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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  Fun little car - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By LuvMyP5 - October 23 - 9:06 am

  I bought this car used, and have loved it ever since. Very reliable - the car has 80k miles on it, and other than normal wear n tear, everything is great! Its a blast to drive, and I really look for curves to really enjoy the handling.

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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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  iamzs review - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By iamz - September 5 - 3:26 pm

  With the P5, Mazda gave me the form I was looking for and did not sacrifice function one bit. Some have complained that the 130 horses and 135 ft-lbs of torque tucked under the hood, are not enough. Well, I have not found that to be the case. The torque comes in nice and low and churns out nicely. The handling is near perfect. It seems at times, the harder you push the P5 into a curve, the more stable and flat she becomes.

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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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  Great fun to drive car - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Jezz - August 18 - 2:00 am

  This car never gets old. Every time you drive its like the very first time. The gear ratios are a little short, 4th and 5th gear could be taller, but the car handles great, and is loads of fun. Interior is on par with a german luxury car, good finish on all the trim and plastic on the dash and interior. the entire car is just designed and put together with thought.

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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.