1998 MAZDA Protege Consumer Reviews

Exterior and interior look rough after the years but this the little horse is still getting the job done.

Great a to b and efficiency gas usage. Had it for quite a while and always felt confident in the driveablity.

I bought this car brand new in December of 1995. After 25+ years of ownership I am continually amazed at how reliable this car continues to be. To date I've driven 225k miles but have had to make very few repairs (most of which were routine maintenance). I've been thinking for the past 5 years that it was going to die soon just because of it's age and mileage. But this thing is like the Energizer Bunny and just keeps going.

I bought this car from a repo lot... it was seized in a drug bust. I'm guessing it has a rebuilt engine in it because it runs so well. I have replace, over the years, the clutch, brakes, pads and rotors and rear shoes. It has never failed to pass the emission and inspection tests and I have, just in September, renewed the registration. It has been insured all these years and has had no major collision damage. Overall, this has been a great car which got me to Las Vegas and Wendover several times and work daily for many years. A good buy at $875.00. I now own a 2010 Mazda 6. They are great cars!

When I first got this car I loved it, but then I had problems with over heating. I got that fixed a few hundred bucks later. Then it ate up a belt and left me stranded in between work and home. I am currently in a situation with its water pump. anywhere you go it will cost about $500-$600 to get the water pump replaced. the water pump isn't that costly, its the man work it takes to get into where the water pump is. we now realize that it is the man work because me and my boyfriend have been working on it for two weeks. I have helped do a water pump in my old car and it took about an hour or two to get it out and then back in. If you are thinking about getting a foreign car I would choose a different one. It has a very compact motor that is hard to get into. It hasn't been all problems but if you don't have the time or money to put into it I would not buy this car or any other Mazda's.

Ahhmazing value and reliability. I've never once wondered if this car could get me through storms, distances etc. Not a cushy ride, you can feel the road. But drives well, handles well, better handling on snow and ice that cars twice the price, TO DATE haven't had any major issues, only wear and tear. I get 32-33mpg mixed city and hwy. Wish it could last forever.

Exterior styling is a little bland, and the ride is a bit too stiff. Otherwise a great car, and the ES version is also very rare. Love the handling, 4 wheel disc brakes, cruise control, power windows and locks, and steering feel is very good. I put 15" alloy wheels and tires, and that made the car even better. Advertised mpg for this model was actually 26 city 32 highway. KBB has it wrong unfortunately.

it runs good no problems with the engine @ all rt sid dent rt front window motor is out no-Radio A/C and heat works Crusie control works.