1999 Mazda Protege Review
Fuel Economy
25 - 27 mpg
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Love it.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
1999 Mazda Protege 4 Dr DX Sedan
Review
I've been with this car for 10 years. My parents bought it brand new and now it's been in my ownership for a year now. It's been 10 years, and it is a great car. It's reliable and totally affordable. Fuel economy is great for the age of the car and it makes a great family car too. All in all, it is a nice car :)
Favorite Features
I love the size of the car. It's perfect.
Suggested Improvements
More horsepower!
Great little car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1999 Mazda Protege 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
I have always been a truck person, but bought this car to limit my annual mileage on my truck. This has been a great car that I bought cheaply with 87K on it. I changed the timing belt, and change the oil every 6K with synthetic. I now have 143K on it, and it runs better than when I bought it. I use it like a truck, and even have hauled my jetski with it. It just has a little trouble pulling it out of the lake but manages. It gets between 30 and 34 MPG with a mix of freeway and town driving. It's not the fastest for sure, but it is sufficient, except on big hills.
Favorite Features
The gas mileage and trunk space are my favorite features.
Suggested Improvements
Yes, it is a bit noisy on the freeway, but what do you expect for such a cheap car? Ok, maybe try to reduce that a little bit.
glad i baught this car!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
1999 Mazda Protege 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
I bought a new protege in 99, the car has always been really trustworthy! The car really hasn't had any real problems besides normal maint (alternator, oil changes, brakes etc.) I have always kept up maint on this car and has allowed this car to still run just like it did when I drove it off the lot even after 311,000 miles! I have never had to do any Major engine or trans work on this car and still trust it enough to make 3 400 mile trips a week! On the highway it gets about 35-40 mpg and citywise mid20s to lower 30s! One complaint is that the cupholders are to small and are placed too close to the dash and shifter. Also long trips the seats can get uncomfortable! But great car and value!
Favorite Features
Sunroof, sound system, fun to drive, great gas mileage, very dependable, have gotten my 20,000 I paid back considering I haven't had many problems in the 310,000 miles that ive drove it! I love this car, may not be a Mercedes but cant find many 20 grand cars that match this cars reliability and drive!
Suggested Improvements
Would give more space in console for the cupholders ( too close to dash and shifter) and also make seats more comfortable on long trips cause can be stiff after long road trips! But really great car Mazda! For being owned by Ford corp they have stepped up the game with the protege! Great job!
Durable and reliable
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1999 Mazda Protege 4 Dr DX Sedan
Review
I bought it used, it came from a rental fleet. It has been absolutely trouble-free with routine maintenance even after a significant accident that needed major repair and another fender- bender (literally) once repairs were made, I have had years of trouble free use. Definitely would recommend, and would buy another if they still made them.
Favorite Features
Fuel economy and reliability. Also able to carry an surprising amount of cargo with the rear seats down (twin bed, Christmas trees, lots of boxes) .
Suggested Improvements
Road noise is high. Also a little sluggish to accelerate uphill (like an uphill on-ramp) if the air conditioning is on -- but still adequate and safe.
Would not buy another one
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
1999 Mazda Protege 4 Dr ES Sedan
Review
This car has not been too bad overall but it has had some issues with idling which have never been resolved. It's a problem in the cold climate of Canada. When it gets very cold it cranks really slow then floods. The CD player is junk - sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. The rocker panels rust almost as fast as a GM or Ford. Maybe because Mazda is now owned by Ford and is no longer a true import. Buy a Toyota and you won't see that kind of rust on it so fast and they start easy at even minus 40 deg F.
Favorite Features
I like the fact that it doesn't have ABS brakes.
Suggested Improvements
The rear interior door panels seemed to have warped in the sun and are sticking up and out. The door rubbers are lousy. How about a P/S pump that is not so noisy. It sounds like its out of fluid all the time.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2003 Mazda Protege
- 2002 Mazda Protege
- 2001 Mazda Protege
- 2000 Mazda Protege
- 1999 Mazda Protege
- 1998 Mazda Protege
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