Used 2002 Mazda Protege Consumer Reviews
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2002 Protege ES
Have been a Honda owner for past 4 autos; Mazda seems to be as good if not better
Great car!
As of today I have 54683 miles in less than two years and not one problem with the vehicle. I do primarily highway driving and I change the oil every 5k. This is the first Mazda I have owned and it will NOT be the last!!
Still Peppy & Reliable
Purchased new 2002 Protege ES Manual. 250k miles, 2 clutches and 2 replacements of shocks & struts, 5 batteries, appropriate brakes & tire replacement over the years. Other than engine burning a bit more oil, she's hanging in there & still fun to drive.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
mazda has a winner
my mazda dx protege kicks it, a nice little car that handles really nice. only time will tell if it's going to be reliable. I heard of some engine viberations when cold but nothing else negative. if any one has more information please let me know. I have an auto and it does alright.
2002 Protege ES
I bought my Protege to replace my aging 94 Escort GT. I have nothing but praise for the vechicle. The handling is superb especially with 4 wheel discs and 16 inch wheels on the ES. My only complaint is lack of power which can easily be fixed with some light mods (air filter and exhaust). I'm also planning to install a strut tower bar with some stiffer springs and new shocks. For 15 grand it's the best car on the market.
Original owner, 113K miles
I've just made my final payment. I have had not a single problem with the car. In fact the first set of brake pads lasted 90K miles and I am on my 3rd set of tires. The combination of good fuel economy, bulletproof reliability, well appointed interior, and great handling make this car a winner. If you can find a used one that has been well maintained buy it, especially the ES model.
Excellent ES 5 Speed
A very solidly built and very fun to drive.I test drove the Civic,Corolla,Sentra and Elantra GT but went back to the Protege ES because of the classy styling and excellent handling not found on the others.Also,with more standard equipment and the available ABS/Side Air bag/Moonroof option makes it a great deal.
Replacement for my 2001 Nissan Sentra
I have a ES fully loaded and really love everything about this car. I liked my Sentra but this car has got it beat (looks, ride, handling). I was originally looking at the Honda Civic but after driving the Mazda - there is no comparison. The 3 year 50,000 mile warranty and price is better too.
GO CART HANDLING
THIS IS A SUPERB HANDLING CAR. ITS 16 INCH DUNLOPS REALLY GRAB THE PAVEMENT. COULD USE MORE POWER (EXHAUST AND COLD INTAKE ADDS A BIT) SHIFTER AND CLUTCH REALLY SMOOTH. BEST SPORT COMPACT SEDAN THIS SIDE OF A 3 SERIES BMW!! EXCELLENT FIT AND FINISH - A GREAT CAR!!
I love this car so much !!
I am SO in love with this car. It is beautifully styled and looks like a much more expensive car. My mom commented on how solid it sounded when she shut the door. I've gone on a few 2-hour-plus road trips and was very comfortable. The car has great visibility and a tight, smooth ride. The stereo sounds great, and you can adjust the bass, treble and midrange. The brushed silver trim inside adds a nice, upscale look. Everyone who has seen it has been very impressed. I feel like I made a great choice.
Great Car For the Money
After having gone 1500 miles in the last month in this car, I've come to know it fairly well. It has a lot of zip and performs great in all conditions. Awesome cornering and acceleration, great build quality and everything feels like it was made from premium materials. With that said, it has a few quirks. Clutch makes a strange noise when engaged below 1500 rpm. Also, fabric of the seats charges up your clothes and you so that the car shocks you everytime you reach for the door. Gas mileage isn't up to par with the Honda/Toyota counterparts; however those two lack the zip necessary to make a car fun. Being a previous Civic owner, I can vouch.
Buy One!
This car is the steal of the century. I bought mine new in '03 as it was one of the few '02's left at the dealership and got a great discount on it. For an econonomy car price you get one of the most fun and well built cars on the road. If I had $25k to spend on a car, I think I'd still would have bought my 5spd Protege ES. This car has so much poise and is so easy to drive at any speed. It handles like a miata, looks great, is comfy and man does it love to play! This is my 3rd Protege and definitely the best so far. I highly recommend this car.
