Used 2003 Mazda Protege5 Consumer Reviews
Used Protege5 for sale
Great Car But Beware of Problems
jjkarns, 11/11/2003
2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
Don't know where to begin. I love the car as its a fun to drive compact wagon. However with all the problems involved with the car it is wearing out its welcome. Engine gets terrible fuel economy, shakes and vibrates like crazy, has no power, and the transmission is already in need of replacement (clutch chatter that of course the dealer can't recreate. Third gear grinds already and pops out of gear sometimes when you put it in there!?! Of course Dealer can't reproduce problem). Interior door fabric is already worn out and the paint chips like crazy on the front.
Perfect single dad car
Clint G, 11/19/2008
2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have had my P5 for about 50,000 miles. I installed a B&M short shifter which greatly increased performance and keeps the RPM up between gears. I have had no problems with the car in the year and a half I have had it. The only changes I made were to increase air flow to the engine by putting in a K&N drop in filter and cutting out the bottom of the air box which improved mileage by 1.5 mpg and bumped up the power by about 4 or 5 hp if you believe Import Tuner Magazine. I also changed to Lucas brand synthetic oil and gear lube. I put a hyperground system in as well, which does seem to assist acceleration and smooth out the idle to about 700rpm.
2003 Mazda Protege5 for sale near you
Showing 3 of 3 listings
- Base WagonMSRP: $5,4772,395 mi away
- Base WagonMSRP: $3,3002,417 mi away
- Base WagonMSRP: $3,0002,487 mi away
Not reliable or maybe not lucky!!!
Sam, 05/14/2008
2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought the car 4 years ago. Recently, the engine started making a loud sound and it seems that it may cost me over $1200 to repair it (with only 86,000 miles on the engine). I was hoping to keep the car longer. At this level not sure if I'm willing to spend that much money on a car that's only 4 years old. What would happen in few months if I fix the car! Would it brake again! This is a major maintenance for a car this new. So I would have to say that Mazda Protege5 is not a reliable car or I'm an unlucky guy! I hope my comments helped.
A complete downgrade
Vanishing Boy, 09/15/2004
2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 3 people found this review helpful
I was supposed to own a 2004 Mazda3 s 5-door but the dealership ripped me off and landed to this car. This car is mediocre in every way and dissapointing at limit. The stock tires doesn't grip submitting the car to plow on each corner. Engine power is smooth not fast and torque-less, thrashy at limit. At least every time my friends seat on the front passenger seat they end up taking a nap which is good, that means that the seats are very comfy. The steering and engine response are very responsive (although the steering has a slow feed back.
Don't buy one of these!
Scott, 10/19/2009
2003 Mazda Protege5 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 4 people found this review helpful
I had issues with this car from the moment I purchased it. My wife and I downgraded to 'save money' given the economic environment. We bought it in late 2008 with about 68000 miles on it, figuring it shouldn't give us any trouble for a few years. Well, I had put about $500 into it up until August of 2009 which I wasn't happy about. Then in August, the engine went out costing me $3500 for a used motor. Needless to say, I am less than satisfied and will never buy a Mazda again. The Mazda I owned before this one needed a new transmission at 30000 miles. Ridiculous.