Mazda Protege a surpassingly spacious subcompact car
Although the Mazda Protege is not nearly as popular as its closest competitors form Honda, Toyota or Nissan, the Protege still has a lot going for it. Except for the brand new Ford Focus, it has the best rear seat accommodation in its segment.
With a manual transmission and the optional 1.8-liter engine the car offers quite good performance. Don't worry though, if performance is not that important the regular Protege with an automatic transmission is still quite acceptable.
If you need a small four-door sedan with decent seating for four adults you cannot go far wrong with the Protege. It's reasonable inexpensive to purchase and thanks to good fuel economy also costs less to run than larger cars.
What You Need To Know:
1. Review of a 1995 Mazda Protege
2. Summary of Good and Bad Points by Owners
3. History of Protege
4. Review of Current Model
5. Basic Facts
6. Changes Year-to-Year
7. Safety Information
8. Value Guide
9. Option Installment Rate
10. Sales History
11. Awards and Commendations Earned
12. Other Reviews
13. Recall Information
14. Price of Spare Parts
1. Pre-Owned Vehicle Evaluation - 1995 Mazda Protege ES
Likes: stylish looks for an econo car, good rear seat legroom, economy
Dislikes: poor performance with automatic
Competitors: Chevrolet Cavalier, Ford Escort, Mercury Tracer, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, Dodge Neon
Miles: 86,300
Condition: B-
Price when new: $17,780 (est.)
Posted Price: $7,480 (Feb. 2000)
When I first drove this Mazda Protege off the lot at the dealership it had a window sticker of $7,480, which was about $1,000 below the Kelly Blue Book retail sticker price. When I returned the salesman slapped a Red Tag sale sticker on the car that said $5,599 -- only $99 above wholesale price. Its price had dropped by almost $2,000 in no time at all. When I checked the Blue Book prices the numbers were both correct. It just shows that bargaining can pay off as there is usually a good margin.
The reason the car was being offered at a much lower price was because of the high mileage. Although the penalty for the high mileage was only $725 it was obviously causing caution on the part of potential buyers.
Another reason for the car languishing on the lot was perhaps because the Mazda Protege is not a best-selling car. Yet, after driving this well used car I was surprised at just how pleasant the car felt. Its performance was quite good with a five-speed manual transmission coupled to the 1.8-liter engine. Its handling was fine and the steering felt precise.
The biggest surprise was when I checked out the back seat it had very generous legroom and acceptable headroom. On checking the numbers I found that the rear seat legroom is only bettered in the subcompact class by the all-new Ford Focus. The Protege's legroom is better than most in the compact class and is the same as that in the Toyota Camry. The trunk has a decent amount of space and the opening is wider than on many modern cars. The rear seat back splits 60/40 and also folds down to allow open access to the trunk from the interior.
Available as only a four-door sedan, the Protege has a fairly stylish look. The interior is simple but not plain. The instrument pod curves around nicely and is well integrated into the center console. The top-of-the line ES model I tested included a decent size tachometer as well as an easy-to-read speedometer. Electric windows and power mirrors completed the luxury ES package. Overall the car was in pretty decent shape although there were some stains on the seats and carpets. There was also some ink stains on the roof lining.
If you're in the market for a pre-owned subcompact four-door sedan, do yourself a favor and make sure you check out the Mazda Protege. You'll be surprised to find that it is one of the more under rated cars on the market.
2. Summing It Up - Owners' Views
Good:
Such spacious interior for a small car
I'm 6' 4" - but there's plenty of head and legroom
Refined for a small car
Big comfortable seats
Very reliable (61,000 miles)
Bad:
The engine is a little rough at idle
3. History of Protege
In the mid-1970s Mazda's sales slumped because of its reliance on rotary-engined sporty cars with poor fuel economy. The company was well known, though, for producing more exciting cars than those from its main competitors. In 1977 it introduced the GLC - Great Little Car - which was well received by those people looking for a small car that was fun to drive. In 1986 Mazda changed the cars name to 323. When a new version was introduced in 1980 the three-door hatchback retained the 323 name while the four-door sedan variant was called the Protege. When the new model came out in 1995 it was only offered as a four-door sedan, so the 323 name disappeared. In 1999 the Protege was again restyled, although the car remained basically much the same as the 1995 model under the skin.
