who's got the most mileage on a Protege

post up mileage and if the drivetrain is original

I have 104,000 on my 91 DX original drivetrain

130k on 92 LX w/ original 3.3. Trans rebuilt at 115k.

I've got 212,000 on mine and have only done the expected maintenance. I've replaced my drivers side window regulator twice, it has a plastic part that the cable slides across and is just poorly designed. I'm about to replace my A/C compressor and since it's going to be time to replace the timing belt soon I'll replace the water pump, engine oil seals, and idle bearings. The water pump was replaced at 110K miles and isn't leaking yet, but it's about due. The engine doesn't leak enough oil to need any added between changes, but I'd rather not have the seal springs cut into the shafts or have a major failure. The fuel pump was replaced at 135K miles.

I just bought a '91 with 153k on it last night. Seems to drive ok with that amount of milage. Have noticed a few problems that the seller failed to tell me about. The fuel gage doesn't seem to work. Anyone know if this is difficult to fix.

Also the weather here just started to turn cold. While driving the car home last night, the longer I drove the car at 60mph, the temp gauge kept dropping to cold. Let it idle for about 5 mins and the temp went back in the middle of the gauge. Does anyone know what way the t-stat fails. When it fails, is the t-stat always open or always closed. I'm hoping it is just a bad t-stat.

Other than that, I think I'm happy with my purchase

Sorry to post this here, but I figured people reading this forum would know alot about their Protege.

I would be interested in knowing of any problematic areas to look out for in Mazda 323

Thanks,
Dan

Also the weather here just started to turn cold. While driving the car home last night, the longer I drove the car at 60mph, the temp gauge kept dropping to cold. Let it idle for about 5 mins and the temp went back in the middle of the gauge. Does anyone know what way the t-stat fails. When it fails, is the t-stat always open or always closed. I'm hoping it is just a bad t-stat.


A thermostat can fail in either mode, stuck open or stuck closed. Your symptoms do sound like a thermostat that is stuck open. Although it could actually be some more "exotic" problem, the thermostat is cheap and easy to replace on most cars, so I would just go ahead and try that first.

Well, just to throw in my 2 cents - I'm driving a '99 Protege with just over 310,000km. I've owned it from new, and it's cost me (so far anyways) very little in repairs.

I have a 02 Protege LX with 96,000 miles on it. Couple of tune-ups and regular oil changes. I am planning on new brakes in the next couple of weeks will do that myself, and I have started researching doing the timing belt. New timing belt kit from Napa is almost $200.00. Great car.

Copter Steve:grinyes:

99 lx with 122,000 miles - new transmission at 98k miles

I have a 98 LX with 132k, replaced so far, clutch(122k), throttle position sensor, plug wires and front pads and rotors. I am attempting rear brake drum removal as I write this.
Also have a 2000 ES with 70k, just regular maint stuff and an oil pressure sensor. knock on wood.

I've got about 190K on my '95 Protege

I have a 91' DX and it has 232,791 with original drivetrain. The only thing i have had to replace/fix besides the normal lightbulb here and there is the fuel pump. The paint is still in fair condition as well.

1995 protege just rolled to 198,000 original drive train,tranny ect

My 1993 has 195,000. I replaced the engine with a 60,000 mile used in 2005, replaced transmission with rebuilt in 2007, all 4 axles replaced, new radiator, starter, muffler, air conditioner. Short commuter and errand car at this point. Gets 13 miles to the gallon. Real fortunate the car hasn't been hit. About to put a cold air intake in it to give that horsey a boost. After all of the repairs over the years, it runs pretty much like brand new.