Replacement for my 2001 Nissan Sentra
I have a ES fully loaded and really love everything about this car. I liked my Sentra but this car has got it beat (looks, ride, handling). I was originally looking at the Honda Civic but after driving the Mazda - there is no comparison. The 3 year 50,000 mile warranty and price is better too.
Good Car for the Money
I have had my car for about 1 year and 10 months. The car has been trouble free. The only thing I have done is change the oil and rotate the tires. I was involed in a major accident which caused $7,600 damage. The car did perform well in the accident and the crumple zones did function properly. My only concern is that the seat broke backwards and it pulled up out of the floor. What troubled me was the Mazda REFUSED to talk with me about this issue, they said I had to have my insurance company or an attorney call them, I think that is very odd and suspicious.
Well worth the price!
The Protege definitely beats the pants off the Civic or Corolla in the great Japanese economy car matchup. Styling, responsiveness and power are all in the Protege's corner. The stereo is also impressive.
GREAT, SNAPPY & SAFE HANDLER
This compact is wonderful to drive. It has great appointments, lots of room and comfort for front and back passengers. The upholstery is very serviceable. The drop down rear seatbacks allow me to carry 8' 2X4's when needed. I tried laying down to see if I could sleep in the car, but the trunk section is about 3" lower than the seat backs and the top of the opening to the trunk is not high enough to clear me lying on my side with an air vent under me to cushion the drop-down into the trunk. Oh, well. I miss my van, but the 28 mpg average is not hard to take. I love this car.
great value and fun
The 2002 Mazda Protege ES was purchased for my 17 year old daughter to accomodate her senior year in high school and evenutally her college years. The family agreed the looks of the Protoge were greatly imporved in 2000 and the tight handling of the car was a welcomed break from our SUVs and other mid-sized vehicles like a Chrysler's Sebring Coupe. The interior room is very comfortable and looks great. For an economy car loaded up with a moonroof/side airbags has only some common features missing compared to higher priced cars - no trunk remote and useable console armrest. This is off-set by getting a fun sporty ride and its stunning front end styling.
my rating
I just wanted to SAY that i love my mazda. I'ts my first car and i'm glad i got it. You should get one to.
not that great
I bought the 02 Protege new and had it only 2 days when the stereo shorted out. Then the CD player broke after they fixed it. Five months later the stereo went out again and then driving the car from Arizona to Chicago the engine blew because of a bad head; now when the car goes above 60 it shakes very badly. The rims also rusted, more than any other car I have owned during winter. The heater also smells very bad when it gets to about 30 degrees outside.
This self biodegradable rust
This self biodegradable rust and so we do not see the rust when it is too late, it's awful, if you see surfaces with rosettes loan goest indicating the rear wheels of rust, the outline of wheels it is too later. One year after the car is good for parts, water ready driver's foot hole in the floor and in the trunk, too rusty to be repaired and this morning the windshield broke the rusty structure was break the fast, the car is good for parts, total loss caused by rust, the vehicle design is the cause it destroys itself, can resist the normal duration of a vehicle in a Canadian winter , calcium and abrasive on the roads
My Amazing Mazda Protege LX 5spd.
My parents bought this car for me when I was 15. I loved it then, and I love it now. It is more than reliable and very good on gas. On average I get up to 34 mpg - somehow. Learning to drive this car was a breeze. The clutch is great and hasn't gone out on me yet. I drive it to school and back daily, so that's at least 40-45 miles. The only problem I've had is that sometimes my gears stick and my trunk popping mechanism was broken. But, it got fixed. I highly recommend this vehicle to new drivers and drivers who want the feel of a sports car wrapped up into a sporty, fun to drive sedan.
Look around, then come here!
