Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Sportiest Car under 12k - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By Mp3 lover - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Hands down, best handling compact. Macapherson struts all around, shock absorbers, 1.5 inches lower than stock. This baby obeys all cornering comands with out question.

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  Ok - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By Vince - March 23 - 8:30 am

  Just bought this used to act as commuter car. Styling is more boring than white paper. Engine is very loud at highway speeds. For a small car, gas mileage isnt too impressive. Probably due to the fact that engine is around 3500 RPMs when cruising @ 70 MPH. Fairly agile and nimble. Fun to drive backroads, unless you have a lot of hills, then expect a struggle. Not too shabby as a commuting car, but Im glad this isnt my pride and joy.

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  Bugdet Beemer! - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By therealdeal - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Purchased this car new in 2001, initially impressed with fit and finish, sharp ride and handling, good braking. It whines on the highway at 3500rpm in 5th gear going 120km/h (a 6th gear would help) The 2.0 litre engine has more potential and at a conservative 130 hp, it chews up more gas than it should. With 83000 km on the clickler, Ive since had minor corrosion around the tops of the door frames, my brakes are squeaking, tires are balled, the manual shifter is choppy after starting in cold weather until I warm it up, The radio display is starting to fade in and out, dealer service personel need help identifying problems!

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  Style, Reliability, Fun at a GREAT Price - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By Nolan Ryan - March 10 - 2:00 am

  I was looking for a car that would offer me reliabilty, a little excitement, and a few toys at an excellent price. I researched and drove them all (Hyundai, Ford, Chevy, Nissan, etc.) and no one (in the under $15K category) could touch the Mazda Protege. Check the magazines, surf the web, but most importantly, take one for a test drive! Youre bound to draw the same conclusion and you wont be disappointed. I got a 2002 LX (manual) with sunroof, alloy wheels, and stadard CD player for $12,200! It handles like an expensive sports car and brakes quick and sure. I am so impressed with Mazda, that when our minivan is ready for trade in, Im going with the MPV.

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  Aint she cute? and Sporty too! - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By Betty - March 1 - 2:03 am

  Bought this car about 1 1/2 yrs ago w/73k miles on it, little ol lady owned it, now has about 107k. Figured wed get good mpg since its small, about 28 avg. right now, better than 17 we replaced it with! Really wanted a manual transmission, that would have really made it even more fun to drive, and probably better mpg. Put synthetic oil in at about 80k miles after lots of research and believe that made a difference. We all enjoy the drive (ages 19-50), handles real good, tires can make BIG difference though! Four bangers seem to be a little noisy but after we replaced bearings due to accident it made quite a difference! Picks up & gos pretty good and overall Nice car!

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  Great car overall - 1999 Mazda Protege
  By joep9536 - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Purchased new in 99 and have had little troubles since then. The car now has 95,000 miles on it and drives like new. I have never got as good of gas mpg as i would have hoped for this little car, but its ok. The catalytic converter went out at around 70k, the power door locks and the cd player also both went out at arount the same time. I was lucky enough to have purchased the extended warranty to 100k, so I paid for none of the repairs. Its a nice little car to run around town in. On the highway its not as comfortabel as i would have liked.

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  Sport Mode Auto Trans - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Greg Watt - February 22 - 10:00 am

  The Protege ES is a beautifully balanced car, with controls that make it a lot of fun to drive. The sleeper option is the SportMode AT on the ES model and the Protege5, which does not kill the personality of the car. While not as quick off the line as the 5-speed, the rest of the car allows it to be driven quickly, with 2nd or 3rd gears only a tap away. THE SPORTMODE IS A GREAT ALTERNATIVE FOR FAMILIES FACING THE SHIFT/NO SHIFT DILEMA.

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  Basic Transportation - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By canada2015 - January 18 - 9:02 am

  We purchased our Mazda protege off a classified site for $1100 Canadian. It was as is but only required two tires and rear shoes for safety. Weve had our protege for just over a year now and it has required minimal repairs such as front stabilizer links serpentine belts (there are two, there small and they tend to break). The 1.6L with the 4 speed automatic is good on fuel both in the city and the highway. The car had 249 000kms on it and it now has 280 000kms. It handles well in the winter but ONLY if winter tires are equipped. Currently the car runs and drives but when the temperature drops below -5 C the thermostat sticks open and we dont get any heat. Id recommend this car to anyone.

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  Mazda missed some small stuff - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By CoronaRob - January 8 - 5:23 pm

  A fun and sporty car to drive. Replaced a 90 Protege. The 16" tires are nice but the originals (Dunlaps) only lasted 30K. Bought replacements online (Kuhomo) that are 2x better at half the cost. Could use a 6th gear or taller 5th with 3500 rpm @ 70mph the hwy mileage is low 30s. Cup holders only in front and are terrible. No variable setting on the wipers. A lot of road noise (just like the 90). Would have liked a trunk release on the remote. There should have been a power lock switch on the passenger side. Even with the shortcomings I would buy this car again in a minute. My kids are fighting over who gets it when we get rid of it.

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  Best Car I have owned - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By mazdafan8 - January 3 - 5:46 pm

  I love my Mazda. I bought it used in 2004 with 25,000 miles on it. It now has 88,000 miles. I have only replaced brake pads, tires and one hose in addition to oil changes. My engine runs flawlessly. I get better than rated mileage. She handles great for a sub-compact. Has road feel instead of the numb feedback of a Toyota. The stick is smooth with shifts. Seats are comfortable. I will keep it until it dies since it has no resell value. I hope to get at least another two years.