Used 2002 Mazda Protege5 Consumer Reviews
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mazda protege 5 2002
myras, 05/15/2013
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
19 of 19 people found this review helpful
This is a great car! The best i have ever had! I just had no choice to take it off the road due to the frame holes all through it. Rust is very bad on the car its had alot of body work done to it! All floors, All wheel wells, Bottoms to all the doors! Motor out lived body! Motor is great! Runs fantastic! Rust is my whole problems with this car!
Great, practical car
srutig, 08/06/2013
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
This car is so fun to drive! It feels fast even at lower speeds and handles great. It is still a joy to drive with the automatic transmission. This is an extremely practical car- great for everyday commutes or for first time drivers. This car is also very reliable and running great after 11 years.
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Great, Reliable, Versitile, Fun to Drive Car
midwestboiler, 05/19/2011
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
I got this car in 2005 and have loved every mile I have driven in it. While it's only a 4 cylinder 2.0 liter, the protege5 definitely doesn't slack on pickup. The ride seems louder than normal, but that is due to how low to the ground the car is. The Protege5 has held up extremely well. Other than changing the oil, tires, brakes etc. the only actual maintenance I have had done was replace the air intake at about 80,000 miles. The seats are very comfortable. While the car is on the smaller side, it is easy to seat 4 adult males well in the car. If needed, I have added someone in the middle seat. There is still room, but a little more cramped in the back seat.
Awesome little car
acroy, 08/10/2010
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
We have 7 yrs and 105k. We like how it looks, drives, and handles. Its been very reliable, very practical. It is sporty and involving. 5 spd drivetrain is responsive, a bit noisy but not bad. Mileage is 28 mpg mixed. Ride is firm and responsive. 195 width tires are not common but 205 are easy to find. Reliability is outstanding. I redid the brakes at 40k and nothing since. Interior fits like a glove, Mazda knows sport ergonomics. Supportive seats etc. Build quality is great. No loose trim, leaks, suspension wearing out, etc. It rides and feels solid. Overall: for the money you can get more mpg, more space, more cush. But you will not get more combined fun & practicality.
Fun, Reliable car to drive with some not so good features
jwonger, 03/20/2014
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
I bought my car from my brother 4 months ago. It currently has 157k miles on it and it runs great. Just changed the timing belt at 155k and so far its been running like a dream. Its a great affordable commuter car that has some quick speed on turns. Very reliable, every Mazda my family has owned has had 230k+ miles put on it. Definitely will be buying another Mazda after I put another 100k miles on this one!
So sad.
tdb3, 06/21/2012
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful
We're in Nova Scotia w/ moist salty air. Cars rust here; but this is the worst I've ever seen. Model is famous w/ mechanics. Body rusted - started w/ back wheel wells. Got fixed for $800, but rest of car covered in rust. Struts rusted - Got those & few other things replaced for $1000. When I bought car it had used engine. Within 1 wk, water pump failed & 2nd engine failed. 3rd engine lasted two years before it failed. When I took it in, mechanic said to junk it b/c the frame had totally rusted out underneath. Didn't believe him, so looked myself. There were holes the size of my fist all over the FRAME of the car, rest was SOFT. Scrap yd doesn't even want it b/c has too many of them!
2002 PR5 vs Honda Fit
mustangleader, 01/01/2009
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Bought new 165,000 miles. Read a review by a person who traded in his PR5 for Fit claiming how it was a much better car. Huh? PR5 has more space and is a bigger car. Mileage is slightly better via Fit because it's a smaller engine. Fit owner claims it drives like a go cart. Well, I drove a Fit and no comparison. Stock PR5 still out performs Fit and with some aftermarket things like cold air filter, magna flow system, and computer update for less than $800, the PR5 outperforms fit in every area except for mileage which I get 25 in town, 32-34 on the road depending how fast I drive. If you can get a low mileage PR5, the cost is cheaper than a Fit and these cars last.
