Used 1995 Mazda Protege Consumer Reviews
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Well Done
Car served us very well. In 12 years of ownership we have had VERY few problems.
Best car I've owned
I bought this Penelope with 87000 miles on her. She was a manual and had a good deal of power for build. I raced a camaro on the interstate and won! Penelope also saved my life when I a woman ran a stop sign and flipped me; she turned upright about 5 minutes after I flipped. Best car I've ever owned!
Blueberry
This is my first car. I inherited it from my dad. I absolutely love this car. If you take care of it, it will take care of you! I have an ES trim, with the bigger engine and alloys. The ES trim is a must. My car currently has 192,000 miles on it, and It will not die anytime soon.
Wish they made more like them
I bought my Protege in preparation for going back to college for $3,500 with 117k on it. It's a 5 speed with a 1.5 liter. I use it for everything short of what I would need a truck for. It has plenty of room for 4-5 people and great trunk space. More than two years later, it has 156k and still going strong. Aside from basic maintenance, it has only needed a new timing belt (water pump done at same time to save $$), thermostat and tires, all wear and tear items. Although not absolutely necessary, I also replaced the struts (another wear and tear item) since I plan to drive this one until it dies, which will probably be a long time.
Great Car
I bought a 95 Mazda DX with 118,000 miles and have driven it every day. I had the timing belt, water pump, and belts changed. I also had a new clutch installed. It now has 184,000 miles and drives great. The only thing I have changed is the oil and antifreeze. The mileage is great. I get about 34-36 mpg. If you want a fast car this is not the car for you. It's painfully slow at times, the cup holders and stereo are to close together, and its kinda loud inside. I'm on my 3rd rear defrost button, but its easy to fix. I have the 5 speed, just wished it had a 6 speed.
Gets me through
Recently purchased from original owner. Always garaged and in excellent shape inside and out. 1995 car with 11,200 actual miles. My mechanic can not believe the condition. The condition is new and ready to go. My boy should get through his last two years and all of college with this ride, and only them have maybe 60k miles. We'll see how reliable this old new car turns to be. Not bad for $3k a worthwhile gamble cheers.
It's a great car!
This is the first car I've ever owned and I have been so happy with it. I've had my Protoge for three years, it's a '95 and I LOVE it!!! Whenever I get another car I'd buy a Protoge again!
5 years and no major problems
Every year I take it into my mazda dealer for basic maintenance (besides regular oil changes). Totally dependable. Tons of interior space. A TRUNK that could fit five ! I only wish it had a remote trunk release.
aj
This car is a tank. Gave it to my daughter when the car was 4 years old and she was 17. She tore the heck out of the outside but the car runs like a charm three years later.
Just Purchased Yesterday!
Ive not had a chance to drive this car very many miles yet,just bought it yesterday,but so far from what Ive seen Its a solid car. We owned a Plymouth Colt prior to this car, and it didnt have room for some of the larger items that a person might want to haul,had a cheep car feel to it,but the Mazda Protege has the look and feel of a much more expencive car. The doors seam to shut solid,the seats are very comfortiable, an lots of leg room. I will post again after we have had a chance to drive it more.
Great Bargain
Paid just over $3k for my '95 DX automatic with 55k miles. Body had some dings and scratches and interior was a little roughed up (all from previous owner) but internally car is sound! 8k miles later...no problems. Car is an absolute steal for the price. Drives super smooth and has a well built-quality feel throughout. I can go 75-80mph with the AC on and the car doesn't flutter a bit. Mileage is not what a Honda is. I get about 28-30 combined. Protege is inexpensive yet very pleasant transportation.
My Old Blue
After a first month of major shaking off of dust and investing over $700 in new parts, the little car perked right up, except for occasional lapses of electrical connections, like windshield wipers. It seems to drive better and better with time, besting the big boys that keep broadsiding it. Truly, the "little engine that could." Already had 126,186 when I purchased it several months ago, and I have the feeling it's just getting started. In fact, I watched six mechanics' eyes light up once they got behind the wheel themselves. I love my little car; it makes me love driving, even in crazy traffic. Its small size is a plus for maneuvering, too. Forget "first car"--this is a keeper.
