Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

• 

  Replacement for my 2001 Nissan Sentra - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By kim - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I have a ES fully loaded and really love everything about this car. I liked my Sentra but this car has got it beat (looks, ride, handling). I was originally looking at the Honda Civic but after driving the Mazda - there is no comparison. The 3 year 50,000 mile warranty and price is better too.

• 

  Replacement for my 2001 Nissan Sentra - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By Kim - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I have a ES fully loaded and really love everything about this car. I liked my Sentra but this car has got it beat (looks, ride, handling). I was originally looking at the Honda Civic but after driving the Mazda - there is no comparison. The 3 year 50,000 mile warranty and price is better too.

• 

  Few minor problems BUT still love car!! - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By Sherry2004 - October 4 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car but I have had a few mishaps. First, two Dunlop tires were damaged after a mishap with a curb and not too hard of a hit. The tire walls were damaged after 9 months of owning the car. No warranty on the tires and Dunlop would not consider the tires to be defective. A small part broke on the cars heating fan, CD has started to skip but was covered under warranty. The service at the dealership has been impeccable.

• 

  MyProtege - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By ChipDE - September 4 - 1:33 am

  This car is the best sedan I have come across - very sporty and very cute. I have wanted one since 1994 and it is well worth the wait. Great buy!

• 

  GREAT, SNAPPY & SAFE HANDLER - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By BOB FISHER - July 4 - 2:26 pm

  This compact is wonderful to drive. It has great appointments, lots of room and comfort for front and back passengers. The upholstery is very serviceable. The drop down rear seatbacks allow me to carry 8 2X4s when needed. I tried laying down to see if I could sleep in the car, but the trunk section is about 3" lower than the seat backs and the top of the opening to the trunk is not high enough to clear me lying on my side with an air vent under me to cushion the drop-down into the trunk. Oh, well. I miss my van, but the 28 mpg average is not hard to take. I love this car.

• 

  Great Car For the Money - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By mung35 - June 4 - 9:00 am

  After having gone 1500 miles in the last month in this car, Ive come to know it fairly well. It has a lot of zip and performs great in all conditions. Awesome cornering and acceleration, great build quality and everything feels like it was made from premium materials. With that said, it has a few quirks. Clutch makes a strange noise when engaged below 1500 rpm. Also, fabric of the seats charges up your clothes and you so that the car shocks you everytime you reach for the door. Gas mileage isnt up to par with the Honda/Toyota counterparts; however those two lack the zip necessary to make a car fun. Being a previous Civic owner, I can vouch.

• 

  I Recommend the 5sp Man DX - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By Marty - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Got this car for $12K after factory rebate and negociations(A/C and CD included). Fun to drive. Good fuel economy. Makes my wifes 97 Altima seem sluggish. Brakes are very good. Handling is very good and gives a real sense of confidence. Takes a few weeks to become accustom to the stiff shocks. Seats are comfortable but seem to be of cheap build quality. Mazda appears to have great customer support.

• 

  I Recommend the 5sp Man DX - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By marty - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Got this car for $12K after factory rebate and negociations(A/C and CD included). Fun to drive. Good fuel economy. Makes my wifes 97 Altima seem sluggish. Brakes are very good. Handling is very good and gives a real sense of confidence. Takes a few weeks to become accustom to the stiff shocks. Seats are comfortable but seem to be of cheap build quality. Mazda appears to have great customer support.

• 

  Civic Alternative - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By Brian Burchanowski - January 5 - 3:30 pm

  Bought this car used in Jan 06 with 26,000 miles. This car is a bargain compared to the Civic--you get the same quality and reliability without paying for the name! Plus, the Protege has a 2.0L instead of a Civics 1.8. My car has the five speed and acceleration is excellent for an economy car. The engine is peppy and revs freely, with a satisfying exhaust note. The car is fun to drive and is easy throw around back roads. Steering feedback and braking are also excellent (it might be worth splurging on the ES to get rear disks though). As for reliability, between the previous owner and myself the car has only ever needed oil changes and one set of rotors and pads.

• 

  overall, a great bang for the buck! - 2002 Mazda Protege
  By MazdaProtege1 - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for a year and a half and have absolutely fell in love with it. The ride is quiet and smooth and the placement of eveything is wonderful. Its so fun to drive down the road, especially with the wonderful stereo system and the comfortable seats. And the best part about it is that its like riding in a Lexus, but for thousands less than a Honda. Hondas are cheaper, in my opinion, and have horrible styling. This car offers style, comfort, affordablitiy, and dependability.