Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Decent Car - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By shizzel12 - December 18 - 1:46 pm

  Good quick car to get around the city and beat other cars to a parking spot. handles good and can take tight turns that you couldnt do with most vehicles. For a 4 cylinder this car can move when you need it to. Most 4 cylinders dont have the best highway driving but this car accelerates good at higher speeds and passes with ease. I dont recommend it though if you will only be using it for highway driving because the ride is a little bumpy. I dont really care much for the mpg because for a car this size you expect it to have better gas. When i bought this car i was a little skepticle but it turned out to do what i needed it to do and i gave i just sold it in good condition with 173000 miles.

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  I love my 2001 Protege ES - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By Orbital - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my Golf GTI for this car and I have no regrets. I love driving this car, it doesnt ride as nicely as the Golf but the handling is far superior. All of the standard features are nice. But, the stereo in the Golf was far superior, even in 1995. Why Mazda uses cheap speakers is beyond me, but they are lousy and I will change them immediately. But I love my car!

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  I agree with everybody else! - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By randomo - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Wow, is the handling great! Tight, zippy -- just crisp, clean fun. Too bad they couldnt have given it more horses. I test drove a Protege LX a few years ago, and it was woefully underpowered; the much bigger engine in this ES seemed as if it would overcome that hurdle. Sad to say, it needs to go into 4th gear well before 40 mph, and into 5th in the high 40s. It strains a bit to maintain 65-70 on highways where that is the dominant speed of traffic flow. Give this car a 6th gear and youd have something truly great! ;-) My only other concern is the dashboard illumination. The red glow works great in the dark, but at dusk the instruments are hard to read.

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  Mazda Protege ES 5-speed - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By Tony Harris - August 16 - 7:26 pm

  My car is an ES 5-speed with premium package, which includes sunroof, anti-lock brakes, and side airbags. This is a sporty car thats always fun to drive. Very tight steering, handles like a go-cart. Peppy engine that likes to rev once the engine is broke in. Clutch is a little on the light side. First front wheel drive car Ive driven that actually oversteers. Overall, a very dependable yet fun automobile that has a sporty personality (Zoom, Zoom).

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  zoom-zoom - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By JetsToBrazil - June 14 - 10:00 am

  this thing moves! Ive never had more fun in a car before. So far, so good, its pretty new and all but nothing is wrong and I have no complaints at all at this time, if I think of any, Ill let you know...but its fast and it hauls a$$

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  My Protege - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By R. Glass - February 10 - 3:00 am

  I LOVE my Protege. I purchased it brand new (5/01). Ive put 76K miles on it and ABSOLUTELY no problems! Only oil changes & I did the timing belt & water pump at 60K as recommended.

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  Protege steps to the plate. - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By Chuckie - December 26 - 10:00 am

  The Protege needed a face lift. Here it is! Civics were murdering the market but now it seems Mazda has something to compete with. This youthful vehicle drives smooth and comfortably with room for five. The appeal is not only to the low income single home family. It appeals to all who have ideals of street racing or the savy to drive through town screaming "Hey look at me! Sexy as I wanna be." Young adults as well as older individuals feel spirited when they get behind the wheel. Mazda hit a homerun this year.

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  Gets ahead, stays ahead - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By Daro - November 20 - 10:16 am

  Have you ever taken the curves on Lower Wacker Drive or on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago? Have you ever tried to enter a busy metropolitan expressway at the speed of traffic - say, 75 mph before the end of the entrance ramp? This car does it. It adheres tightly to curves and accelerates smartly into traffic. Great gas mileage, strong performance, enduring reliability, roomy interior, and distinctive looks combine to make the MP3, all at once, both affordable basic transportation and a pleasurable driving experience.

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  Still enjoying my Protege ES - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By KimO - September 13 - 2:00 am

  My first new car was the Protege precedent 323 in 1988. When I needed a new car last year for commuting to work 26 miles each way, I turned to the Protege. I have not been disappointed after driving it for the past 1 year and 4 months, and putting 23K on it. It is really a fun car to drive and you get a lot for your money.

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  Not that Great - 2001 Mazda Protege
  By protege666 - May 23 - 3:46 am

  I just paid off my Protege and I am sooo ready for a different car. I bought it for the four door and fuel economy aspect. Those two things arent disappointing...pretty much everything else was...teh electronics were always if-y and the drivers seat kills your back...theseat belts in the back have all but ceased to function. Its just NOT THAT GREAT of a car.