 I purchased a 2002.5 model Protege5 just over a year ago. I've traded it in since for something larger, but after putting 22K on it in one year, I have plenty to say. The car IS reliable. Just one small part (EGR valve) had to be replaced at 65K and that was it. Tires and oil changes were the only maintenance. The car is well designed and open. I'm 6-2 and I fit pretty nice in it. The leather seats were a nice touch. The stock 6 disk cd player had very good sound, although with road noise it always had to be loud. The paint scratches easy and the resale value (esp. trade-in) is close to nothing.