2003 Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege Review

Name: 2003 Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege Review
Brand: Mazda
Price: 2618 USD
Rating: 4.8 (113 reviews)

Price Estimate: $2,618 - $4,095

Read full review See all features & specs

Price & Payment

1 cars

$8,950 avg. price

Min$

Max$

See listings

Appraise My 2003 Mazda

Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

Pros

Sports car handling, aggressive looks, incredible sound system.

Cons

Frustrating stereo controls, overdone rear spoiler.

What’s new

Mazda introduces a new sport-tuned version of its Protege, dubbed Mazdaspeed.

Edmunds says

Mazda gives its MP3 a much appreciated horsepower injection, turning an already capable performer into a potential segment killer.

For sale near Harrisburg, PA

1 listings

Sort by:

2003 Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege
Base Sedan
$8,950
- 91,000 miles
- 1 accident, 4 owners, personal use only
- 21 City / 27 Hwy MPG, Manual
- Station 7 Motors (324 mi away)
- Alarm
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
Close
Located in New Bedford, MA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (21 City/27 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JM1BJ227430641460
Stock: 641460
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-23-2025

See all for sale

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Pennsylvania

$211/mo

$170/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Year

Make

Model

See pricing history

Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege Owner Reviews

4.8

113 reviews

5(86%)

4(11%)

3(3%)

2(0%)

1(0%)

See all 113 reviews Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Too bad I love to drive it...

CD, 05/25/2006

2003 Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

This is the most fun to drive car I have ever had, and that's the only reason it is still in my driveway. It has its own bay at the service department. I'm there for the same things over and over. I've had a new turbo, a new transmission, sway bar links at least 5 times, a rear subframe, two new alarms, new a/c compressor, multiple coolant leaks, multiple exhaust leaks, new exhaust …

'03.5 Mazdaspeed Protege

Richard Manship, 08/02/2005

2003 Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

I really dig this car. I had a Protege5 before it, and this was just the jump I was looking for. And the prices I paid was unbeatable at the time ($13.5k). There are know problems with this car, but if you do your research, they're easily fixed under warranty.

'03.5 msp

Denis, 12/18/2008

2003 Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 02/02 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

I bought this car to out-manuever drivers on cell phones! Handling is fabulous. Get dedicated winter wheels and you're good to go. Radio is painful to adjust; display way too bright at night. Other than that, just a wonderful car. Add a K&N air filter and noise-proof the trunk space.

Great car, Dont push it though or the Zoom Zoom will go BOOM!

chad92, 02/07/2013

2003 Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 02/02 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

I bought the car with high mileage, around 114,XXX. I bought the car with some bushing issues and some tuning issues. I fixed the bushing issues, but let the tuning wait for a bit. If you dont know, these cars have problems with their bushings as they will go bad every 5-10k miles, the stock tune on these cars is rubbish, and the turbo system they put on the car is excellent, …

See all 113 reviews of the Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege

Write a vehicle review

2003 Mazdaspeed Protege Highlights

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$19,980
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$211/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Key safety features on the Mazdaspeed Protege include:

Alarm

2003 Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

For sale near Harrisburg, PA

2003 Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege
Base Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Cost to Drive

Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Too bad I love to drive it...

'03.5 Mazdaspeed Protege

'03.5 msp

Great car, Dont push it though or the Zoom Zoom will go BOOM!

2003 Mazdaspeed Protege Highlights

Safety

Related Used 2003 Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of

Other models

Join Edmunds

2003 Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

For sale near Harrisburg, PA

2003 Mazda Mazdaspeed ProtegeBase Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Cost to Drive

Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Too bad I love to drive it...

'03.5 Mazdaspeed Protege

'03.5 msp

Great car, Dont push it though or the Zoom Zoom will go BOOM!

2003 Mazdaspeed Protege Highlights

Safety

Related Used 2003 Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of

Other models

Join Edmunds

2003 Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege
Base Sedan