2001 Mazda Protege Consumer Reviews Page 2

Improvement was needed on the MP3

Written by: Sphantomk on 12/07/2005

Vehicle

2001 Mazda Protege MP3 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I love this car. I wanted one from the day it came out on the lot. After I got one though I had to admit that everyone was right. It needed more power. So I got my hands on a 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege that was wrecked by a rear end collision with only 1k miles on the car. Took the full turbo kit and put it on my MP3. The MP3 now has just over 200 horsepower at the wheels. The car is now perfect!

Favorite Features

The stance, suspension, the car...

Suggested Improvements

Needed the Mazdaspeed turbo that I put on it.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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A Fun to Drive Bargain

Written by: Flying_M on 08/29/2005

Vehicle

2001 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought my Protege in 2001 near the end of the season. I really enjoy driving this car. It holds the road well and is really fun to drive. I love the slick shifting 5 speed manual and the steering response. It has decent acceleration for a 2.0 liter and can really be thrown into corners. The interior space is a little smaller than some competitors and the seats are not comfortable for long trips. The only two complaints I have are the tires and CD player. The original tires wore too quickly (30k) and did not grip as well as the replacements do. The LCD on the CD players is sometimes missing pieces of numbers, making it hard to read. This happened after it was out of warranty.

Favorite Features

Smooth shifting manual transmission, great handling, sporty looks, and easy to reach radio controls.

Suggested Improvements

Seats are a bit uncomfortable on long trips (bottom cushion is too short). Tilt steering is hard to access. Many trim panels feel cheap. The original tires (Bridgestone Potenzas) wore too quickly and did not handle as well as many other "V" rated tires.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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My Protege

Written by: R. Glass on 02/08/2005

Vehicle

2001 Mazda Protege ES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I LOVE my Protege. I purchased it brand new (5/01). I've put 76K miles on it and ABSOLUTELY no problems! Only oil changes & I did the timing belt & water pump at 60K as recommended.

Favorite Features

2.0L engine is the BEST! It makes a huge difference in the pick up of the vehicle getting on & off the highway.

Suggested Improvements

I have the low profile/high performance tires & almost had heart failure when I had to buy new tires - very very expensive! However, I still LOVE the car!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great car...

Written by: StuttersC on 10/24/2004

Vehicle

2001 Mazda Protege MP3 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought this car brand new. I haven't had any issues with the car. Mazda made a good move in bringing this car to the market which opened the door to the Mazdaspeed brand in the US. The chasis is stiff and can handle just about anything you throw at it.

Favorite Features

Handling, solid feel.

Suggested Improvements

More power. And the turbo I put on did the trick.

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This car makes me grin.

Written by: WriterGuy on 09/07/2004

Vehicle

2001 Mazda Protege ES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The protege is a blast to drive. Its chassis responses are smooth and quick, and the steering is nicely weighted. Only problems have been the EGR valve, which stuck and caused a stalling problem, the brakes, which tend to squeal (but stop amazingly well), and the clutch, which has some chatter in cold weather. My protege has 60k miles on it and still feels new.

Favorite Features

Steering. Brakes. Style--this car looks great. Roomy interior.

Suggested Improvements

AC could be colder. Would be nice if less tire and wind noise entered the cabin. Could use taller 5th gear (engine winds out to 3500rpm at 70mph). Shifter could be more precise. Oil filter is difficult to get at (under intake manifold by the firewall).

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Reliability Problems!

Written by: jdwilkin on 07/03/2004

Vehicle

2001 Mazda Protege ES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I had hoped that the good looks and performance of the Protege would be matched by Japanese reliability. No such luck. Had to replace engine (rod bearing)at 80k. Transmission repair at 81k. Have done rear brakes 3 times and rear links twice already - fronts once. (@ 94k now)Strut failed at 85k. Dealer and Mazda have both avoided any/all responsibility for problems...even while under warranty. Very dissappointing purchase.

Favorite Features

Tight suspension, strong braking, nice seats and interior for econo box.

Suggested Improvements

reliability! Better engine, gearbox.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Bugdet Beemer!

Written by: therealdeal on 06/28/2004

Vehicle

2001 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Purchased this car new in 2001, initially impressed with fit and finish, sharp ride and handling, good braking. It whines on the highway at 3500rpm in 5th gear going 120km/h (a 6th gear would help) The 2.0 litre engine has more potential and at a conservative 130 hp, it chews up more gas than it should. With 83000 km on the clickler, I've since had minor corrosion around the tops of the door frames, my brakes are squeaking, tires are balled, the manual shifter is choppy after starting in cold weather until I warm it up, The radio display is starting to fade in and out, dealer service personel need help identifying problems!

Favorite Features

Initial quality, zippy ride for the buck, standard cd player, factory speakers are adequate, interior room, ergonomics, simple controls/displays, BIG exterior brake lights, dependable engine.

Suggested Improvements

6th gear is a must in manual tranny, fuel economy, driver seat lumbar needs more support, wiper speeds are too basic, wheels/tires rare for the type, Built in Hiroshima! is my car radio- active??

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Nice economy sedan.

Written by: gatodelsol on 06/08/2004

Vehicle

2001 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Look no further if you want a simple, more-bang-for-your-buck economy sedan. I couldn't believe how well the 4-door Protege' DX compared to the Nissan Sentra, Chevy Prizm, Saturn SL2, Toyota Corolla, and- its main nemesis- the Honda Civic. The DX may be the plain Jane of the Protege' stable, but she is still a beauty of the first magnitude. I would buy another Protege' in a minute.

Favorite Features

Excellent 5-speed manual transmission (tight!), great fuel economy- 35 MPG highway; 28 MPG city. Nice paint job (tough finish). Comfortable interior- front and back seats. Firm, smooth, feel-the-road handling in steering and suspension. Excellent AM/FM/CD Stereo and speakers.

Suggested Improvements

Cruise control. Offer a hybrid electric/gas engine with electric regenerative braking! Hmm. How about a hydrogen fuel cell engine?!

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Sportiest Car under 12k

Written by: Mp3 lover on 04/05/2004

Vehicle

2001 Mazda Protege MP3 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Hands down, best handling compact. Macapherson struts all around, shock absorbers, 1.5 inches lower than stock. This baby obeys all cornering comands with out question.

Favorite Features

As said above the handling is sick. R&T tested it and found that its slalom speed was one of four cars EVER tested to go over 70 mph ferraris porsches and all.

Suggested Improvements

Ride is a little rough but thats what you get for unsurpassed handlining

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Amazing Reliability, Poor Tire Selectio

Written by: Brobas on 03/02/2004

Vehicle

2001 Mazda Protege ES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I have had my 2 vehicles prior to the purchase of my Mazda bought back on the NY State Lemon Law. Needless to say, I am a fanatic about quality with my vehicle experience. This Protege has NEVER had a problem. EVER. Period. We have had it for 3 years now and it has been outstanding.

Favorite Features

5-speed is fun to drive.

Suggested Improvements

The 16" rims are REDICULOUS! We had to get new tires. They had to be specially ordered. It cost a fortune to replace the tires. This would be the only reason I wouldn't buy this vehicle again. (make sure you get 15" rims if you decide to buy this vehicle.)

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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