Such a solid car. I’ve always liked these, and interesting that they engineered the very low emissions. I love this car in terms of design philosophy. This is a car I would buy new and just keep forever.
I had the 2002 year version with a 2L inline 4 and it was the best car I ever owned. Handled great and transmission was one the best shifting ones ever.
What a fantastic car I just bought a 2000 model for $500! With a blown clutch I replaced everything between engine and transmission for soooo cheap now my clutch pedal has pressure!! Exited to throw the rest together and take it for a spin it is so easy to work on! These old cars are starting to become obsolete but they are worth saving it’s crazy to see how nice it looked new
I preferred the previous gen Mazda Protege overall - it had a more organic style and a better looking (for its day) cabin, especially before the midcycle refresh circa 1997. This car looked too much like a contemporary Civic or Sentra, although it may have been as good or better as those vehicles,and was world's better than the Korean cars, Neons, and Escort. Yes, the earlier Protege had a smaller engine with less power, but nobody bought a Protege for performance, and I daresay the economy was actually better...this one kind of has a cheap-looking dashboard, although the rotary climate control knobs were a much-needed improvement.
During the braking test the speedo had a Saab logo on it. Also I really love the creative and simple cupholder design. And it's far forward enough to be ergonomic to reach
I bought a 1999 Protege LX new. It had the four speed automatic. Very good car save for those California emissions he mentioned. I had them worked on several times for running rough. As far as the seats go I found them very comfortable at 6'4" with long legs. It had 8-way manual adjustment (instead of the usual 6-way manual adjustment) and the front of the cushion could be tilted up for thigh support.
I had one of those 2000 MY automatic and the only issue that I had with it it likes to ping on cheap gas, I made a change to the spark plugs and it eliminates the problem. And the A/C evaporator when it nears 3 to 4 years installed always started to leak gas. But is easy to fix. It was at home from 01/2000 until 08/2015. The only time the Mazda leave me stranded was a broken radiator
My sister and I took her brand new '99 protege on an 897 mile vacation. 115 mph the whole way of travel. That was governor limited. I was driving. I didn't like that car. But it served it's purpose well for her. I had an '92 Integra which was like a BMW compared to my sister's brand new car.
I remember my sister bought one of these brand new when she was 16 yrs old. I was 19, I went and bought myself a 92 Acura Integra GS with leather and sunroof. She was so jealous lol 😆 Was like a BMW compared to the brand new '99 Mazda Protege.
I have an auto 1.8. Terrible wooden steering and very jiggly ride, especially at parking speeds. Ride is also harsh and car noisy with a huge turning circle. However it's extremely reliable, powerful, good on gas and has loads of boot space and rear leg room.
Such a solid car. I’ve always liked these, and interesting that they engineered the very low emissions. I love this car in terms of design philosophy. This is a car I would buy new and just keep forever.
That's what I did
Even today, it is a sharp, yet sleek looking little car with a modern design.
@@Sam-un5km me too
Thank you for posting this. I’ve been begging motorweek for 3 years now to post their 99 protege review and their speed protege review
I had the 2002 year version with a 2L inline 4 and it was the best car I ever owned. Handled great and transmission was one the best shifting ones ever.
What a fantastic car I just bought a 2000 model for $500! With a blown clutch I replaced everything between engine and transmission for soooo cheap now my clutch pedal has pressure!! Exited to throw the rest together and take it for a spin it is so easy to work on! These old cars are starting to become obsolete but they are worth saving it’s crazy to see how nice it looked new
I’m looking at one for 500 right now I’m thinking of making it my second car to learn manual on
I preferred the previous gen Mazda Protege overall - it had a more organic style and a better looking (for its day) cabin, especially before the midcycle refresh circa 1997. This car looked too much like a contemporary Civic or Sentra, although it may have been as good or better as those vehicles,and was world's better than the Korean cars, Neons, and Escort. Yes, the earlier Protege had a smaller engine with less power, but nobody bought a Protege for performance, and I daresay the economy was actually better...this one kind of has a cheap-looking dashboard, although the rotary climate control knobs were a much-needed improvement.
During the braking test the speedo had a Saab logo on it. Also I really love the creative and simple cupholder design. And it's far forward enough to be ergonomic to reach
I bought a 1999 Protege LX new. It had the four speed automatic. Very good car save for those California emissions he mentioned. I had them worked on several times for running rough. As far as the seats go I found them very comfortable at 6'4" with long legs. It had 8-way manual adjustment (instead of the usual 6-way manual adjustment) and the front of the cushion could be tilted up for thigh support.
I had one of those 2000 MY automatic and the only issue that I had with it it likes to ping on cheap gas, I made a change to the spark plugs and it eliminates the problem. And the A/C evaporator when it nears 3 to 4 years installed always started to leak gas. But is easy to fix. It was at home from 01/2000 until 08/2015. The only time the Mazda leave me stranded was a broken radiator
my cooling sensor for the radiator just went out on mine
My sister and I took her brand new '99 protege on an 897 mile vacation. 115 mph the whole way of travel. That was governor limited. I was driving. I didn't like that car. But it served it's purpose well for her. I had an '92 Integra which was like a BMW compared to my sister's brand new car.
I remember my sister bought one of these brand new when she was 16 yrs old. I was 19, I went and bought myself a 92 Acura Integra GS with leather and sunroof. She was so jealous lol 😆
Was like a BMW compared to the brand new '99 Mazda Protege.
I have an auto 1.8. Terrible wooden steering and very jiggly ride, especially at parking speeds. Ride is also harsh and car noisy with a huge turning circle. However it's extremely reliable, powerful, good on gas and has loads of boot space and rear leg room.
1.8 engine with 5 speed manual was a great car. Suspension could have better quality on its parts specially the shocks and struts.