This car came with a great options package including 6-CD changer - the only thing I can complain about is the stock speakers, it sounds like they are made from paper cups.
I have owned two Honda's and two VW's before this Mazda, this car really reminds me how reliable and inexpensive Japanese cars are to own.
My wife and I traded our 99 Jetta in because the parts are just too expensive - $380 for a mass flow air sensor? And at 110K that was just the beginning...
It seems like VW spent 100% of their engineering resources on driving performance, not long term reliability... fun to drive though (if you can afford it).
On to the Protege ES...
Great handling.
Well over 30 MPG.
The 4 wheel disk brakes feel great.
The power (and there is plenty as light as this car is) is at higher RPM, but normal for Japanese builds.
Well, all I need to do now is find some aftermarket speakers!
Please tell me how you got over 30 mpg with this car. I can't get past 22 mpg. I don't drive fast; city and highway driving are evenly split.
Am I missing something?
I never get 30 miles per gallon to!!
22 max if I don't drive faster than 65 mph!
Still it's a really god car!
I own a Protege ES 2003, with P195 50R16 tires and the MazdaSpeed spoiler. (Bought in Canada).
The bad
--------
1. I too average 22MPG. I find the gas consumption of this car to be surprisingly high considering the engine and especially, the (light) weight.
2. The Dunlop5000 tires that came with the car are solid performance tires, but they are known to wear out much faster than any other tire of this category. On top of that, they are (in my area at least) among the most expensive tires of the category at about US$170 a piece.
3. While I find the brake performance to be adequate, the brakes wear out fast on a Protege. This has been confirmed to me by Mazda Canada. It is a fact that the brake durability (not quality) does not compare with other manufacturers. The brakes seem to have been much improved on the Mazda3.
The good
--------
1. Quality of interior design and durability of the seat material.
2. Sound system for a car of this category and price.
3. Handling.
4. Suspension is firm and provides better control and reaction than competitors (e.g. Corolla).
5. Decent Tiptronic gearbox for this type of car although sometimes slow to react.
6. Short first 2 gears with AT.
Martin.
I LOVE MY 2003 MAZDA - I ALSO GET OVER 30 MPG. ON A DAILY BASIS. I DRIVE 45 MILES ONEWAY TO WORK. MOST OF THE DRIVING I DO IS OF THIS NATURE. BUT I DO AGREE WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE BETTER HAVE SPENT A lot OF MONEY ON BRAKES. I BOUGHT MINE NEW. IT'S LASER BLUE! LOVE IT!!!
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