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Used 1991 Mazda Protege Sedan Consumer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
18 reviews

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4.88 out of 5 stars

A really Great Little Car

TMoon, 02/11/2003
1991 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

In the 80's, Mazda offered the GLC: Great Little Car. But my '91 Protege has that one beat! I've driven it for 12 years/168,000 miles. Yes, it's needed some major repairs (manual xmission, brakes, head gasket), but nothing else has gone wrong with it. And, it's more fun to drive than many so-called "sports" cars. Great handling; wonderful sounding engine. Fairly comfy seats. Good ergonomics. Can't beat it!

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4.75 out of 5 stars

cheap and fun

keyframe, 02/03/2010
1991 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
2 of 5 people found this review helpful

Fantastic car for a purist. Well-balanced. Has the most wonderful steering feel ever. Reliable. Doesn't rust as much as my other car--the 1996 Honda Accord. 8.5 secords to 60 mph, .8g skidpad with stock tires, 16.9 seconds to quarter mile... but oh, how heavenly does it corner. I even prefer its engine sound to the newer Proteges. 30 MPG highway.

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3.5 out of 5 stars

It'll do!!!

Uncomfortable, 04/04/2002
1991 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This vehicle is great on dry roads but I found that it tends to hydro-plane on wet roads. It's good for driving around town but not so good for going out of town.

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3.75 out of 5 stars

Valve Guides

Regretful, 08/30/2008
1991 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I really loved this car -- it was my first new car. I loved its performance, it was great on mileage, lots of room, well designed ergonomically. My experience with this car is that these cars are built to perform, but not to last. My story: the car started to burn oil at 45,000 miles and the issue was a valve problem following a $1200 valve job (thankfully the extended warranty covered it sans a $200 deductible) then 2000 miles more and another valve job (same $), it still burned oil. Fed up, I decided to dump the car for an Acura Integra which I'm still driving at 150,000 miles.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

A True Quality Car

Bob, 11/11/2008
1991 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I now have 254000 miles on my 1991 Protege DX. The car is simply the best vehicle I have ever owned in my lifetime. The only major replacement was an exhaust system at 175,000 miles. Other that that its been the simple wear and tears such as brakes, etc. I was a freak with the protege a bit. I would always change the oil at every 1500 miles. My goal is to reach 300,000 with the baby. Her body is still solid and I get compliments from the Mazda dealers on her all the time. The only problem I have is the same as others I read...when it rains bad the windows also fog inside too. That has only started to happen within the las 8 months.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

1991 Mazda Protege GT!!!

Ben80, 05/06/2002
1991 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I bought my Protege GT almost a year ago. It was the only GT model that I found in the Ottawa Region. It was the car I was looking for. It has A/C, sun roof, spoiler, 14" Alloy whell, power everything and 1.8DOHC 16valves, 4wheel disc. It has no rust and it is in mint condition. I love, it is so reliable, built in Japan, no problems at all, gets me around wherever, whenever. I dont know if the GT model was offered in the U.S. but there is'nt alot in Canada and I've never seen any advertisements or pictures on the web on the GT model. I'm one happy proteger owner!

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Great car!

Leanne, 06/01/2002
1991 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Our Mazda has been extremely reliable with basic maintenance (oil change, replace timing belt etc.) We had to replace the radiator at about 100K due to insufficient maintenance. Replaced the CV boot a couple of years ago. Starting to have a little trouble with the A/C blower -- but this is the first time in 11 years. Minor oil leak. 175,000 miles and still going strong.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

We love our gas sipping go cart!

brotherben, 06/20/2009
1991 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Friends at church gave us this car. I replaced 1 tire that had separated. It has a smashed front fender from a previous wreck. It handles like a go- cart and has plenty of pep. I am 6'3" and near 300 lbs and this car is comfortable enough for long trips. It has the 1.8 litre engine and 5 speed manual transmission. With 210,000 miles,the oil still looks like new when changed after 3000 miles. At about 190,000 miles the radiator was replaced due to a crack. Soon after that the water pump went out. I did the work myself. It is a well used beater but still drives like a new car. If I had to buy a small economy car for a college student, this would be it.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

1991 Mazda Protege LX

ABN_85, 06/30/2002
1991 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

We bought this car when it was five years old and had 99,000 miles on it. We got a great deal on it, besides that this car was "Top of the Line" it came fully loaded with power everything ( windows,locks,steering,brakes) even a 2 way Power Sunroof and factory alloy rims. It runs great, we only do routine maintenace, and is pretty fast due to the Dual Overhead cam Engine. So far we only changed the tires, the radiator, and thats about it. Right now it has 143,000 miles and runs great.

