Mazda Protege 1987-2010Change

If you're looking for a first car for a new driver, or a second car that's not used too often, this is a decent choice. For a daily driver, for more than one person, look for something else. Although reliable enough, the car is designed badly inside for anyone over 5'11". There is low headroom and the seats do not move back far enough to make driving or sitting in the passenger seat comfortable. Throw in a second person and you feel like you're sitting in their lap.

Always broken, spent 3 clutch and 4th one broke on highway almost killed me. Everybody i know owning a mazda protege have the same problem, on the positive side it was quite economic on the fuel . Always broken, spent 3 clutch and 4th one broke on highway almost killed me. Everybody i know owning a mazda protege have the same problem, on the positive side it was quite economic on the fuel .

we have never had any issues except the general maintenance- oil changes twice a year, and just did the shocks, struts and brakes 2 yrs ago. it gets great gas mileage between 660 and 720 km per tank(50 ltr) no leaks and not an oil burner.

I bought this car used as my first car. She has treated me very well. She has been very reliable and has made many trips around Nova Scotia. She drives well and I've only had to keep up with its yearly mechanical visits. However, my only downside to this car is the need to have the rust holes fixed but that will happen with any car! I Love this car and it will be a sad day when I need to find her a new home.

I have to admit I might not be the best to write a review about this car, nonetheless driving as a passenger in it for over 2 years is enough to give me a tadbit of an idea and an opinion about the Mazda Protege.

It is a very stable car, able to meet someone needs very well. It can also be a more than suitable first car due to its low market price, low fuel consumption and low maintenance costs.

Over all I have enjoyed driving this car but too bad the motor will outlast the Body as it is currently rotting away.

Bought this car in 2011 at 175000KM, well maintained. It is now at 205000km and it gave me no problem at all. Body corrosion needs treatment every year since soon out of factory.

1.8 5 speed transmission that gets good highway mileage and not to mention steel body not fibreglass so i feel much safer with the family in the car, 300,000km and still driving strong

nothing exciting but it gets the job done. In two years this car can be considered an antique, so it has that going for it.

The Mazda Pretege is the worse car that I ever bought and I will never buy another protege ever again. It kept breaking down and was in the shop almost every other month. Trouble with the wiring and altanator. This car is the worse lemon that I have experienced.

This car was always breaking down not very realible. This is the worse car I have ever bought. Will never buy a Protege again.

300,000 miles but sill running great! needed to replace the transmission and breaks and air conditioning but now good as new.

My car is awesome and can manage any thing! I love it! The fuel economy is very efficient and can last for about a week of gas. It is comfortable for a old car but can always get the job done.

this is my first car ive had it for 2 years. it runs fine, but nothing fantastic. parts are very expensive and not super easy to come by. the tire size is anything but standard, and expensive to purchase.

Great car to own and drive. It is extremely reliable and the 4 cylinder engine makes it very fuel efficient.

it's my first car and i think is verry good for start the life with that because is no full performance but it is verry economic and thhe design it is cool , the car is like the other on the street and no body juge you, the sound system base is very good too, the comfort is not the best but for start i think is verry good

This car's clutch did not last very long as well as the gears. The battery was not very good, and the car did not have very good power steering. I would not recommed anyone buying this car, expecially not second hand. The car did have nice feautures to go with the awful ones.. Such as: a sun/moon roof, a nice stereo, good speakers, and it was comfortable.

I love my Mazda protege !!!!! Lots of room and more leg room than a Toyota corolla . This car gets great gas mileage and it has more options and cost less than the other Japanese models . Dependability and reliability are excellent . I have a 5 speed manual 1.8 liter that shifts like a dream I totally recommend them . I do not have any negative things to say about this car .

Purchase the car with over 200K mileage but surprisingly the car runs smoothly and still in great shape.
First week of acquisition, we did a road test and travel almost 500kms one way and luckily it did not gave us any sort of a problem. Even it doesn't have that blazing speed as Bugatti but it feels like it has got enough horse power to outrun mobile cars.
I modified the speakers and replace radio as the sound is so terrible, that it hears like rains are dropping and having an itermittent thunder storm. The AM/FM reception is so extremely poor as it don't get enough good signals even I'm just 10 steps away from the guy talking on his morning radio station.
The gas consumption is the killer for this car as it is always thirsty most of the time, it needed to fill gas twice a week just to fill its needs.
Almost gave up 3 months after purchasing the car as it feels like I'm maintaining a McLaren sporst car.

I can't believe the car is in my possession for almost 2 years....

good thing that Mississauga Transit station is just 50 steps away, so I prevented to use the car everyday.

Overall, the car is usable.

Must say this car was great. Great on gas always reliable. Lots of room Had to car seats placed in the back and there was still room. Nothing really ever broke down. Just did the regular maintenance oil change plugs etc.. great starter car

I truly love my 1997 Mazda Protege! I hate to let it go. This car has never died on me. The years of long highway drives alone, not once did it fail to get me safely and comfortably to my destination. Very little money had to be invested in maintenance over the years, as it's engine is ingeniously designed. Gas mileage is beyond amazing. I've loved saving money on fuel. I also love it for its simplicity. No power windows or power locks, which I find annoying, and no, I'm not a senior, or from another 'era'. I am in control, and I adore the practical simplicity and reliability of this amazing Mazda model.

Great little 4 door car, great on gas, takes me from A to B, Very reliable. This is the car that brought my baby home from the hospital.

Great little 4 door car, great on gas, takes me from A to B, Very reliable. This is the car that brought my baby home from the hospital.

This car is a nice surprise. It handles pretty good. It takes me to work and back with an average of about $50-75/week on gas. It's got enough speed, and this car lasts long.

If you know how to treat a car well, this vehicle will treat you VERY well in return! Since purchasing the vehicle, I clocked over 420,000 km on the '94 Protege. Besides being fantastic on fuel economy, the smaller body size makes it easy to parallel park, and is surprisingly comfortable for passengers in the front & rear. Keep all the fluids clean (as every good car owner should), and this model will always be a reliable ride. Since taking ownership, I've only had to replace the brakes & exhaust, the engine & transmission continue to work great.