2003 Mazda Protege 5 review from North America
"I will make my next car a Mazda"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The 6 disc CD changer doesn't consistently read CD's. I am not referring to burnt CD's, even brand new CD's frequently get the "Check disc" error and they won't play.
The z-rated tires have a very short life-span, and are quite expensive to replace (approx. $700 for a set of 4)
The e-brake light/sensor had to be replaced around 50,000 miles because it was staying on despite the emergency brake being disengaged. This was performed by the dealer while the car was still under warranty at no cost to me.
General comments?
This car has been driven quite rigorously. I average a 55 mile round trip to work and back everyday, as well as frequent stop-and-go driving throughout the city I live in. Despite this harsh treatment, my Protege 5 has performed very well.
Frequent care such as oil changes every 3,000 miles, replacing spark plugs every 35,000 miles, and brake pads about every 15,000 miles has kept my Protege performing very well.
The economical price, gas mileage, roomy interior, and ability to accessorize my Mazda has made it the most worthwhile automotive purchase I have ever made.
Recommended reviews
| 2003 - Protege PR5 2.0 liter 4 cylinder Excellent choice in compact car |
|
| I love to Zoom!~ |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 2003 |
| Year of manufacture | 2003 |
| First year of ownership | 2004 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2007 |
| Engine and transmission | Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 9 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 9000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 75000 miles |
| Previous car | Toyota MR2 |
| Date of Entry | 25th October, 2007 |