Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Best sport-compact wagon available - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By magicjnkie - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Simply all out FUN TO DRIVE!! I sampled each of the comparable vehicles:PT Cruiser, Focus & the Matrix/Vibe twins...taking each for an extended test drive...then I made my choice... The Mazda may be just a touch short on power...but the 130 HP it does provide comes on strong & willing & SMOOTH...The steering is absolutely the high point...just point & go...response from the wheel is accurate & firm. The suspension is tight & grippy..this car was made for cornering! What about the price? Mine came loaded with sunroof, chrome alloys & the compass/self dimming mirror.. all for $16,200...try getting all this in a Matrix!!

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  great little car - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Lnmop - March 3 - 10:00 am

  This is a great little car with lots of good features at a good price. I wish that the trunk was a bigger (it is really really tiny) and that the leather was a little nicer, but what can you expect for 17K? The sound system is great and it is really fun to drive!

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  MP5 Zoom Zoom - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By YellowPro5 - February 26 - 8:20 am

  Great car for little money. You will have fun in it.

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  great, cheap, good-looking car - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By patcmcd - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Great bang for the buck; who needs a more expensive car even if you have the money?

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  Do you have this too? - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By vasq - January 22 - 2:00 am

  Im guilty for crying out loud. I walk away from the car and check it out as I am going along. Its so hot. But theres a hitch: its 2 months old and makes a rattling/almost low clatter when the engines cold, does yours? The dealership denies it(took it in 2X) but is obvious as hell. Started about a month after I got it. Besides that, LOVE IT!

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  Awesome car - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Jkb - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Awesome little car if u know what u want it for , not much cargo space when u have people sitting in the back seat ..the car is a lot of fun to drive not much power but trust me it gives u a nice feeling when u accelerate.

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  great idea - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Ericgpayne - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my protege since 10-2001 and have only had minor hiccups that would be expected when a car is driven as hard as I drive this thing. I have gone through 3 sets of tires, changed the engine mounts, upgraded the brakes and have plans to use some sort of forced indution in the near future. The car still rides as if I bought it last week despite having 89,000 on the clock. Great car.

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  Bolt-on mods - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Craig - January 9 - 3:26 am

  I read all of the reviews on this car on Edmunds.com AFTER I purchased it and have noticed a recurring suggested improvement: power. I agree. The engine is rated at 142 horsepower stock but what it needs is more mid-range power and torque. After installing Racing Beats cat-back exhaust system and K&Ns Typhoon Intake the Protege5 not only sounds great but now produces just the right amount of power and torque at the RPMs I prefer: 3000 to 5000. The Protege5 is a sports car at heart, it just wants to breathe better. Whats better is that the intake and exhaust were not that difficult to install -- floor-jack, jack-stands and metric tools are all you need; just follow the directions!

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  a true - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Gwa71 - December 30 - 10:00 am

  The best thing I can say about this car is that it is soooooo much fun to drive. The most fun is found on a deserted curvy road and the least fun is found sitting in traffic. This car begs to run.

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  Mazda Protege5 - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By 323familia - December 8 - 10:20 pm

  Best car I have ever owned hands down. Needs a little more power, but overall great car!