Faults:

I have had not problems at all.

This is a great car!

General Comments:

I can see where there are slight improvements to be made (but it looks like the Mazda 3 is the answer to just about all of them).

The center console of the car is not very accommodating. The cup holder will only allow for about 20 oz. cups or water bottles, and nothing too tall. You cannot charge your cell phone while having a cup in the cup holder, nor can you access the small storage spot below the radio with a cup there. The storage compartment between the seats is rather small and pushed back rather far. It is not very comfortable for long trips when you like to rest your arm there.

I am not sure if it is the low-profile tires or the suspension that makes you feel the road a lot more than you would like to, but it is not so bad that it would persuade me not to buy it.

Someone else had said that the windows do not "squeegee" when rolled down, and I have found this to be true. It is a minor irritant, which I help to correct with lots and lots of Rainx.

Overall, I love this car!!! It is so sporty and stylish~far more than any of the competition. It handles wonderfully, gets great gas mileage, and has plenty of pep!

The ability to cram everything, but the kitchen sink into it is fabulous! Although now, I get recruited into helping everyone move. I love that it has the practicality of a 4 door wagon, but the feel of a sports car. It took me quite a while to adjust to the size. It feels so roomy that when I try to make a turn or park into a small spot, it does not seem as if it should make it, but it always does. It zips in and out of traffic and when I park it, I only take up 3/4 of the parking spot! It is wonderfully compact, and yet able to carry everything!

The stereo will soon be replaced to something with a bit of a cleaner sound, but even still, it is ok for a factory stereo.

I love this car! I love it! I love it! As I said, all the minor flaws it has seem to have been improved and perfected, even, by the Mazda 3. I think I like the exterior look of the MP5 better, but either way, they are both fabulous cars and once I put a few years of miles on this car, I will be purchasing a M3.

If you are thinking of buying a Protege5, I do not think you will be disappointed. It is reliable, safe, and fun as much as practical. It is a great "mom" car, without having to look or feel like a mom. Take your time to investigate what people think of their cars~this website is a GREAT source for this kind of information. And of course, enjoy!

Faults:

Engine needed to be rebuilt beacause too bad head and other problems at 40000 miles. I have met other 2002 Mazda that have had the same problem.

Stereo shorted out 4 times.

Cd player replaced 1 month after owning the car.

Shakes very badly when it get around 70+ mph so I have put new tires on the car and still hasn't fixed the problem.

Rims rusted very badly after one winter.

Exhaust system replaced and transmission shifts hard at low speeds.

General Comments:

Mazda customer service is great they shipped the car to me after the engine blew in New Mexico and I flew home.

Interior is nice, but they need to move the cup holders, make the cabin more sound proof and, but a power door lock button on passenger side door.

Has overall good brakes, but needs better handling at highway speeds.