Used 2003 Mazda Protege Consumer Reviews
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Good car
Zukkini, 11/02/2002
2003 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Good car, handles great, acceleration good. Great exterior style, crisp shifting on the 5 spd. From my previous Mazda (GLC, 85, 200 k) I would expect great reliability and no rusting. Hower, the cons are a/ 160 treadware rating on the tires (that is bad!) b/the front disk brake is held by the hub nut so for replacement the bearing assebly will have to be pulled; c/ difficult access to oil filter; d/ did not like the dimples on the steering wheel/shift lever e/ no head rest on back seats f/ the front wheel rims were bent on my model which gave shimming on the steering.
2003 Mazda Protege
Buzz Wichmann, 03/01/2009
2003 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a fun car to drive .. not as fuel efficient as my 96 Protege was but the better looks on the 2003 model negates the lower mpg rating for me. Still 34 highway/24 city not bad .. roomy comfortable car despite being so small with good sound system - highly manuverable as well with tight steering
Good Car
Kurt, 07/15/2009
2003 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have had my 5 speed for 5 years and absolutely love it. Pros: Decent gas mileage, (not as good as a Corola, but more fun to drive) Fun to drive, responsive handling, good road feel comfortable seat. Good shifter. Very reliable, (just brakes and tires are the only parts replaced. Con. Noisy to ride in.
Some flaws after a few miles
Cheaprick29, 08/11/2008
2003 Mazda Protege LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car about a year & 1/2 ago. Paid $8k w 55k and now has 82k. The A/C doesn't work on 2 or 3 setting. The transmission makes a 'growling' or humming noise and continues to get worse the more I drive it. The trunk leaks due to a faulty trunk seal; My car smells like mildew all the time because water gets under the carpets. Had to replace the drive belts around 60k due to squeaking. Hit curb and cost $3800 to fix; not the best car to get into an accident in due to thin sheet metal. Other than that, the car is a great car. I switched out the stock head unit for a Pioneer; the CD player didn't work properly. I like the aux connection on my new head unit.
Will not be shopping for another Protege
jenna, 10/12/2008
2003 Mazda Protege DX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A few days ago, my Protege was completely totaled by another driver in a very minor accident. So, its durability is questionable. Within the first year of owning it, I had a reoccurring problem with moisture on the inside of the car. Whenever it would rain, wells in the trunk would fill with water with no drainage route. Windshield took forever to defrost/fog. In the winter ice would form on the inside of the windshield -not a fabulous prerequisite to my morning commute. The weather stripping began to peel from the passenger door, and the door handle became loose one winter. Also, the car would rattle whenever stopped in traffic.