Used 2003 Mazda Protege5 Consumer Reviews
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Fun car
Kvigg, 07/11/2018
2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
EGR valve blockage is a chronic thing with this car. Road noise as well. Look for rust in the rear wheel wells and strut mounts. Handles great!!! Fun car to drive, easy to work on.
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Honda and Toyota look out
colt933, 10/15/2009
2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
We bought the P5 new for my wife. She drove a '94 Miata daily for years so this Mazda was a no-brainer. Still have the Miata. This is the most reliable car I have ever owned including 3 Hondas, except for maybe the Miata. The only items that have failed and needed replacement are the O2 sensor, starting battery, and a window regulator. I do all maintenance myself - which is minimal. I've put synthetic oil in since the first oil change. At over 100k miles the brakes still have 40% life and the clutch is still strong. It doesn't need new shocks/struts either. We typically get 32-34mpg on the highway. It is starting to use some oil - but we've had it for 7 years!
2003 Mazda Protege5 for sale near you
3 of 5 listings
- Base WagonMSRP: $6,495419 mi away
- Base WagonMSRP: $3,8002,408 mi away
- Base WagonMSRP: $2,9882,431 mi away
See all 5 listings
Fun to Drive & Keep!!!
SS in AZ, 11/08/2009
2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Purchased new 12-2002 after 350000+ miles on a 1991 Mazda Protege LX. No mechanical problems with the engine in this car!!!Only had to replace lock motor for $400.00. I use Mobil 1 and stay on top of the maintenance. Fun to Drive but you need to keep the tires aligned and rotated or they will be worn in a year.
LOVE MY P5
davi3, 08/01/2013
2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
20 of 23 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2003 P5 new...have had for 10 years now. It has 287,000 miles! I plan to get as many miles as I possibly can out of her. It is a manual trans and I've kept the timing belt replaced at regular intervals and have only ever used synthetic oil. The thermostat quit once but was a very simple fix. The headlight have always been a headache. I used to would have to replace them seemingly constantly. I love driving this car and don't feel like I will ever like another car as much as I like this one...unless it was a suped up chevelle or something :) cheap car, cheap on gas & fun to drive.
200,000 miles and counting...
christieg, 06/29/2012
2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 2003 Mazda Protege5 in 10/2002 and have been glad every day since! I have had the clutch replaced in the past 2 years along with the compressor and the catalytic converter and the drivers side widow thingy. I feel like after 7 years, this is normal. The head-light bulbs have been a bit of a nuisance, having to replace frequently, but being able to replace them myself, i'm just out the cost of the bulb, which isn't much. If you know the car has had regular maintenance, it will not let you down.