1997 Mazda Protege Reviews, Pricing & Specs
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 1997 Mazda Protege appreciate its reliability and fuel efficiency. Many drivers praise its comfort and low maintenance needs, having had positive long-term experiences with the car. However, some drivers mention its lack of power and slow acceleration as drawbacks. There are a few reports of minor electrical issues and performance quirks."
I easily average 30mpgs even in Seattle rush hour, and for being a pretty small economy car, it's actually pretty fun to drive. I have the 5-speed manual, and the gears shift smoothly, and even with it's under-100hp, I still find myself yawning at the cars in front of me on an onramp to hurry up and get to 60 already. Fairly easy to service for the most part. The inline 4 is a piece of cake to change the plugs on. The seats are comfy (at least for me, a 5'7" female), and the controls simple and intuitive. The trunk is roomier than it looks, too. It's a small car, but I've been able to move at least medium furniture (dressers and the like) while in college. All in all, a great little car. I did have a phantom check engine light for several years that would come on and off intermittently without throwing a code. It drove me nuts. Of course, it turned into "the light that cried engine," and I ended up ignoring it for probably a lot longer than I should. Eventually it turned out I needed to replace the catalytic converter, of which there are TWO. Why such a small, high mpg vehicle needs two is beyond me. It cost probably more than the value of the car to replace them, and that was with a colleague that cut me a deal. Now that the catalytic converter(s) and the spark plugs were replaced, though, it runs like a dream.
July 20, 2014Had it for 7 years and put 140,000 with no issues other than changing out brakes and batteries. Great car. It is a comfortable car that has needed little maintenance. I've been waiting for the clutch to go out, but it just keeps on going.
January 5, 2009Owned since 2003. Car is ultra-reliable - has never broken down or needed major repairs, I've put on 110,000 km since purchasing it at 60,000. Solid, reliable car. I have a couple of very minor electrical issues - the power locks work, but central locking activated with the key in the driver's door doesn't work anymore. Also some of the LED's on the rear spoiler are dim/burnt out. This is an amazingly reliable vehicle and easy to maintain and drive.
March 2, 2008What owners say
I easily average 30mpgs even in Seattle rush hour, and for being a pretty small economy car, it's actually pretty fun to drive. I have the 5-speed manual, and the gears shift smoothly, and even with it's under-100hp, I still find myself yawning at the cars in front of me on an onramp to hurry up and get to 60 already. Fairly easy to service for the most part. The inline 4 is a piece of cake to change the plugs on. The seats are comfy (at least for me, a 5'7" female), and the controls simple and intuitive. The trunk is roomier than it looks, too. It's a small car, but I've been able to move at least medium furniture (dressers and the like) while in college. All in all, a great little car. I did have a phantom check engine light for several years that would come on and off intermittently without throwing a code. It drove me nuts. Of course, it turned into "the light that cried engine," and I ended up ignoring it for probably a lot longer than I should. Eventually it turned out I needed to replace the catalytic converter, of which there are TWO. Why such a small, high mpg vehicle needs two is beyond me. It cost probably more than the value of the car to replace them, and that was with a colleague that cut me a deal. Now that the catalytic converter(s) and the spark plugs were replaced, though, it runs like a dream.
July 20, 2014Had it for 7 years and put 140,000 with no issues other than changing out brakes and batteries. Great car. It is a comfortable car that has needed little maintenance. I've been waiting for the clutch to go out, but it just keeps on going.
January 5, 2009Owned since 2003. Car is ultra-reliable - has never broken down or needed major repairs, I've put on 110,000 km since purchasing it at 60,000. Solid, reliable car. I have a couple of very minor electrical issues - the power locks work, but central locking activated with the key in the driver's door doesn't work anymore. Also some of the LED's on the rear spoiler are dim/burnt out. This is an amazingly reliable vehicle and easy to maintain and drive.
March 2, 2008tough little rig good commuter car
June 27, 2008its alright very slow but likes to be revved the engine is quite peaky and has no bottom end. the suspension does a good job on a variety of surfaces including gravel at high speeds. The brakes work well once warm just like any other breaks. If coaxed properly the rear end will hang out rather nicely and as long as the driver wants it to hang out. The shifter isnt very good and the shift gates are very close together. The trunk provieds aduquate room for a car this size. The car is comfortable and is good on gas. With a good set of snow tires like the ones that I have on it right now it is a tank in the snow and is lots of fun.
December 29, 2008this car was the slowest and worst car ever owened
June 8, 2008its a great car no doubt...its got great accleration and braking it handles well at turns it is just like a dream car the interior is groegous . the emergency brake works perfectly the shitfting is fine the transmission is perfect no slipping or anything the gas milage is perfect also
October 25, 2008Thou the car doesn't have neither striking looks or gr8t specs... but its worth the money you spend. i own a manual gearbox one, its fun to drive with a reasonable acceleration and top speed of 105 mph. Interiors are a pretty decent, doesn't have any exciting gadgets to play with. Mileage: City: 23-26 mpg Highway: 30-34
January 1, 2010its slow and has nothing going for it but it is a good car that is good on gas
March 17, 2008It is alright. Good mpg, roomy for a V4 import. 5spd manual. NOOO acceleration nice top speed 135-145mph. Light weight starts good. quiet. Fancy but not over frilly. Good acceleration at very top end but most people don't drive their car to the max rpm. The only problem we've had is the air intake hose had a tiny hole in it. The car would not run at all, wrapped it in ductape now its fine.
November 19, 2008