My Mazda Protege-5
PrincipezzaJen, 07/29/2004
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have been mildly pleased with this car. I like that is has pep, and a sporty look on the inside. It does not drive well in the rain/snow/ice. It hydroplains very easily and is very unstable in the snow. There are limited tires that you can purchase for this car, and they are very expensive and NOT good in adverse weather conditions. The tires you get for the car are very soft and wear down faster than other cars. I've had to get the wheels balanced many many times. The roof rack makes a lot of wind noise, and the cross beams have to be removed. I have not been able to find a comfortable position in my drivers seat-knobs very hard to turn.
rough and not ready
beejka, 09/17/2003
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Forget this car on long trips if you need lumbar support, it is very rough on the back! When you want to pass quick in traffic, the automatic is not too responsive with a quick burst of power. I got the sport automatic with the ability to "autoshift" through the gears, but that doesn't help much. The car also rides very rough on concrete expressways. It runs much smoother on asphalt expressways.
GREAT CAR
Bruce, 08/21/2010
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I wrote a review at 165,000 miles. Drives like a go kart due to tight suspension. Doesn't like rough roads but smooth twisties, it's a dream. Normal main. only except for H2O pump at 80,000 miles. Original clutch. People complain about lack of power but overall comfort, fun to drive and cargo space outweighed the hp. I added turbo exhaust, K&N filter and had the computer reprogrammed. Sporty sound now. May have added 10-15 hp and car is fast as I want to maintain 31 mpg/hwy. Better daily driver than my 2007 Speed 3. 5 speed is much smoother than the 6 speed of the Speed3. Rough ride on harsh roads due to sport suspension, still better than Speed 3. The car is a keeper if you take it.
Practicality AND Fun in a small car!!
JustinMoyer10, 03/25/2010
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought this car used and have since drove almost 15K miles & this car's great! I have become a huge fan of this car because of its practicality: LOTS of interior space for its overall size, lots of standard features for an 02, nice price. There isn't another car for the price that is that practical and so much fun to own/drive: Handling is SUPERB!, I get the sporty sense of feeling the road, I love to pack my stuff in the hatch for trips, its a great looking car as well with some nice sporty trims. Yeah you'll zoom-zoom if you get one but that's because of its precise handling, not because of its power (it could use 30-40 more horses). I wont mind driving this car for years to come!
PROTEGE 5 STILL A WINNER
mustangleader, 02/28/2011
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
I have written a couple of reviews. Bought new in May 2002. Reviews stating car is bad, guessing that either bought car used, abuse it driving or in bad weather areas. I'm in So Cal. Runs great after 195,000 miles. Only a fuel pump at 80,000 and a new alternator recently. Normal maintenance. Still original clutch. That's reliability. Drives like a go kart in twisties gets 31 highway 24-25 in town. Combine: 27 mpg. Complaints light bulbs burning out 2 often - it's bulb holder the problem, not bulb. Just drove 2011 Mazda 2 selling 4 what I paid 4 PR5, no comparison. 2 slower/smaller. Tested Honda Fit, sits 2 high. Not as fun 2 drive. Also smaller. 2 bad Mazda stopped making PR5.
Sweet little peach
Season, 10/18/2018
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
This little girl has been mine for 13 years and she has gotten me everywhere I need. Through snow and rain. Currently have 245,000 on her and she trucks through the Gorge doing 80. I love this car!! Only issues I've had is brakes. I don't ride the brake and I've mostly been a commuter till I retired so don't know what that's been about. I've hauled everything but hay inside her and she looks a bit worn for the wear but hangs in there. She still looks pretty good parked in a parking lot. Clear coat has not been great. Small things have been replaced but nothing major. I have a tranny pan leak but that still hasn't stopped her. If you're looking for a small get around 2nd car, I place my bet on a Mazda Protege.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
I love this car. bought it new 5 speed manual
GColleen, 10/02/2016
updated 04/18/2017
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The car is Over 15 years old and I know I should replace it but I just can't let it go. I have another newer car that sits in the driveway while I drive this one every where. It has ~170K on it and I expect to get a lot more out of it. I put 20K on it the 1st year because it was so fun to drive. It hugs the road in corners and gives a surprising amount of power on acceleration as long as you know the right shifting RPM. I rarely have to back off when getting on the freeway due to lack of speed. The 5 speed manual is the only way to go. I had a friend with an automatic and it broke down a lot but who knows how it was treated before she got it. I've kept up the maintenance on mine per the owners manual. I have had a couple of repairs in year 13 and 14 but I've definitely gotten my money out of it. It has always had road noise but there are no wind noises or rattles due to poor craftsmanship or quality. The power moon roof and windows still work. The floor mats went south so I had to buy after market and the gear shift writing has worn off but other than that the interior still looks almost like new. The exterior paint has held up well, though the spoiler has oxidized. Probably nothing a little elbow grease would not remedy. When I have this car detailed it does look almost like new. The car sits very low to the ground and as I age it takes a little more effort to get out of it than it did 10 years ago. I would not recommend it for anyone who has trouble lifting their own weight or trouble standing under their own power. The car is really light and will slip in the rain without the rain tires. That was the only fault. Scared me at first but it was largely due to the cheap stock tires. Soon as I put a set of Goodyear rain tires on it, the car handled much better in the rain. The best MPG I've ever done is 30 MPG on a flat highway. I do a mix of city and highway driving so the mileage is around 25. If it drops below 23, you probably have something going on with your tires or your tuneup.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
A Blast To Drive...
