2003 Mazda Protege 2.0L from North America

Summary:

A perfect car for everything

Faults:

This baby purrs like a kitten, and I drive it hard. I put Mobil 1 oil in it and do service it as recommended. Has been perfect.

General Comments:

This is a sporty car that get approx. 31.5 MPG, and All I did was drop in a K&N Drop in Air Filter.

The car is almost 6 years old and gets more MPG than the book lists.

Throw this car into a corner and it feels great.

It could use more power, which aftermarket parts can fix.

The tower strut bar seems to help a lot.

The car has 60/40 fold down seats in the back, which allows me to haul things from time to time.

Placement of controls is great.

4 wheel disc brakes, 16" rims with Kumho tires, very sticky.. but do not last long (a lot of that is my fault.. I drive it hard through curves.

This is a great car that I would recommend to anyone. Remember, there are bad Mazdas just like bad other brands.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th November, 2008

26th Jan 2009, 13:26

Mine leaks oil. I bought it from Hertz when it was a year old, so I don't know how well it was treated before I bought it. I burn about one and half quarts per 400 miles and it drives smoothly still. However, it emits a cloud of smoke the first start-up of the day. After that no obvious smoke comes out the tail pipe. I got 112,000, but was hoping to get over 150,00. Anyone else have this problem?

In reply to 26th Jan 2009, 13:26

4th Mar 2013, 14:03

If it burns oil upon startup, and then stops, it's probably worn valve guides, which does not rival the defense budget to fix. New valve guides, a head gasket, and (as I remember) a slightly expensive head gasket kit, plus a couple hundred labor, should do it.

2003 Mazda Protege from North America

Summary:

Almost perfect

Faults:

Nothing. Only routine service. My dealer is very honest, too. I assume I cannot mention the dealer by name, so I will not. But it is about 15 miles South of Boston, Massachusetts.

General Comments:

The car is a little cramped. It does not have as much power as my previous car, a 1987 VW Jetta. But this Mazda Protege is something. It was rated "Best Buy" by several rating services and I can see why. It is comfortable, reliable, and gets good gas mileage for an automatic. Overall quality very good.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st October, 2008

2003 Mazda Protege 5 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Average reliability, higher maintenance than expected, FUN TO DRIVE

Faults:

The car started to rust in several places in 2007. By 2008, the rust had wrapped around to the outside of the rear wheel wells as well. I counted 7 spots of rust in all.

The tires are expensive and need to replaced often.

The brakes last only about 30k miles, which is more often than any other car I have ever owned.

The front end was just starting to make some weird clunking noises when I turned the steering wheel. I traded it in before things got worse!

General Comments:

I really did love this little car. This car handled like a dream, very sporty and cornering was actually fun!

The gas mileage was good, but not as good as my old Corolla.

The interior was very comfortable and sensible, everything placed where I needed it and easy to use.

The style of the car is great - everyone that I met asked me about the car and people really loved it. I will miss this car.

I'm glad I got rid of the Mazda, the rust was spreading like crazy and I need something that's going to last longer than 72k miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 25th June, 2008

9th Jul 2008, 13:23

That is exactly what is going on with my Mazda.

6th Aug 2008, 20:30

I also own a 2002 MP5, After about three years it started to rust around the wheel wells.