Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  A drivers car - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By lanshahan - March 21 - 10:00 am

  After two fun years with the Protege ES I can report that this cars best feature is the well developed suspension. The steering provides great feedback, and is properly weighted.Brakes are up to the task even with the low tech drums out back. The motor is adequate but who doesnt want more power. Styling is clean both exterior and interior and is holding up well to the rigors of the day to day grind. On the downside I have found that this is a noisy car and I have had to add some insulation to the rear panel and doors. Additionally I had the vehicle undercoated. I have also had to solve a couple of rattle/buzz issues.

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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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  great car - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By JENJEN - June 14 - 2:00 am

  i bought a late model 2000 in early 2001 and got a great deal on it w/ upgrades included. it has a roomy interior, great handling, good highway gas mileage, a nice redesign (looks classier), large trunk space, good layout of controls and they are easy to use. hp has improved from previous years. overall, its an excellent low- cost, reliable and fun car compared to other small sedans!

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  great car - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By jenjen - June 14 - 2:00 am

  i bought a late model 2000 in early 2001 and got a great deal on it w/ upgrades included. it has a roomy interior, great handling, good highway gas mileage, a nice redesign (looks classier), large trunk space, good layout of controls and they are easy to use. hp has improved from previous years. overall, its an excellent low- cost, reliable and fun car compared to other small sedans!

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  Thank God for extended warrenties! - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By fallen_angel - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Mazda brand new and I loved all the extras my Mazda had..it was fully loaded.I am in sales and am in my car for hours a day. The seats get uncomfortable after a while. Thank god for the extended warrenty because as soon as the factory warrenty expired I started having problems.Every time I took it to the dealer to be fixed they said it was fine, or they fixed it...but they didnt. Also,it was the worst car I have ever driven in the snow. It would slide all over the place and do 360s into snow banks when it wasnt even bad out.

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  Nothing but problems - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By Kassie - March 28 - 1:13 am

  This is my third and final Mazda that I will ever own. I have had nothing but problems with it in one way or another since I drove it off the lot.

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  2000 Mazda Protege - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By Monica - January 19 - 2:46 pm

  The only maintenance I have had to have on this vehicle were a recall and routine maintenance. The recall was an oxygen sensor on the emissions system, and before that was replaced, I had to take it in a lot. However, it was covered under the warranty. The Mazda CD player has a mind of its own, though and is very finicky about what it plays.

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  LotsaMiles - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By tedg - January 18 - 10:00 am

  We have had this car since it was new 11 years ago - it replaced another just like it that died on us, and it now has 224,500 miles on it. Though we are looking for a new vehicle, we plan to keep this one as a second vehicle for use locally. I was amazed that you give mpg as 25 - 27; weve never gotten less than 32, usually more, up to 38! Perhaps part of that is my exclusive use of Mobil 1 oil; with the vagaries of gas pump shut-offs, regardless, I feel 34-35 mpg is what we have (and continue to get) for mileage. Driving its been a pleasure, though its showing signs of age - noisiness, mostly.

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  This car needs a soul - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By icantdrive55 - January 7 - 2:00 am

  This is a good car for everyday driving, however it wont do much more than that. Whenever you need that extra oomph there is nothing there, and downshifting hardly does anything but make more noise. Overall it is a good car but it just seems to be lacking, maybe that ES would be better or even the new MazdaSpeed. I just wish it had some character to stand out from the rest of the everyday commuters.

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  perfect reliability - 2000 Mazda Protege
  By mark - September 24 - 12:23 am

  Bought car new. Have never had any problem in 5 years. Everything has always worked perfectly. Has excellent steering feel and corners well. I like the stiff springs. It can carry 4 people without noticing the extra weight. Gas mileage with stick shift is about 30 for the worst city conditions and 40 for the best highway conditions with very careful driving using 5th gear often. I use 92 octane gas, because 87 octane will knock slightly when accelerating up hill. Engine will last longer with 92 octane. Road noise is high on coarse surfaces.