Did a lot of looking around for a 4- door car with a manual and sunroof being my base criteria. Had a 98 Mercury Mystique which I consider to be a fine automobile. Mazda has this market all figured out. Awesome styling, amazing handling, and great options...this is a winner. Get the 5- speed, it's impressive. Also, get the 15" wheels...they'll set you apart!
Great car!
I bought my car used almost 4 years ago and love it! It is fun to drive, sporty, and gets pretty good gas mileage. It has enough pep and pick-up for me, but I can see how some people would want more hp. I have had a few problems with it - I've changed the thermostat, replaced both belts after they shredded, and have replaced the brakes twice. But it was a used car and has more than 80K miles on it so I figure it's going to have some problems. Nonetheless, I love my car and am looking into the Mazda 3 for my next car. Mazda delivers on its "zoom zoom" promise.
Best compact for the money
Needed a second car and looked at Mazda, Honda, Corolla, and Sentra. All great cars and each with its own character. But, when it was time to buy, Mazda offered the best deal($3000 better than any of the above with the same features) and was by far and away, the best car. Drives with aplomb, handles suberbly, breaks better than my Seville, interior is flawlessy designed and Quality is built in. Acceleration is more than I would expect from a compact car. I enjoy the comfort of this car better than my Cadillac--all though it does lack many digital gadgits. Overall, I would but this car again in a heart beat.
Excellent
This is the first new car that I have purchased. I have enjoyed the car! It is roomier than it's competitors. With a family and a busy schedule, that is really important. I am still getting high gas mileage even though the car is a year old. It was difficult at first to get used to a 4 cylinder, but this car still has enough horsepower that I don't seem to notice it anymore.
The Greates Car Ever
My Protege was my first new car and it was the greatest decision I ever made. A year later, it runs great and I got a good deal on it. It is so comfortable and stylish. When considering vehicles to buy, the Protege stood out as the best all around value for the options I could get for the price. I don't regret anything about buying my Protege and definitely recommend it for someone buying their first car.
excellent car
I love this car. Got it used but have had no problems with it. It has dual overhead cams which means a more powerful than average engine. Car handles very well and has enough power even with a full load of passengers and a full trunk. Get about 23 mpg in the city and about 29 mpg highway which isn't bad for a 2 liter engine.
A Great Value
I've driven Hondas in the past, but the price comparison and features of the Protege outweighed brand loyalty. I was also frustrated by the awkward position of the parking brake in the 5-spd Civic I test drove. I bought the LX Protege with moonroof,abs,side airbags, floormats and cargo net all for $13100 plus tax and tags, (includes $1500 rebate). Entrance is easy and the driver seat adjuster is great for my back. A quiet, fun car to drive.
Way more interesting than the others
Before buying this car I test drove EVERYTHING in similar classes- it took me a year to buy a new car. This was the most functional and fun to drive car of them all. The year that I've had the car has confirmed my initial impression & I'm very happy with my purchase. The suspension is tight which gives it a rougher ride than others but as a result it handles way better. Good driver's car with great visibility and manouverability. No mechanical problems.
Best compact sedan money can buy!!
I love this car, plain and simple. I bought my 02' Protege ES because I had to downgrade in order to save money because of my new son. Its 2.0L motor is peppy for a 4 banger that allows for pretty easy passing and decent acceleration even up steep hill grades although another 20 horsepower would be appreciated. The interior is very nice and well laid out. The ES actually has a tight and solid feel of a higher priced car and handles great, although the supspension is a little stiff.
Great reliable car. Don't buy a Civic!
Just bought it but have been researching & test driving compact sedans for months! PROS -Resale value not great, was able to get into one cheap compared to others compacts -Lots of features for the class -Tight suspension makes it fun to drive -Predicted reliability -Not a run of the mill car (Civic/Accord/Corolla). CONS -Gas mileage is not as good as others in class -5th gear not tall enough, pretty high RPMs on freeway. OVERALL Car can be a bit stiff for some but I like driving so the trade off is worth it. Like I said it's a driver's cars; good steering input, feel connected to the car/road & is a blast in the twisties. Will report again a year from now with cost of ownership/reliability.
