If so, we'll be driving this car for many more years, Lord willing. (Blown head-gasket, blown radiator, new timing belt, new motor mounts, new suspension, new cam positioning sensor, window regulator on driver's side.) We're waiting to see if these repairs do it for awhile. This year, however, has been a different story, with several expensive repairs happening in rapid succession. I bought the car from its first owner in January of 2009 and enjoyed two trouble-free years with nothing but routine maintenance and recommended repairs/replacement due to mileage. After a trip in my husband's 1994 Jeep Wrangler, however, the Protege5 sounds whisper-quiet! The engine tends to be a bit noisy, and you hear a lot of road noise as well, but I only really notice after I ride in a newer, quieter car. Thankfully, my husband and I are on the small side, and our daughter is pretty tiny too, so it doesn't really bother us at all. The backseat is a little tight, so it would not be comfortable for a large person or for a long drive. I also like that the switch for the hazard lights is prominently placed in the middle of the dashboard - makes it very easy to turn them on quickly if I have to stop or pull over to the side for something. This car has very responsive brakes and the ABS works great for the occasional "panic stop." It has a driver's and passenger's front airbags and side curtain airbags as well (if I'm not mistaken.) The LATCH system in the backseat makes installation of my daughter's car safety seat a snap. My only complaint is that there's no good place to put my purse, but that's been the case with every car I've owned. Everything is easily within reach and seems to fit me perfectly. I find the front seat of this car to be incredibly comfortable.
The Protege5 has lots of power, especially with the 5-speed transmission. It's not always the smoothest or quietest ride in the world, but I don't really care about that - I like to feel the road a little. Everything fits just right, shifting is smooth, steering is tight. The first time I test-drove it, I knew I was in love. I love the tight, sporty handling of this car. The hatchback is awesome for cramming in lots of cargo - if I fold down both back seats, I can practically fit an entire mattress in the back! The roof rack is a handy feature for big IKEA or Home Depot runs, or for luggage on family road trips. Just because I'm a mom doesn't mean I'm ready to drive a beige wagon yet! I like that the Protege5 has a sporty look and feel while still being super-practical.
#CARGO CAPACITY 2003 MAZDA PROTEGE 5 MANUAL#
I wanted a 4-door hatchback (best balance between cargo space, passenger space, fuel economy, maneuverability, etc.) I also wanted a 5-speed manual transmission because it forces me to stay focused on driving (not to mention, it's more fun and better on gas!)
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