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by troyw
Oct 23 '07
Author's Product Rating: 20 Recommended: No 
Pros: Handling and stereo are very good.
Cons: Engine is a pathetic, wheezing whimp.
The Bottom Line: If you don't mind lots of road noise and a total lack of any engine power,
then buy a Protege 5.
I purchased my silver P5 new in 2003 in Florida. I got a good price on it because the Mazda 3 was replacing it. To preface my review, I must add that I had the choice to also buy a same year, extremely low mileage Toyota Matrix XRs with the 180 HP ... read more
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by dsr70
Jul 26 '06
Author's Product Rating: 50 Recommended: Yes 
Pros: Handling, fuel econ, looks, aftermarket potential, functional
Cons: Road noise, engine power
The Bottom Line: It is satisfying to drive, reliable, good looking, economical, well made, and functional, all for low cost. Recommended.
I have 15k miles on an '03.5 that has 35k total. The car has been trouble free. Recall warranty service on the intake manifold was fine. The car handles exceptionally well and is QUICK, given a manual tranny. It steers quick. Sticks very well on ... read more
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by rakle
Mar 05 '05
Author's Product Rating: 40 Recommended: Yes
Pros: good brakes, nice exterior, lots of room, great sound system
Cons: noisy on interstate,lots of blind spots when backing up, Mazda service sucks.
The Bottom Line: I would recommend this car, it has good warranties, it's a good buy, and overall reliable.
I bought this 03 new, and got a great deal! I love the design, I'm not too happy with the suede interior, it's hard to keep clean. There's lots of room, and I've gotten lots of compliments from other riders about how smooth it rides. The brakes work very ... read more
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by yotatacoma
Feb 16 '05
Author's Product Rating: 20 Recommended: No
Pros: Obviously none
Cons: Poor product and service
The Bottom Line: be very weary of Mazda. They are owned by Ford
I'm just going to go straight to the dirt. Paid $26,000.00 CAD. Everything started off good but then I hit 6400km which is about 4000 miles. tranny is toast while driving down freeway. I only have 1st and 2nd (sportshift auto). Took in to get fixed, ... read more
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by strangedayz
Apr 28 '04
Author's Product Rating: 50 Recommended: Yes
Pros: Handling; style; front seat comfort and passenger room; cargo space; value and price
Cons: Modest acceleration; rear seat legroom; short headlamp life; lackluster sound system
The Bottom Line: Stylish, affordable, functional car that is a joy to drive. I'd buy it again, given the chance.
Oddly enough, we purchased this car as a replacement for a 1993 Isuzu Trooper. The Protege5 offered the utility of a 5-door vehicle in a much more responsive, economical package. There is substance to Mazda's "zoom-zoom" advertising. I recall ... read more
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by ottodog
Mar 18 '04
Author's Product Rating: 10 Recommended: No
Pros: Can't think of one.
Cons: Tiny trunk, handles poorly in the snow, windows freeze closed easily.
The Bottom Line: If I can spare one person from the agony of owning this car, my time on earth will have been well spent.
My husband and I bought this car when we were expecting our first child (who is now 15 months old). At that point, we both had small sedans and we figured we'd need something that had more cargo space for strollers, toys, etc. and something that would ... read more
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by krada
Feb 21 '04
Author's Product Rating: 50 Recommended: Yes
Pros: Looks way better than a crappy Toyota Matrix, fun to drive...I LOVE IT!
Cons: --Loud engine
--Turning radius SUCKS
--Horn is a wussy little "beep"
The Bottom Line: It is sporty, awesome handling, turns heads, rarely seen, zippy and cute without being a total chick car.
I bought my little Protege5 at the end of December, saving a buttload of money ($2,500 rebate, $500 grad school attendee rebate, and at least $1K off with Carsdirect.com). Now it's the end of February, and I couldn't be happier! I used to drive a ... read more
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by redheadgirl
Jan 29 '04
Author's Product Rating: 50 Recommended: Yes
Pros: Sporty, fun, and zippy. Handles well and is comfortable to drive for long distances.
Cons: Minor Cons - CD changer doesn't random well, needs power lock button on passenger side.
