1994 MAZDA Protege Consumer Reviews

Bought 3 yrs ago from PA used car dealer. Only problem is I can't find new exhaust pipes. Lucky for me in NJ this car is too old for smog check (inspection) though it would pass! It's a daily driver, Auto trans, 4 door Econo-box. Gets great gas mileage! Went from Atlantic city, NJ to Kennebunkport ,Maine and back, and filled tank 4 times, and still had gas when I got home! It still has original wheel covers too. Some rust (as with most northeast cars). Had full tune up ( plugs ,belts ,fluid changed) when bought (106000 miles), and runs well. The heater works!

My BG chassis background. My mother bought a brand new 94 protege DX 5 speed in the 90's. I rode in the car as a child to my young adulthood. Her Mazda was always so reliable. She rarely had to take it in for repairs. I left for military service for 5 years. When i came home my mother still had the mazda. Her husband inherited the car and stated he would drive it till died before getting a new car. Long story short the car just wouldnt die. He got a new pick up truck and I inherited the old mazda. I had owned Bmw m3's, Cameros, turbo jettas, and, varuous other sporty vehicles. This little car blew me away with its handling. It was just slow due to sohc engine with tall gears. I owned the car anther few years driving 200 miles a day. She took every bit of it till around 350,000k a slight rod knock started to make its presence known. I ended up getting rid of thebvar and always regretted it. I picked up a 93 escort GT (same car as a protege LX model.of the ssme year just 2 door) and what a blast! With a rev happy 1.8 twin cam (shared from 1.8 NA miata) and short gears it was such a gem to drive. I currently own a 93 Protege LX and a 2003 escort zx2 (same chassis different engine) both great reliable vehicles. Probably the only complaint would be the seats. They tend to fall apart if your heavy in anyways after awhile. Luckly lots of junkyard replacement options. Including old escorts and MX3's. One thing to keep in mind is they are becoming harder to find nowadays. But cheap if you do. They make great auto x and rally x race cars as well.

My Mother's car which she only drove around town. Only has 60,700 miles and is a 1992! Runs like a charm. Just completed a complete tune up and it drives great. This car has been the most dependable car ever!

Amazing little car, just keeps going and going (well did till it was totaled last month). Easy to maintain, tires are cheap, great gas mileage, cheap to register, never failed CA. emissions, built solid, no cheap parts like my 2006 Chevy, trunk space is amazing, this was a daily commuter vehicle for 20 years. Did put a used engine in 2 years ago cost was $ 499.00. and some transmission work $ 1000.00 last year (after 19 years go figure).

1992 Mazda Protege - Other than normal maintenance, including AC compressor at 180,000 mi and CV joints at 220,000 mi, the only significant repair was valve seals at 203,000 mi. I was able to do that myself. I'm at 280,000 miles with the original clutch! It has some wear, but basically still very sound and reliable, easy to drive. A couple of years ago I drove through southern Colorado and down into New Mexico and got 40 mpg (typical highway is 33 mpg), 500 miles on 12.5 gallons of gas! No problem with long trips, it just keeps going.

I bought my 1994 Mazda Protege with 75,000 miles on it. So, I have put about 30,000 miles on it so far. It has been a great commuter car. For not having ABS breaks, it does great in the snow. I was doing better than some all-wheel drive vehicles. It has been a very reliable car so far. In 3 years, I have only had to change a belt and the sway bar, along with regular maintenance. So, I would say that it is pretty reliable. It has never left me on the side of the road. It's a cute old car and was very forgiving (as much as a car could be) for learning how to drive a stick shift. I rated the comfort the lowest because it's fairly small inside for leg room, etc. That is fine for me since I don't typically carry passengers. The seats are not deluxe, but it gets me where I need to go. It's a fun to drive, reliable car! I plan to use Mazda for my next vehicle.

I bought My 94 Protege LX back in 2002. Drove it for 8yrs .I abused it and it still keep chugging along. Never had anything major go bad. I finally let her go after the slave cylinder went out far away from home. I regret that now. This car is a tank and one of the best cars I have driven. I will say that the seats were uncomfortable and sat high up, but you could just swap in some mx-3 seats. Would I buy this car again - he77 yes, but noone sells them anymore , at least not where I'm located. I dropped the car some 3 inches and added strut bars on front and back, handled like a boss.

That original LX was so solid and fun, I haven't owned any other kind of car since then. Have several LX's in the fleet, recently did a tuneup on one of them with 185K and got 460 miles on 13 gallons of ethanol free gas... 35mpg and its the DOHC LX (the SOHC DX gets even better) Find one that's been well maintained and keep the maintenance up on it and you're set.