Mazda Protege Midsize | Compact

Mazda Protege Midsize | Compact 

DESCRIPTION

The Protege is offered as a 4 door sedan with a 1.6-liter/106-hp 4 cylinder or a 1.8-liter/122-hp 4 cylinder. Both have the option of a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic and optional ABS.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 181-190 of 308  
[Mar 20, 2001]
john m
Model Reviewed: LX strong 1.8l

Strength:

The Protege has srong power for a 4-banger 1.8l. Just last week a souped up Civic Si rolled up along aside of me and started revving his rice burner, so i waited for the light to turn green and so it did i left the Si behind by 2 car lenghts. Now tell me that this DOHC 16-VALVE 1.8l aint strong, but i have intake/exhuast/sparkplugs/pcv-valve.

Weakness:

HONDAS/TOYOTAS/ACURAS/MITSUBISHIS CAN'T HANG ALONG WITH ME ON THE LONG RUN

My Protege has been very reliable and good to me. It has allowed me to kill a Integra gs-r on the long run. It started all when i was cruising on the highway at 85mph all of the sudden a integ passed me at around 100mph, i caught up to him doing around 105mph we were side by side and stared going at it. At about a few min. later i started losing him at 120mph and just went beyond to 125-130mph. I think the integ had a governer and shut him down at 112-118mph. Besides that my Protege is unbeleivable at over 100,000 miles on it i can get 30 mls to the gln. I plan on getting another Mazda and keep this Protz. Get a Mazda trust me you'll love it and besides everybody has a Honda anyway, Get something better and faster. Mazda it is for me and should be for you.

Similar Products Used:

1997 Toyota Corolla le-doesn't compare either way mostly power. 1996 Honda Civic ex-Not that much room inside slow... Nissan Sentra Se- I will kill it on the start and on the long run very bad.... already have""""

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 05, 2001]
MARC
Model Reviewed: SE

Strength:

RELIABLE, GOOD HANDLING, GOOD MILEAGE, DID I MENTION RELIABLE...

Weakness:

SO FAR, NONE

BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 93. SO FAR IT WENT 225,000 KMS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS
EXCEPT FOR TIRES, MUFFLERS AND BRAKES. ORIGINAL BELTS, COIL, DITRIBUTOR CAP AND SPARKPLUGS WIRES. IT IS MY FIRST JAPANESE CAR AND I AM HOOKED.
NEXT ONE WILL BE A PROTEGE. IT IS A 323 AND I MISS THE HATCHBACK THEY DONT
IMPORT IN CANADA. GREAT GREAT CAR

Similar Products Used:

HYUNDAI STELLAR, FORD FIESTA

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 02, 2001]
MP
Model Reviewed: LX

Strength:

Good entry level car with a very nice engine (1.8)

Weakness:

Had to replace both CV joints at 90K. Both head light bulbs replaced at 100K. Too much roll on turns.

It was my first car and I did not know what to expect. Now I think it was a mid-level car overall.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[Mar 01, 2001]
Ted

Strength:

Dependability, great gas mileage, fun to drive because the car is nimble but not too quick because it is an LX version. I understand that an ES version is faster. Why even the third stop light pops out with a couple of clips in the trunk so that one can clean the rear window behind the light rather than just going around it.

Weakness:

Hmmmmmmm? That's a tough one to answer. Let's see now if I can think of anything? Oh yeah, I wish it had more storage on the inside like cubby's or
front seat back storage.

Just to reiterate, my rating is based on reliability and I intend to purchase another Protege in the near future.

Similar Products Used:

Toyota. Having owned Toyotas prior to purchasing the Protege, after 3 years of experience I feel that the Mazda Protege is superior.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 26, 2001]
Fritz McKellar
Model Reviewed: ES

Strength:

This is a really impressive entry-level car. The looks, performance, and size (interior) provide a useful, fun to drive, daily commuter. The handling and acceleration are quite nice, the braking is surprisingly good for this class of car (not just power, but modulation, and initial bite). While some may scoff at these comments, note that I came from an RX-7 twin turbo daily driver for six years (12.86@114MPH personal best in the 1/4 mile). Obviously the envelope is not the same, but throw on front and rear sway bars, stiff suspension, 16" alloys with 195/50 series rubber, 4 disk with electonic proportioning, and a 2 liter engine in a 2600 lbs car, and its going to go zoom, zoom. It really is fun to drive.

Weakness:

Being really picky, the motor is a little buzzy, even at only 100 kph (~ 3000 RPM). I'd say the throttle feedback is a little vague, with almost non-linear resistance. Probably my biggest disappointment was that Mazda (and Honda for that matter) don't offer side airbags in Canada, but they're options in the US! Of note, my insurance stated the Protege ES is actually ranked as a 1 out of 5 (for all classes of cars and trucks) in terms of walking away from accidents. That surprised the insurance broker and myself. I rekon that although the head-on ranking is not a five star like the Civic, the ES has better proactive safety features such as better handling and braking, and that provides the real-life numbers of a safer car

The package as a whole is very good (easily fits a mountain bike). Taking the price into consideration, and this car become a bang for the buck!

