I've found the Mazda Protege5 to be a reliable vehicle without too many issues. I had this vehicle since I was a college student and even now, with more than 110,000 miles on its odometer, I feel safe driving it all over the country. The engine runs smoothly, and I haven't had to make any major repairs to it. The seats are comfortable, which is perfect for the long drives I frequently have to make for my job. I got it when it had about 40,000 miles on it, and it's been a great investment. I've only had to replace the windshield once since I've had it, and it can easily go thousands of miles without requiring an oil change. Steering is smooth and efficient as well, and the spare tire that the trunk is equipped with has been a lifesaver as well. I would definitely recommend this vehicle to someone who doesn't want to spend too much money on a used car but needs a comfortable vehicle that won't spend too much time in the shop. I'm hoping I can get another few years out of it (and tens of thousands of miles more) before I have to get it replaced.

This vehicle is very reliable. It has great gas mileage. I also has good pickup when on highways. There is enough storage space for my needs. It is easy to park. It looks cute and sporty. The hatchback storage space has a excellent cover to conceal items. It appears solid to those looking into the hatchback but is actually light weight and easy to remove. The maintenance costs are quite low. I like the sunroof versatility of closed, vented, moonroof, or open. I can have full view of the sky, no view, open air or partial. It is a nice feature. The car itself is very low to the ground and can be difficult to get in and out of. The low profile tires are more expensive and harder to find than regular tires. The glass seals on the dash board windows have weak seals and I do not know if that is inherent or a defect but I have had to have them resealed. The paint is not designed to handle strong heat and fades or peels. On highways bigger vehicles can make me feel vulnerable because of how small and low the vehicle is.

When I first got this car I was looking for a very basic and cheap car to get me from point A to point B alive and with A/C. This car pretty much did the job for me. The model is a little bit older, sort of a bridge between the older designs and the sleeker look you see on modern cars. But needless to say, the car did its job admirably.