Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Great cheap car - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By RDB - January 3 - 8:53 pm

  Bought this car about 6 months ago when it had 90k miles, it now has just over 100k miles and I couldnt be happier. Not a thing went wrong with it. Very great reliable car. Inexpensive to repair. I average about 25mpg in the city and around 31-32 on the highway. Small compact car makes it easy to park compared to moms van. Mazda really nailed this car! I also added a Mazdaspeed protege kit (front and rear bumper and spoiler) for less than $500. I plan on getting coilovers for about $300. Good kids car. I drive this car around to deliver pizza, it starts up every times and lasts for a longtime without maintence. It has never left me stranded either.

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  Protege steps to the plate. - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By Chuckie - December 26 - 10:00 am

  The Protege needed a face lift. Here it is! Civics were murdering the market but now it seems Mazda has something to compete with. This youthful vehicle drives smooth and comfortably with room for five. The appeal is not only to the low income single home family. It appeals to all who have ideals of street racing or the savy to drive through town screaming "Hey look at me! Sexy as I wanna be." Young adults as well as older individuals feel spirited when they get behind the wheel. Mazda hit a homerun this year.

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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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  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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  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.

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  So in love - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By Gabriela - August 19 - 9:16 am

  Ive had my Protege for almost three years, its my first car and I will never buy anything but a Mazda. I have never had any problems with it except with the oxygen sensor, but I think that was a defect in the the replacement. Gas mileage is under par, especially on the highway. I did have to replace the radio because the volume would go up when I was turning it down and the CD player didnt play burned CDs and I was spending too much money on real CDs. Other than that, P cuts like a jack knife and is so fun to drive. Acceleration is excellent and the interior is perfect, not to mention that the outside is so cute :)