Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  My 2nd Protege - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By CR - August 13 - 1:03 pm

  Of all the purchasing decisions I have made in my life, choosing the 2001 Protege 5-speed DX has probably been my single best decision. I bought it used with 64k miles; it looks and runs the same after 96k miles. Replaced brakes, shocks and battery when I bought it, timing belt and other belts just now. Nothing else. My two longevity tips: use synthetic oil and hand-wax it. The only issues: The famous digital clock problem expanded to the entire radio, which now fails to operate. More road noise than Id prefer on the highway. First signs of rust showing near the wheel wells, probably from winter salt.

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  Whee! - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By Goober - August 7 - 10:00 am

  This car is so much fun to drive...the handling is very balanced and predictable...very light on its feet. Acceleration is just zippy enough to be fun and gets good gas mileage. Its roomy inside for a small car. Good looking too. Just turned 30000 miles and its been reliable. A little noisy on the highway and the ride is firm.

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  A perfect 10, and Car and Driver Agrees - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By Frankpcb - August 7 - 10:00 am

  My car is a fully loaded 5 speed with all the options in sunlight silver metallic. This is the best looking compact car on the market, and the only one still made in Japan, so the quality and relabilty is first rate. Handles like a go cart, fast direct steering, great peformance tires and suspension tuning, comfortable seats, great gauges and interior lighting in red. Car is very quiet at speed, you can barely hear the engine idle. Fit and finish are excellent and very up market for a car in this price range, much nicer inside (ex version) than civic, corrola, elantra, lancer, focus etc, I drove them all.

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  Lots of Car for Little Cash - 1999 Mazda Protege
  By MM - July 18 - 2:13 am

  Picked up a used 99 ES in the local paper with 74k on it. This car is unreal for the money. A much better value than Civic, Corolla or Sentra. The ES model with its 122hp and 15in wheels sometimes make you for get that this is an econobox. Build quality and materials are 1st rate. Eight years on the road and the car is still tighter than many new cars.

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  Flawless - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By Viener Vanker - June 21 - 2:56 am

  Purchased new. No problems whatsoever. At 72,000 miles, still on original brakes. They never wear out.

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  Nice economy sedan. - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By gatodelsol - June 15 - 10:00 am

  Look no further if you want a simple, more-bang-for-your-buck economy sedan. I couldnt believe how well the 4-door Protege DX compared to the Nissan Sentra, Chevy Prizm, Saturn SL2, Toyota Corolla, and- its main nemesis- the Honda Civic. The DX may be the plain Jane of the Protege stable, but she is still a beauty of the first magnitude. I would buy another Protege in a minute.

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  Great Value - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By COOLIGOTANEWCAR! - June 6 - 2:00 am

  I am very happy with my new Protege. What a great car for 15 grand! Good looks, great 5 speed, and it really does have a nice quick engine. Looked at the Sentra, Ion, Corolla, and the "Out of my price range" Galant. Sentra was nice, def my second choice, although the GXE doesnt have alloys standard and I dont think it felt as quick or handled as well as the Protege...if you are shopping for a small car, dont go to the Mazda dealer last like I did...go there first!

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  A Great Value - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By tc - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Ive driven Hondas in the past, but the price comparison and features of the Protege outweighed brand loyalty. I was also frustrated by the awkward position of the parking brake in the 5-spd Civic I test drove. I bought the LX Protege with moonroof,abs,side airbags, floormats and cargo net all for $13100 plus tax and tags, (includes $1500 rebate). Entrance is easy and the driver seat adjuster is great for my back. A quiet, fun car to drive.

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  Quality Auto - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By Ted W. Lee - April 28 - 3:46 pm

  In the ten yrs.that I have owned the car, with the exception of when the battery "died" it has never failed to start and has never stalled. Its always been parked outside(in Mich.) The only major negative problem has been the suspension the last couple of yrs. Going over the slightest bump results in a very noisy and "rattley" ride.It sounds and feels like the suspension system has completely failed.I have about 90000 miles on the car.The car still looks almost like new (because of a paint sealant applied each year.) Never a problem with wheel alignment(never had it done).

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  Hard to part with, unbeatable car - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By Miatajeff - April 21 - 2:00 am

  My Seventh Mazda, this little ES is a wolf in sheeps clothing. I love the conservative styling, the comfortable interior, the unbeatable handling, the perfect reliability! This car has been outstanding, with nary a problem since new. Cheap to own and to maintain, a joy to drive, I am having a hard time parting with it. I have been looking at new cars and am going to take a step up to a Volvo, but I cant bear to part with my Protege! Suggestions: put Nokian tires on all fours and the cars foul-weather handling improves. The only complaint I can muster is that it is a loud car- lots of raod noise, but that is minor compared to its graces.