Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Lots of bang for the buck. - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Moosejohnson - December 12 - 10:00 am

  I live up here in the Great White North so I have the Canadian version of the P5 Only options A/C, Auto, Moonroof. Got them all. Total out the door $27000Can now thats a Great price with all the with all the standard options included...PS, PB(Disc),PW, Airbags,CD player, ABS, Speed sensitive steering etc etc. No other car offers so much. I tried the Focus ZX3 but found it to be a very badly made vehicle although the engine/transmission setup was better. I would suggest a K&N filter to improve power and gas milage.A good $40 investment.

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  Awesome Car! - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Memo - November 7 - 10:03 am

  The Protege 5 is a great vehicle. It is fun to drive, yet humble enough for use as a family car. It is a very solidly built vehicle. Too bad they were only made for 2 years.

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  too soon to say anything - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By new mazda owner - October 25 - 10:00 am

  Just got a silver with auto. I test drove the following: 1. rodeo 2. focus 3. cavalier 4. hyundai sonata 5. hyundai elantra 6. protege 7. camry 8. corolla 9. altima 10.honda accord 11.honda civic and liked altima(wow wow wowo, too bad they had no summer incentive) and corolla has created a lot of space. I have a old corolla already. So, I bought protege (0% apr and 500 college rebate) and no such deal on altima. The car handles great, but the ride is very rough compared to my corolla (which is smooth at least on windless days). Other than that, this is great looking car and fun and very well styled. It is quite underpowered.

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  Perfect - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By rwantin - October 25 - 10:00 am

  If theres another vehicle that looks this good, is this much fun to drive, as reliable, economical, or useful at this price I have yet to see it. Its no wonder it won that Car and Driver comparison test in the 6/02 issue.

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  Definately a pleaser in its class. - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Sonata - September 18 - 10:00 am

  Over a great car. What sold me on the car was the handling. I couldnt lose control on a curve if I tried. It was amazing! This was my first 4 cyl car so the 2.0 was adequate but with a few passengers it becomes a bit sluggish. Otherwise a very responsive and enjoyable to drive. I commute 250 miles per day and always get at leat 2 miles to the gallon of gas. Even at elevated speed levels ;)

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  MP5 Rules - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By ominous1121 - September 18 - 10:00 am

  Fast, fun to drive car. Real zoom zoom for the money. Very stable, rigid, manual transmition is superior. Supention has no competition.

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  an offer you cant refuse! - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By bearcat - September 12 - 10:00 am

  I bought my new Protege 5 in July 2002 and couldnt be more pleased. I highly recommend this car to anyone in the market for a sporty compact car that loves to drive. PLUS, Mazda is offering some incredible financing options - 0% for 48 months, $500 college grad program and NO PAYMENTS until Jan 2003! All in all, this car comes fully equipped for under $16,000! Bottom Line: Its an incredible deal on an incredibly fun to drive car.

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  Simply One of the Best! - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Joe C in San Diego - September 1 - 7:53 am

  The moment I drove this car I knew that I would buy it. It is tight and sporty, both driving and looking. The interior is roomy enough that a 200# bodybuilder and my friends can feel unconfined and comfortable, whether in the front or back seats. With the rear seats down, I even fit a full size (unassembled) dresser in it, hatch closed. In the nearly 3 1/2 years that I have owned it, it has only been to the garage for scheduled preventive maintenance. At 20 MPG city and 29 MPG highway, it is economical. Although I would have liked a little more power for passing at higher speeds, the 2.0 is great for accelerating from lower speeds to highway speeds. It climbed the Sierras with command.

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  Easily the best small wagon - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Jello Anderson - July 9 - 7:03 am

  My white 5 is a manual with the 6 disc changer. This is a wonderful city car due to the excellent handling and the quick acceleration from 0-40, though at about 40 the acceleration slows considerably, making highway driving a bit boring. The gas mileage is a little disappointing, but still ranks considerably high. The sound system performs quite well without skips and sounds great. The rear cargo area is lit only by a side light, which makes a flashlight necessary to really find anything at night. The tires hydroplane very easily, but this almost never results in any fish-tailing. I have had a few minor problems with the headlights. Overall, this is a great, ultra-reliable car.

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  Just keeps going....going... going.... - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By jes - June 19 - 4:26 pm

  I purchased this car brand new. I have put 148,000 on it, and it is very reliable! Besides regular oil changes, havent had to do anything else. I have only had to replace a thermostat! Its wonderful! Definitely have gotten my moneys worth!