Similar Products Used:

2001 Civic (less performance, style, and warranty). 2001 Golf (nice features, but really pricey, brutal warranty). Acura EL (glorified Canadian Civic) closest to Protege, but the lease rates couldn't come close. Subaru (pricey, spartan interior, do I really need 4 wheel drive - front wheel drive with winter tires is as good as four wheel with four seacon - I know, I live in Canada). Volvo S40, nice car, but 32K Cdn base (when the S60 is $35 Cdn. base)? Still too expensive, but Volvo should get their pricing sorted out.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 25, 2001]
James
Model Reviewed: ES

Strength:

Great handling, sporty look and feel.
I love this car.
Room for the kids and still look good.
Great gas mileage.
Good looking factory rims.
Zoom Zoom

Weakness:

Phantom rattling under the dash, I'll get it one day.
Hard to find custom upgrades (dash kits, ground effects)

I love this car. It is a great sport compact. Great handling and sports feel. Best bang for the buck. This is the BMW 318i Sport for the man who can't afford it. Thank you Mazda for designing and selling a great car.

Similar Products Used:

1994 Ford Escort---good car, but loses easily to the Protege

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 24, 2001]
Lorene Baker

Strength:

Good gas mileage

Weakness:

key locks have both broken, the plastic piece should not be used. Got it replaced because under warranty, broke again looking to get it replaced.

Nice family car, the air condition works wonders. The price for repairs is a little more than expected. Had high hopes for the car. Good as a starter car, back seat is pretty roomy. Has a large trunk that comes in handy with an active family. Have had the car for 3 years so far looking to trade it in after 5 years.

Similar Products Used:

Nissan Sentra hatchback, loved the car but many and costly repairs

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[Feb 24, 2001]
Joan

Strength:

Peppy, good gas mileage, handles well, roomy interior, SE model sporty looking.

Weakness:

Must have been built on a Friday: Leaking valve cover gasket (6 times replaced!), squealing clutch, rattling moonroof, transaxle fluid leak, CV joints replaced at 70K miles, hub caps like to disappear.

Been a Mazda owner for 17 years (626 previously), somewhat disappointed in 93 Protege. Dealer service terrible, bad attitude prevails. Parts costs outrageous. Need to trade or sell due to recurring oil leak. Looks like it's Honda Accord or Nissan Altima next time. New Protege rated well, but can't give Mazda another chance.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[Feb 21, 2001]
Paites
Model Reviewed: SE Sport

Strength:

Style! Style! Style!
The fact it doesn't share it's parts with Escort anymore (unique)...
Price for what you get...
It's not a Civic. (too many around)
It's reliabile.
Power Sunroof...
Checkups at 8000 kms. instead of every 5000 kms.

Weakness:

If you have the money, get the LX (ES in states)

What can I say, I'v owned 6 car in my life:

1987 Ford Ranger
1887 Nissan Pulsar (very cool car)
1990 Pontiac Sunbird (still have - old, but can't kill it)
1992 Dodge Daytona ES
1995 Pontiac Sunfire (never, ever buy one)

And the 1999 mazda is the best one I ever had. I had it for almost two year
and had only one problem. The weather stripping on one the back doors was
starting to come off. It did not leak nor any wind noise came from it.
Fixed under warranty (1.5 hours at the dealersahip), now that is service.
I like the fact I do not have to take the car in every 5000 kms or the
fact I pay for nothing for the first 3 years.

This car is great. My only regret is not pay a little extra and getting
the LX model (ES in states), then I would have a armrest, power windows and mirrors, and the 1.8 litre engine instead of the 1.6.

Power Sunroof does not leak...

Similar Products Used:

1995 Pontiac P.O.S., er I mean a Pontiac Sunfire
1999 Honda Civic SE (bland)
2000 Ford Focus (engine too loud on Highway)
2001 Nissan Sentra - wasn't out when I purchased the Mazda.... (very good car)
1999 Toyota Corolla - just OK...

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 21, 2001]
Charles
Model Reviewed: DX

Strength:

Reliability, cost, clean lines, holds all my friends fine!

Weakness:

Not much in the way of power. Both CV joints have given out twice in 2 years.

This is my first car and it has served me and continues to serve me well. I got it with 24k miles and have since run the odometer up to 115k with only a few mechanical problems. At 60k the engine needed a tune-up and the CV joints needed replacing. Since then a suspension squeak has developed in two places, but "nothing important or serious" say the mechanics. A/C works well. Driver's shoulder belt occasionally hangs after opening door, but always moves into position. These are all minor quibbles, though. Compared to my friends, this car has been tougher than a block of steel.

It does lack in power, though. I know I have the smaller engine and realise that this isn't a racer, but I have to compete with yuppie cars all day long on minor-to-medium grade hills and dislike the effort I put into the pedal. The brakes have been excellent, even if they went to crap once. Trunk is more than ample for a college student/20something. Acceptable handling which has saved my ass more than once. Windows have a roll-up lever that is damn near indestructable. I'd say a bit over half of my miles are from highway driving.

Overall, a great first car experience. Recommended for 1st timers, cheap replacements, college kids, etc.

Similar Products Used:

Civic '98, Sentra '88- I've driven both of these more than a few miles, but have not owned them. Very similar in most respects...neither used as much as the Protege though.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 181-190 of 308  

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