Here is the deal. I'm a salesrep and drive about 1000 miles a week. I've had many Mazdas including an 03 Mazdaspeed Protege (sold) my wife had an 03 Mazda 6 (sold), she now has a Mazda Tribute, I have an RX8 and my dad has a supercharged Miata. So needless to say I'm a Madza fan. I want to get another work vehicle and was thinking of getting a used Protege. I work in the automotive industry and can buy one at the auto auction and save quite a bit of money. What are your experiences with these cars? What's been good and what's been bad? How is the gas mileage etc?

Thanks,
Pete

 

Gas mileage isn't great for most cars. Some lucky guys see 32-35 highway sometimes, but not too often. I have a P5 so it's slighty different than a regular sedan, but I love it. Handles great but the suspension is still nice and forgiving on bumpy roads, pot holes, etc. Interior is one of the best of any econo-car I've ever seen. They seem to hold up well, although there arent many 3rd gen guys on the forums with 150k+ miles, but I havn't heard anything really bad about the cars breaking a lot after that.

If you can get a good deal, I'd say go for it. There are very few cars even up into the $20-25K range that I would trade my P5 for, and I think that's a pretty good endorsement.

 

you cant beat a protege. $4$ it has more to give than the other imports. If your just needing a work car then buy one. But if you want to mod it don't. There are two many other cars that are better suitted for that.

I get 25-30 city the ride is still good even after the drop and the 17s. Handleing is great. Just a fun little car. I have decided to keep mine fot a work car and get something els to hot rod in. Most likly a 4x4

 

Nice interior, great ride, and not too many of them on the road. I'd say go for it.

 

i love my protege but if you drive 1000miles a week you need to invest in a VW deisel of some sort. Gas milage will kill you. I suggest a little Golf TDi. They get like 55mpg.

 

I get 29mpg with an auto even in winter (mostly highway on cruise control) and the Protege has a rating of excellent reliability for the last 5 model years at least. However, if you drive 1000 miles a week you need a Prius or something that gets more than 40mpg. Diesel is an option but in my area it costs a fair bit more than gas, so you'll need to do the math and find the break even point between gas vs. diesel.

Unless you don't have to pay for your own gas, then a Protege would be great, as would any highly reliable car. Grain of salt with mpg on this forum, this isn't an economy group.

 

My company pays me for my mileage so that isn't too big of a concern. They pay me per mile so the better the car gets on gas the more money I have in my pocket. I love Mazdas esp. the way they handle. I've driven the regular Proteges before and they were always great cars. I love my RX8 but don't want to put the miles on it using it for work. Plus, I'm only getting around 17MPG so that really isn't an option. And, it won't go in the winter.

Pete

 

Hes right VWs are awsome on gas. And drivin right very reliable.

 

just off topic, our nw rx8 has averaged 24mpg on it's first 3 tanks and thats city driving.

 

Woah woah woah woah woah.... did hughes just say "VW" and "reliable" in the same phrase??...????........?

 

Yes I did! My dad put 240k on his with no problems. You just have to take care of them.

 

VW isn't owned by Kia.....

 

^LOL^ You can run a fair amount of cars for a while, some just need a lot more attention than others!

 

I had a VW before and didn't like it at all. It was so uncomfortable and parts were way over priced...


Roddimus Prime- How are you getting that high of gas mileage in your 8? I'm only getting around 17 or 18 and that is mostly highway driving. I love the car but the mileage sucks. Do you have a 6 speed or auto?

 

^^^^ I agree the parts are outragous on a VW and I would personally never own on again

As far as if it is a 6 speed or auto if it was not wifey' s then by God I would personally kick him in the nuts if he bought an auto LOL j/k, but it may because it is his wifey's ......