- #Mazda protege hatchback blue driver#
- #Mazda protege hatchback blue full#
- #Mazda protege hatchback blue tv#
- #Mazda protege hatchback blue windows#
I have always liked the Mazda hatchbacks, going all the way back to the first gen GLC, but for multiple reasons ownership had continued to elude me.
#Mazda protege hatchback blue driver#
This was back when Car and Driver was still relevant and I was still a subscriber. In the fall of 2001 I had received a mailing from Mazda promoting their new little hot hatch and coincidently, Car and Driver had run a favorable review in their October 2001 issue. If you’ve been keeping track, this was my fourth Mazda, all of which had premature rust. This piece by Michael Ionno from 2016 captures my experience perfectly, right down to the inevitable rust problems that continued to plague Mazdas in northern states. In fact, they’ve been the subject of two previous COAL articles. I suppose it should come as no surprise that the Protege5 has some fans here at Curbside Classic. the slightly twisted spokes on the 2002s. Mine were 2003 painted 5 spoke alloys with squared off spokes vs. The only difference I can remember was the wheels. My Protege5 was late enough in the cycle that the dealer actually called it a 2002-1/2. I’m ready for a change once the snow has melted. I always seem to buy my cars in spring I suspect the boredom of winter and six months of driving salt stained cars wears me down. On highways bigger vehicles can make me feel vulnerable because of how small and low the vehicle is.I really wanted one of these in yellow, but I settled for a red one late in the 2002 model year. The paint is not designed to handle strong heat and fades or peels.
#Mazda protege hatchback blue windows#
The glass seals on the dash board windows have weak seals and I do not know if that is inherent or a defect but I have had to have them resealed. The low profile tires are more expensive and harder to find than regular tires. The car itself is very low to the ground and can be difficult to get in and out of.
#Mazda protege hatchback blue full#
I can have full view of the sky, no view, open air or partial. I like the sunroof versatility of closed, vented, moonroof, or open. It appears solid to those looking into the hatchback but is actually light weight and easy to remove. The hatchback storage space has a excellent cover to conceal items. There is enough storage space for my needs. I'm hoping I can get another few years out of it (and tens of thousands of miles more) before I have to get it replaced. I would definitely recommend this vehicle to someone who doesn't want to spend too much money on a used car but needs a comfortable vehicle that won't spend too much time in the shop. Steering is smooth and efficient as well, and the spare tire that the trunk is equipped with has been a lifesaver as well. I've only had to replace the windshield once since I've had it, and it can easily go thousands of miles without requiring an oil change. I got it when it had about 40,000 miles on it, and it's been a great investment. The seats are comfortable, which is perfect for the long drives I frequently have to make for my job.
The engine runs smoothly, and I haven't had to make any major repairs to it. I had this vehicle since I was a college student and even now, with more than 110,000 miles on its odometer, I feel safe driving it all over the country. I've found the Mazda Protege5 to be a reliable vehicle without too many issues. Just keep the oil changed, tires rotated, and air filter clean and it was unstoppable. That last bit shook the daylights out of it twice a day for 6 months, never had a problem.
I can't say enough about how much this little car handled everything I threw at it, from heavy downpours in the South (I mean, it was in Louisiana for Hurricane Katrina, not in New Orleans, but still), to ice and snow in the New Mexico high desert, to a 2 mile long corrugated dirt/mud rode that was daily driven for 6 months.
#Mazda protege hatchback blue tv#
You can put a 50 inch TV in there, no problem. And I say little, but really, inside this thing can fit almost anything you need to carry short of construction supplies. High speed switchbacks and tight turns are where this little car shines.
It gripped tenaciously, like it was a slot car. car will suffer that, and somehow the Protege5 almost didn't have it. Extreme limits bring understeer, but any fwd. The steering feels perfect, and at the limit you can feel it gradually start to break away. There's nothing that isn't perfectly placed for the driver, the gear shift and pedals are naturally positioned, the seats were comfortable for my rather large frame.
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