Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Incredible! - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By flowbee - July 20 - 10:00 am

  This is one awesome car. Like one gentleman below, I was looking a Tribute. The Tribute is a great deal, but then I saw the Vibe and thought Id try it. The 130hp engine on the regular Vibe didnt do it for me, so I thought Id check out the 180hp GT. Then I tried the Protege 5. Wow! Much better than a Vibe. Definitely much smaller than the Tribute, but this thing is loaded, a lot cheaper, has better gas mileage, has sufficient room for my needs, and sportier. I thought Id be severely disappointed, coming from an Acura CL with 225 horses. But I was wrong! This thing kicks. Reminds me of my 1998 Acura Integra but has more room. Buy it! You wont be disappointed.

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  One good car - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By musicman - July 13 - 10:00 am

  This is one fun to drive car. It handles very well and looks great. Its very good on gas and has shown to be very capable of handling a wide veriity of loads. I used to drive a Honda Civic Si and this is more of a family car. The Honda was a great car, but so far the Mazda has proved to be more useful and as reliable.

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  i ve fallen in luv with this car - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By pr5rox - July 13 - 10:00 am

  gotta love sport tuned suspension,, nice braking , good acceleration considering its a wagon, 130 hp 2.0 dohc engine feels like it got enuff power to deliver for me yet its got low gas /mileage ,, the same engine is used for tribute th mazda suv dx model) and i like that th power packages and lots o other goodies come in standard. plus i ve got best deal which i m paying like only 450 dollars above the invoice price with like 4 options plu 0% apr and 0 money down or 48 months yeah^^

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  Cant complain - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Tammy - July 12 - 7:36 am

  Have 27,000 miles on my car and needed new tires. Cost over $700 to replace... ouch! I like the looks and feel of this car and no troubles except has had problems staying in alignment. Choppier ride than I care for but Ive been in worse cars.

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  Zoom-Zoom! - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By adam - July 7 - 4:26 pm

  Bought this car brand new in spring of 03 and couldnt be happier with it. I have kept up with most suggested maintenance and oil changes and have not had to service at all except for brake pads! Car has over 60,000 miles and is running wonderfully. Pickup is still excellent, as is fuel economy. LOVE the six disc in-dash CD changer and the stereo quality is good for stock. Only problem is that FM reception isnt the best.

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  A complete downgrade - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Vanishing Boy - July 4 - 10:00 am

  I was supposed to own a 2004 Mazda3 s 5-door but the dealership ripped me off and landed to this car. This car is mediocre in every way and dissapointing at limit. The stock tires doesnt grip submitting the car to plow on each corner. Engine power is smooth not fast and torque-less, thrashy at limit. At least every time my friends seat on the front passenger seat they end up taking a nap which is good, that means that the seats are very comfy. The steering and engine response are very responsive (although the steering has a slow feed back.

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  Not reliable or maybe not lucky!!! - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Sam - June 21 - 7:16 pm

  I bought the car 4 years ago. Recently, the engine started making a loud sound and it seems that it may cost me over $1200 to repair it (with only 86,000 miles on the engine). I was hoping to keep the car longer. At this level not sure if Im willing to spend that much money on a car thats only 4 years old. What would happen in few months if I fix the car! Would it brake again! This is a major maintenance for a car this new. So I would have to say that Mazda Protege5 is not a reliable car or Im an unlucky guy! I hope my comments helped.

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  Fun, quirky hatch - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By threeer - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Love the way this car handles the twisties! Its always cool to lift the hood and see the strut brace. Continue to be impressed with the room inside. Layout is logical. On the down side, disappointed in the gas mileage, as well as long-term driving comfort. Its very busy at higher speeds, and tends to drone on.

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  Fun, inexpensive & practical little car - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Lee - May 16 - 5:13 am

  They only made this car for 2 years, which is a shame. Its been replaced by the Mazda 3, which is supposedly more refined, better performing, etc .- but they probably didnt need to. Although not blazingly fast, its still "peppy" off the line, and a great deal of fun to drive in almost any situation. Easily hold 4 people in comfort, has an easily attachable roof rack (if yours doesnt already have it) for bikes, skis, etc, and folding down the back seats allow for tons of stuff to be carried. Its definitely sport oriented, so luxury style comfort drivers might not enjoy it as much. For cheap fun, it cant be beat. Car & Driver thinks so too.

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  MAZDA fun - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By ray&kay - May 9 - 10:00 am

  We recently bought a MAZDA protege5. After test driving the MATRIX and the Ford Focus this was our choice. Sportsy car, nice suspension and lots of standard options. Cargo space is a bit small for a wagon, but it keeps the car small for parking. Lowering the back seats gives you enough space. Nice mixture of wagon, small SUV and sportsy car.