Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Great Standard Options - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By skier - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I have this car about a year and a half and have put a little over 20,00 miles on it. We like snow sports and take long trips almost every weekend. It is comfortable for me and my 62" husband. With the seats down it is very roomy and the uneven split back seat lets you carry people and your skis, boards, etc. The standard options for this car include power windows/locks, a.c., and CD player. I find it very peppy (standard trans) and fun to drive. The interior has held together perfectly considering the use we give it. Gas mieage and acceleration are great for long trips.

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  Must have sport compact car - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By CRSMP5 - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I have had the car for less then 3 months and put 9000 miles on it. I had a V-6 Accord with several aftermarket parts before I bought the P5. The P5 will out-handle the Accord any day of the week. The car is much more stable cornering and gives you confidence entering any corner. The car is under powered, but not terribly slow. Not going to win any drags with this car. The 5-spd revs high and is enjoyable to drive. reat stereo and looks are additional compliments. I have owned Hondas for 10 years now and this was my first Mazda. I am a big fan of the company now and would recommend this over a Civic anyday. Give Mazda a shot - they wont let you down!!

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  great value on great car - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By asterix - May 11 - 10:00 am

  Great car for zipping around town. Fast enough with the 5-speed. Maybe it cause I had a 88 Volvo brick, but I dont thik this car is underpowered (the Volvo was underpowered...). Fit and finish are very nice for the price. Lot of stuff comes standard. Cant lose w/ 0% financing.

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  Follow up review - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By mustangleader - May 7 - 6:26 pm

  After another 18,000 miles since last August when I wrote a review. Car is very reliable and keeps on going. If power is your concern, do modifications as I said in my first review. The cost is nominal and cost effective. Never felt the car was underpowered due to its power band at low rmp, but if you modified as I did, youll have performance, comfort, economy of an everyday go-kart car in high gas mkt.

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  Zoom Zoom...Cheesy but true! - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By EdmundsFan2003 - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Bought the 2003 P5 last month after 6 months of research. Its exactly what this single gal needs! Got rid of a Miata and Saab for my Protege5 (loaded, w/ leather, roof, 6-disc the works) and couldnt be happier with the price, performance, and handling. Highly recommend this versatile, sporty, and (gasp!) economical ride!!

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  A Very Reliable Car - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Nathan - April 24 - 8:33 pm

  I purchased this car used with about 50,000 miles on it. After 2 years and 25,000 more miles, I had absolutely no issues with this car. I couldnt have asked for more for the money that I spent. Leather seats, in-dash CD changer, sunroof... even the stereo system was good. To top it off I averaged around 30 MPG with mixed driving (I thought it would do better but couldnt complain). Unfortunately, I was just rear-ended and the car was totaled. I am seriously considering buying another Mazda as I was very happy with this car.

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  Almost perfect--except transmission - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By HBIII - April 17 - 2:10 pm

  Purchased my P5 brand new in July 2003. Put about 18k miles/yr in highway commuting. No harsh driving, always take it slow and steady. All maintenance performed as required. Everything was great up til 110k miles. The overdrive gear in the automatic transmission failed and I had to replace the AT ($3000). Ive had other Mazdas/Toyotas and nothing like this has ever happened (and shouldnt happen with only 110k mi). Im not sure this is an isolated issue or systemic. Anyway, I really like this car, but reliability is in question. Probably my last Mazda.

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  I love my mp5!!!!! - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By jennphishin - April 11 - 2:00 am

  I love it! I have driven several types and brands of cars over the years, but this beats them all! It handles great! Gets awesome gas mileage! Looks like an import without doing any mods on your own!

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  Best car Ive tested in every respect! - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By abatterbury - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I tested many cars this summer, notably the Impreza and the Matrix--the Pr5 was the best of all of them hands down. Better confort, control, design, features and price (great incentives). I cannot recommend this car enough. Ive owned my own for about a week now and its been unequivicably positive experience. All my friends want one of their own, too.

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  VIVID YELLOW - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By razmonty - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I own a SAAB 9-3 Turbo – if that means anything – but I still find myself asking my girlfriend for the PR5’s keys all the time to “run errands.” Interior/exterior design is excellent and in yellow it looks fast and fun; chick-magnet color. The PR5 - in standard form - still lacks the power for the enthusiast; itll still beat a factory Civic dont get me wrong. As a side note: Its a shame people dont see (BUY) the utility and functionality of a 5-door sedan; i.e. Mazda6. Bottom line: 40 more horses would make this car a must-have sportswagon. Mazdaspeed says that their turbo kit is now available; I’d wait until the warranty expires first.