2002 P5 not living up to past lineage

[dinopello]

I love Mazda vehicles. My first was a 78 GLC Sport wagon with a manual choke, a very cool and extremely reliable car (and easy to work on). Then I moved on to a 91 ProtegeLX sedan which was likewise a super reliable and fun car. Now, I have a 2002 Protege5 which I was very excited about because of its styling and drivability, but...

The mileage on it has never equaled the 91 Protege, and in the city is pretty bad (just had induction service which didn't seem to help). Now, I just got hit with the replacement of both rear calipers because they were rusted and seizing up ($1200). This, on a car with <25K miles. Now the airbag light is blinking...

Anyone else notice these issues ? I still love to drive this car, but I'm hoping that this isn't an indication of further design or build problems.

Incidently, the brake rust issue was noticed a year ago by the dealer who said they fixed it under warranty, although I suspect they didn't replace the calipers. Maybe they cleaned them or something.

[cheapmiata1600]

The rust and siezing issue can be fixed by lubing the slide brackets. It doesn't really effect the "mechanical" part of the caliper. You got hozed for $1200 bucks, which would've been INSANE for just calipers anyways. It would've maybe been a $200 repair it the most, and you could've done it for the price of some sandpaper and a tube of anti-sieze.

Find a different mechanic, or do your own work.

[cheapmiata1600]

BTW, rebuilt rear calipers for our cars are $65, and cheap pads are about $17.

[dinopello]

I figured I was hosed. However, the year before, when the dealer originally said the calipers were rusted and needed replacement, they also gave an esimate of around the same amount. The calipers themselves were $427 each (part #s BKZT-26-987A, 99ZA). When I protested to the dealer, he said he found out it was covered by the warranty and supposedly fixed it. My mechanic (non-dealer) said there were no after-market calipers that he could find. I wonder if that was true ? Anyone have a part # I could check?

The rust and siezing issue can be fixed by lubing the slide brackets. It doesn't really effect the "mechanical" part of the caliper. You got hozed for $1200 bucks, which would've been INSANE for just calipers anyways. It would've maybe been a $200 repair it the most, and you could've done it for the price of some sandpaper and a tube of anti-sieze.

Find a different mechanic, or do your own work.

[cheapmiata1600]

Um, try autozone, napa, ect...

My prices came from autozone. Almost ANY auto parts place carries anything you need for a protege. Also, mazmart and a bunch of the authorized vendors on this site could probably get you some cheaper parts. If you look in your phone book there are usually lots of mom and pop type auto places that'll spend some time tracking down parts for you too.

[altspace]

Wow....way too much for those. Also, we don't know your location, but it sounds like you live in a high salt area and don't have a garage. City driving also is a factor.

[dinopello]

Yes, so it seems. I'm guessing that Protege and Protege5 have different parts (I think the wheel size is different anyway) but I just saw ACEI Brake Calipers for P5 for $106 ea. Since both the dealer and my long-time mechanic gave me the same diagnosis and estimate, I was duped. That's disapointing for me, since my mechanic is 2 blocks from my house and looked after my last Mazda for 12 years without ever having something like this. I wish I had kept my old Protege. I've always been in Virginia. I think lack of much driving might have contributed to the rusting, but still, never had this happen with the 91.

Wow....way too much for those. Also, we don't know your location, but it sounds like you live in a high salt area and don't have a garage. City driving also is a factor.