1997 Mazda Protege Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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User reviews for 1997 Mazda Protege
Write a reviewUser rating:
by Anonymous
Jul 20, 2014
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.Jul 20, 2014
by Rahul R
Jan 01, 2010
Thou 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: 30-34Jan 01, 2010
by Steven E
Jan 05, 2009
Had 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.Jan 05, 2009
User rating:
by Anonymous
Jul 20, 2014
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.Jul 20, 2014
by Rahul R
Jan 01, 2010
Thou 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: 30-34Jan 01, 2010
by Steven E
Jan 05, 2009
Had 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.Jan 05, 2009
by Keenan B
Dec 29, 2008
its 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.Dec 29, 2008
by Anonymous
Nov 19, 2008
It 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.Nov 19, 2008
by Tom W
Oct 25, 2008
its 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 alsoOct 25, 2008
by Todd S
Jun 27, 2008
tough little rig good commuter carJun 27, 2008
by Luke S
Jun 08, 2008
this car was the slowest and worst car ever owenedJun 08, 2008
by Christopher G
Mar 17, 2008
its slow and has nothing going for it but it is a good car that is good on gasMar 17, 2008
by Ian C
Mar 02, 2008
Owned 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.Mar 02, 2008
by Иван-Филип Д
Jan 11, 2008
Not as reliable as my old protégé. Door actuators break, engine stalls when temp is cold (on an auto tranny....), but still is a very good car. Rust doesn't seem to be a problem on those. Fuel economy is average for such a small engine.Jan 11, 2008
1997 Mazda Protege Pricing
Original MSRP
$12,595 to $15,745Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
