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by mkaresh  in Cars & Motorsports,  - Top 10
Nov 04 '03 - Updated Dec 03 '06
Author's Product Rating:  Recommended: Yes 
Pros: Steering, handling, fun to drive, styling, workmanship, roominess (for a compact), visibility, headlamps, PRICE
Cons: Busy ride, noise, seats need more bolstering, moderately long shifter throws, power (for some)
The Bottom Line: An amazing value for those who prioritize sharp steering, responsive handling, and sheer driving enjoyment. Very highly recommended.
For four years now I’ve been visiting dealerships test driving cars, mostly to review them but also to determine what my next car might be. Ironically, when the time came to actually buy a car I went with one that I had never driven before, ...
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by krada
Feb 21 '04
Author's Product Rating: Recommended: Yes
Pros: Looks way better than a crappy Toyota Matrix, fun to drive...I LOVE IT!
Cons: --Loud engine
--Turning radius SUCKS
--Horn is a wussy little "beep"
The Bottom Line: It is sporty, awesome handling, turns heads, rarely seen, zippy and cute without being a total chick car.
I bought my little Protege5 at the end of December, saving a buttload of money ($2,500 rebate, $500 grad school attendee rebate, and at least $1K off with Carsdirect.com). Now it's the end of February, and I couldn't be happier! I used to drive a ...
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by zerodk
Oct 19 '03
Author's Product Rating: Recommended: Yes
Pros: Great looking car; great driving dynamics; decent power; good fuel economy; great value
Cons: Underpowered compare to its more expensive rivals; utility is somwhat sacrificed for style
The Bottom Line: A fun to drive car with all the style and a lot of substance to go with it.
In years past, people who need the practicality of a minivan and the driving dynamics of a car have to consider the very few choices of station wagons out there. Not only that they aren't built for sporting intentions, most people would not prefer to be s ...
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by gatoringa
Dec 19 '03
Author's Product Rating: Recommended: Yes
Pros: Fun to drive, Great looking, Superb price/value
Cons: Odd tire size, Center console design, Dealer running out of stock
The Bottom Line: If you want a super smooth ride and drive in a straight line go elsewhere. If Zoom Zoom Zoom appeals to you then look no further!
As a father of 2 with one more on the way, I thought I would be relegated to buying some econobox for my next car. I commute a minimum of 50 miles a day to work so I have always tried to have a vehicle I enjoy driving. I have always liked the looks of ...
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by mscraven1
Mar 17 '03 - Updated Aug 14 '03
Author's Product Rating: Recommended: Yes
Pros: Styling, cabin space, handling, transmission (manual), standard features, headroom
Cons: Engine power, cargo space, ABS not standard
The Bottom Line: Great handling sport wagon that doubles as a long range small family hauler.
After adding up all of the fixes that would be required to bring out 1994 Toyota Camry back to the point where we only disliked driving it, my wife and I started test driving cars to see what was out there. We were drawn to small wagons because of the...
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by icevic
Sep 02 '03 - Updated May 03 '04
Author's Product Rating: Recommended: Yes
Pros: fun to drive and lots of room
Cons: ride is a little harsh
The Bottom Line: For a bit more money than you would pay for a Civic, Corolla, or Sunfire, you get a car that delivers a lot more style, space and performance.
This car gives great value for your dollar. It is priced only slightly above most economy cars but delivers great style, a sporty ride, a potent engine, and the space versatility of the wagon/hatchback genre. You have to enjoy driving to want this ...
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by funkyfc
May 11 '03 - Updated May 13 '03
Author's Product Rating: Recommended: Yes
Pros: Comfortable and sporty. Great handling and good gas economy
Cons: Not enough power, but adequate.
The Bottom Line: Great car at a good price. Does everything well, just don't take it to the drag strip.
I drove a Dodge Durango and commuted every day to work. I was killing my bank account with the gas consumption of the Magnum V8. I needed to change my vehicle of choice. I wanted to continue having some stowage capacity while decreasing gas...
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by ScottMcG
Dec 10 '03
Author's Product Rating:  Recommended: Yes
Pros: Lots of fun to drive, good mileage, hatch makes it practical.
Cons: Backwards shifter, road noise, ABS/Side airbags optional.
The Bottom Line: A practical hatchback with a serious sporty side. Looks great, handles like a sports car, and will carry more than you bought at Costco.
