Love my 2002 P5 just like all the others here love theirs. It's a little car with big features. It's like having a small SUV without the poor fuel economy. This car amazes me daily on how it drives. It's fun, sporty and gets great mileage. What more could you ask for? I have three other cars one a newer Lincoln,and I find myself driving the P5 the most! If you have the chance to snap one up, do it! You won't regret it!
That was a well done review, I couldn't have said it better myself! As a Mazda Protege5 owner this makes me a bit more proud of it. Thank you. Subscribed!
Just had my 1993 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Ave spit out most of the rear suspension while driving around in the city. Came across one of these in bright yellow. Your review is dead on, the thing handles beautifully - and the benefit of relatively decent fuel economy (I haven't driven a 4 banger since 2006) is certainly a boon. And it's manual to boot! Totally happy with my purchase. SO glad to hear they're reliable. This is my first non-domestic and reliability is huge. Great review. Subbed.
Dad just passed last month and he left me a couple vehicles, one of many is the P5. He would have loved your video man. great car and cant wait to take it on the streets
I own a 2002 Protege 5 and it is an exceptional car! It has never, never broken down on me, though I do maintain it, oil changes, brakes, tires, etc, but nothing major at all. One problem I do have with mines is rust. I live in Illinois where the weather is harsh in the winters, salt on the roads, so on and so forth. Other than that, I think Mazda ought to remake it!
Really really great job!!! I felt like I was watching an episode of top gear, only with poor sound quality. I've been thinking about buy a mazda protege5 for a while now. I think I'm gonna do it.
The rear seats will fold flatter than that. You first flip the seat cushion forward, then remove the rear headrests, then fold the backseats down. It's not completely flat, but close enough. I've fit an entire drum kit in the car. Also 8 ft pieces of lumber will fit (as will 10 ft pieces if you don't mind them resting on the dash).
I know it’s been a while since your comment, but thanks for the info. I recently got an 02 Protege 5 with about 130,000 miles, and would’ve never figured out the better way to fold the seats.
awesome review! 6:43 You said it very well buddy; driving's never been about going fast in a straight line! It's about cornering, taking tight runs, the feel that the car's giving you, etc! I have two cars a corolla and a protege5 fully equipped with leather.. bought the protege 5 for 1700 in order to resell it. I think I've changed my mind, now I'll be selling the corolla! Cheers!
Hi, I have a red 03 protege 5, and this car was the best one I ever owned. I've had it about 6 years, as an artist I can easily carry art as large as 36 x 48 inches. It is a happy little car.
Each car has its own strengths, so it all depends on what you want out of the car. If you're just after performance figures, the Integra is faster, lighter, and has more aftermarket support. If you want to carry things and your friends or if you care more about "driving feel" rather than actual performance the P5 will be the better choice. Hope that helps!
I bought a protege es a little while ago, its pretty much the same car, just doesn't have the hatch, therefore is a few hundred pounds lighter. Its a little quicker (0-60 in about 8.5) It feels like a million bucks to drive. Its my second protege, my father has a protege, and 3 of my friends have them as well. I would recommend one to anyone!
I recently bought a 02 Protege5 with ~75k miles (120k kms) and brought it in for an oil change at a 10-minute oil change shop. I expected the shop to try to upsell me on their services: engine flush, pwr steer flush, etc as was usual with my old car. I got nothing, all he did was ask me my engine mileage and tell me the everything was in great condition. Reliably, good handing, lots of room, good on gas, and enough power to get you up the mountain highway. What more can you ask for?
my brother has a silver 2002 protege5 with a 4 speed auto with manual mode and black custom rims. its a good car that i highly recommend it for first time drivers, especially for those who want something different.
you are totally right about people forgetting about this car. i for one am in the market for a new car for under 10k and i thought i was going to have to settle foe a civic or something, then i found the P5. hopefully it will be in my drive within the next 2 months
I just bought one earlier this month for 11k. 50k miles. Most of the options, sway kit... You can tell this thing was babied. I took it up to Tahoe a few days after purchase and had the same experience, only with emptier roads.
Very good review. What's the music? Anyway that's why I like Mazda. They are about driving and the driver. Making great handling cars that can put a smile on your face. Also they are about being different and not being a boring dull large company that puts out crap for the lemmings. They are about style and driving dynamics, which I'm all about!
I drove the two cars back to back, and the P5 has a higher "fun factor" for me because I personally enjoy cornering. The steering is more communicative on the P5 than the Integra and everything feels sharper. The Integra is still really good fun around a twisty road but I enjoy the P5 more. The main difference between the GS and the GSR is the engine. The GSR has VTEC and will be a much faster car.
I have 2 P5's ( had 3 but it rusted out at 200k ) In my 45 years driving this is hands down the most fun car I have EVER driven. It is such a go cart!!!
great vid; just picked up a one owner pr5 for 1200 (in Hawaii) fun to drive car like you say -you think you are in a sports car; the engine is the same was used in the Miata for that year; still gets 27mpg with about 110k on the car
I really really really like this car, I love the look. they should've made a mazdaspeed model. This will be my everyday car when i finish college. And my little miata will be the weekend car. :)
Great review guys. I am trying to decide between this car and the 2000-2001 Acura Integra, so if you guys would do a proper review on that it would be great!
@4speedauto thanks for the video. Good review! So you bought it? If you have a minute, I would really love to see/hear your thoughts on it after several years living with it! Thanks!
This is a nice review. I'm a young and fairly new driver and I recently came across the 2002 version of this car for $4500. I currently drive a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 so a car like this would be a vast improvement for me. So Asking those with more experience and wisdom than me, and considering the car I'm looking at has 125k miles on it and seems to have no damage, is this a good buy?
really nice review. Your not like other reviewers who just states the specs which I can easily find. I do however wish you talked more about the interior since you be sitting inside 100% of the time. Also the extremely weak engine and poor mpg is holding me back for this purchase
yeah sell the corolla.i am a mazda man by choice.i have never owned a car that handled this beautifully.no joke.i remembered that car and driver or r&d did a review when it first appeared.they gave it a 10 for the fun to drive category.that was a first for them.bought it with 169000 mi.but i know from experience with other mazdas that it has alot of life left.i use it daily.
hey man, i have a protege5, automatic. the steering wheel is heavy though. all the fluids are okey. idk what else the problem could be or its just naturally heavy. Like i would turn on the car and lets say i move the wheel to the eft or right, it would take a good amount of energy to do it. do you think its my power steering pump? also, it doesnt make any noises when i turn. just heavy with turning
