1997 Mazda Protege SE review from North America
"Reliable family transportation"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
I follow the dealers recommendations for servicing and what-not. As a result of this regular maintenance, I haven't had any problems at all. The only thing I have done is regular oil changes and tune-ups.
General comments?
This car has served my family and I very well over the last two years. There is lots of trunk space and a surprising amount of interior room. It handles very well in the snow as well as in wet weather. I only have three complaints about it. The first is that there isn't quite enough power due to the 1.5 liter engine and it's pitiful 97 horsepower ability. The second is that the car does feel a wee bit sketchy at highway speeds over 140 kilometres per hour. The third complaint is that my bum gets numb and sore after extended trips. Apart from these minor complaints, the car has performed famously and I would definitely recommend it.
Recommended reviews
| Great car for the price |
| Maybe I just got one that was manufactured on a Friday? |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1997 |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.5 Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 30000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 65000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Honda Prelude |
| Date of Entry | 30th January, 2002 |