This car is awesome!

My 2002 Protege SE with the 1.6L is the most reliable car I've ever owned. It's also the first Japanese car I've owned. It has over 111,000km on it now and the only problem I've had so far is the radio display. It doesn't always show all of the numbers. The only money I've spent on it to date is oil changes and new tires about 15,000km ago. It handles very well, and with the five speed it feels quick, even if it really isn't. But when you buy an economy car, you have to realize, it's not a Corvette or anything. I have no problem getting around town and keeping up with traffic. On the highway however, it stays at fairly high revs. It would be nice to have another gear just to get those revs down. The space up front is very generous. I'm about 6'2" and am quite comfortable in there. The odd time that I've sat in the back, I've been comfortable there too, and have never heard any complaints from any of our friends who ride back there. The trunk is also pretty generous for a small car, and the split fold down seats come in really handy for going to the lumber store, etc. To sum up, I love this car and am going to keep it for a long time.