch at 240,000 miles.

Uses about 1 quart of oil every 2000-2500 miles.

Even with the high mileage car is capable of being driven quickly.