Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

• 

  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).

• 

  Outstanding Car! - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Delbert Mazda - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Very impressed. Great handling, very reliable, good performance. I love the silver with the dark interior. Closer to a hatch than a wagon.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  My first car - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Brian - July 9 - 7:33 am

  I picked my P5 up used from a dealership for about $10k. Couldnt be happier. It fits all my stuff for college, while it is a blast to push through twisties. Decent fuel economy.

• 

  Matrix? PAH! - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Edgewater Joe - July 4 - 2:00 am

  Thought about the Matrix, but this blew it away! Its handsome, its hot, it turns on a dime -- this is going to be a wise blast!

• 

  A good experience - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By p5sd - June 19 - 10:13 am

  The only real negatives about this car are in the performance and maybe the size, although interior space appear to be plenty for most people. All the car needs is about 20 more horsepower to compete against other cars. This car is absolutely fun to drive. The gear ratio is a little on the low side which suits city drivers well, I guess.

• 

  fun to drive, engine keeps you honest - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By snausage - June 14 - 10:00 am

  In another 2 weeks, I will have owned my P-5 for three years. Its been very reliable, gas mileage is decent, and its fun to drive. The only downside, aside from the tire issue, is the lackluster engine performance. My previous car, an Acura Integra, had a very torquey engine. You step on the gas and the car moves. Trying to get the P-5 to accerate out of a turn or pass traffic on a two lane highway is often very frustrating. You have to rev the engine really high to get the car to move with authority, and then the engine is growling like Im some 17 year old punk trying to run grandma off the road. I guess Im getting too old to settle for economy car performance.

• 

  Mazda Protoge5 Review - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Concetta Marotta - June 8 - 12:16 am

  I have had a good driving experience with this car. However, I had to get used to the handling of the car, since it is a sport car and it is quick to respond.

• 

  Fun and affordable - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Guntherdriver - May 31 - 10:00 am

  This car was a gift for attending an in-state school, and the money saved from the lower tuition went to this purchase. This has been an amazingly reliable car for all my needs, be it packing it with people for a night out, or carrying a load of surfboards.