Used 2001 Mazda Protege Consumer Reviews
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A car for an average driver to have fun!
Still Mazda fan..., 03/06/2002
2001 Mazda Protege ES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This car works marvelously. Steering and Breaks!!! are unseen in this class and up Altima/Solara level. As the car feels powerless, the above features are enhanced. However, the little things that makes a car luxurious lacks (3 speed wiper, no vanity lights, no arm rest etc.) If you're considering this car, you have to understand that you're paying the same or more than Carola/Sentra just for the steering and breaks. If you can live without power and the little things, you will love ES!!!
Unbelievable car for the money
nyminute, 06/02/2007
2001 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I have a 2001 Protege LX 2.0 with a 5 speed, bought it Sept. 01. It has over 150,000 miles and still runs great. But what's really incredible about this car is it still gets 30 MPG on the highway and other than brakes, tires, timing belt (which you should do before 120K) and an oil change every 8-10K miles, it has not been one single problem! Never in the shop, never on the side of the road, starts right up every day for almost 6 years and still runs like a champ! Same battery even!. Great car, if you can get one with the optional 2.0, buy it!
Protege steps to the plate.
Chuckie, 04/12/2002
2001 Mazda Protege ES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The Protege needed a face lift. Here it is! Civics were murdering the market but now it seems Mazda has something to compete with. This youthful vehicle drives smooth and comfortably with room for five. The appeal is not only to the low income single home family. It appeals to all who have ideals of street racing or the savy to drive through town screaming "Hey look at me! Sexy as I wanna be." Young adults as well as older individuals feel spirited when they get behind the wheel. Mazda hit a homerun this year.
Reliability Problems!
jdwilkin, 07/03/2004
2001 Mazda Protege ES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I had hoped that the good looks and performance of the Protege would be matched by Japanese reliability. No such luck. Had to replace engine (rod bearing)at 80k. Transmission repair at 81k. Have done rear brakes 3 times and rear links twice already - fronts once. (@ 94k now)Strut failed at 85k. Dealer and Mazda have both avoided any/all responsibility for problems...even while under warranty. Very dissappointing purchase.
I agree with everybody else!
randomo, 04/05/2002
2001 Mazda Protege ES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Wow, is the handling great! Tight, zippy -- just crisp, clean fun. Too bad they couldn't have given it more horses. I test drove a Protege LX a few years ago, and it was woefully underpowered; the much bigger engine in this ES seemed as if it would overcome that hurdle. Sad to say, it needs to go into 4th gear well before 40 mph, and into 5th in the high 40s. It strains a bit to maintain 65-70 on highways where that is the dominant speed of traffic flow. Give this car a 6th gear and you'd have something truly great! ;-) My only other concern is the dashboard illumination. The red glow works great in the dark, but at dusk the instruments are hard to read.
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