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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  Good overall car - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By jpc477 - August 6 - 9:23 pm

  My wife & I purchased this brand new off the lot in April of 2003 so weve had the car five years now. It started off as her car, and then became my car after she bought a Honda Fit in August of 2006. Overall, the car has been a good car. The handling is outstanding & very responsive. It runs smoothly, and is comfortable to drive. The only issues we had with it was the alternator going out in it. The alternator went failed right after we bought it, and again about a year ago, but it was replaced at no cost both times. Other than that, its needed nothing other than routine maintenance.

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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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  2000 Mazda Protege -- DX - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By CDAVE - June 19 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has been with us for two years now and there have been no major required repairs. The typical maintenance schedule was maintained however. It has been a reliable vehicle.

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  Should have bought a Civic - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By canadiancarguy - June 16 - 9:30 pm

  We bought a 2.0 ES GT with a 5 spd brand new back in 01. The car was the best value in its class (for Japanese makes). Engine has always sounded rattley at start up, though this hasnt caused a real problem yet. The EGR valve needed replacement at about 60,000 kms. Now at 75,000 kms the alternator failed. These two problems dont bother me as much as the corrosion problems I have had with this car. I live in Toronto, and they use road salt heavily, but it is still no excuse for the amount of rust this thing has on it for its age. Every piece of metal attached to this car is rusty , body panels or any mechanical part. Even the horn has failed due to corrosion. Mazda is still behind the rest.

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  Good Car - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Kurt - June 16 - 7:00 am

  I have had my 5 speed for 5 years and absolutely love it. Pros: Decent gas mileage, (not as good as a Corola, but more fun to drive) Fun to drive, responsive handling, good road feel comfortable seat. Good shifter. Very reliable, (just brakes and tires are the only parts replaced. Con. Noisy to ride in.

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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.