DuManchu, 04/13/2009
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought this car in the spring of 05. I put on about 30K miles in the time I owned it. Only had to replace brake pads and resurface the disks. The car has been perfect. The only other problem with it was the 12V socket pulling out from me overusing it, but I understand it's a common problem on these. This car is just hands down a BLAST to drive. I'll recall a time I was on "Peak-to-Peak" in Colorado (west of Denver) and I was trailing an Acura 3.2CL. While I couldn't keep up with him on the straights, I gained serious ground on the turns. I was cornering so hard I got DIZZY at one point but the car never wavered. The only thing this car NEEDS is 30-40 more HP.
Mazda Protege5
mkn, 06/12/2006
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is a great little car. So fun to drive and extremely reliable. I drove a Honda Civic for several years before I bought this car and what a difference with the Mazda. Its so much more comfortable and driver-friendly.
Still Happy after 60K miles
garv214, 03/13/2006
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Bought my car new back in 2001 and have enjoyed it thoroughly. A blast to drive in day to day driving (great handling). Replaced the tires at 40K with Firestone Fusions (uprated to 205mm) which fixed the poor wet weather traction of the Dunlops. A couple of common minor gripes: burned out headlight bulbs (4 so far - what is up with that?), wind noise from the roof rack is present, passenger window rolls up more slowly than driver's side, and had to replace the coil to correct an engine miss. Overall, the car has been a joy to own. I get 28-30 mpg routinely, can fit 4 adults comfortably, and haul a bunch of stuff as needed. Add good looks and great handling and you have a real winner. =)
Can it be any better?
cycling40, 02/19/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Picked up the car on President's Day. Put on a hundred miles on it. Best car I've ever owned if you compare to the cars I've driven and owned (Trans Am, Camaros, Datsun 280ZX, Toyota Corolla/Camry, Honda Civic/Accord). As others have said, could use a little more power but quite adequate as is. Bought the car based on reviews, no test drive. The five-speed manual is a honey. If the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe can improve on this, I'd truly be disappointed. Just a gem of a pocket rocket.
No more Mazda for me
dbar, 08/04/2010
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought this car in 2004 as my first car, and off I went to college. It has been 6 years now and I totally regret buying this car. I have had to change almost 3 alternators in this car along 4 batteries. Had to replace the engine at 75,000 miles and that was the final straw, definitely looking for a new vehicle now and it won't be Mazda.
Protege 5 was an Ok car
zoolander, 06/05/2010
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've owned the car since new. The original Dunlop tires were worn out quickly and would have been expensive to replace had I not put new rims and all season tires on the car. Brakes, especially the back brakes have been a sore spot with me. The rear brakes have seized on several occasions and usually I need to replace rotors and brakes all around every year. That is far too frequent to be acceptable. The car has quite a bit of rust around the rear wheel wells and a spot on the hatch door. Paint has faded badly. Plastic parts, like the bumper, are of a different color than the paint due to aging and bleaching from the sun. Fuel economy isn't great.
It doesn't get much better than this
Johnny Five, 11/08/2006
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought it from the original owner with 52000 miles; have added 3000. 5-speed manual rocks! Have not had any problems so far....and it's more than 4 years old. I really love this car. It's "pimped up" without looking like a teenage car. It won't win any races, but it's still fast or at least feels fast. I've yet to feel a need for more power! Cornering is fantastic, ride quality is great (I enjoy feeling road bumps gently but not harshly). This is for folks like to "feel" their car. The Protege5 balances sportiness and comfort perfectly....you feel the engine and road bumps pleasantly but never uncomfortably. I couldn't be happier with my PR5!
no complaints here.....
darthmedic, 07/28/2006
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Almost bought a Honda Civic, but being a tall guy I didn't exactly fit. I like the Protege 5 much better, driving style and handling are much more user friendly than the Civic. The shifting is simple, and the drive is smooth. Engine seems to rev at high rpm's over 70 mph in 5th gear, but it doesn't even come close to the red line. Just drove in rain today, and it was a carefree drive.
