1998 Mazda Protege Consumer Reviews

Protege review

Written by: farmerrob17 on 04/15/2008

Vehicle

1998 Mazda Protege 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

It is ok for a little car but the transmission starts to slow down after 98000 miles on the car.

Favorite Features

The radio, the fuel mileage.

Suggested Improvements

Better tranny, and a body that won't rust as much.

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Mazda Protege review

Written by: MP on 04/01/2008

Vehicle

1998 Mazda Protege 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

This has been a nice car for a high school grad. Very safe and easy to maintain car. It has all the features and the compact size is the winner.

Favorite Features

Solid construction and reliable car. Low or no maintenance!

Suggested Improvements

Improve fuel efficiency. For the size of the engine and body, Mazda could have done a better job.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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I love my mazda

Written by: matt on 12/30/2007

Vehicle

1998 Mazda Protege 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

I bought my protege with 109k. I love my car and I am upgrading the motor to the larger motor found in the ES version, same motor as in the miata. This vehicle is still strong and loving everything i throw at it, has 143k on it now!

Favorite Features

Styling is smooth and very sexy, especially the rear end, with my fat rims on it of course! The interior is simple but well made and still up to date even now, although the radio was disappointing but arn't they all like that!

Suggested Improvements

Mazda designed a beautifully well made economy car with the 1.5 engine, the 1.8 is still economical but with a more sporty side to it! I think they should have brought the hatchback and AWD platform to the states

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Happy Owner

Written by: Bryan on 10/02/2006

Vehicle

1998 Mazda Protege 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

I am the original owner of my Mazda, had the vehicle now for 8 years; it has only 82,000 miles. For a compact vehicle it has a lot of leg and head room, it drives and handles well great gas mileage. It's been trouble free except for the normal wear and tear. This is my third Mazda, best vehicle I ever purchased!

Favorite Features

Gas mileage, air conditioner, CD player, sunroof, tight steering.

Suggested Improvements

More power especially on the automatics.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Happy Owner

Written by: Rege on 09/27/2006

Vehicle

1998 Mazda Protege 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

I purchased my Mazda brand new; it had only 10 miles when I drove it off the lot. One of the best cars I've owned, great gas mileage, fun car to drive, low maintenance just the normal wear & tear. The down side is needs more power especially on the automatic 1.5 liter engine. Still own the car it has only 82,000 miles!

Favorite Features

CD player, sunroof, gas mileage, tight steering, air conditioner.

Suggested Improvements

Little more horse power.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Reliable

Written by: Mirko on 05/13/2006

Vehicle

1998 Mazda Protege 4 Dr ES Sedan

Review

Bought it new. Now have 180k (yes, miles!) on it. Only oil changes (sometimes I forgot to do it). Replaced clutch plate twice (it is manual shift). Engine light goes on in wet weather from day one. Nobody knows why. Excellent, reliable small car. My two teenagers mastered stick-shift on it and it survived. Will highly recommend. Changed brake pads only twice.

Favorite Features

CD player.

Suggested Improvements

Noisy over 50mph

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Mazda

Written by: Charlotte Spear on 08/20/2005

Vehicle

1998 Mazda Protege 4 Dr DX Sedan

Review

At 140,00 miles only the preventative timing belt and front brakes have been replaced.

Favorite Features

Reliability - it has always started.

Suggested Improvements

The alignment had to be adjusted several times and there is quite a bit of road noise - but its a compact.

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Fun car

Written by: Danioes on 01/16/2005

Vehicle

1998 Mazda Protege 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

Bought the car at 71,000 miles. It's been trouble free with only preventive maintenance needed. The 1.5 is underpowered, but the 5-speed makes it fun to drive. This car also gets great mileage (30 mpg city/highway mix, 37 mpg all highway). Roomy car (I am 6'5"). Very very practical car.

Favorite Features

Mileage, CD player/sound system, reliability, 5-speed, the fact that you can get a lot for so little money.

Suggested Improvements

More power.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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It's an O.K. generic car

Written by: trew on 02/01/2004

Vehicle

1998 Mazda Protege 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

Wife bought this new in 1998. It was overpriced and underpowered, but has been extremely reliable. We had problems with the plactic breaking off into the door locks. The exhaust manifold cracked and had to replace. Has been a good all around, "plain jane" car. Not much styling to it - looks like a jellybean like most other sedans of that year. Overall, a decent car.

Favorite Features

Great gas mileage. Doesn't draw too much attention. Very reliable. Wife likes it. Gonna drive the wheels of it.

Suggested Improvements

Needed more power and better styling. The driver's seat doesn't slide back far enough for tall people.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Sweet car

Written by: iBlue on 11/11/2003

Vehicle

1998 Mazda Protege 4 Dr DX Sedan

Review

My wife drives this car. She loves it since day one. It's as sweet as her. Everything runs great so far and she praises it more than me:( As the passenger (sometimes), I would like to complaint its comfortness. But I am not sure the discomfort is caused by the car design or my wife 's poor driving skills/habits... Anyway, I bought a Mazda later too.

Favorite Features

Roomy front passenger seat. Reliability. Feul efficiency excellent. Make my wife happy!

Suggested Improvements

Improve passenger's comfortness.

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