Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  My Mazda - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By LinRay - October 31 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car I have owned. It gets great gas mileage. Very nicely designed out and in!!

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  Too bad they stopped making them. - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By katolu - October 26 - 10:00 am

  I test drove the Ford Focus and VW GTI prior to the Mazda. The Ford and VW were cramped (Im 62") while the P5 was very roomy. Im quite happy with the vehicle, however it does lack power and torque. All things being equal Id buy it again.

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  Kick @$$ Ride - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By crashnburn - October 22 - 2:00 am

  This ride is sweeeet. I love how it handles and its get up and go power.... Damn beautiful too. The only reason why I would get rid of it is to snag a new Nissan 350z or Mazda RX-8.

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  OUTSTANDING VALUE - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By dmarsh - October 1 - 8:16 pm

  Purchased car used from the original owner in June 06. Car had only 15k on the odometer. Ride & handling are exceptional. My P5 is a 5 speed & I consistently average 30 mpg around town. Exterior fit & finish is terrific while the interior materials are comparable to those found in more expensive cars. The car feels tight & solid. Layout of all instruments is very intuitive. Red illuminated instrumentation is easy to read and looks sporty too. I absolutely love this car & find it to be superior to many of the small & midsize cars that GM currently manufactures (I am a former 15-year GM employee). This is not sour grapes, just the truth. Great engineering & content planning by the Mazda team!

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  Awesome... - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Talis - September 30 - 11:13 pm

  I bought my Protege5 to replace my first car (a 94 Grand Am). I looked at used and new cars all over NJ, but when I saw this dark blue baby sitting in the back lot I fell in love. My Protege5 is basic with only floor mats and wheel locks added. I love the 5 speed tranny, but I sometimes wish I had 6 to row, and the buzzy 2.0L is lack luster after about 70mph (and 3500rpm in 5th). The rear eats up just about everything and my 6ft-something friend can sit in the back (short trips only) with little complaint. The radio and HVAC controls are VERY easy to use.

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  Couldnt ask for more - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By mfs - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Bought my P5 brand new, and couldnt be happier with it 7 years later. No one can believe it has 178,000 miles on it, it still looks and runs great. Havent had to do anything to it other than maintenance. Average 34 MPG during summer, 30 in the winter on my mostly highway commute. Road noise louder than avg, but nothing you dont get used to. Have to pay a little extra for tires, but thats more than made up for with what I save in gas and repairs. Great Car.

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  What a bargain! - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Climbhi - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Incredible brakes and handling. The tiptronic transmission makes an otherwise so-so 4 speed automatic more than tolerable. The car is built incredibly well. Fit and finish are Lexus quality. Interior driver controls are excellent, ride is smooth and communcative, outward vision excellent. Talk about a car that is easy to drive. It provides a sense of sureness.

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  Buy Now! - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By DMC - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Fun, fast, great value. Why doesnt every car maker produce cars like this? Nothing else in its class even comes close (and Ive owned all of the others).

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  Zoom zoom - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By STS28540 - July 21 - 1:16 pm

  Ever since I was a kid I always wanted a Mazda for the cool little catch phrase in the commercial "Zoom-Zoom" It wasnt until last year that a station wagon could really have the power to go like this one does, there is a huge stabilizer bar under the hood so I can take incredible turns. I am so satisfied with this car, however because they are discontinued I am not sure if I would like to buy another Mazda, I am considering the new 6 but we will see in time. Mine is a 5-speed Manual and I have the issue with cup holders, they are in a REALLY bad place you hit them all the time and I cut my finger open the other day on a cup. All I can say is ZOOM-ZOOM.

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  One Year Ownership Review - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Bruce Lee - July 19 - 10:00 am

  This is a follow-up report. When I first bought the car in May 2002. I travel back and forth from Northern and Southern Californa and must drive the "grapvine" highway which has steep climbs. I get great enjoyment see all SUVs speed drop when going up this hill beause they drive so fast. My 5 maintains its speed. I read that the 5 is underpowered. I disagree. It has more useable power daily driving than the Matix. I own a muscle car which is faster, but the 5 is a better overall daily driver. Plus, the car doesnt jerk at 10 mph as stated by the USA TODAY auto reviewer. After 1 year, I cannot ask for any more from this car.