Great cheap car
Bought this car about 6 months ago when it had 90k miles, it now has just over 100k miles and I couldn't be happier. Not a thing went wrong with it. Very great reliable car. Inexpensive to repair. I average about 25mpg in the city and around 31-32 on the highway. Small compact car makes it easy to park compared to mom's van. Mazda really nailed this car! I also added a Mazdaspeed protege kit (front and rear bumper and spoiler) for less than $500. I plan on getting coilovers for about $300. Good kids car. I drive this car around to deliver pizza, it starts up every times and lasts for a longtime without maintence. It has never left me stranded either.
Mazda Protege 2002 ES Standard
I have had this car for a month and love it. The ES is fully loaded, disk breaks, ABS, moon roof, CD, ft/sd airbags, wheel locks, cargo net, and alarm. This car spoils the driver with lavish comfort and exceptional safety. Not only does one receive all these extras, but they come at a very reasonable price. The drive, very stable due to its fully independent suspension but the standard is very touchy in low gears. As close as you can get to a miata with out tossing practicality out the window.
Protege a great compact
I have driven the civic,sentra, and the corolla; in my mind the Protege is all in all a superior automobile. For the money and driving experience none of the other cars in this class can beat it. I am really impressed
overall, a great bang for the buck!
I have had this car for a year and a half and have absolutely fell in love with it. The ride is quiet and smooth and the placement of eveything is wonderful. It's so fun to drive down the road, especially with the wonderful stereo system and the comfortable seats. And the best part about it is that it's like riding in a Lexus, but for thousands less than a Honda. Honda's are cheaper, in my opinion, and have horrible styling. This car offers style, comfort, affordablitiy, and dependability.
Best 2001-2002 buy in Sedans
I purchased the Protege LX 4 speed, automatic (2.0L) one year ago. Since that time, I have not regreted purchasing this car. It's interior and exterior design is considerably better (overall) than the Corolla or Civic (I have friends who own both). It handles well in poor conditions (snow, rain, etc.). Tight suspension, average fuel economy, sporty design, quiet ride, and a great buy. Competitive financing and warrenty. The LX model with the sport package is cheeper than many other cars with similar features.
Fun without the Price Tag
Got a silver LX in 2006 used with 52,000KM on it, w/ the manual tranny. Also got keyless entry, AC, sunroof. Couple thousand cheaper than a used Civic. At 100,600KM now, only maintenance is oil, plugs, and now tires, pads, rotors, rad fluid flush need done as expected. Peppy to drive, 0-60 in about 9.2w/ manual. Smooth abrupt shifts feel more sports oriented than a manual Dodge Neon which feels more like a toy.Tight suspension, great steering, fairly quiet (quieter than integra) until you hit large bumps. Engine a little noisy at 120KMph. Fuel Eco average 28MPG mixed, or 8L/100km, even with A/C on!(but with slower acceleration!)Seats are comfortable and firm but not as good as newer models.
Best buy!
I wouldn't buy any other car. Mazda is the greatest car for the money, very reliable and smooth ride with a kick.
Great car
I purchased this car for my wife and wanted good handling and 4 wheel disc brakes. Had wanted a Civic but the disc brakes only came on the Si. This has been a great car - fun to drive and no problems at all. Engine not as sweet as a Honda but it has a lot of pickup around town and on the highway as well. Not as smooth in the higher RPM range as a Honda but that is not really an issue. Highway mileage is 31-32 so it gives up a bit to a Civic but much more of a sporty ride. I prefer driving the ES to my Accord V-6. I have an auto transmission and it still has a lot of Zoom Zoom. Did I mention great handling with a good highway ride? You cannot go wrong with this car. I don't like the 3.
