Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Still happy after 4 years! - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By J-man - March 25 - 8:13 pm

  Bought this loaded out ES model new in 2003 w/ nearly 4K off sticker. My wife drove the car daily but now after 4 yrs its my car. Very fun daily driver. Always liked the sporty firm suspension. Very nice road/steering feed back. Like a 4 dr miata! :o) We took a 12 hr trip and Im a 6 footer so it was a bit too cramped after a few hours (lots of breaks). Ideal small car for most uses. Car still looks sharp after 4 years, and still happy! Gas mileage is near the sticker claim of 30-32 hwy. The small tank means affordable $35 fill-ups @$3/gal. Great Mazda reliabilty and no maintenance issues so far. Still have orig. brake pads after 49k miles. Highly recommend this car for anyone!!

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  Great Car - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By MSP - March 15 - 12:16 am

  The protege is a great car. Alot of people like civics and other cars, but the Protege is simply on the the best compact cars made in 03. When I purchased my protege I knew it would be a nice car. But I was really suprised how much fun it was to drive and what a great car it is. I would never have gotten anything different.

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  top of the line ES - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Unitenyc - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Black Mazda Protege ES in December 2003. the retail price was $18,050, I got a $2,500 rebate and hagggled hard. I got it for 13,000 before taxes. I think that is remarkable. It came with every option except sunroof and anti-lock brakes, but the 4 wheel disc brakes have massive stopping power. It has 16" aluminum alloy wheels and Dunlop tires! Halogen headlights! All around a great car and I feel I got alot of car for the money. Much cheaper than honda civic and toyota corolla. But they cant compare to this car. Mazda should have never stopped making this car. I would ONLY purchase the ES. It is a finely made, fun to drive, easy to own auto.

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  Better then the competition - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Mazda Boy - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Never looked at Mazda before but am I impressed.This car offers more standard equipment then the competition.Love the look of the car front and rear.checked out toyota and honda both seem bland to me.We bought the Lx and we always get compliments on the color and interior space.What impressed me most has been the build quality of mazda.I have always bought american vehicles but I was impressed on how tight this vehicle rides and corners.You wont go wrong buying this car!!!!!! I highly recommend it.FUN>FUN

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  Happy to zoom - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By English Guy - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I drove the spec v, the corolla s, the matrix, the vibe gt, the mini, the wrx, and many other cars. Why didnt someone just tell me about the Protege and save me the trouble? Yeah, the WRX is awesome, but its about six grand more. The MINI is fun, but who can you share the fun with? Your smallest friends? Great car!

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  2003 protege - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By dcastillo - January 2 - 10:00 am

  This car is more than what i expected. It has great looks and enough power to move in and out of traffic on the freeway. Handles beautifully.

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  It really is the fun to drive car.... - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By ZoomZoom02072 - December 30 - 2:00 am

  This Car is really the fun to drive car. This is the first car that I bought, I had been driving a 1991 Ford with 136,000 miles. I bought a pre- owned Mazda Protege that had 8601 miles on it. Its a 2000. It really Zoom like the Mazda ads say.... I know have a 2000 ES with all the features I wanted. When first looking for cars, I want a Civic badly! I couldnt afford a Civic with a Moonroof, CD player and keyless entry wiht low milage. I came across this WONDERFUL car in my range and I LOVE IT!

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  So Far - Luvin It - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By DWolfe - December 30 - 2:00 am

  So far, have had the car less than a week. I admit - I love it. while it could use more HP (I think every one is in agreement on that) - it is a blast to drive. Handles fantastic. Right now I look for excuses to drive it around - normally it would just be for the commute.

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  I love my car - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Panda723 - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Out of a honda civic and a ford mustang, this has been the best car yet. I have had very few problems with the car, and the warranty is awesome.

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  Simply the best compact car ever! - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By Brett Hall - December 9 - 5:16 pm

  The 2003 Mazda Protege ES has been one of the very best cars Ive ever driven or owned. It is rock solid, fun to drive, sporty (power and looks), and gets great gas mileage. Ive heard that the Mazda 3 is even better, and without a doubt that will be the next car I purchase. Ive driven the 2003 Honda Civic, 2003 Toyota Corolla, 2003 Hyundai Elantra, and a couple of domestics. Id rank them as follows: 1. Mazda Protege 2. Toyota Corolla 3. Honda Civic 4. any domestic compact 5. Hyundai Elantra If there is a weakness of the sporty Protege ES, it would be that the Honda and Toyota are more comfortable to drive on long trips. We prefer to take our mivivan on such trips.