The Bottom Line: I love my new Mazda like I have never loved another car. It is fun, zippy, reliable, practical yet sporty, well made, "cool", and comfortable.
I purchased my 2003 Mazda Protege 5 in November. My car broke down in MI and so I bought the car at a dealership (Cook Imports in Farmington Hills) that I wouldn't normally visit since I live in Illinois. Even though they knew that I would never come ... read more
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by k9kuvasz7
Jan 28 '04
Author's Product Rating: 10 Recommended: No
Pros: Handling, ABS, Front/Side air bags, Comes standard with many optional features.
Cons: Extremely poor/non-existent service from multiple Mazda service departments.
The Bottom Line: Can't recommend any Mazda products as corporate office and dealer refuses to honor warranty. Also, dealer unable to repair known problems after numerous attempts.
Engine: 2.0, 5 speed Manual transmission, Sun Roof, 6 CD player, Air bags (front and side), ABS, power windows, Price: 17,500 Purchased to update to newest/newer technology – i.e. ABS, R134a Freon, air bags. All of our ‘then’ vehicles did not have ... read more
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by kerryidol
Dec 27 '03 - Updated Dec 30 '03
Author's Product Rating: 40 Recommended: Yes
Pros: Zoom Zoom; Comfortable Seats; Rear Passenger Room; Looks good on the road; Automatic/Manual hybrid transmission.
Cons: This car doesn't have cargo area for home improvement store loads. Check 2004 Mazda3.
The Bottom Line: Buy your own Zoom-Zoom! This car is just plain fun to drive.
After driving a 1992 Mitsubishi Eclipse for the past 10 years, I decided that I wanted a four door, but wasn't ready to give up the sports car feel. I listed everything I wanted in a car, and found that the three most important things were price (around ... read more
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by gatoringa
Dec 19 '03
Author's Product Rating: 50 Recommended: Yes
Pros: Fun to drive, Great looking, Superb price/value
Cons: Odd tire size, Center console design, Dealer running out of stock
The Bottom Line: If you want a super smooth ride and drive in a straight line go elsewhere. If Zoom Zoom Zoom appeals to you then look no further!
As a father of 2 with one more on the way, I thought I would be relegated to buying some econobox for my next car. I commute a minimum of 50 miles a day to work so I have always tried to have a vehicle I enjoy driving. I have always liked the looks of ... read more
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by ScottMcG
Dec 10 '03
Author's Product Rating: 40 Recommended: Yes
Pros: Lots of fun to drive, good mileage, hatch makes it practical.
Cons: Backwards shifter, road noise, ABS/Side airbags optional.
The Bottom Line: A practical hatchback with a serious sporty side. Looks great, handles like a sports car, and will carry more than you bought at Costco.
I've had this car about 3 months now, and still love it. I bought a yellow Protege5 with the automatic and cloth seats after driving tons of comparable cars. I think it's important to properly define where this car is: it's really not a station ... read more
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by speeddemonrs
Oct 31 '03
Author's Product Rating: 50 Recommended: Yes
Pros: Great fun, inexpensive to buy & maintain. Plenty of add on stuff to personalize it.
Cons: Just a touch more power and the ultimate sleeper will be born!!
The Bottom Line: If you love to drive and want something a bit different then the standard Honda or Toyota, BUY THIS CAR!
I am glad that this car isn't seen more on the road... It is such a great little car!! I feel like I own the road in it, and it’s so rarely seen still that it ALWAYS turns heads. The performance that this car makes out of 130 horsepower is quite am ... read more
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by zerodk
Oct 19 '03
Author's Product Rating: 50 Recommended: Yes
Pros: Great looking car; great driving dynamics; decent power; good fuel economy; great value
Cons: Underpowered compare to its more expensive rivals; utility is somwhat sacrificed for style
The Bottom Line: A fun to drive car with all the style and a lot of substance to go with it.
In years past, people who need the practicality of a minivan and the driving dynamics of a car have to consider the very few choices of station wagons out there. Not only that they aren't built for sporting intentions, most people would not prefer to be s ... read more
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