I'm in the market for a 2000-2003 Protege as a 3rd car for commuting. In the price range I'm looking at ($3,000-$4,500) the cars are 100-120k in miles which means the timing belt service and possibly the clutch will need replacing Nearly everyone I've looked at had not had either done or no record of it). I need to figure in these costs to any purchase.

Calling around 2 local Mazda dealers and 2 independent shops these are the prices I received. Quotes are for a 2000 1.6L DX (all plus tax)

Clutch
Dealer - $890 + $100 for flywheel machining or +$250 for a new flywheel
Indep - $840 + $75 for machining +$200 for new flywheel

Timing Belt/Water Pump/Serpentine/gaskets etc.
Dealer - $680
Indep - $630

These seem very high even for a transverse mount drivetrain car. Do I need to look further for another reputable repair shop at lower cost or are these prices typical?

Jon Andrews
Cincinnati OH.

 

Those prices don't seem too far out of line to me based on quotes I've heard in the past few years. You might get a hundred off each quote if you call around enough, but it's not too far out of whack.

 

Indie shop isn't much better than the dealer- I'd take the indie quote to the dealer and tell 'em if they can match the labor AND parts prices, they get the work.

 

I drove my former 2002 Protege ES 115k without having the timing belt changed (I'm sure I should have) and on the original clutch. The clutch showed no signs of wear when I traded the car.

The car I owned before the Protege, and all the cars since (expect my B2200) have had timing chains. Getting the belt changed on the Protege simply never occurred to me. Glad I didn't have a failure and pay through the nose.

ETA: What are you looking for in a commuter? These days a lot of folks seem to be trying to get the best fuel economy they can. I know I am. While I loved my Protege, it wasn't that economical in the grand scheme of things. I averaged about 30-32 MPG on the highway, low 20's in town. Granted that was the 2.0 liter engine (all the 02 and 03 Proteges have the 2.0, even the DX). It was running close to 4000 RPM at 75 MPH in 5th gear. It really could have used a tall 6th gear to drop the revs to 2800 or so at the same speed. I'm sure that would have improved the mileage significantly. Anyway, my point is that if you are trying to max out economy, look at the 1.6 engine cars exclusively, or something other than a Protege. On the other hand, if you want a really fun, reasonably economical car, look no further than the Protege ES.