Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  for the kids most for the money - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By matt - August 21 - 6:13 am

  the car was bought as a 1st. The noise level at any speed is very high unless the road is newly paved. the cup holders are very poor and it you charge your phone do not plan to use them for holding a drink. different tires (kumho 711) are a little help. There is nothing else wrong with this car. Great for the price. Unless you what to spend more money for the pleasure of what you want this car is just efficent.

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  WONDERFUL CAR EXCEPT FOR THE TIRES - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By AnneMS - August 20 - 4:13 pm

  My daughter recently hit a curb causing a flat which was changed after a call to roadside assistance. Because she was 150 miles from home, she needed to get a replacement tire. She went to a Mazda dealer, was told the tire would have to be ordered and would take five days to arrive. She was told if she needed a tire right away, she would have to buy two new tires!

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  2001 Mazda Protege LX - Minor Problems - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By kevin111 - August 15 - 5:56 pm

  Quality compact with excellent fuel mileage. 35 mpg on a trip with automatic and the air on. Overdrive sips gas. Tight build quality. Great handling. Impressive interior room. Stylish exterior design. Relatively quiet except when engine is pushed. Very compliant ride. Quality car but Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic might be better.

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  626 sedan - 1999 Mazda Protege
  By Oundle - August 14 - 11:03 pm

  So reliable, Ive been the only owner and driver to date. 8 yrs of trouble free motoring.

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  1999 Protege ES - 1999 Mazda Protege
  By mazdany - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Great Car. Has good low end pick up. Very responsive engine. Engine is not as peaky as a 99 Civic and has more gusto than a 99 Corolla. Transmission is easy to use and shifts smoothly. Handling and acceleration are excellent for this type of car. Interior feels airy, comfortable and avoids the cramped "econobox" feeling. Back seat is even roomy for adults. The trunk is spacious. You dont feel like you "settled" for this car.

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  Some flaws after a few miles - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Cheaprick29 - July 31 - 2:50 pm

  I bought this car about a year & 1/2 ago. Paid $8k w 55k and now has 82k. The A/C doesnt work on 2 or 3 setting. The transmission makes a growling or humming noise and continues to get worse the more I drive it. The trunk leaks due to a faulty trunk seal; My car smells like mildew all the time because water gets under the carpets. Had to replace the drive belts around 60k due to squeaking. Hit curb and cost $3800 to fix; not the best car to get into an accident in due to thin sheet metal. Other than that, the car is a great car. I switched out the stock head unit for a Pioneer; the CD player didnt work properly. I like the aux connection on my new head unit.

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  Fun little car - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By rodl - July 11 - 10:00 am

  I wanted a car with the 2.0 liter engine and a five speed. This car is a great little car. I have 97 626 with 200,000 miles and not one nickle in repairs other than tires, brakes and timing belts. Still have the same clutch. And still going strong!

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  ZOOM ZOOM = FUN FUN! - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By mkgyre - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I have had my 2003 ES for a month now, do not buy anything until you drive a protege! I am 63 and 310 and I can actually move the drives seat FORWARD and still be comfortable! I refused to get anything but a manual so while the HP output could be better,the manual provided plenty of low-end and highway passing power. I have run my car hard both in the city and on the highway and only gone under 30mpg once. This cars handling is UNBELIEVEABLE! I took a 90 degree banked corner at about 40MPH and the car stuck to the road like a suicidal squirrel. My wife loved my car SO MUCH that we went back to the Mazda dealer and got her a Mazda 6!

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  I love my Protege! - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By A. Pepe - June 23 - 12:13 pm

  The 2003 ES is my second Protege - I previously owned a 1999 LX. This car is very reliable & an excellent buy. The fuel efficiency is great, although slightly lower than the 1999 model - I average about 27 mpg with a combo of city & highway drivng. My only criticism is that, with only 130 hp, the Protege lacks some acceleration & power. However, what it lacks in those areas it more than compensates for in handling & braking The Protege is amazing for a car in this class - it handles & stops like a much more expensive car, making it extremely fun to drive. If Mazda continues to build fun, reliable cars like this, Ill be a Mazda owner for life.

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  GO CART HANDLING - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By MIKED - June 16 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS A SUPERB HANDLING CAR. ITS 16 INCH DUNLOPS REALLY GRAB THE PAVEMENT. COULD USE MORE POWER (EXHAUST AND COLD INTAKE ADDS A BIT) SHIFTER AND CLUTCH REALLY SMOOTH. BEST SPORT COMPACT SEDAN THIS SIDE OF A 3 SERIES BMW!! EXCELLENT FIT AND FINISH - A GREAT CAR!!