2002 Mazda Protege LX review from North America
"This little car is a BIG deal!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Okay, I ran over something and demolished the oil pan at just the right spot for it to cost me a whole lotta cash. This was not a factory problem, but the cash that I had to fork out was. Anywhere else I think I could have gotten a better deal on the repair, but if you want genuine Mazda parts that will last, I suggest going to the dealer to fix it. (Routine air filter changes can be expensive, too.)
The only other problem I'm having is that the paint chips easily on the front and rear bumpers.
General comments?
This car has so much cargo space for everything you need. It's comfy to sit in and the cruise control lets your feet rest. Everything in the cargo spacing is very easy access, and the 60/40 back seat split is great for bigger things that can't quite fit in the large trunk space.
The upholstery and dashboard materials are not cheap looking like most small cars in its class.
My backseat passengers especially love the windows that roll all the way down, instead of the traditional 1/2 way. Backseat passengers also have safety in the middle seat because of the lap and shoulder belt. Try and find that in another small car!
Recommended reviews
| Drives like a 3 series costs like a Mazda |
|
| Nice in a lot of ways, but overall unrefined and illogical |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 2002 |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0L DOHC 16v Automatic |
| Performance marks | 10 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 10 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 6 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 15 miles |
| Most recent distance | 49500 miles |
| Previous car | Toyota Cressida |
| Date of Entry | 15th August, 2004 |