Excellent Protege
Picked up an immaculate little 1995 Protege LX with 131,000 on the odometer. Did the best tune up I could without tearing it apart. Plugs, wires, oil, oil filter, PCV Valve, Fuel Filter and Sea Foamed the crap out of the engine. The thing runs like a brand new car and doesnt leak or burn a drop of oil. For an economical get around car I would put it in the same catagory as a civic or corolla and they are available at a substantially lower price.
An amazing bargain
You get all the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla offer, including reliability, for much less! You lose about 5-15% gas mileage compared to some competitors, but attribute that to the rev-happy engine that is a blast to drive in town, even with the car loaded! The car handles well, can actually seat 5 'real' adults, feels solidly built and is reliable. Couldn't ask for more from a used car, really!
Worst Car I've Ever Had
I've had this car since last December and it gives me trouble every day. I've already had to replace my fuel injector, spark plugs, and other things. right now it's lagging and takes forever to build up speed. I wish i never got this car.
Great Value
It's a 95. I bought it in May 2000. At that time, it had 97k miles. I was kind of worried about the maintenance cost that would hit me in the future. I had no major problems with the car. Only replaced the battery and the rear muffler in two years period. ES is a higher end car than LX or DX, has more features and horses. I am really satisfied with the performance of this car. Planning to keep it for another two years.
fair
i've had my car for 6yr. and only had a few problems out of my car.axle replaced,tires replaced every 1.5yr.
Great car, needs MORE POWER
We bought a used '95 LX with 33k miles in 1998 and have put 70k of our own on it since. We cross-shopped it against Corolla, Civic, and a few American cars. We selected the Mazda because it handled better than the Toyota, had more personality than the Honda, and seemed tighter than anything from Ford, Chrysler, or GM. Overall, it has been a great econo-compact car. I'm surprised there are so many Corollas and Civics on the road and so few Proteges.
Best mazda ever
I bought it new and still have it. Do not plan to sell it, i shall paint it and keep it forever. Great little car, mine is a stickshift, a little close the gear ratios, but is is fun driving on twisty roads. Extremely comfy, very good abs brakes, discs all around. No complaints whatsoever.
money maker!
Have 95 protege, 5 speed. Bought this car for delivery service, with 127k miles, have now 237k!!! This car does not know when it wants to quit!! It just never stops running!! Never had any problems!! Yeah you heard me right... Never!! Not to mention that i never even replace timing belt, and some other mantinence incl replace coolant. Hardly done any maintenance on this car, but this car don't care! Of course of normal maintenance issues, the clutch, broken driveaxle, and oil leaks had happened, but normal in all cars!! Especially going 110000 miles on it, (already with 127k when i bought!!!) In short, this good car is making me aprofit, company pays me $300 month, cost on aver $100 to keep up!
Mixed emotions
I am pleased with the great mileage I get. I have always had trouble being so low to the ground- I scrape anything that is the least bit uneven, and no one seems to be able to adjust that. For the most part, it has served me well. But some of the ticky interior features still bug me- like having the radio so low, the wiper knob in a weird place, etc. You would think after all this time I would have adjusted, but sometimes I still miss my previous car. I am pleased that the body style has stayed "modern" and looks good. I have had only a few minor problems with the car, so I hope I don't jinx it with this review!
awesome overall
I love my Mazda; it is an overall awesome car that has good pick up and has great gas mileage. It is worth what I paid for it. I only wish there was more mods that can be done to it to get more hp out of it. But it is an all around good first car. When Im behind the wheel I feel like I own the road, that is how much this car rocks. It is my little Maggie Mazda and it tells the truth. I have no regrets about my Protege LX, it is 100% worth every penny.
