Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Amazing little car! - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By sexylondonboi - August 13 - 11:26 am

  We bought our Mazda brand new off the lot. Our commute to work and back is nearly an hour each way and 9 mths out of the year is during the harsh canadian winter so we needed something that could stand up and be reliable. Our Mazda was nothing less then that. Being young drivers with our first car we werent quite aware of "regular scheduled maintance" - we just drove. Our car currently has 256,000 kms on it and the only thing we have replaced was the alternator last year. This car is amazing, its been in the ditch twice, hit a deer and yet the darn thing keeps on going. It is going in for its second tuneup of its lifetime this Thursday so we can get another 256000 from her

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  best car Ive owned - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By natem - August 3 - 10:00 am

  This has been by far the best car Ive owned. In 3 years Ive put nearly 90,000 miles on it and it has never given me any trouble. The only time it has been in the shop is for oil changes, brake pads and new tires. It handles great and sticks to the road even in wet conditions. I get 38 mpg on the highway and about 32 in town with the 5 speed. The best small car out there. I hope to get another 90K out of it. Then I might consider the new Mazda 6.

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  Mazda Protege is the class leader. - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Aaron Simler - August 3 - 10:00 am

  While Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are admirable economy cars and best sellers, they are pretty much blah, bland comfortable appliances that get you from point A to point B. Thats fine and all, but I want to have some fun too, and Mazdas world class Protege delivers both. This is a fine Japanese built sports sedan, economical and reliable. Very comfortable transport, but it also has this split personality thing going for it. This thing has the soul of the Mazda Miata in it.

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  Engine pinging - 1999 Mazda Protege
  By Mili - July 13 - 10:00 am

  Good car overall, but I have been disappointed with the engine pinging, dealer replace MAF sensor and did not fixed it, I have to switch to high octane gas 89 or better and that took care of the pinging also the steering wheel is not sharp on center.

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  Dont buy this car whatever you do. - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Harry B. - July 2 - 2:00 am

  The suspension is horrendous and the ride nauseating on anything other than perfectly smooth roads.The Protege requires a double dose of Drammamine to avoid the use of a barf-bag enroute. You literally will find it difficult to change radio stations or take a sip from a beverage because of the pulsating and shakey ride. Both the dealership and my own personal mechanic told me there is nothing wrong with the car it just has the suspension tuned this way. I will trade mine in as soon as I can and even though I will loose a lot of money it will be well worth it to get rid of the bouncemobile.

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  I love my Mazda - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By supermom1450 - June 23 - 4:30 pm

  Our 1992 Buick Regal just died and we needed a 2nd vehicle..bad. Since Im the chauffeur, I needed something that was good on gas so I could drive the kids around 6 days a week to their various activities as well as maintain my 3 jobs. I love how she handles corners and I wish she were a stick but shes not. We have a lot of snow in New Brunswick and she handles better in the snow and ice than our 3.1L Dodge Grand Caravan. She has such a sporty feel and my kids find her more comfortable than the van. She really likes to go "Zoom Zoom". She has under 150,000km, and she starts up very easily in -25C. When she goes to Mazda heaven Ill be getting another one..sorry GM.

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  fun car takes a licking, keeps ticking - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By jsmsp - June 20 - 10:00 am

  Nearing 2 yr mark, 42k mi, just repl. plugs and air fltr for first time. Not one defect or problem other than usual wear. AC could be better (I often drive in wool suit). Aftermarket window tint has helped dramatically. BMW 3-series-like handling. 2.0 Engine not in BMW class, but low-rpm torque is very good. MPG would be much better with 6th gear for highways (only 5sp man). Trans works well if not too short- geared and long-thrown. Overall, a fun to drive, practical, sexy small sedan thats also a good value.

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  Good Car - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By grayghost - June 10 - 11:43 am

  I bought this vehicle used (34K miles). Within one week of purchase, I made a 2000 mile trip with no problems. The only maintenance performed have been oil-filter changes and a front end alignment. The room inside the car is better than my previous vehicle, a 2000 Mercury Sable.

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  A car for an average driver to have fun! - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By Still Mazda fan... - June 5 - 3:56 am

  This car works marvelously. Steering and Breaks!!! are unseen in this class and up Altima/Solara level. As the car feels powerless, the above features are enhanced. However, the little things that makes a car luxurious lacks (3 speed wiper, no vanity lights, no arm rest etc.) If youre considering this car, you have to understand that youre paying the same or more than Carola/Sentra just for the steering and breaks. If you can live without power and the little things, you will love ES!!!

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  Best buy! - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By Linny - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I wouldnt buy any other car. Mazda is the greatest car for the money, very reliable and smooth ride with a kick.