Used 2003 Mazda Protege5 Consumer Reviews
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Just bought my first zoom zoom
sweetmetal, 02/13/2009
2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have wanted to be the proud owner of a Mazda for a long time. I finally came across one that I could as one person said "pry from someones hands" for a price I could afford. Just as I imagined the adrenaline raced through my veins as I drove it for the first time.. So I am addicted. I am IN LOVE with this car and from the reviews I have read that will not change anytime soon! So far so good.
An Exciting Daily Driver!
Chris, 01/24/2019
updated 07/27/2020
2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My wife and I bought our first 2002 Protégé 5 with the automatic transmission back in 2008 with roughly 120K miles on the car. In early 2017, the car was totaled as it was rear-ended by a drunk driver. At that time, the car had 244K on the clock and the engine and transmission were still going strong with no signs of power loss or oil leakage. Throughout the years of ownership, only preventative maintenance was required. The timing belt and water pump were replaced at the inception of our ownership and a second time at around 200K as the car was still going strong at that point. However, I do want to point out that the catalytic converter went out completely at around 220K and had to be replaced along with the 02 sensors as the check engine light would not go away. The 6-disc CD changer, the driver seatbelt buckle (would not release seatbelt properly even when the unlatch button was depressed) and the front passenger door locking mechanism had also stopped working somewhere along the way (had to be manually locked). The brake calipers were also replaced at around 190K as the driver side caliper seized up and one of the rear calipers started leaking brake fluid. We purchased a manual transmission 2003 Protégé 5 with 140K miles in April of 2017 as a replacement daily driver, and as of today (~171K mi), the only maintenance items that I have done are the water pump, timing belt, power door locking mechanism, brake pads and rotors. Overall a very reliable car that is relatively easy and cheap to maintain. As of 7/26/2020 (at 189k mi), the car is still running strong. However, I started noticing engine oil loss about 10k miles ago. It's nothing severe as I have been refilling the engine 1/4 to half a quart every 5000 miles.
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2003 Mazda Protege5 for sale near you
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- Base WagonMSRP: $6,495156 mi away
- Base WagonMSRP: $5,7772,400 mi away
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Great car
ND_mazda, 11/26/2008
2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have owned quite a few vehicles and this is one of the best I've owned. It's comfortable with a good amount of sportiness in it. There are a lot of stuff I can add to it to make it look better and have more fun with it. Very good car with not many problems. Have driven 16 hours straight with it about 5 times with no problems. Couldn't ask for better unless it could fly.
Zoom zoom
STS28540, 06/04/2010
2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Ever since I was a kid I always wanted a Mazda for the cool little catch phrase in the commercial "Zoom-Zoom" It wasn't until last year that a station wagon could really have the power to go like this one does, there is a huge stabilizer bar under the hood so I can take incredible turns. I am so satisfied with this car, however because they are discontinued I am not sure if I would like to buy another Mazda, I am considering the new 6 but we will see in time. Mine is a 5-speed Manual and I have the issue with cup holders, they are in a REALLY bad place you hit them all the time and I cut my finger open the other day on a cup. All I can say is ZOOM-ZOOM.
Great looking car that is just so-so not great.
Own only manual vehicles, 12/16/2018
updated 01/16/2024
2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
Definitely I like the way the car looks. The zoom-zoom factor is there but the implementation kinda fell short likely because of cheaper manufacturing. I like the placement of most of the controls, and it was great to know that many features came standard with the Protege5. Never thought I would like a moon roof but now I think i will need to have one from now on, really like the 2 ways the Protege5 can adjust the moon roof (back tilt open or fully open). Nice to have power windows and locks but the power lock mechanism does not last long (the one plastic part inside the lock motor should be made of better material) so far had to replace all 4 door automatic lock mechanisms at least once and the rear ones went out again. Had tons of problems with the parking brake (something that I know or ever heard of had an issue with, I'm the first ever), twice (two different mechanics) and still have issues. My mechanic hates my car now as he had to work on the brakes 5 times (first time I paid for it, the rest where worked under warranty). Mazda dealer was worst than useless (likely my last Mazda ever because of it). The radio is kinda garbage. The CD changer died, and the radio sounds is mediocre with little to now bass (despite the subwoofer attached to the spare tire). My air conditioning ON/OFF button broke off (I can still turn it off and on but need to stick my finger in the hole to de/reactivate), the driver side map light button is now intermittently defective (sometime it does not stay on). Noisy cabin at any speed but really bad at high speeds. Poor interior quality control. Reliable engine (so far 85K miles), very good brakes (except for the emergency brake which is likely to be the worst ever made in the world) althougth the rear brakes need changing more often that the front and I may now have an issue with one of the calipers. Would prefer if the Protege5 had a timing chain instead of a timing belt (like many other manufacturers of 4 cylinder engines), plastics on the roof rack are now cracked (roof rack itself works great and is 100% functional just looks ugly). Who ever designed the roof rack though the only reason to have a roof rack is to put skis. bikes or something on another type of item that uses a device that attaches to a rack. Using the rack damages the plastics on the rack. The spare wheel hole does not fit a regular tire (so no chance of having a 5th real tire as a spare), also when you get a flat the tire has to occupy the trunk space. The Protege5 could use a 6th gear and better insulation to reduce cabin noise. Mileage on it is the worst of any 4 cylinder I ever owned (from my 1.7-2.5 liter Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel) which all have better average mileage from from 4 to 15 MPG. But not horrible enough to change my car immediately (although I would not keep this one as long as my other vehicles). Over all I am not happy with the Protege5, I got it used (with very low mileage) did not pay a lot so it is hard to be extremely disappointed (had it been bought it new, the would be a very different story) but overall I can not recommend it. Likely the reason it was manufactured for only 2 years. I would of sold it already to get something better but because my preference of manual transmission (and dislike of reliability, response and feedback of automatic or CVT) my choices are very limited.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value