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:  $17000.00 from N/A

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Mazda/Protege5

Strengths:
Incredible handling and suspention.. Gear ratios very good for the 130 hp engine. you get into the power band very easily. the stock dunlops are amazing i would only buy those tires or the yokohama prada spec 2's i have now.

Weaknesses:
Speakers and radio could of been better but it hasnt failed me yet. HP- mazda could done better with the hp but it doesnt matter anymore because im happy running my 12 psi custom turbo kit with engine management system on stock internals and a stage 3 clutch. its amazing how much power this car can handle. im running 240 to the wheels and my 1/4 times are in the low to mid 13's.. rips any ricer that tries to come and play with the PRO.

Summary:
03 mazda pro5 fully loaded except for abs and side airbags.. how needs abs when the car is stick..(downshift and brake) the leather interior is very nice and comfortable.. and the outside noise is minimal except over 80 were it starts to get louder. Most people say the protege 5 isnt that fast in a straight line. its not that bad ive had someone time me and ive ran in the low 8's and for 130 that isnt bad at all. The throws from shifting is perfect at least for me and dont mess with this car in the twisties ex.. Ive taken ramp entries on to the expressways in third doin about 65 and power str8 through hugging the inside lane blowing away my friends 94 gsr in the corners. suspension is perfect i wouldnt touch it unless i was going for top end because it is drag limited to 129mph.. the powerband is around 3500 to 5300 atleast in my car when it was stock..

Similar Products Used:
87 t04b volvo 740, 73 t04e bmw 2002tii, 95 240sx with sr20det, 94 integra gsr (JDM)

Price Paid:  $19000.00 from Sansone Rt 1 Auto Ma

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Mazdaspeed Protege

Strengths:
HANDLING. This is the best handling FWD car I have ever driven. The suspension is taut but fairly compliant. It differs from the base Protege with upgraded components like Tokico dampers. It has a very neutral balance with minimal understeer. In fact, you can even coax out some oversteer with this car, something truly remarkable for a FWD. POWER: Peppy turbocharged 4-cylinder. Small turbo means turbo lag is barely noticable. 170HP/160TQ stock. 0-60 in 7 flat, 1/4 mile in 15 flat. This car is quick enough for day-to-day driving. LOOKS: 17" Racing Hart 5-spoke rims. Low profile 205/45/17 tires. Sparco shift knob & pedals. Unique stitching on steering wheel, shift knob boot, and seats. Leather-wrapped two-tone steering wheel by Nardi. Rear spoiler is large but not insane. Mild body kit (bumpers & side skirts) looks sharp and not overdone.

Weaknesses:
NO CRUISE CONTROL: The front strut tower brace doesn't give clearance for the cruise control assembly. TRANSMISSION: Gearbox is notchy, 1->2 shift gives problems sometimes POWER: Low-boost turbo could use some more ooomph to compete with similar cars (esp. SRT-4) TORQUE STEER: Good low-end torque gives some fairly strong torque steer COMMON PROBLEMS: Clunk from the rear suspension from inferior sway bar bushings. Free replacement to an upgraded part under warranty. PCM: The stock fuel & timing maps need a lot of work.

Summary:
Turbocharged version of the Protege with a limited-slip differential. Also includes suspension, stereo, interior, and wheel upgrades from the factory.

Similar Products Used:
Dodge Neon SRT-4 Ford Focus SVT Honda Civic SI Subaru WRX Mitsu EVO VIII

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $11523.00 from Randy Blount Mazada

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Protege DX

Strengths:
An excellent auto package for 11.5k!

Weaknesses:
Move up in price, I'd like to see some changes. Present cost, none noted.

Summary:
My daughter and I own two DX models; 36,000 and 21,000 miles respectively. Both vehicles are flawless both mechanically and aesthetically. The radio is fine (I'm an old man, I don't blast), the ride is quite firm but OK and I have no leaks, rattles or quirks to report. Road noise is there (especially on the hi-way) but, again, OK. I wanted reliable, inexpensive and cheap to operate along with a mandate of housing my 6'6" frame comfortably - a tall order for a cheap, imported sub-compact; I got everything I wanted and much more. Japanese engineering and production efficiency at it's finest.

Similar Products Used:
None.

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $12000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Protege DX

Strengths:
Reliable Plenty of room

Weaknesses:
Blind Spots Tends to hydroplane easily

Summary:
I really like this car, I walked into a really good deal the day I bought it. It handles great, and there is plenty of room despite its size. I bought this car, knowing that I would beat the hell out of it, and so far it hasn't disapointed me. There is nothing fancy about this car. It does it's job.

Similar Products Used:
1988 Subaru GL