2003 Mazda Protege review from North America
"Very good handling, less than great fuel economy"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Nothing.
General comments?
The thing that sticks out most is the handling. For a "cheap" little import, it handles very well. I was extremely surprised by the braking.
It is very roomy inside, comfortable, but a little stiff. The instrumentation is a little difficult to read at certain times of the day, due to the color scheme they chose.
My biggest complaint is the gas mileage. I was expecting a little more. My 15 mile per day, one way, commute is mostly highway. I have been getting 25-26 MPG. My wifes '97 Grand Am GT gets better than that, with a 2.4l, and 150hp.
The engine could use some more torque, especially at the low end. There is almost no power below 3,000 RPMs. It also seems to hesitate and surge a little if lugged. Above 3k, it runs smoothly, even up to the Red Line. Keep it wound up!
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0 Manual |
| Performance marks | 9/10 |
| Reliability marks | 10/10 |
| Comfort marks | 8/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 9/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 5 miles |
| Most recent distance | 2200 miles |
| Previous car | Honda Accord |
| Date of Entry | 22nd January, 2004 |