1990 Mazda Protege Review
Price Estimate: $2,201 - $3,668
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Formerly the 323 sedan, this redesigned model is available in two trim levels.
For sale near Phoenix, AZ
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Arizona
$170/mo for Protege LX
Protege LX
vs
$161/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Mazda Protege Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Long term relationship
4.13 out of 5 starsjjf03, 01/05/2004
1990 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
This is one of the best handling front
drive cars that were built around this
time. Bought it brand new, now with
208k. Very reliable, only one
unscheduled trip to dealer in 14
years for transmission inhibitor
switch. Automatic transmission not
as strong as when new, but still feels
pretty healthy. Plastic radiator tanks
are a problem. Still have the original …
water pump, but I would change it
every other timing belt change.
This car gets great gas milage, has
lots of features and convenience for
a compact, adequate power,
responsive brakes, and outstanding
handling capability for its class.
ME AND MY PROTEGE
4.13 out of 5 starsDON, 05/09/2002
1990 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
THE DESIGN OF THIS CAR IS NOTHING TO
WRITE ABOUT BUT THE PERFORAMNCE AND
AMENITIES ARE TO BE ADMIRED FROM A 13YR
OLD CAR THAT HAS LUXURIOUS FEATURES AND
KICK BUT PERFORMANCE. THE 5 PEED MANUAL
IS INCREDIBLE!!!!
This car is good
4.13 out of 5 starsmotoki, 07/28/2002
1990 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
My girlfriend bought this car for
$1100, and I thought it was too cheap
to expect any adequate performance.
However, although it had almost 200,000
miles! on it, it runs really strong and
accelerates quick. (By the way, I had
2000 Celica GT-S, and I didn't feel
much of difference upto 30 mph.) The
exterior is pretty dated, but what else
do you expect from such a cheap … car
other than reliability and performance?
Good car
4.13 out of 5 starsblonde619, 07/12/2004
1990 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
This car has not only been my families
car, but now belongs to me. We have
kept up with the maintnence and it has
lasted us this long and keeps on going!
I will be selling it only because i
want to buy a brand new car. I would
recommend it to any parents looking for
a first car for their teens!
1990 Protege Highlights
LX
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $170/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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