What a Surprise
I've owned this car for 2 and 1/2 years. I haven't had any problems expect for a disfuntional drive door lock, but the dealer replaced under warranty. This car is really fun to drive. It handles really well on the rood. And the ride is really good for a small car. I drive to school and back 500 miles and I'm in complete comfort. I also find the seats supportive and I've had back surgery so that really a plus. I love the options on this car... it is what sold me over the Civic.
i like it a lot
I just picked up my new car last night and the smile has not left my face. Partially because it's a new car, and because I think that I got a really good deal. I picked up the 4-door LX auto, w/moon, alloys, cd, for @ $15,500.
Good buy...
I really enjoy my Protege and am glad I decided to purchase it. It has more power than other small sedans that I've driven, has very reponsive gas and break input, and handles incredibly well. The suspension is fairly tight, so you feel bumps more, but this also makes turning feel more stable. It's a great car, and I plan on holding onto mine for a long time.
Civic Alternative
Bought this car used in Jan 06 with 26,000 miles. This car is a bargain compared to the Civic--you get the same quality and reliability without paying for the name! Plus, the Protege has a 2.0L instead of a Civic's 1.8. My car has the five speed and acceleration is excellent for an economy car. The engine is peppy and revs freely, with a satisfying exhaust note. The car is fun to drive and is easy throw around back roads. Steering feedback and braking are also excellent (it might be worth splurging on the ES to get rear disks though). As for reliability, between the previous owner and myself the car has only ever needed oil changes and one set of rotors and pads.
Sad It's Gone
As my first car, my 02 Protege was everything I could have hoped for. It had good handling, brakes, and was comfortable to drive on my trips back and forth to college. It was reliable and ran good for 90,000 miles. After only having it for 2 years, an unlicensed driver hit my side and totaled my car and only got 5,000 dollars for my it which is way less than what the car was worth to me. I since have gotten a Mazda6 which is okay but different, but while looking at other cars and the Protege really was great compared to everything else I test drove.
The Best Car I have Owned
Before buying this car, I had previously owned a Chevy Malibu & Chevy Cavalier (both stunk!). I've had the car for 4 years now and have 30,000 miles and not one major thing had gone wrong with it. Power is better than a Honda, with more style and character for the price. Easy to keep clean with no major defects and comfort is the best that I can find. I wanted value for my money and even my husband agrees that this car is the best value out there. My only caution would be to watch out for used ones that belonged to rowdy teenagers who didn't upkeep the car and liked to rev the engine up as much as possible. I love this car!
Fun to Drive
I have owned 5 Mazda's including the 323 the Miata and the Protege. I have sold Hyundai, Mazda and Volswagen for 9 years and have always gone with the Mazda. The combination of value and reliability keep me coming back. The new 2.0 liter engine gives the Protege the fun to drive quotient that it needed. Love my car
02 Protege
Been a great, fun and reliable car. I really enjoy the look of the exterior and the interior has done extremely well. It runs solid and true, may not be the fastest out there, but then again that wasnt its goal! If your looking for something that isnt a driving appliance- has reliability and is safe, check this one out.
great little car!
I have about 2500 miles on my Protege, and have to say that it is a great little car. I am having fun driving it around. I have a DX with an automatic transmission, and it has great pick- up. I test drove the Dodge Neon, Chevy Cavalier, Ford Focus, and the Protege beat them hands down.
Nice and confortable
hi, i bought this car on april 09, i really don't trust in mazda's cars, but this car was cheap. Now i love this car, is comfortable, have a 2.0 liter(strong engine and fast);on gas it's good 35miles/galon. i like the interior too, and outside is looks good. i drive everyday 120 miles (home- work-home)5 days a week, since i bought this car never had any problem. THANKS MAZDA CO.
It is more fun to drive than a Civic!
As an owner of a 2002 Civic DX, I compared this with the Protege LX back to back. Both are similarly equipped and priced very closely (CDN 24000 range, tax in). I sit a little higher in the Protege but I can find a better seating position. Accelerating, the Civic feels sluggish. Stopping or slowing down, the Civic's brakes seem too touchy, and it has more lean when going around a corner. The Mazda Protege is more fun to drive. Enough said.