4. Review of Current Protege
Fortunately for buyers looking for a pre-owned Protege the current model looks pretty much the same. It has slightly shaper edges to the bodywork. Inside it has a redesigned dashboard with an interesting stylish, almost metallic, finish to the plastic panels. In some ways the dashboard is not quite as classy as the older model but it is still functional nonetheless. The radio has been moved up much higher in the dash so it is easier to reach. Fortunately Mazda did not mess with the rear seats - they still offer generous legroom that is hard to beat in this subcompact segment. Performance is slightly better thanks to a slightly more powerful engine. Nonetheless the car with an automatic transmission is still not as sprightly as one with a manual transmission.
5. Basic Facts: 1995 - 1998 Protege
Vehicle Type: Subcompact Sedan
No. Passengers: up to five
Origin of assembly: Japan
Engine: (standard): 1.5-liter 92 hp DOHC I-4
(optional): 1.8-liter 122 hp DOHC I-4
Transmission: 5-spd manual, 4-spd automatic; front-drive
Length: 175 inches
Wheelbase: 103 inches
Width: 67 inches
Height: 56 inches
Curb weight: 2400 lbs. (approx.)
Cargo volume: 13 cu. ft.
Fuel tank capacity: 15 gals.
Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway): 32/39 (1.5-liter, manual); 23/30 (1.8-liter, auto)
6. Changes in the Mazda Protege Line 1995 - 2000
1995 Model Year (first year of new model)
All-new Protege introduced with longer wheelbase and increased interior space
Rounder body replaced angular shape of old Protege
The base DX and mid-range LX powered by new 1.5-liter engine
Upscale ES model powered by 1.8-liter engine
1996 Model Year
No major changes
1997 Model Year
Sound system moved to top of dashboard for easier access
Minor changes to body
1998 Model Year
No changes
1999 Model Year (first year of new model)
New model features changed style although dimensions are basically the same
Base DX and LX models get new 1.6-liter engine that produces more horsepower
2000 Model Year
Side airbags available as option
Some chrome trim added inside the car
7. Safety Notes
NHTSA Crash rating (95 model year): Driver 3; Passenger NR (5 is best)
ABS optional on some Protege models
Dual air bags standard from 1995
8. Value Guide
Prices listed are for base models. Options can add considerably to the lowest price listed as these are usually stripped models. In many cases, very few vehicles are ever sold at the lowest price listed! Source: Kelley Blue Book
1995 Model Year (first year of new model)
New: $13,599 to $15,649
1996 Model Year
New: $13,999 to $15,999
1997 Model Year
New: $15,259 to $16,499
1998 Model Year
New: $15,399 to $16,999
1999 Model Year (first year of new model)
New: $15,399 to $16,999
9. Option Installment Rate
Generally, when you order a new car you have a choice of factory-installed options. When you buy a pre-owned vehicle the choice is limited to what was actually installed on vehicles sold in that model year. Use this option installment rate as a guide to the chances of finding particular options on a pre-owned vehicle. Source: Ward's Automotive Yearbooks
1995 Model Year
Installment Rate
Transmission:
Auto 71%
Manual 29%
Air Conditioning: 91%
Cruise Control: 69%
ABS Brakes: 5%
Power Windows: 69%
1996 Model Year
Installment Rate
Transmission:
Auto 70%
Manual 30%
Air Conditioning: 97%
Cruise Control: 69%
ABS Brakes: 2%
Power Windows: 69%
1997 Model Year
Installment Rate
Transmission:
Auto 70%
Manual 30%
Air Conditioning: 97%
Cruise Control: 78%
ABS Brakes: 1%
Power Windows: 78%
Remote/Keyless Entry: 14%
1998 Model Year
Installment Rate
Transmission:
Auto 70%
Manual 30%
Air Conditioning: 98%
Cruise Control: 81%
ABS Brakes: 1%
Power Windows: 81%
Remote/Keyless Entry: 8%
10. Production/Sales Volume History
