Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Getting more for what you are paying - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By Met - December 25 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my car with 4 discounts combined, CustomerCash, AutoShowDiscount, CollegeGrad, ManufacturerDiscount. I checked 2003 Corollas, but, smaller in size and gets more expensive with the options. Protege is fun to drive compact sedan.

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  My Mazda Protege - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By Kay - December 18 - 5:36 pm

  My 2000 Mazda Protege has been wonderful to drive. I have replaced the front brakes and all four tires. Also the windshield wipers. I have 68,000 miles on it. I live in Florida and drove it to Des Moines, IA in September of 2002. It handled very good with excellent gas mileage. I have a stick transmission. The A/C runs very cold. I am very satisfied with it.

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  Better than a Civic - 1999 Mazda Protege
  By JessieM - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Got this car in 01. Build quality and reliability have been top notch. Acceleration is lacking by most standards. This car however dose make up for that. From baseline to ES you wont find *any* front wheel drive car more manuverable through corners, quicker through a slalom, and all around sure footed. All with the stock chassie, tires, shocks, springs and sway bars. Due to the stiff chassie, bumps are not always subtle; depending on the bump. As Car and Driver says about the Protege. Its an average for passangers. Its great for drivers...

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  Gets ahead, stays ahead - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By Daro - November 20 - 10:16 am

  Have you ever taken the curves on Lower Wacker Drive or on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago? Have you ever tried to enter a busy metropolitan expressway at the speed of traffic - say, 75 mph before the end of the entrance ramp? This car does it. It adheres tightly to curves and accelerates smartly into traffic. Great gas mileage, strong performance, enduring reliability, roomy interior, and distinctive looks combine to make the MP3, all at once, both affordable basic transportation and a pleasurable driving experience.

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  Transmission failed - 2003 Mazda Protege
  By t2k - November 11 - 7:06 pm

  The transmission started growling as the warranty expired. Front wheel bearings seized up. Had to replace brake rotors due to rust. Too many problems in its young life. Traded it in on a Mazda6.

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  Great little Sedan - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By TylerA - November 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought this for my wife and the newborn. It has been trouble free for almost four years. One problem with a power window was fixed under warranty and took about 45 minutes at the dealership. A recall on the ignition coils was just as timely to get replaced. Car always starts and handles very well. Get 30 MPG with a 5 spd averaging 70 on the highway.

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  High Value budget sports sedan - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By movieye - November 4 - 10:00 am

  In LA, with gas pushing past $2.50 a gallon, I decided to replace my 2000 BMW 325 with something fun to drive but economical. I was delighted to find a 2002 Protege ES with only 8800 miles on it at a Toyota dealership. 5-speed, moonroof, 6-CD stereo - the Protege is a blast to drive - much more responsive than the BMW! I wish it had leather but for the money, I can always add leather later. Great buy. Ive seen people complain about its gas mileage, but Im coming from a premium gas 6-cylinder BMW that drank $40/tank so this is a major improvement.

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  This one is a lemon - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By Miyah - September 23 - 8:03 am

  My wife bought this car because it was rated a consumer best buy. I think we want our money back on that one. This car has had the radiator replaced at 2 years the power locks at 2 and half years something dealing with the steering replaced at 4 years and numerous issues with the links on the overside of the car rusting out and breaking. It would be easy to blame the driver but she actually has taken very good care of this car; it is just a lemon. I dont think I would pay a Mazda price to get Ford quality. Also, why would Mazda put racing tires that cost $140 each on a 125hp small seda. Makes no sense and I never thought about the tires until going to get new ones.

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  Still enjoying my Protege ES - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By KimO - September 13 - 2:00 am

  My first new car was the Protege precedent 323 in 1988. When I needed a new car last year for commuting to work 26 miles each way, I turned to the Protege. I have not been disappointed after driving it for the past 1 year and 4 months, and putting 23K on it. It is really a fun car to drive and you get a lot for your money.

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  Good Car - 1999 Mazda Protege
  By cs2ba - September 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought my protege in April of 2001 with 30,000 now it has 78,000 miles. I have racked the miles up fast but I have to say the car has ran great. I only had one problem with the car at about 45,000 and that is a seal when out on the trans. and all the fluid leaked out. I have also changed the oil every 3,000. It was fixed by mazda and the car is running great. I would have to say that I would buy another Mazda.