Mach 1

Since when was the Protege not ranked high in reliability anyway? Every single thing I have read on the Protege, no matter what the source, has it rated as very reliable.

99Silverbullet

I think he actually said Mazda not the Protege specifically, but either way whatever.

My Protege has been fine.

The gas milage is not where I think it should be, but oh well.

Drove back from Dallas last night at around 70-75 the whole way, and only got 26.3 MPG.

While my Fiance's Passat got 31 on the Way back last month.

frankd

The JD Power graph shows only the brands with an 'above average' rating. What the graph doesn't show, but the fine print at the bottom of the chart mentions, is the 21 brands that came in 'below average'... Audi, Chevy, Chrysler, Dodge, GMC, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Olds, Plymouth, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Suzuki, Volkswagen, Volvo.... and .... Ford.
This is just a clarification. Please do not construe this as 'Ford-bashing'.

ShyutanSan

See you're not seeing the problem. Your 2000 model may be very reliable but the Pros that the people are refering to in the post as the:

1. Cold Engine Rattles
2. Squeeky brakes
3. Bad paint

They are refering to the 2001 - 2002 models. (The ones that the Mazda dealers are selling super *** cheap and with awesome financing) So if you go look at the reviews for the 2001 - 2002 models you will see that they aren't up to par compared to other 2001 - 2002 vehicles like the Passat, etc. At least with volkswagon their product's specification deviation is very small... so basically you'll get what you expect. Whereas the Mazda's... sure you may get a good one (that has no problems) but there are a considerable higher amout of Outliers (i.e. one's that aren't up to specification and that have these problems listed above). Again, I am refering to the 2001 - 2002 Protege Models (excluding the MP3).

So we aren't attacking the MAZDA nation here, all I'm saying is that the 2001 - 2002 pro's weren't made up to (what I expexted to be) Mazda quality. I expected more from them, especially to test the car out or take responsibility for their deisign flaws (which they haven't on the 2001 - 2002 models).

At least with American companies like Ford or GM, they may be poor in standards, but at least they own up to their mistakes (hence the many Ford and GM recalls that happen every year). I own a 95 Cobra Mustang along with my 02 Pro ES, the Cobra had problems... but Ford addressed all of them, recalled all of them and fixed all of the problems (i've had 2 recalls this past year)... whereas Mazda did not on their Pro ES, which goes to say that they don't care too much about customer satisfaction. That's my 2 cents.

~peace.

frankd

You did not mention what your 'recalls' were on your Mustang, but I would bet they were safety related, in which case Ford was forced to issue those recalls, not done them voluntarily. Manufacturers are obliged (legally) to do recalls on safety related issues. The fact that Mazda has had no/few recalls is a testament to Mazda vehicles not having as many safety related defects as your Ford product.