Normally a model year runs from October to September. Often though, when a new version is introduced it hits the market before October. Legally, a model year can start as early as January of the preceding year. Accurate model year sales counts are almost impossible to collect as different model year vehicles are regularly sold side-by-side for several months. Production figures, when listed, often include vehicles made for export to Canada, Mexico and overseas. Source: manufacturers/Ward's Automotive Yearbooks
1995 Model Year (first year of new model)
Production run: Oct. 1994 through Sept. 1995
Total number produced: NA
Total no. sold in U.S.: 71,833
1996 Model Year
Production run: Oct. 1995 through Sept. 1996
Total number produced: NA
Total no. sold in U.S.: 62,018
1997 Model Year
Production run: Oct. 1996 through Sept. 1997
Total number produced: NA
Total no. sold in U.S.: 52,786
1998 Model Year
Production run: Oct. 1997 through Sept. 1998
Total number produced: NA
Total no. sold in U.S.: 55,009
1999 Model Year (first year of new model)
Production run: Oct. 1997 through Sept. 1998
Total number produced: NA
Total no. sold in U.S.: 67,460
11. Awards and Commendations
1995
"Recommended Buy" - Consumer Reports
"Economy Class" - Popular Science April 1995 Comparison Winner
1996
"Recommended Buy" - Consumer Reports
"Economy Class" - Popular Science April 1996 Comparison Winner
"The Betwixt and Between Sedans" - Car and Driver February 1996 Comparison Winner
1998
"Best Buy" - Consumers Digest
1999
"Best Buy" - Consumer Guide
"Best New Car under $13,000" - by Kiplinger's New cars and Trucks 1999 Buyers Guide
"Top-rated car in its class" - Consumer Reports
"Best Overall Value in segment" - Intellichoice
2000
"Best Buy" - Consumer Guide
12. Quotes
"The Protege is right up to date and certainly one of the best small, affordable sedans on the market today. What you get for your modest outlay is a competent little car with an abnormally large amount of room in the back seat that comes in three different trim levels." - Road & Track 98 Car Buyers Guide
"Driven sedately, it offers full measures of silence, ride comfort, and interior room. Driven hard, the Protege shows its verve, with accurate controls, deft handling at the limit, and an eagerly revving engine. Discerning drivers will find surprising goodness behind the Protege's workaday facade." - Car and Driver, Nov. 1994
13. Recalls (Only major recalls listed)
ID Number: 95V033000
Component: engine: valves: valve train
Potential Number of Units Affected: 5,760
Year: 1995
Manufactured From: Oct. 1994 To: Nov. 1994
Year of Recall: '95
Summary: The wire rod used in the manufacture of the engine valve springs can develop minute cracks causing breakage of the springs. This breakage can cause engine chatter, damage to the engine pistons, and cause the engine to stall increasing the potential for an accident.
ID Number: 95V184000
Component: interior systems: passive restraint: air bag
Potential Number of Units Affected: 51,817
Year: 1995
Manufactured From: May 1994 To: Dec. 1994
Year of Recall: '95
Summary: The tie down hooks can cause undercarriage impacts that can result in unnecessary air bag deployments. Inadvertent air bag deployment can cause injury to the occupants and increase the potential for a vehicle accident.
14. Cost of Parts (relative to other vehicles)
Headlight unit: $192 (above average)
Side marker lamp: $34 (average)
Door (left front): $530 (average)
Fender (left front): $168 (average)
Note: these are estimated retail prices for commonly replaced body parts on a 1996 model. Prices are current as of Feb. 2000 but will vary from region to region and are subject to change at any time. Source: ADP Collision Repair Services
The Rettie Report and Pre-Owned Profiles contain objective information from a variety of sources. The subjective comments are those of John Rettie.