Not so quiet zoom zoom
FS_DE, 05/11/2006
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought this car used with 17k miles. From day one it has been a truly awesome car to drive. The quality of craftsman ship and design, with all the stock options that come with makes it superb. Items to note: The lack of power (as many complain) is easily overcome by a cold air intake, ever since install its been getting better midrange power and noticeably more torque when you need it. The cold gear grind in the manual transmission has completely gone away after i replaced the gear oil with synthetic oil. I did 70,000 miles in two years and it's still a fun to drive car, no known problems what so ever. Maintain this car and you can easily reach 200k without a single problem.
Best Decision I could have made!
TR, 05/15/2009
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I got this car new in '02. Candy apple red with leather! I love it, love it, love it! It has been a great car. Always get looks and compliments from young guys b/c of the sweet wheels. Have 156K miles on it and am getting a new car now but only because I am getting tired of hauling stuff for other people ---fold down the seats and this car will a twin size bed, an armchair, 20 clowns and 1 elephant. I'm getting a 2 seater so no one can ask me to help them move ever again!
Bolt-on mods
Craig, 11/26/2005
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I read all of the reviews on this car on Edmunds.com AFTER I purchased it and have noticed a recurring suggested improvement: power. I agree. The engine is rated at 142 horsepower stock but what it needs is more mid-range power and torque. After installing Racing Beat's cat-back exhaust system and K&N's Typhoon Intake the Protege5 not only sounds great but now produces just the right amount of power and torque at the RPM's I prefer: 3000 to 5000. The Protege5 is a sports car at heart, it just wants to breathe better. What's better is that the intake and exhaust were not that difficult to install -- floor-jack, jack-stands and metric tools are all you need; just follow the directions!
fast &fun
andy arch, 09/10/2010
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchased in April, 2002 P5,it is a blast to drive,it does great going uphill in these Colorado mountains,I still need to get used to being so close to the ground,and the higher road noise,overall a great little car for the money...24-27 mpg consistently,plenty of power if driven right,the +,-,tranny is so neat.Do all these low profile cars sound like loose boards when driving over bumpy road,or maybe I need struts?
Excellent car (for me)
tiborgh, 02/21/2011
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought the car in 2006 when it was less than 3 years old, with 47,000 kms (about 30,000 miles). Now it has 192,000 kms (120,000 miles). I still love the car, while my wife hated it from the beginning. Very fun to drive, very practical, had less mechanical problems than the 2002 Corolla that we purchased new. Had to replace the original speakers and install an amplifier to have a decent sound. Stiff suspension and loud road noise are a deterrent for many, but that just adds to the overall fun. Recently the rear wheel wells and the doors started to show some rust. Mechanically it was quite robust, only two minor problems so far, an ABS sensor and a tie rod.
2002 Mazda Protege5
Susieq, 01/17/2009
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I've owned this car since 2003. So far no major work. Just oil and tune up and I have 196500 on it. Love that car and the way it drove. I say drove because the guy I was dating totaled it out. I'm now looking for another car. Hoping to get one just like it. But I did have trouble with the headlights having to be replaced pretty frequently. I would recommend this car to young and old. It's fun and reliable.
definitely a fun car to drive
av, 07/22/2009
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Almost bought one in 2002. It was a toss up between a loaded Civic VS Protege5. Ended up with the Civic simply because I was able to get a better deal. I finally bought one recently because I found a good deal. Pros: Fun car - excellent handling and braking Reliable Looks great Cons: Overall quality isn't great *Interior feels cheap (it's a regular protege underneath the shiny stuff) *Interior ergonomics is almost non- existent *Motor mounts are poor quality *Poor rust protection *Horrible paint quality (some colors were single stage paint) *Whiny motor
out of storage
Graish, 10/21/2009
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchase my PR5 in 03. Drove it for two years and put it in storage for five because of my overseas employment. It's now back on the road with 40k on it and shinny as she was when I put her up. She still has the "new car" smell. I've fell in love with her all over again, especially now that she has some age on her, you don't see too many of them running about and mine has very low mileage. I'll be doing to official key turnover ceremony to my college bound son this coming Summer. I hope it last him for his four years he'll be needing it. A trip home to daddys workshop over few months will keep her running.
