Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

• 

  mp5 - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By TimNevo - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I love this car

• 

  Excellent sporty, versatile subcompact - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Toivo - December 9 - 2:00 am

  Mazda wasnt even on my list of cars I considered when I was shopping for one. However, the Mazda dealership was next to the Mitsubishi one, so I stopped there... I test drove the Civic, Focus, Eclipse, Tiburon et al., but there was no contest. The handling of the vehicle is in a class of its own. The ride is firm, precise, sporty. The interior is very attractive, all the materials look and feel very high-class, no cheap plastic. Nice versatility with the form factor. Has needed nothing except for regular oil changes. Standard maintenance very cheap. Seats four adults comfortably.

• 

  rough and not ready - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By beejka - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Forget this car on long trips if you need lumbar support, it is very rough on the back! When you want to pass quick in traffic, the automatic is not too responsive with a quick burst of power. I got the sport automatic with the ability to "autoshift" through the gears, but that doesnt help much. The car also rides very rough on concrete expressways. It runs much smoother on asphalt expressways.

• 

  Excellent Bang for the Buck! - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By yfrnaks - November 13 - 9:16 am

  This is the most trouble-free car I have ever driven. I currently have 131,000 miles on it and have only gone in for maintenance and one repair. In addition, the shop mechanics have never found anything that would need repair. Only repair: Replace EGR valve ($370 Seattle, non- dealership). Driving: Drives terrible in the snow, even with Michelin X-Ice tires and traveling well below 25 mph. If driven faster than that, you can expect the car to slide two school bus lengths when braking. Rain, car slips a lot too.

• 

  Great Looking and FUN! - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By westports94 - October 9 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had it a day, but this car is FUN! The P5 should be gaining in popularity since others, besides the 20- somethings to which its being marketed, are starting to discover it: hatchbacks are practical at any age. I gave up on my 1988 Civic hatch that I loved. I missed it, but not anymore. P5 is definitely an upgrade in handling, hp, looks, goodies. A sportyish ride, but reasonablely tame. Mostly it just feels like it wants to go, and begs to take corners. A short test drive did it for me. Compared to Acura RSX, which was too sporty for me (too low, no adult-height back seat), the P5 is more fun for thousands less. Looks GREAT, gets peoples attention... a test drive makes the sale.

• 

  Big Value, Big Fun! - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By Morgan - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Edmunds describes this car as a Lexus SportCross for the masses, and I totally agree. I dont think theres a better balance of practicality, reliability, mileage, looks, and performance out there. I rarely get beyond my driveway before this cars performance puts a smile on my face.

• 

  Great Car - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By bert - October 2 - 10:00 am

  I have only owned the car a short time and have enjoyed every minute of it. I am over 6 tall and have plenty of room. Took the wife 2 kids and all our gear to the beach and had plenty of room. I test drove the Impreza wrx and was impressed w/ the power, but the Pr5 has a much better ride and the design and quality was far superior. Also, the Pr5 is about $7,000 less ($16,900 w/ moonroof and ABS/side air bags).

• 

  2002 Mazda Pro5 - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By flgardner - September 27 - 10:00 am

  This car is awesome! This is my second Protege (first one a 93). Fun to drive. Definitely top quality build. I have the silver car with silver wheels, and it gets lots of looks and comments...

• 

  PROTEGE 5 STILL A WINNER - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By mustangleader - September 25 - 2:40 pm

  I have written a couple of reviews. Bought new in May 2002. Reviews stating car is bad, guessing that either bought car used, abuse it driving or in bad weather areas. Im in So Cal. Runs great after 195,000 miles. Only a fuel pump at 80,000 and a new alternator recently. Normal maintenance. Still original clutch. Thats reliability. Drives like a go kart in twisties gets 31 highway 24-25 in town. Combine: 27 mpg. Complaints light bulbs burning out 2 often - its bulb holder the problem, not bulb. Just drove 2011 Mazda 2 selling 4 what I paid 4 PR5, no comparison. 2 slower/smaller. Tested Honda Fit, sits 2 high. Not as fun 2 drive. Also smaller. 2 bad Mazda stopped making PR5.

• 

  Great Everyday Car - 2002 Mazda Protege5
  By mustangleader - September 23 - 7:00 pm

  This is the best overall car I have owned for everyday use. I just purchased 2007 Speed3 with turbo which is obviouly a faster car. However, I like the PR5 because it drives like a go-kart. Original power was good but added a turbo muffler, cold air intake and had the computer reprogammed. Total cost was $800 which was well spent. I have plenty of power to pass on So Cal highways. I have 143,000, same clutch and only water pump had to be replaced. With slight modifications which I did, the car is great: fun to drive with its cornering ability, highway over 32 mpg if I keep the speed under 80. A great, dependable fun car. Speed3 is faster, but PR5 is easier to drive.