1993 Mazda Protege Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
24 - 27 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(27 Total Reviews)
Forever new
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
1993 Mazda Protege 4 Dr DX Sedan
Review
I've had my '93 DX since July 1994 and I still drive it everyday 70 miles round trip to work and back, through snowstorms and blazing summer heat. This is one well built car. I have 170,000 on it so far; replaced the usual - front axles at 95,000, timing belt at 110,000 (really didnt need it but I got nervous), ball joints just this summer and then the usual maintenance. Haven't had a car payment in 9 years which makes me smile everyday and the car still drives like it did the day we bought it. I can tell the crankshaft seals are deteriorating as is the seal around the distributor (smell oil burning and can see buildup of oil in these areas) but if I have to sink even $500 into it still rocks!
Favorite Features
5 speed tranny and build quality. Interior materials are great for a car this cheap.
Suggested Improvements
Really can't think of anything seriously wrong with the car.
Very Happy..
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
1993 Mazda Protege 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
Bought for only $2850 from auto auction with 61,000 miles in 1998. Now have 111,000. I've replaced brakes, battery, tires, both CV joints, exhaust system, air intake hose. Only CV joints and intake were "non consumables". I've never been stranded by the car. Very happy with 1.8L DOHC engine, 30 mpg and fun to rev. Clutch is original. Bad: both CV joints failed, one at 105k and the other at 110k. Air intake hose cracked and went at 100k. Rear doors now "stiff" to close. Sways more than it should in corners. No ABS, no airbags. Good: Reliable, economical, roomier than it looks.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
good car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1993 Mazda Protege 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
I have bought my Protege in December 99. Some rusts problems, I had to change exhausts, I have some problems with rear breaks blocking during winter teime. A good car overall, I recommend the Protege, especially with 1.8l DOCH 16-valve.
Favorite Features
Good engine. Very good seats.
Suggested Improvements
Protection against corrosion.
Excellent Used Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1993 Mazda Protege 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
I bought this car in 2000 with about 48,000 miles on it. I haven't worried about it since. Aside from common upkeep and maintanance, I've had to replace the rotors/calipers and the front axel. This is probably largely due to the amount of salt that's used here in the winter. The interior has some issues. The A/C no longer works and the temp. gauge is stuck near hot. Overall, it's a great little car for little money. Peppy engine and nice handling. I like its performance more than our 2001 corolla.
Favorite Features
Peppy engine, very reliable, great gas mileage for a 93 car.
Suggested Improvements
A few annoyances with interior. Exterior engine parts don't stand up well against salt.
1 out 2 people found this review helpful
a good little car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
1993 Mazda Protege 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
Bought it brand new, now have 155K on it, no real problems other than the a/c. New water pump at 135K, CV shafts at 105K...ended up replacing virtually the entire a/c unit back in 2000, compressor corroded right through, has a slow leak in it again just this week, will not be replacing the compressor again. Car has never been garaged, maybe that has something to do with it, still get 27-8 mpg going to work everyday, can't beat that, get the 5 speed for better performance, am on original clutch, shifts are still great, quick little car, overall have been happy, would buy another one, but am moving up to a big car.
Favorite Features
good driver's seat, smooth shifts, good gas mileage, trunk is big for a small car,lx power features, high redline, wind the gears out and it moves
Suggested Improvements
Better a/c components
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
I love my car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1993 Mazda Protege 4 Dr DX Sedan
Review
I bought this car new in 1993. I have totally enjoyed it. I have not had anything I would call major go wrong with it. Normal maintance and just plain worn out is about it. Like timming belt & cv boot etc. I did blow a spark plug and had a leak in the ratiator. It does burn a little oil now. After 10 years and 120,000 miles you would be tired too. I once had a problem with the selt belt light coming on and staying on. I took it to the Mazda dealer and they fixed it for free. They told me Mazda does not mess around with problems with the belts. I would buy Mazda again for sure.
Favorite Features
The trunk is big and the back seat spilt fold. (I put a 6 ft christmas tree in that trunk.) The passing power is the best, when passing up a hill other cars are starting to slow and I just breeze on by. Millage is really good. Even as the car starts to age.
Suggested Improvements
The cup holders are in the way of the radio. Seats are not the best for long trips.
It Gets Me There... And Back!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
1993 Mazda Protege 4 Dr DX Sedan
Review
I bought it with 119,000K and now have 147,000K in nearly 4 years. Do the math and see that many people do that in just one year. With such low mileage, I expect the muffler to rust out at least every 18 months (as any car would, under the same conditions) And the engine is starting to 'sweat' a little oil, giving the car a constant burned-oil smell. My wife has left the lights on a few times, but a boost brings this old timer right back to life. When I need it, this car gets me there... and gets me back!
Favorite Features
Back seats fold down giving lots of versatility to haul stuff. Not exactly a hatch back, but almost as handy.
Suggested Improvements
the previous owner put in a cheap radio with only front speakers. Give me a CD player with a nice sound system, and I'll get another 10 years out of this pack animal.
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom.....
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1993 Mazda Protege 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
I bought my 5 speed '93 protege in winter 2000 @ 135,000 miles for $1500 with some exterior paint damages. i thought it was too high miles & took the risk, totally based on what the previous first owner told me, since i trusted him! had some fixing like fan belt, brakes & mufflers done besides regular 3500 mile oil change. but i am still driving it with 177,000 miles now. i would recommend to anyone to buy a used mazda protege, probably the best alternative to honda & toyota i can think off!!!
Favorite Features
this car is fabulous. great handling, fun to drive with 5 speed & great fuel economy 28 mpg mixed @ 177K miles!!
Suggested Improvements
Guess it is a reliable car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1993 Mazda Protege 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
I bought this car at 54000 miles in 1998 and I spent thousands $$ to repair it: 4 breaks, alternators, mufflers/pipes, one hose. There sounds a little transmission problem but it is still OK if you do not want to repair it and it generates about 30mpg/highway and 24mpg/city. The electric system and AC may suck your $$$.
Favorite Features
roomy. body rust-free
Suggested Improvements
Transmission. Electric systems
Resilient Little Four Banger
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 4 | ||
Vehicle
1993 Mazda Protege 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
I got this car in '99, it gets more miles put on it than some cars get in three years. It's a great little car, It hasn't had real bad problems except a minor fiasco with the radiator. I get a combined City and Highway mlilage of about 35 mpg (HOW MANY CARS WITH 270,000 MILES CAN SAY THAT!!). The car is surprisingly zippy for having only 125 horsepower. I would highly recomend a 93-95 vintage Protege to anyone who wants a very reliable, durable, and reasonably sporty little car but doesn't have a lot of money (Basiclly anyone like me).
Favorite Features
Giddy up and go, control placement and access, gas mileage, durability.
Suggested Improvements
Get rid of all those funky parts that cost twice as much and are hard to replace- why do you use a plastic radiator?
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
View Pricing for Other Years
Research the 1993 Mazda Protege
- 1993 Mazda Protege Prices
- 1993 Mazda Protege Review
- 1993 Mazda Protege Road Test Review
- 1993 Mazda Protege Consumer Reviews
- 1993 Mazda Protege Consumer Discussions
- 1993 Mazda Protege Pictures
Buying & Selling
Vehicle Details
Multimedia
Ratings & Reviews
- Model Review
- Road Test Ratings
- Road Test Reviews
- Consumer Reviews
- Awards History
- Reliability
- Consumer Discussions
Payment Calculators
Helpful Tools
