Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  More power to me - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Pr5 Owner - June 21 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Ive owned sports cars suvs everything. This has got to be my favorite. I had a guy in a Jag tell me how nice my car is. I cant believe the looks it gets. And the handling is superb. All I ask is just for a little more power. Other than that who cars.

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  Excellent car - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Boudrot - June 16 - 10:00 am

  This is a wonderful car. After driving many other models, the MP5 was clearly a superior vehicle. It is fun to drive, great looking, comfortable and the quality is top-notch. It handles like a dream. The ride is a bit rough and it is a tad noisy, but these are minor complaints. Overall, this is a great buy.

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  So sad. - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By tdb3 - June 7 - 8:02 pm

  Were in Nova Scotia w/ moist salty air. Cars rust here; but this is the worst Ive ever seen. Model is famous w/ mechanics. Body rusted - started w/ back wheel wells. Got fixed for $800, but rest of car covered in rust. Struts rusted - Got those & few other things replaced for $1000. When I bought car it had used engine. Within 1 wk, water pump failed & 2nd engine failed. 3rd engine lasted two years before it failed. When I took it in, mechanic said to junk it b/c the frame had totally rusted out underneath. Didnt believe him, so looked myself. There were holes the size of my fist all over the FRAME of the car, rest was SOFT. Scrap yd doesnt even want it b/c has too many of them!

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  Over-rated - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By acemanace - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Not a good car for any city driving: - Idle drops off dramatically during in- gear decelleration below 3k rpm, creating lurching. - Weak motor/transmission mounts create drive train bucking during street and stop/go driving. - Computer rpms are way too low (600 at idle) causing frequent stalls when starting up from stop lights or stop sign. - Rear suspension soft, causing front wheel to loose contact and traction during mild acceleration on damp roads. - Heater is poor. - Dealers have no solutions for these - Thanks to the "zoom-zoom" ads, logged as sports car by auto insurers (it aint), so very expensive to insure.

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  Classy - sharp - and lots of fun! - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By for phil and mowg - May 29 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for a small SUV or wagon to cart my dogs around in. I was so lucky finding this Protege5. It is much more than I ever expected! Slightly over the base price it has all the options I want or need. Driving it is an absolute pleasure, very responsive and handles as well as my old Camaro. My Protege5 is black and Ive seen lots of heads turn checking it out. It is a beauty! I was even asked if it is a small mercedes. My 2 Lab dogs have plenty of room to stretch out, it rides so well they dont get thrown around. Adults say it is roomy in the front and back seats. I researched and test drove all the competition and this was clearly the winner.

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  Love the Zoom Zoom - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Toastboy - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Just bought it, so far it handles the canyons here in beverly hills awesomely. I love it.

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  Extemely reliable and fun to drive - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Hugo Munoz - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I cannot say anything bad about this car. bought with 9000 and have changed brakes this year. Engine, Transmission,clutch etc. are all working strong. Perfect car for anyone. ONLY defects are headlight bulb = $25, air filter hose = $90. Other than that car is completely perfect.

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  Almost Zoom Zoom but good enough! - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By tamon77 - May 11 - 2:00 am

  I dont care if I evet buy another car. Car dealers drive me nuts!! That being said my wife and I instantly fell in love with the P5 from the moment we drove it. Overall,its a fun car with plenty of room for us. I wouldve loved a Mazada3 but budgets are budgets right :( This is our second car. I own a 2002 civic sedan which I love and my wife drives the P5. I love driving the P5 around town on the weekend but getting back into my honda for the weekly commute is like coming back to an old friend. If you can still find one of these new then give it some serious consideration. You wont be disappointed.

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  A Little Disappointed - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By tina_brmnghm - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Got a great deal on this car but prepare to pay for brakes early on. I had to get the brakes replaced at 25K miles and now at 32K miles they need replacing again! Traction is horrible on wet roads. Other than that it is a great car. It was the perfect answer at the time for me as a new parnet ready to move from my 2 door celica to a 4 door car, but wanted to stay with something sport and that didnt yell "Moms Taxi". The interior is a bit cramped but no more than any other car in this class.

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  Best of three worlds! - 2003 Mazda Protege5
  By Simon_mtl - April 27 - 2:00 am

  This is a cool car: Nice styling, comes almost fully loaded, fun to drive, practical and affordable. The cargo space rather small so this car has to be considered as a 5 doors hatchback rather than a wagon. Its a combination of sport, utility and economy in one sub-compact car. Great!