Mazda Protege

Price Paid:  $14500.00 from University Ford-Mazd

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 Mazda Protege LX

Strengths:
Design, Handling.

Weaknesses:
Everything except for the two things above.

Summary:
I can't understand why people here like this horrible car. I'll regret buying this car forever. My car is not a lemon, by which I mean Mazda Protege is originally defective, but many insensitive buyers don't notice it. This car has a incurable idle problem because of the faulty Mazda ERG valve. You can't fix it forever. I tried to fix it with the dealership, but we failed. I checked that other customers have the same problem, but they don't notice it. Please be sensitive!! Becasue of this, the car's accelelration is just awful, even though it is a 2.0 engine. In addition, because of the car's poor mechanica quaility it is noisy and even squeak everywhere. Don't try to fix it. My mechanic failed to fix it. Transmission is also horrible (it's a Ford transmission): rough and not agile. Audio system is also horrible. Riding quaility is also horrible. I don't want to speak anymore.........

Similar Products Used:
I owned Civic before this decrepit car.

Price Paid:  $16100.00 from Horizon Honda/Mazda/

Strengths:
Looks Stiff ride Style much better than anything else in class. Pleasing interior Roomy cargo More than adequate passenger room Nice standard wheels give car an extra sharp look

Weaknesses:
Only complaint: Lousy drivers side door lock! Who thought that one up???? Looks and feels like the thing is mis aligned/ misplaced from what the designers actually intended...difficult to use...seems like it should be a little more forward for comfortable driver use. Also, what about a front passenger lock??? Guess they decided not to offend both the driver AND the front seat passenger with double nauseating door locks.

Summary:
Happy, happy, happy with this car! Traded a 93 CivicEX and was ready for something to inspire and delight my driving senses --definitely found it in the P5! The ride is a bit stiff, but that only adds to the driving excitement --I want to feel the road under me!!! I have owned a 94 Miata and found it to have the same stiff ride as the P5. HP seems to be sufficient (for a 45yr old gal!) but I was stopped for speeding after only owning the vehicle for 3 hrs...I pleaded temporary zoom zoom insanity and was let go with a warning! 2nd gear is somewhat troublesome at times, thought it was something I was doing incorrectly until I read some of the reviews. Stereo is fine considering I lived without music (can you imagine???) in my Honda since 1999 when my stereo died. The folks at Horizon Honda were great to deal with and I give them a +10 rating! My only concern about my new P5 is wondering when the excitement is going to wear off so I will stop finding excuses to spend time driving.

Similar Products Used:
1993 Honda CivicEX -dependable, but not exciting. 137,000 miles and never left me stranded --May she continue on for another 137k miles. 1994 Mazda Miata C pakge/w hardtop: Awesome and sporty little

Price Paid:  $17000.00 from cardinale salinas

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 protege5

Strengths:
look handling space the dealership was great...i would recommend them to anyone...not pushy and definetly willing to help in anyway that they could

Weaknesses:
power from engine damn cupholders!!

Summary:
by far this is one of the best cars that i have driven. i love the way it can handle and i love the looks of it. sure it could use a little more power but if you want a car i believe you should build a fast car. the 2.0 engine is good and a turbo is already avaialable for this car. i would definetly recommend it to anyone. i love it

Similar Products Used:
s10 civic altmia

Price Paid:  $10200.00 from Dealer

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Mazda Protege DX

Strengths:
Style, gas mileage, performance, interior room.

Weaknesses:
CD player could use some juice.

Summary:
Mazda Rocks (again). This is my third Mazda in 13 yrs,(my 96 B3000 still runs like a new truck). The Protege is now reinforcing my confidence in Mazda products. A pretty snappy car. I bought mine without bells/whistles. Has everything I need. Purchased this car to replace a Honda Passport that self destructed at 50k miles.

Similar Products Used:
Nothing compares, sorry.

Price Paid:  $17000.00 from Auburn Valley

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Protege 5

Strengths:
Styling Handling Confortable seats Fun to drive

Weaknesses:
COuld use about 20-30 more horses Thin paint A little noisy

Summary:
I bought this car a more reliable and econmical car than the Grand PRix I had before. A new house equals bigger commute. Wanted something economical, reliable while retaining some personality and fun. I am not disappointed. The styling and handling of this car is excellent. While not much power, it makes up for it when in a turn. It sticks. Driver response is enthusiasm. It has been getting me about 31-33 mpg, which is over the 25-30 that the EPA projected. It is a head turner, although sometimes I feel a bit old to be driving it. Kids love it. Nice fit and sound finish.

Similar Products Used:
While shopping I tested: Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, Civic SI, Subaru Impreza (not WRX).