1997 Mazda Protege LX 1.5 from North America

Summary:

Great car for the price

Faults:

New Battery.

Had to replace the windsheild wiper linkage as the joints wore out and would pop off causing the wipers to not work. Replaced at 110,000 miles.

Replaced motor mounts at 118,000 miles.

Replaced brake pads, rotors and calipers at 122,000 miles.

Replaced tires.

Replaced vacuum regulator and ERG valve at 123,000 miles.

Replaced air intake hose at 123,000.

General Comments:

The car handles really good even in snow. Only downfall is when its really windy out you get blown around alittle.

Has pretty good acceleration, not super fast, but good.

Gets really good gas mileage especially on hwys with cruise control on.

Has a huge trunk and the backseats fold down for even more space.

Back seats are comfortable with good amount of room for passengers. Can be a little tight fit with a infant car seat though.

Front seats are very comfortable.

This is a really nice car for the money. I've owned it for 3yrs and its been very reliable. Never had any major problems with it, except the ERG valve. Which was only $500 for the dealer to replace.

Only downfall is, parts are hard to find, you have to either get them from a junk yard or order them as auto stores don't carry parts for them.

I plan on driving this car for years to come.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th January, 2008

1997 Mazda Protege 1.5L from North America

Summary:

Excellent car; reliable, roomy and economical

Faults:

-front suspension component

-replaced front & rear brakes

-after-market engine immobilizer failed

-air conditioning had failed before I bought the car

-suspension had been changed before I bought the car.

General Comments:

-Excellent car

-Very good fuel economy (6-6.3L/100km on highway/freeway) ; 7.5 around town

-Very good handling

-sufficient room to carry 4 six-foot adults.

-Adequate legroom for 6ft5 driver

-Quite comfortable seats, but are now beginning to wear out.

-Adequate performance from 1.5L with a manual transmission, especially at higher rpms. More low-end torque would be nice, but can't really complain given the fuel economy. High-speed (12-140km/h) passing is not an problem.

-Noisy at highway speeds

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th September, 2006

1997 Mazda Protege LX 1.7 from North America

Summary:

Cute, cheap, great first car!

Faults:

The car was sputtering and did not seem to be working well at all when I bought it so it only cost me $1000! After having the ripped air intact hose replaced (cost $100) the car runs perfectly.

Rust spot above rear passenger side tire repaired and painted (cost $175).

General Comments:

This is my first car so I LOVE it simply because it is all mine! I use it for traveling back and forth to school and work and occasionally drive it from PEI to NB and back. It is easy on gas and never gives me any trouble. Great first car!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th August, 2006

1997 Mazda Protege LS 1.5L from North America

Summary:

Hott wheels

General Comments:

I've only had the car for 7 months, but it has been good to me. I use it for commuting to work and it has been so reliable. It's not fast or the greatest looking, but it does what I need it di and I does it great.

I get about 650km/tank. I love it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th August, 2006

1997 Mazda Protege LX 1.5 from North America

Summary:

A reliable commuter without any problems

Faults:

Rough idle no matter how warm the car is.

Worn out brake lights, that's it!

Weird rattle from driver's side mirror area from 67mph and only gets worse the faster you go.

General Comments:

Superb handling, very easy to drive.

Underpowered, but with the manual you can move if you need to.

Incredible gas mileage.

Cabin is noisy in general, especially on the freeway.

Seats are comfortable, I'm 6' 1" and fit well, but the cabin is fairly spartan, but functions very well. Except the cup holders. anything bigger than a pop can is a problem because the holders are in front of the shifter and big cups prohibit shifting into 1st, 3rd and 5th gear. It might be that I have large hands though.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th October, 2005