Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Mediocre Mazda - 1999 Mazda Protege
  By meh. - June 7 - 1:13 am

  My Mazda was a college gift from my parents bought in great condition. I learned stick in this car and it was very smooth. The gas mileage was also great, and being a college commuter who drives 60miles a day to and from school, the gas was quite cheap. Got in one accident with a deer that completely demolished the car costing around three grand to fix (fix enough to pass inspection that is). The a/c has broken, check engine light is very flighty, had many pipe clogs, brakes failed... all within six months of purchase.

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  Reviewing the Protege - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By MackDadam - June 5 - 10:00 am

  I love to drive it, looks great and feels great. Interior looks quality made, no cheap plastic here. But it lacks power, needs more than 130 hp but it still gets me places. If having to choose between reliability and speed I would choose reliability and that is why I chose the protege. Never gives me a problem (knock on wood...hope not) and people are attracted to it, saying they did not know mazda made a car like that. Overall, great car, needs boost though.

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  protege es - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By toddla - May 25 - 2:00 am

  After owning this car for 3 months, I can say I fall into the majority of owners posted here.I paid 14200 for an ES, 6cd/moonroof including rebate. The car is fun to drive, low on power, but I get 30mpg weekly driving steady 50/55 mph to and from work. Hello Mazda, build the protegespeed for the masses. Hands down styling beats Honda/Toyota etc.

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  Zoom Zoom - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By Mine 00 - May 17 - 10:00 am

  Well I have recently purchased the Mazda ES GT [in Canada] which with out a doubt the best econosport vehicle that I have driven. I tried the Nissan Sentra, Honda Civic [Coupe], Acura Integra and others in its class but non compare in price and feel. The ES GT is the invigerates the soul and sooths the spirit. This car in my books is in a class of its own.

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  Fantastic fit and finish - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By Scott - May 6 - 12:13 pm

  I have owned plenty of cars over the years and know good fit and finish when I see it. This Protege is top notch. The five speed transmission is as crisp as any Miata. Fuel economy is in the low 30s. If you are in the market for a reliable, good looking economical sedan this may be your car. I like it so much Im now looking for a pristine 03 Protege 5.

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  A 4-door Miata with Mercedes Quality - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Creek Car Guy - May 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my fifth Protege (counting my 323GT). I wish I still owned ALL of my Proteges. This car has the fit and finish equal to the new Mercedes I have also owned. I use this car as a "sports car" for kayaking and camping trips, so it is my "escape" vehicle. I have used some of my previoius ones as my main commuter car with excellent results as well.

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  Great car! - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By AKnight - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Have put 2000 miles on it the first month Ive had it - fun to drive and great highway gas mileage. And to think I almost bought a Neon - so glad I didnt.

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  Best Bang for the Buck! - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By nyminutes - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, well made car with vroom , thats less than $15k. Get the 5 speed, very smooth. The handling on this car is excellent, better than many sports sedans selling for 25k+! The fit finish/reliability is better than any JapanMexOhiocan from Honda, Nissan or Toyota. Lets face it, how many older 1s of those do u see out there lately??? You still see many older Proteges though, still made in Hiroshima by workers whos average tenure with the company is 21 years! The only downside to the car is resale value, but if u want a great car, that u can beat on trouble-free for 100k+ miles, this is the car.

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  I love this car - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By Phylo74 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This car gets great gas mileage (more than 40 mpg on flat highways), has comfortable seats, and has plenty of power despite having only a 1.6 liter engine. Have had the car more than two years now with only one trip to the dealership to replace some sort of air flow sensor. I recently sold my 2001 Subaru Legacy because I could never find a comfortable driving position and always preferred to take the Protege unless it was snowing. I only wish that Mazda hadnt discontinued the 1.6 liter engine on later models.

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  Protege 01 ES w/GT - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By dapplegrey - March 12 - 10:00 am

  I am very very happy with this car. I have not had any problems with it, other than the usual wear and tear and hope to enjoy it for many years to come. I would not hesitate to buy another.