2001 Mazda Protege Consumer Reviews Page 5

The 1990-1994 Proteges are better

Written by: ProtegeOwner on 06/07/2002

Vehicle

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

Review

The new Mazda Proteges are ok...but they are way underpowered. I have a 1994 DX which is a 1.8L SOHC 4 cylinder. My SOHC engine, which is only 103hp just right out murders the 1.6L DOHC engine thats in the new Proteges. I was very disappointed in the 1.6L when I test drove it. That engine had no pep or pick up at all. Whats with all that Zoom Zoom talk when the new Proteges do not have any?!?!. The First Generation Proteges are far better than the new ones.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Report It

Excellent Small Car

Written by: boggse on 05/31/2002

Vehicle

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

Review

This is simply a great car. The handling is otherworldly in such an inexpensive automobile. The cargo room and passenger room are perfect. The seat comfort is perfect, especially compared to the Focus. The engine is great in spite of being a little underpowered for the suspension. I have no real complaints, only praise.

Favorite Features

Front seat comfort, handling, 5-speed transmission.

Suggested Improvements

The radio is slightly underpowered. In combination with the cheap OEM speakers, it sounds sub par. Also, about 20 more HP and better fuel economy.

Report It

zoom-zoom

Written by: JetsToBrazil on 05/26/2002

Vehicle

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

Review

this thing moves! I've never had more fun in a car before. So far, so good, it's pretty new and all but nothing is wrong and I have no complaints at all at this time, if I think of any, I'll let you know...but its fast and it hauls a$$

Favorite Features

speedy, cute, comfort

Suggested Improvements

seems to dent pretty easily, I mean I fixed it and all, but...if i barely touched it to begin with...it shouldn't be pulling that on me

Report It

I love my Protege

Written by: Fatima Oliveira on 05/11/2002

Vehicle

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

Review

For the price of the car, you are getting a great car compared to the sentra and the civic. It handles great. Great design on interior and exterior with lots of room.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Mazda Protege lack in one area...the take off.

Report It

Protege steps to the plate.

Written by: Chuckie on 04/12/2002

Vehicle

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

Review

The Protege needed a face lift. Here it is! Civics were murdering the market but now it seems Mazda has something to compete with. This youthful vehicle drives smooth and comfortably with room for five. The appeal is not only to the low income single home family. It appeals to all who have ideals of street racing or the savy to drive through town screaming "Hey look at me! Sexy as I wanna be." Young adults as well as older individuals feel spirited when they get behind the wheel. Mazda hit a homerun this year.

Favorite Features

I love the agressive look of the front bumper. The Mazda Clutch is the best in the business, it only intensifies the driving experience. Not to mention the superb handling.

Suggested Improvements

Turbo engines should be optional. The turning signals are inadequate when you are beside the vehicle. Mazda needs to place a turning light on the fenders.

Report It

"Cheapest Super Car"

Written by: PY on 04/08/2002

Vehicle

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

Review

Trying to push this car to it's limit but seem like this car have no limit. The MP3 body is good enough to handle a 300 hp or up engine.

Favorite Features

Perfact handling; Tokiko full suspensions; 17" Racing Hart wheels are beauties; MP3/CD player (I ususally burn around 180 MP3 files in a single CD-R).

Suggested Improvements

More power! 300 hp may not be good enough for this fun car!

Report It

I agree with everybody else!

Written by: randomo on 04/05/2002

Vehicle

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

Review

Wow, is the handling great! Tight, zippy -- just crisp, clean fun. Too bad they couldn't have given it more horses. I test drove a Protege LX a few years ago, and it was woefully underpowered; the much bigger engine in this ES seemed as if it would overcome that hurdle. Sad to say, it needs to go into 4th gear well before 40 mph, and into 5th in the high 40s. It strains a bit to maintain 65-70 on highways where that is the dominant speed of traffic flow. Give this car a 6th gear and you'd have something truly great! ;-) My only other concern is the dashboard illumination. The red glow works great in the dark, but at dusk the instruments are hard to read.

Favorite Features

Fun to drive, and I'm not someone who usually puts a high priority on that!

Suggested Improvements

More powerful engine!

Report It

nice car good value

Written by: protege jim on 03/23/2002

Vehicle

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

Review

The car is a real gas saver,I have had up to 42w/mpg I like the car best of all no trips back to the dealer for any thing.A nice little car for the money.

Favorite Features

good feel for the road,ok in the snow.Easy on gas.

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report It

Hind sight says I made a fine pick!

Written by: JT99 on 03/07/2002

Vehicle

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

Review

Two thumbs up with my Mazda Protege ES-GT model. Lots of time and thought went into the purchase and we did good. We started looking at the Protege5 but supply and demand didn't work in our favour so we managed to negotiate much better terms for the ES sedan, with the GT package to jazz it up as much as we could. Seven months later, I'm still grinning ear to ear as I love this car.

Favorite Features

Sporty look. Great handling. Very comfortable and fun to drive.

Suggested Improvements

The Mazda logo on the grill is a little large for my liking. Especially when I compare the 2001 with the 2000 model. But if that's my only complaint I think I'm going okay.

Report It

A car for an average driver to have fun!

Written by: Still Mazda fan... on 03/05/2002

Vehicle

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

Review

This car works marvelously. Steering and Breaks!!! are unseen in this class and up Altima/Solara level. As the car feels powerless, the above features are enhanced. However, the little things that makes a car luxurious lacks (3 speed wiper, no vanity lights, no arm rest etc.) If you're considering this car, you have to understand that you're paying the same or more than Carola/Sentra just for the steering and breaks. If you can live without power and the little things, you will love ES!!!

Favorite Features

Steering!!! and Breaks!!!

Suggested Improvements

Try to create luxurious atmospher without more cost, if Mazda can...

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report It