New Old Member - Rust Question
 

Hello all. I'm new to this forum, but a previous Protege owner - 99 LX and previous Mazda owner - 91 RX-7. I'm considering purchasing a 2001-2003 Pro ES. I've read all the faqs and threads, but I'm still not clear on the infamous rust. My 99 had it on the door skin, trunk skin, and window frames. It was a Florida car too. How many of you have rust? Has it reappeared after being fixed? Thanks all.

- Charles

I have not heard any rust problems on the body...

The rortrs rust pretty well and the wheels devlop some - but the body is ok...

Anyone else?

I have had some rust spots to repair over the 5 yrs I have owned my '99. I have a warranty that my car won't rust through but I don't plan to let it go that far!

I had the car in under factory warranty for the dog-leg (infront of rear wheels). The rear doors weren't adjusted properly and the front wheels were chucking grit at the dog-leg wearing off the paint. The doors were adjusted and the dog-leg repainted.

I also had to repaint the window sashs, between the 2 rear door windows. I developed rust spots about 1/3 the way up on both sides!?!

I repainted the passenger side inner portion of the rear door at the bottom of the dog-leg. I re-caulked the body seam and repainted it...mainly as preventative maintenance!

I am still keeping my eye on the other doors along the bottom (normal for Canadian cars) but the trunk lid is mint!

I do wash my car very frequently and detail it often and wax it a few times a year...I always chamois my car, even the door jambs (keeps them clean so you don't get the dirt stripe on the back of your pants!). I could be diagnosed as Obsesive...but I've had many people who can't believe my car is 5-yrs old. Let me add, the car is Dark Blue...might as well be black!

My 03 Protege5 seems to have plenty of zinc in the body. Car will not rust until the zinc is gone. Owned her now for two years, and not a rust spot in sight - not even in paint chipped specks on the hood. She's heading into her third Michigan winter, and I have no worries.

Thanks for your feedback. It's amazing how some people have the rust and others don't have a speck. I ask mainly because the local Mazda dealer does poor paint/bodywork, so if you do end up with rust - which is odd for South Florida to begin with - then you know going in that you're going to end up with something ugly.