Mazda Protege Midsize | Compact
Mazda Protege Midsize | Compact
[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"""" |
[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 Similar Products Used: HYUNDAI STELLAR, FORD FIESTA |
[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 |
[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 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. |
[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. |
[Feb 25, 2001]
James
Model Reviewed:
ES
Strength:
Great handling, sporty look and feel.
Weakness:
Phantom rattling under the dash, I'll get it one day. 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 |
[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 |
[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 |
[Feb 21, 2001]
Paites
Model Reviewed:
SE Sport
Strength:
Style! Style! Style!
Weakness:
If you have the money, get the LX (ES in states) What can I say, I'v owned 6 car in my life: Similar Products Used: 1995 Pontiac P.O.S., er I mean a Pontiac Sunfire |
[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. 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. |