Does anyone know if Mazda used galvanized body/body panels on the 2002
Protege 5?

I have rust forming on the painted surface just above the rear wheel
wells on my 3+ year old protege.  The corrosion seems to have started
at the edge of the sheet metal in the wheel well.

I tried to avoid a rusty car by choosing one that had galvanized body
panels (so the dealer claimed) and also buying into the dealer's rust
inhibitor with 10 year warranty (which doesn't cover exterior painted
surfaces). Now I am faced with a $1000 bill to get rid of the cancerous
rust as the machine is 3 months past the 3 year warranty limit on the
painted surfaces.

I'm just wondering if the dealer told me a little white lie in order to
secure the sale...

Thanks in advance,
Dan.