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5 out of 5 stars

Very Economy and super Powerful engine

Tiko, 08/11/2002
1991 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Great well built 1.8L DOHC Engine. Had thermostat replaced at 170000 miles by myself...it so easy, everybody can do it, and the part is easy to find & cheap..lest than $9. The Cruise controll works great and power everything. Had rear breake caliper replaced due to rusty component ( The previous owner didn't use this car for a long period with the hand brake pulled )...I replaced it ( both of them ) by myself. I've been using this car for 3 years...and still has powerful engine. Have confidence in Interstate.

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4.13 out of 5 stars

The "Thunder" rolls on!!!

Aubrntigers, 11/06/2002
1991 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I bought my Protege when I moved away to school and it has been a great car for me over the past 6 years. I haven't had to replace too much on it and I only paid $2800 for it in 1997. So after 60,000 miles, I'd say I've gotten my money's worth out of it.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

Love this poor thing

ATM, 11/07/2003
1991 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This was the first car for my younger brother, sister, and now me (im the oldest), and the poor thing has been through a LOT - 500+mi road trips, spin outs (both intended and not). Great reliability (no major break downs), but at 156k miles, starting to show its age, of course. Needs new shocks and front disks, horn went out, replaced exhaust system. Overall a great car!!!

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Very Reliable

FHanson, 11/10/2003
1991 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Bought in 1993 with 25,000 miles on it. Ten years later with 202,000 miles and it still runs great. Mostly just regular maintenance, brakes, oil etc. Cheap to fix and easy for do it yourselfer. Fun to drive and it always runs. Air still cold and never serviced. Little if any rust and never garaged.

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4.38 out of 5 stars

The best $400 spent

Chad , 10/23/2005
1991 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This Protege got me out of a bind and lasted me 3 years and 40,000 miles. The car ran (and still runs) great. If not for recent suspension and clutch problems, I would drive it until it died. As it is, 3 years, 400 bucks, 40,000 miles, 200 bucks in repairs (passenger side front axle) and it is still going. Beware of some electrical problems that can spring up. My horn button went out, and needed replaced (8 bucks and an hour of work) and my interior lights are on the fritz. It's a 15 year old car, and will be a GOOD 15 year old car.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

GREAT little Car!

luvmycar360, 01/18/2004
1991 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I bought this car at 9 years old with 74,000 miles on it, and what a Great Buy! I had alot of fun in this car. Of course I had to do some routine maintanence, had the tranny rebuilt, and brakes replaced. It died at 12 years old, and a piece of me died as well. I loved this car!

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Dependable

AlaskaMazdaOwner, 06/10/2007
1991 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This car lasted a long time with no or very little maintenance. I would sell this car to young or old alike.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

THE CAR THAT LASTS

gibbons, 03/16/2002
1991 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I bough this 1991 Mazda Protege Dx and now in 2002 it runs as if it still were 1991. It is a fun car to drive, gives good miles to the gallon, has great torque and force when going up a hill. It is smooth to drive and does not give that much trouble.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

No problems with this one!

MaxA, 05/08/2002
1991 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful

After 126,000 in 11 years, my Protege keeps on ticking. It has been such a thrifty little car with no rust after living in snow a salt county for 10 years. Here is what has gone wrong with the car in 11 years: Panasonic radio died and was replaced completey free under warrantee, brake were repaced twice, exhaust replaced twice, A/C compressor replaced. That is it along with regular tune ups and oil changes. The car runs perfectly, not a single squeek or thud has emerged over the miles. I am completely satisfied with this well built econo-box and will buy another Mazda when the time comes.

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