I've had this car about 3 months now, and still love it. I bought a yellow Protege5 with the automatic and cloth seats after driving tons of comparable cars. I think it's important to properly define where this car is: it's really not a station ...
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by luckydoc - Top 500
Jan 07 '03
Author's Product Rating: Recommended: Yes
Pros: Very comfortable seats, handles well on highway and within city streets driving.
Cons: I am not impressed with the interior and exterior styling.
The Bottom Line: Even if I am not thrilled with the styling of the Protege5, I still recommend it for it is an excellent vehicle to drive.
Mazda Protege5, 2003
Zoom-Zoom!
You have seen it in a television commercial; the Mazda Protege5 is the car that goes by the young boy in the commercial, which is followed by the whispering Zoom-Zoom from the boy. Well the commercial...
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by dsr70
Jul 26 '06
Author's Product Rating: Recommended: Yes
Pros: Handling, fuel econ, looks, aftermarket potential, functional
Cons: Road noise, engine power
The Bottom Line: It is satisfying to drive, reliable, good looking, economical, well made, and functional, all for low cost. Recommended.
I have 15k miles on an '03.5 that has 35k total. The car has been trouble free. Recall warranty service on the intake manifold was fine. The car handles exceptionally well and is QUICK, given a manual tranny. It steers quick. Sticks very well on ...
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by calixtinski
May 30 '03 - Updated Jul 27 '04
Author's Product Rating:  Recommended: No 
Pros: Cruise Control, AT automatic transmission with automatic/manual option, Sound System, Interior, Exterior
Cons: Warning: If you want service done on your vehicle Mazda has terrible service!
The Bottom Line: So-so car for the amount of $$$ you spend.
Note: Be sure to read my one-year update on the bottom! I've just finished purchasing a Mazda Protege 5 a week ago. I spent a good amount of time researching it, reading in Car and Driver that it ranked #1 in its class of cars, purchasing the Auto ...
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by strangedayz
Apr 28 '04
Author's Product Rating: Recommended: Yes
Pros: Handling; style; front seat comfort and passenger room; cargo space; value and price
Cons: Modest acceleration; rear seat legroom; short headlamp life; lackluster sound system
The Bottom Line: Stylish, affordable, functional car that is a joy to drive. I'd buy it again, given the chance.
Oddly enough, we purchased this car as a replacement for a 1993 Isuzu Trooper. The Protege5 offered the utility of a 5-door vehicle in a much more responsive, economical package. There is substance to Mazda's "zoom-zoom" advertising. I recall ...
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by k9kuvasz7
Jan 28 '04
Author's Product Rating:  Recommended: No
Pros: Handling, ABS, Front/Side air bags, Comes standard with many optional features.
Cons: Extremely poor/non-existent service from multiple Mazda service departments.
The Bottom Line: Can't recommend any Mazda products as corporate office and dealer refuses to honor warranty. Also, dealer unable to repair known problems after numerous attempts.
Engine: 2.0, 5 speed Manual transmission, Sun Roof, 6 CD player, Air bags (front and side), ABS, power windows, Price: 17,500 Purchased to update to newest/newer technology – i.e. ABS, R134a Freon, air bags. All of our ‘then’ vehicles did not have ...
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by vulbus
Aug 22 '03
Author's Product Rating: Recommended: Yes
Pros: Excellent handling, driver's comfort, interior ergonomics, gas mileage, and value
Cons: Ride is bumpy for passengers and power locks cannot be controlled from the passenger side
The Bottom Line: I highly recommend checking out the Protege5 if it's size and price fit your needs.
I purchased a Protege5 brand new in July of 2002. Equipment included 5 speed manual, power sun roof ...
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by speeddemonrs
Oct 31 '03
Author's Product Rating: Recommended: Yes
Pros: Great fun, inexpensive to buy & maintain. Plenty of add on stuff to personalize it.
Cons: Just a touch more power and the ultimate sleeper will be born!!
The Bottom Line: If you love to drive and want something a bit different then the standard Honda or Toyota, BUY THIS CAR!
I am glad that this car isn't seen more on the road... It is such a great little car!! I feel like I own the road in it, and it’s so rarely seen still that it ALWAYS turns heads. The performance that this car makes out of 130 horsepower is quite am ...
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