Great Little Car
Jack, 06/23/2009
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Brought Mazda new and have never regretted it. Fun to drive and a sporty look even after 7 years - I think Mazda made a mistake with the new Protege's - my Progete5 looks better then the new updated versions. Price and reliability are first rate, with good gas mileage and great interior room. Only thing I've replaced are the low profile tires - went up to 205 from 195 - does not change look and tires don't wear out - 195 are expensive to replace and don't wear well and are hard to find.
Worst car ever
NEVER buy a Mazda, 11/05/2010
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
5 of 18 people found this review helpful
My husband and I have owned our Protege 5 for almost 6 years now and it has been nothing but a headache. The sub frame has rotted practically off the car and has been fixed twice already. There are recurring problems with the check engine light and the dealer cannot determine what the issue is exactly. "spend $1000's and still not know if the issue(s) is fixed". Mazda does not stand behind their vehicles AT ALL. Sub frames rotting are a real safety issue and maybe they should look at how Toyota solved this problem. Our other car is a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire and it does NOT have rust issues. The Mazda has even been undercoated more than the Sunfire! Do not waste your money!
Awesome Bang for the BUCK!!!!
dan the man, 05/17/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A loaded car with moonroof, ABS and side airbags for 17200.00 is a hell of a deal in my book. I have read many reviews and the complaints seem to revolve around three issues: Power, Stereo, and Roof Rack wind noise. Why buy a car with 130 HP and an engine under 2000cc and then say it has too little power? The car has plenty of get up and go. The stereo is not the greatest, however, that is easily corrected at your local stereo dealer. The wind noise is not too bad. Sure when the moonroof is open at 70 MPH it gets a little loud, but thats natural. In a nutshell, this car looks great, is fun to drive, and wont break your bank.
An excellent choice!
Rssteph, 04/27/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
When compared to the Matrix and Civic EX, the Pro5 wins out. The Pro5 has a high quality, sporty interior, a unique exterior, and drives great. The Matrix's interior isn't as nice or sporty, lacks handling, but has similar accel. and more space. The Civic EX has equal quality, standard ABS and SR, but lacks in accel./handling. The Pro5's accel. is more than adequate when compared to others in its class and the handling is superb!
Incredible!
flowbee, 05/18/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is one awesome car. Like one gentleman below, I was looking a Tribute. The Tribute is a great deal, but then I saw the Vibe and thought I'd try it. The 130hp engine on the regular Vibe didn't do it for me, so I thought I'd check out the 180hp GT. Then I tried the Protege 5. Wow! Much better than a Vibe. Definitely much smaller than the Tribute, but this thing is loaded, a lot cheaper, has better gas mileage, has sufficient room for my needs, and sportier. I thought I'd be severely disappointed, coming from an Acura CL with 225 horses. But I was wrong! This thing kicks. Reminds me of my 1998 Acura Integra but has more room. Buy it! You won't be disappointed.
Good car, good value
The Defender, 04/11/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've had the car for two weeks and just passed the 1,000 mile mark. So far, so good. Other than a minor glich with the keyless entry, I have no problems at all to report. Overall the car handles good and looks great. I got the windows tinted and now they look even better. The cargo space is better than I expected for such a small car and the gas mileage is average at best. I got 32 mpg on my first half tank (boy was I excited!), 27 on the second, 28 on the third and 24 on the fourth (reality sets in). The incentives Mazda offered helped in my overall decision to buy this car, otherwise I probably would have bought either a Toyota Matrix or a Pontiac Vibe.
A True Gem
Tweek, 10/05/2008
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I researched every other car in this class and deliberated for nearly four months before making up my mind and to this day I've never looked back. Amazing on fuel, fun to drive (I'd recommend the stick), she's beautiful to look at both inside and out and with the right aftermarket audio improvements she's a music lover's dream. There is so much I could say about my baby but if you own one you already know... and if you don't, well, I can save you the headaches of looking around. THIS IS THE CAR TO GET!!!... hands down.
