Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  One of the best - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Mazda Fan - October 9 - 12:43 pm

  Ive owned 6 Mazdas (2 626s, 2 MPVs, Millenia, and this Protege) this is the most fun to drive so far. I loved my Millenia, but I missed having a 5-speed, so I traded it in on the Protege. This car, like all Mazdas, has been very reliable. It is fun to drive and it handles very well. Ive had 2 other verisons of the 2.0L engine. It is an excellent engine and the one in this Protege is the most powerful so far. My son has the same engine in his Ford Escort. Its no match for the power mine produces.

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  Protege 5 (mp5) - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By astra - September 17 - 10:00 am

  great car, best car that i ever drove

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  Just bought my first zoom zoom - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By sweetmetal - September 13 - 1:13 pm

  I have wanted to be the proud owner of a Mazda for a long time. I finally came across one that I could as one person said "pry from someones hands" for a price I could afford. Just as I imagined the adrenaline raced through my veins as I drove it for the first time.. So I am addicted. I am IN LOVE with this car and from the reviews I have read that will not change anytime soon! So far so good.

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  A Blast - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By TheCoop - September 11 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car for 3 weeks now and its fun to drive again. I use the manual shifter for short drives around town and in traffic, and I use the automatic for all other driving. The front seats are extremely comfortable but I miss my arm rest on the center console. The car just hugs the road and the steering feedback is great. A breeze to park, the 6 cd radio sounds great with the 100 watt subwoffer, and I have plenty of headroom with the moonroof and plenty of legroom in front and back. No cup holders in rear is something that should not have happened.

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  Little Wagon that could. - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Huckster357 - September 8 - 8:43 pm

  Exterior is both good looking and functional. Front bumper a little low. Interior nicely excuted and supportive but roof line a little low. Center arm rest needs better placement. Performance: excellent handling & ABS brakes. Engine needs more power. Great versatility w/ individually fold down rear seats. Seat position and pedal placement hard to adjust for maximum comfort. Many bonus extras in a low price package makes it more attractive than its competitors.

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  20,000 and counting...... - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By lovinmymp5 - August 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my mp5 for almost a year and I love it. The build quailty is great, no squeaks or rattles, and the engine has run flawlessly. I drive around 50 miles per day, on country roads, and get 28 mpg. Its a great looking "economy car" for money.

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  Super Fun! - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By C. Z. - August 6 - 10:00 am

  very great car! Its like my cute toy as a child. Very reliable. Never caused any problem for the year. The only thing I feel can be improved is the engine. A couple of dozen hp more would be great.

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  The Best Sports Wagon for the Price - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Teepee - July 30 - 10:00 am

  We bought this in Delaware because none of the NY dealers could/would get us the Vivid Yellow one in the Summer of 2001. Been perfectly reliable and the subject of a great many enquiries at stop lights. Far the best looking vehicle in its class. So much fun to drive it is difficult to keep within the lease miles :-) Handling is great but probably needs more rubber in the front, particularly in the wet. You need to keep the tire pressure correct to maintain the handling. Brakes excellent. Good for tall (63") and short (51") drivers. Plenty of room for the Mother in Law in the back.

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  A Blast To Drive... - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By DuManchu - July 30 - 3:03 am

  I bought this car in the spring of 05. I put on about 30K miles in the time I owned it. Only had to replace brake pads and resurface the disks. The car has been perfect. The only other problem with it was the 12V socket pulling out from me overusing it, but I understand its a common problem on these. This car is just hands down a BLAST to drive. Ill recall a time I was on "Peak-to-Peak" in Colorado (west of Denver) and I was trailing an Acura 3.2CL. While I couldnt keep up with him on the straights, I gained serious ground on the turns. I was cornering so hard I got DIZZY at one point but the car never wavered. The only thing this car NEEDS is 30-40 more HP.

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  fast &fun - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By andy arch - July 28 - 10:00 am

  I purchased in April, 2002 P5,it is a blast to drive,it does great going uphill in these Colorado mountains,I still need to get used to being so close to the ground,and the higher road noise,overall a great little car for the money...24-27 mpg consistently,plenty of power if driven right,the +,-,tranny is so neat.Do all these low profile cars sound like loose boards when driving over bumpy road,or maybe I need struts?