If it wasn't I total lost my Protege 5, it should have been returned to the dealer by now. I guess I can say a few words about my almost 4 years experience with this car.

It's a good car and relatively fun to drive. The handling is very precise, I think the low(er) profile tires and rim did quite a bit to improve the feel on the road.

The engine is reasonable powerful, for a 130hp, mileage is decently @ ~550ish km/tank.

The 4 speed automatic w/ sport mode is fun, but with a bit lag (which is expected unless you are shifting a DSG)

The most complain I found is rust.

Rusted... already after 4 years Rusted... already after 4 years Rusted... already after 4 years

I understand that I have the car idle for 6 months (starting in winter....), which seem to be really not good to my car even I carwash it before I park and leave town. I have a break rusted and need replace after I came back, but it didn't happen to my Golf..... maybe it's the 6 months idling.... But the body is starting to rust on various spots and the fact that I found how thin the paint+primer is make me believe it's not really a good car for Ontario since the salt here eat it alive.... I have seen 2002 one on the road with rusts on it and I was wondering what's the story... until I saw my rusted too. I found that the hatch was rusted badly under the plate holder, which some of the salt might have trap there, but again I do not have the same problem with my Golf.

All in all, it still a good car to have. But if you ask me if I want to have another one, my answer is no. It just my preference to try out different car when I get a new one.

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