Practical and Fun
jenmorgan, 05/19/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I'm thoroughly in love with my new P5 -- lots of room and great handling. Great price, too. A nice mix of luxury and sportiness.
It Rocks
Dagpotter, 05/19/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great car for the money.
MP5 Review
karak, 05/03/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great car for the money. Totally a head turner. I actually have people talk to me about the car and tell me that they think it's sharp. Great on gas and loaded with extras. The only thing that it is missing is a giant key on the back window. It drives like a wind up toy. Leather seats and a bigger engine would make this car a perfect 10.
My kingdom for 30 horses
Uncle Goo, 05/20/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Mazda Protege5 is one heck of car. It can carry 4 adults comfortably and haul an amazing amount of cargo. The handling is quite nice and the gas mileage is good for a 2.0L (30 mpg). All in all, this car packs a ton of value into an attractive package. Two quibbles, the roof rack does create a lot of wind noise on the highway and the car could sure use about 25-30 more horsepower and torque. Don't get me wrong, it scoots pretty good as is, but the trouble I could cause with 30 more foot pounds of torque...ahhhhh....
My thoughts
paulj, 05/21/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Handles great, could use more power though. A cold air intake, larger exaust could push 150 hp. A possible turbo could bolt on could push it upwards of 170 or 180 hp.
BANG BANG BANG
mnkyboy, 04/08/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Theres alot more where that came from! This car truly give you the MOST bang for your buck. It has superior styling compared to other cars in its class, and the sports car handling is spectacular. I own a Vivid Yellow, and this car turns lots of heads. Expect a big aftermarket for this car and the standard protege in a year or so. A lot of people complain about the power and how it could use more. I personally think its more than enough for the avg person. How often would you use that extra 20-30 hp? With this car, you wont be in a hurry to get anywhere...
Bargain Lexus?
antonio, 04/14/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Was attracted to this car at first mainly for it's styling. After taking it for a test drive, we didn't look any further. The whole packeage impressed us so much and after finding the right dealer bought the car on the spot.
P5 Envy
jeff203, 05/04/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The P5 really is a great car! Easily the best looking in the growing small sport wagon niche. The car is an absolute blast to drive, even with the underpowered engine. If it had another 30-40 hp, I'd be in heaven. It handles like it's on rails. The suspension is very tight and the accelerator is extremely touchy. Just the way it should be. The car is solidly built. I don't have any of the rattles that others have mentioned. I would definitely recommend the car to those looking for something very sporty, who at the same time need that space for the kids, etc.
No more Hondas!
JodiD2, 05/21/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have always driven Hondas, but no more! After seeing a Protege5 on the highway, I decided to have a closer look. I am so glad I did! This drives great and is so fun! I think I'll keep this car forever!
More Like Vroom-Vroom
Matthew Aguayo, 05/21/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I leased this vehicle because with a $19,029 sticker, 1/3 down at 9.5% still came out to $500 a month payment. My credit is very good, and these numbers are the finance departments' numbers. I was not crazy about the idea of leasing, but my wife wanted the car. We still purchased the car there because the price was the lowest of any of the Mazda dealers in our area.
Fun At Last!
Mootarjim, 05/04/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
So I just got my MP5. It really does handle the road just as well as you've heard, especially considering the under-20K price tag. Plenty of zip from the 130hp 2.0, and not as bumpy as I'd expected. The interior is excellent, and the black cloth will stay "clean" much longer than other colors. Gas mileage is a little sub-par, but this is the most fun I've had driving in a long time, so I'm gonna overlook its thirst at the pumps. I looked at the Corolla, Matrix, Civic, and Sentra before getting my new Yellow MP5. Great car for the money, and much more fun than anything in its class.
Great car for the money
rwm, 05/23/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Keep up the good work Mazda. Got the car in January and have almost 9000 miles on it without a single problem (other than a rock chip in the fog light). As with my Miata, the build quality seems very good. The car could use a more powerful motor, but the handling is great. The interior is well laid out and seems to be holding up well to the abuse of two children. This car is a great deal for what it costs.
My PR5
Alfie, 04/14/2002
2002 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great value, Fun to Drive, Excellent handling, Good looks, Easy on the wallet due to good gas mileage, It's Worth It!