Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Great Car - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By JOHN LEE - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I own a muscle car (Mustang 68 Fastback) but needed a new daily driver. Tested the Vibe, Matrix, and Corolla. Car handles the turns almost as the car I sold 240SX Nissan. Read all the reviews by the mags as well as USA Todays ... the car has more than adequate power. Can handle highway inclines without downshifting or losing power like the cars I tested. Matrix with the 180 horses doesnt have the torque power at the 30- 70 range of the Protege 5. Plus, I didnt want a car that gets its power at 6,000 rpms ... too noisy. Ill take the Mustang for that, plus thats much faster.

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  Nice little hatch - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Kenny - March 14 - 9:40 pm

  I dont like those common small cars. It was made in Japan and not as common as other Japanese sedans. I test drove the sedan but didnt like the seats and ride. I bought a Protege5 because it had more comfortable seats and and gave me a little bit of "road feel". The driving experience of the hatch was more closed to my old Saab (Of course the Saab was better). I dont understand why people dont like hatchback. It doesnt have typical noise from a hatchback. The car performs quite good in the city but it is quite noisy at highway speed. The autostick stick is fun but it needs a 5-speed auto instead of a 4-speed auto.

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  Great! - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By jazzyjerry2000 - March 12 - 10:00 am

  This is a really great little car excellent fuel economy and fun to drive has cd and everything you need love the hatchback!!!

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  MP5 Zoom Zoom - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By YellowPro5 - February 26 - 8:20 am

  Great car for little money. You will have fun in it.

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  great, cheap, good-looking car - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By patcmcd - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Great bang for the buck; who needs a more expensive car even if you have the money?

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  great idea - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Ericgpayne - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my protege since 10-2001 and have only had minor hiccups that would be expected when a car is driven as hard as I drive this thing. I have gone through 3 sets of tires, changed the engine mounts, upgraded the brakes and have plans to use some sort of forced indution in the near future. The car still rides as if I bought it last week despite having 89,000 on the clock. Great car.

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  Bolt-on mods - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Craig - January 9 - 3:26 am

  I read all of the reviews on this car on Edmunds.com AFTER I purchased it and have noticed a recurring suggested improvement: power. I agree. The engine is rated at 142 horsepower stock but what it needs is more mid-range power and torque. After installing Racing Beats cat-back exhaust system and K&Ns Typhoon Intake the Protege5 not only sounds great but now produces just the right amount of power and torque at the RPMs I prefer: 3000 to 5000. The Protege5 is a sports car at heart, it just wants to breathe better. Whats better is that the intake and exhaust were not that difficult to install -- floor-jack, jack-stands and metric tools are all you need; just follow the directions!

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  It doesnt get much better than this - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Johnny Five - December 3 - 5:50 pm

  Bought it from the original owner with 52000 miles; have added 3000. 5-speed manual rocks! Have not had any problems so far....and its more than 4 years old. I really love this car. Its "pimped up" without looking like a teenage car. It wont win any races, but its still fast or at least feels fast. Ive yet to feel a need for more power! Cornering is fantastic, ride quality is great (I enjoy feeling road bumps gently but not harshly). This is for folks like to "feel" their car. The Protege5 balances sportiness and comfort perfectly....you feel the engine and road bumps pleasantly but never uncomfortably. I couldnt be happier with my PR5!

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  no complaints here..... - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By darthmedic - November 21 - 12:50 pm

  Almost bought a Honda Civic, but being a tall guy I didnt exactly fit. I like the Protege 5 much better, driving style and handling are much more user friendly than the Civic. The shifting is simple, and the drive is smooth. Engine seems to rev at high rpms over 70 mph in 5th gear, but it doesnt even come close to the red line. Just drove in rain today, and it was a carefree drive.

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  Dont want a new car :( - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By My3Demons - November 10 - 4:36 am

  I LOVE my yellow P5. Bought it used in 03 & Im trying not to cry now that I need a mini van. I love the way it looks, handles, & the room. Even with 3 kids in car seats! Only thing wrong is the paint. Its SO faded, even with weekly baths. I live in Florida, maybe thats why? My shift plate (R D N 2-etc.) is damaged and will cost me $125 to fix, let the next owner do that. My other issue is at 60,000 miles my tranny keeled over. I drive it like I stole it & like a mom. Mazda said it was probably previous owner; it had 27,000 on it after only 1 year. Now at 74,000 it still acts a little funny, hope that tranny stays put. :) But otherwise I LOVE it and still get people asking me about it. My fave car so far!