Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Protege5 - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By broeli - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Real nice overall car, but needs a little more horsepower.

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  Hubby has the last laugh . . . - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By TReegs - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I was drawn to the P5 from the first moment I saw it. Prior to that, I had a Matrix in mind.On the road its obvious The P5 is a superior looking automobile. The P5 was the smartest choice we could have made. Loaded with options & priced lower than anything in itsclass.I found the ride was strange at first, because I was used to a more plush ride in our Concorde LXI (o.k.-my wifes car) Also, because I had never owned a Mazda before. Now I look forward to hopping in every morning and zipping to work. My wife is equally impressed & has asked me if I want to switch off and take the Chrysler some days. I have to keep myself from giggling, "thats okay honey, Ill take the Mazda . . .

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  the perfect car - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By happyP5 - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I have owned many cars. None have performed like my Protege5. It is fun; it is roomy; and it has never needed any significant work. I take long trips with it. I use it for weekend ski trips, kayak trips, canoe trips, camping, and every day to and from work. At 90,000 miles, I paid about $1000 to have a total overhaul including new timing belt/chain. Other than that, Ive never done anything more than routine oil changes. I dont think the newer Mazda 3 is this good. In fact, its about $5k more (I bought my protege5 for $14,999) and not as good quality and not as fun. Im a lucky man! Oh, the cd stopped working, so I have an aftermarket Sony stereo. Everything else is stock.

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  Needs more horses! - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By cactusrose - February 17 - 10:00 am

  This car is a hoot to drive, or it wold be, if it had a bigger engine. Everything about this car says "zippy" - the looks, the tires and especially the chassis. But when the pedal is down, wheres the zoom zoom we hear about? It just feels like an underpowered rental in the engine department. Kick the ponies up north of 175 and this car will perform like it looks and handles.

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  Finally A Spriting Affordable Wagon - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By JJ - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Absolute blast to drive and I get comments often on how good looking it is. The downside its not as well built as our 2001 Honda Civic. The protege5 has more annoyances at 2,000 miles than our Civic at 13,000 (these include windows that go up an down at different rates, some squeaks and rattles, and the drivers side window makes some weird sound.) The engine is adequate with lots of lower end torque, but kinda fights revving in the higher rpms. I just think its first year quirks thatll hopefully be addressed.

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  Finally A Spriting Affordable Wagon - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By jj - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Absolute blast to drive and I get comments often on how good looking it is. The downside its not as well built as our 2001 Honda Civic. The protege5 has more annoyances at 2,000 miles than our Civic at 13,000 (these include windows that go up an down at different rates, some squeaks and rattles, and the drivers side window makes some weird sound.) The engine is adequate with lots of lower end torque, but kinda fights revving in the higher rpms. I just think its first year quirks thatll hopefully be addressed.

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  The most fun car I have ever owned - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By J.J. - January 28 - 1:40 pm

  i bought my Protege5 used with 47,000 miles, and its the most fun to drive car Ive ever owned! Its a sports car in hatchback (its a not station wagon) clothes. This car easily satisfies conflicting requirements. It has quick reflexes, goes, stops, and steers very well, and its a blast to drive down a mountain road. It also has plenty of room for cargo, and can seat 4 medium sized adults comfortably. I only wish it had a better sounding stereo and about 30 or 40 more hp. I get great gas mileage, better than the 25 city 31 hwy rating. I average at least 30 mpg doing about 80% city driving. I would recommend this car to anyone who wants a sports car but needs the interior space of a hatchback.

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  Get one while you still can - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By mkaresh - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Great looking and very fun to drive. The engine is powerful enough to be fun with the manual but not so powerful that its easy to get into trouble. Steering and handling are outstanding. The interior looks much nicer with leather. Its roomy for such a small car--I currently have three child seats in the back. Engine a bit rough and noise levels are relatively high at highway speeds. Ride can be busy, but better than my test drive led me to expect. Overall, an amazing car considering how much I paid ($13,343 with ABS, leather, and sunroof).

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  MP5 more than I expected - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Jesse Unger - January 14 - 2:00 am

  This car is solid. ROCK SOLId. It has so many amenities that other japanese manufacturers can seem to peroduce. th eoptions are wide- ranging and the stiff suspension is awsome.

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  BANG BANG BANG - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By mnkyboy - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Theres alot more where that came from! This car truly give you the MOST bang for your buck. It has superior styling compared to other cars in its class, and the sports car handling is spectacular. I own a Vivid Yellow, and this car turns lots of heads. Expect a big aftermarket for this car and the standard protege in a year or so. A lot of people complain about the power and how it could use more. I personally think its more than enough for the avg person. How often would you use that extra 20-30 hp? With this car, you wont be in a hurry to get anywhere...