2002 Mazda Protege 5 review from North America
"Loaded and a blast to drive"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Rear windshield wiper broke and had to be replaced.
Factory tires did not wear well; replaced at 15K miles.
General comments?
Bought this car used (but in excellent condition) as a "learner" for our teenage daughter, but we might not give it up! It is seriously fun to drive.
Looks great. Low-profile tires, aluminum wheels, and sporty body styling make it a head-turner. Ours also has after-market window tinting which adds to the sporty look.
Handles great. Responsive steering, plenty of zoom (even with the automatic), and great brakes. Definitely not a cushy ride - but that is part of the appeal. Rides like a true sports car.
Comfortable and roomy. Comfortably seats four adults. Plenty of head and leg room. Driver's seat adjusts to just about any height/leg length. I am 5'4" and my husband is 6'1", yet we both find it comfortable to drive. Fold-down rear seats and roof rack make it a great "mini SUV."
Great value for the money. Standard features like the power moon roof, 6 CD changer and power everything make this car one of the best bargains around.
Only downfalls are the poor quality of the sound system and the lack of insulation (lots of wind noise). Otherwise, this is a terrific little car!
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| Nice in a lot of ways, but overall unrefined and illogical |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 2002 |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0 130 HP Automatic |
| Performance marks | 10 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Previous car | Chrysler Sebring Convertible |
| Date of Entry | 17th February, 2004 |