2003 Mazda Protege 5 review from North America
"Perfect if it had a reliable transmission"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
My transmission had to be rebuilt at 85,000 miles. The repair shop said that I should expect to do it again. They also said Mazda is aware of the problems with the transmission, but consider it the normal life expectancy of the transmission.
After it was rebuilt, it had to go back into the shop at 90,000 miles for the same repair. Thankfully, the repair was under warranty.
General comments?
I like this car a lot, but I used to love it. It gets good gas mileage, is quick and responsive. Handles really well. I also love the convenience of being able to use it for a lot of cargo. It fits a 2' x 8' board inside. Also, I have successfully fit an entire futon bed inside it.
However, it is uncomfortable for long rides and my trust in the car has been severely reduced because of the transmission problems. My last Mazda ran for 202,000 miles and I was hoping this one would do the same.
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model Year | 2003 |
| First year of ownership | 2006 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0L DOHC 4 cylinder Semi-Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8/10 |
| Reliability marks | 5/10 |
| Comfort marks | 7/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 6/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 45000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 92000 miles |
| Previous car | Mazda 626 |
| Date of Entry | 5th March, 2008 |