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2003 Mazda Protege5 User Reviews

2003 Mazda Protege5 Review Ratings

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Average Ratings from 30 reviews

  • Performance:3.7 out of 5 stars3.7 out of 5 stars3.7 out of 5 stars3.7 out of 5 stars3.7 out of 5 stars 3.7 / 5
  • Appearance:4.2 out of 5 stars4.2 out of 5 stars4.2 out of 5 stars4.2 out of 5 stars4.2 out of 5 stars 4.2 / 5
  • Build Quality:4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars 4 / 5
  • Overall:4.4 out of 5 stars4.4 out of 5 stars4.4 out of 5 stars4.4 out of 5 stars4.4 out of 5 stars 4.4 / 5

Review Highlights Click to filter reviews below

PROS
"ride" 14 reviews
"handling" 13 reviews
"power" 6 reviews
"build quality" 4 reviews
"reliable car" 4 reviews
CONS
"power" 9 reviews
"turbo" 3 reviews
"noise" 2 reviews
"brakes" 2 reviews

User Reviews

Displaying 1 - 10 of 30 reviews 123 Next
Chris writes:
2003 Mazda Protege5 4 Dr STD Wagon Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

handling, appearance

Cons

road noise

65

03 Mazda Protege 5 — My '03 Mazda handles like a much higher-end car. Its quite tight and responsive, with surprising power for a 4-cylinder engine. The factory stabilizer bar really adds to its handling. The exterior is as sharp as it ever was. I have always liked the eye-catching design, and the Laser Blue Mica color is still one of my faves. As the car has aged a bit, I notice some of the interior finishes not holding up as well as they should. However, Mazda has done a great job in upgrading interior materials in their more recent models. A couple of annoying and potentially expensive things have popped up, i.e. a bum airbag sensor and a sprung seat belt latch. Other than that I have spent next to nothing on this car other than normal maintenance. For my next car I plan to upgrade either to the CX-7 or CX-9.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Dave writes:
2003 Mazda Protege5 4 Dr STD Wagon Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

Fun to drive, Economical, Good space, reliable

Cons

Cheap options

40

Laser Blue Pro5 — This car was great, just reminded me too much of the economy car of which is was based. It was peppy and fun to drive. The engine provided adequate power which was enough for such a small car. I loved the colour of Laser blue and I had the Tiptronic sport tranny which i enjoyed using.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Joe writes:
2003 Mazda Protege5 4 Dr STD Wagon Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

Fast, stiff clutch, great handling, great brake, a real roof rack, it fits all my gear, good mpg

Cons

Rusting....... thats it

55

I Love My Little Speedy Yellow Car! — I love this car. It's fast enough to get my kicks in and it can hold ALL my guitar equipment so its just the right size. It gets 27-40 mpg depending on how aggresive I drive. Also the clutch is really stiff which I love so much. It is rusting but I can't complain because it still performs.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Aaron writes:
2003 Mazda Protege5 4 Dr STD Wagon Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

4  disc brakes, fog lights, stock "body kit", light clutch pedal, relatively easy to mod, pretty stiff ride for a stock car, nice cornering!

Cons

not anit-lock brakes (came as an option), nothing else really other than poor motor mounts (only reason build quality did not get 5 stars).

55

Mazda Says It All: Zoom-zoom — Made a nice first project car. I think I've invested too much into it...but it's too late to stop now! The car is a lot more roomy than it works. I've fit 4 adults and packed the back full without a problem. This is a great car to have, it could be faster, but then I'd just get into more trouble.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Jay writes:
2003 Mazda Protege5 4 Dr STD Wagon Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

handling, size

Cons

Rust! and the seats are not comfy (lots of backaches)

35

5-door Grocery Getter That Feels Like A Go-kart — I bought the car new in 2003 for it's handling, looks,equipment and unparalleled value at the time. It's been a fun car, handling daily tasks well, being practical and making a good long distance companion. Now thanks to the depreciation it's worth nothing, but makes a great commuter car for the daily 905/416 struggle.

Primary Use: Utility (towing boats, transporting cargo, etc.)

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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anubis44 writes:
2003 Mazda Protege5 4 Dr STD Wagon Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

styling

Cons

body/brakes/wheels

anubis44
35

I'll Never Buy Another Mazda Due To Poor Service At Dealer (i Think This Car Was A Lemon) — Purchased in Dec. '04 w/ 16k. Had vehichle rust protected by dealer since I live in ON & use salt brine in winter. Still a rust bucket. ABS/ ebrake sensors gone @ 40k. Brakes done 4x under 70k. Im thinking itsa lemon!

Primary Use: Family transportation

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Denis writes:
2003 Mazda Protege5 4 Dr STD Wagon Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

fun performance

Cons

nil

35

Don't Hit Anything — Awesome little Japanese car that perform very well against lancers, hondas etc... on all facet. it is an eye turner very well built, worry free that was fun to drive, i'd buy an other one but the Aussies don't have that model.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Jerrelle writes:
2003 Mazda Protege5 4 Dr STD Wagon Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

Practicality and fun in one package

Cons

Not very fast

35

Absolutely A Great Vehicle To Own, Love It To Death — Quick but by no means fast, great craftsmanship and build quality, no rattling or poor components, nice color and style, cheap to own and maintain, and has lots of space and is great to drive. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone.

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Karl writes:
2003 Mazda Protege5 4 Dr STD Wagon Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

good mph, good looking, fun to drive

Cons

tires are little on the pricey side, could really use a turbo version

45

Has Been Fun And Reliable — Thats a good combo. Been across the country, delivered newspapers, and never a major repair, outside of general service

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Louis-Philippe writes:
2003 Mazda Protege5 4 Dr STD Wagon Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

Fun to drive - cant go wrong or end up in the field.

Cons

Did I say RUST!!!!

25

Dont Buy It New - Go For A Good Deal And Negotiate! — Sport drive which is good - lacks a bit of HP and steadiness in the curves at high speed. Overall very economic so can't complain! Big disappointment on the body - had to spent lot of time & money getting rid of that rust!

Primary Use: Family transportation

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Cost $6,522 Average Instant Market Value $7,769 Average Instant Market Value $5,796 Average Instant Market Value
Gas Mileage (highway) 28 32 28
Horsepower 130 148 130
Crash Test Rating 8 4 5
Cargo Volume (cu. ft.) 19.8 12.9
Front Leg Room (inches) 42.2 41.9 42.2

Reviews From Other Years

2002 Mazda Protege5 Reviews

Silver Bullet By Biggplanns

Been to four states and I've owned it since 2009 . Few trips by myself and a few with others. Love my bullet gets me where ever I need to go. AC was fixed last year and new struts the year before and... Read More

Very Very Nice Car By Marvin

Just got the car not that long ago.But i think its the best car i have ever owned in my life.I will drive this car till the wheels fall off of it i plan on buying one more soon..I tell all my friends ... Read More

Read all 30 2002 Mazda Protege5 reviews
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