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Used 1997 Mazda Protege Consumer Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
38 reviews

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4.25 out of 5 stars

Great fuel economy and reliable too.

jbaggins, 07/22/2012
1997 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Simply the best little car you could ask for. 5 speed shifts great, has sporty handling, has been super reliable (only a water pump in 5 years). Best gas mileage of any small car of its vintage with the 1.5L engine. Great for short trips but seating is not comfortable for me or the kids. Good layout of controls (It's a Mazda). No A/C and the car is super hot in summer due to non-tinted glass. Ours has manual windows but no problems with interior hardware to date. Everything still works. Engine was been great, passes emission test every 2 years. Not good in snow due to low sports-car like ground clearance.

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3.25 out of 5 stars

Bamaleo Mazda

Bamaleo, 07/31/2002
1997 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Do not expect great performance. Slow to speed. Best design of its category. Reliable

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4.38 out of 5 stars

Excellent subcompact car

TJN, 06/07/2002
1997 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This car has performed well---good balance between cost,style, economy,and comfort. Good AC-needed here in South Texas all year. Good value. Some irritating problems after 100000 miles, nothing major. Will buy a Mazda again.

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3.88 out of 5 stars

The 1.5 liter, what a mistake!

Spazzo, 08/08/2002
1997 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Its a good all around car, but its not an enthuesiasts car, at least with 1.5 liter it isnt. It has the most body roll for a car its size, I know of SUVs with less lean. But its very reliable and well appointed. If you get this car, a 2nd generation Protege with very slow 92 horspower engine, at least get a 5 speed to entertain your self.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

A Car That Makes Sense

Jeremy P., 11/04/2002
1997 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Not only does the car have highly functional dash, it also is visually pleasing... The Protege doesn't seem like your regular cookie-cutter small car... The tiny 1.5L engine is capable, and sometimes suprising with the 5- speed manual... The back seat has good leg room and the trunk is rather large. I have owned this car for a year, put 20,000 miles on it, and have had no major repairs... any repairs needed were easily done within 5 to 10 minutes... Consider the LX or the slightly more expensive ES over the DX model...

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