2003 Mazda Protege 5-Door ES review from North America

No problems yet.

Tired of fixing my used '91 Prelude, I decided to purchase a brand new car and, after looking at a number of cars (Civic & RSX in particular), I realized that the Mazda Protege provided the best bang for the buck. Here are some of the reasons that swayed my purchase and that I've come to learn in the last two thousand kilometers:

The number and quality of stock features and options for the price far outweigh those available in other cars.

Thought the car might feel underpowered, handling and braking make up for this deficiency.

The stock alloy rims are attractive and the 16-inch sizing compliments the aggressive look of the car.

As a 21-year old, the car is sporty looking yet still offers practicality with five doors and keyless entry.

Subtle touches to the interior (e.g., cloth and fake carbon fiber trims, slick steering wheel design, and comfortable seats) make the ride very comfortable.

In comparison with other cars, this car has superb reliability in every aspect.

I love it and will probably keep it for at least seven years.

Pictures: http://www.sfu.ca/~bparasa/zoom.