Killer gas mileage
This car is severely underpowered, especially in the mountains in Colorado. I get 28-35 mpg, so that is obviously phenomenal, and by far my favorite thing about this car. Only 106,000 on it, so it has life left in it, but I secretly wish it would die, but I know I won't find quality with that kind of gas mileage again.
So sad to have lost it
I loved this car! Bought it from my cousin at 60,000 miles. Drove it for 8 months and crashed it (great testement to the power in this little engine). I was devastated. A little weak on low- end power coming out of dead stops. But driving and passing in the fast lane is a breeze. Plenty of trunk space. No weird noises, smells or vibrations coming from under the hood or anywhere else. I had a 5sp manual and loved it. Totally solid piece of machinery. Looked for another Protege to replace it.
Great budget minded car
I bought the car with only 43000 miles on it and sold it with 52000. I found that the engine was way too under powered and it was not accuratly reflected in the gas mileage. The only repairs it needed was at the body shop to replace a broken seat. It was reliable but I dont think I could ever go back to driving one of these.
Solid and enjoyable car
Traded in a Nissan 200SX coupe several years ago because we needed a 4-door This car is geared so nicely (I have a manual). The throws are just about perfect for me. It doesn't sound as labored in first gear as many other compacts, and at highway speeds it cruises like a dream. It's been super reliable, with my only gripe being with the brakes frequently getting worn out (which may reflect on my driving habits more than anything ;). I turned over 100,000 miles recently, and the oil change guys were astonished at how low this car still idles (sub-500 RPMs). Evidently, that's a strong indication that the engine is still in top-notch condition.
Cheap, reliable, and fun in one.
I bought this car from the original owner in March 2000 with 140,000 miles. It had been well maintained. Other than the drive axles being a weak spot, the car has been great. Just replaced the original alternator a couple months ago, two months after replacing water pump and timing belt. I have a 5 speed, and have always gotten 35-40 mpg in mixed driving. Not a speck of rust and it has never been garaged. I've had a 2000 Pro ES 5speed for two years and I actually prefer driving the 95.
Great small car
I have owned my 95 Mazda Protege for 9+ yrs and 137,000 miles now and am just getting ready to replace with a slightly bigger vehicle and I thought I'd write for it the fine review that it deserves before I part with it. This car has been absolutely great. I have only had to do scheduled maintenance, replace tires twice and replace a tail pipe once. The manual transmission functions so smooth and feels very 'natural'. The car is zippy at highway speeds and passing is a breeze. The interior ergonomics are great - I am 6'3" and it seats me comfortaby with good lumbar support & head/leg room. It still gives me 34mpg city/39 hwy. A finely engineered Mazda that drew me to buy another Mazda.
This is how Mazda won me over
Bought brand new. Put a lot of miles on this car and have had to replace the following: Timing belts x 2, Exhaust Manifold, full set of tires x 3, radiator, full set of belts and plugs x 3, transmission fluid flushes x 3, brakes x 3 and of course regular oil changes. Engine is great and entire car has surpassed my expectations. I'm sure this would make a great car for anyone looking for a small sedan.
Hate It
I bought this car 2 yrs old with 30K miles on it. I've had it 10yrs - replaced the exhaust system SIX times, cloth seats have ripped apart from the leather backing, brakes cylinders fail inspection every yr, oil a pain to change, cv joints have been replaced 3 times. The headlights are very dim - even when newly replaced. Just a pain and I can't wait to get rid of it and the headaches!!
Best car I've ever owned
Purchased this car new in 1995. Chose it over Honda and Toyota because of superior interior room. I'm 6'3" and fit well in back seat, plenty of headroom. Very refined driver for size, although the ride can be less than cushy on rough roads. Precise steering, excellent brakes. Acceleration is adequate, but I choose fuel economy over power. Mine is a 5 speed, the 1.5l engine with automatic would probably be on the sluggish side. Excellent build quality, very few repairs. Trouble-free car. Plan to keep it a few more years. Rust is starting around rear wheelwells, but car still looks and runs like new. I check fuel economy with every tank, this car consistently averages 32-34 mpg.