![]() Its great looks, useful hatch and first-rate fit-and-finish prove this was the right choice as a daily driver. It handles extremely well, stops on a dime and fits in just about any parking space. MARK WIDRICK, New Market, Md.ĪFTER OWNING THREE OTHER MAZDAS,including second- and third-generation RX-7s, the Protegé5 was a shoo-in. While the engine is a bit anemic, the suspension is 100 percent Mazda, inspiring the same kind of spirited driving I enjoy in my 1999 Miata. I was looking for a fun hatchback, but needed a car with four doors and a low price. THE PROTEGÉ5 REPLACES MY PREVIOUS OTM (other than Miata) vehicle, a 1990 Civic Si. But every single one praised the car's handling ability.On the whole, most owners liked the Mazda Protegé5 best for the value it represented, from a performance/styling/price standpoint.Īs one owner summed up, "Overall, a nicely styled, competent car with good handling at a fair price." We couldn't have said it better. "I find the fit-and-finish to be of high quality with no rattles or squeaks after almost a year of driving," said one owner, while others simply commented on the car's comfortable, nicely styled layout and the feel of the materials used inside.Ī few owners did complain about the engine's noise on cold starts, and many wished for up to 50 more horses. "I get compliments from everyone," said one owner, while another elaborated, saying, "By the simple addition of a hatch, body panels and some fancy wheels, Mazda has managed to build some character into the Protegé."īeyond looks, these owners also appreciated the car's build and material quality. Owners, even those without ABS-equipped cars, expressed a great deal of pleasure in how well the brakes work.įuel delivery: Multipoint electronic fuel injectionīut most owners did seem to like the car best for its looks. Similarly, the Protegé5 felt very controllable on the skidpad, with only a bit of understeer.Its four-wheel discs and optional antilock brakes worked wonders in the stopping department, pulling the little hatchback to a standstill from 60 mph in 125 straight and drama-free feet. Its slalom speed of 45.5 mph made it a tick slower than the Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, at 46.0 mph, and measurably quicker than the Mitsubishi Lancer OZ, at 44.3 mph. Its handling is very forgiving and allowed us to flatfoot it through the 490-foot course. Through the slalom the car's steering felt nice and quick, and lacked the dartiness that plagues other lower-priced Japanese cars we've driven lately. The Protegé5 performed much better with a few turns thrown in. Not great numbers by any stretch, but given its fairly hefty 2716-pound curb weight, they're somewhat understandable. Car is now in Nevada away from salt.At the track the Protegé5's little 130-horsepower 2.0-liter inline four demonstrated its limitations, turning in a less-than-spectacular 9.53-second 0-to-60-mph time, with a best quarter-mile speed of 80.4 mph in 17.11 seconds. The exhaust rusted apart just after the downpipe so it's a little loud but fixing that means a full exhaust replacement. There is now a hole in the back seat floorboard from rust and the seat belt mechanism broke - replaced with junk yard piece. Still runs great, which means in over 155k miles it has never had a mechanical problem. 16 years later, it's now the teenager's car. Repaired the hood and front-end plastics myself summer 2019. Hopefully it doesn't cost too much because this car still has LOTS of useful life in it. I have not had an estimate for repairs yet, but the hood is crumpled, the grille is gone and headlights smashed, but the fenders seem OK. Shortly after 150,000, my son rear-ended another car. It runs perfectly - if it wasn't for rust, it would look and work very much like new. Both passenger side electric locks no longer work. Still no mechanical problems or break-downs. Rust wreaks havoc on these cars, though not as bad as some other cars. The timing belt et al has been changed and the car continues to run great. The worst thing on it by far is the rust in the rear fender wells.Īfter 105,000 miles, everything else still works great.Īt 150,000, I've replaced the right rear strut because it rusted apart. The passenger side electric door lock stopped working at about 50,000 miles. The sway bar bushings wore out at 85,000 miles and the tubing to the mass air flow sensor cracked, but a redneck duct tape fix still works. It's been a great car, extremely reliable and is still fun to drive. I bought my 2003 Protege ES new based on handling and ride - and looks.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |