2003 Mazdaspeed Protege - One Take

Matt reviews a 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege on Mulholland highway. The oft-overlooked compact actually features attractive styling and a mod-friendly turbocharged engine!

Check out Ryan's Protege on Wheelwell!

[jacobreed]

Mazda definitely injects the fun factor in their Mazdaspeed cars. I had one of these before and SO much fun to drive. Now I drive a 2010 Mazdaspeed 3. Another fun car do drive daily. Thanks for testing Mazdaspeed's Thumbs up!

[CeeStyleDj]

The Mazdaspeed Protege used to be one of the best reviewed as cars back in 2003. People used to give a praise like they give the FRS and BRZ praise today even though it's a completely different type of car. this seriously used to get 4.5-5 star reviews because if it's fun to drive personality and handling.

[jolmeaki]

People should let you know right away if their car is going to have a power steering problem. I'm sure no one wants to hear Matt ran off a cliff cause the owner of the car didn't tell him the car lost power steering on a turn.

[keefjustkeith]

The Mazda "Mazdaspeed Protege" America saw an increase in the OE performance brands that were once exclusive to a certain few select markets. Performance parts & Factory Sports tuned models  from TRD, STi, RallySport, Nismo, & Mugen had JDM exclusives not available in the US. Mazda released the Mazdaspeed Protege with support from Calloway Cars, Tokico, Racing Beat, Garrett Turbochargers, Sparco, Kenwood Audio, Racing Hart Wheels, Bridgestone Tires. These things came packed from the factory that way and for $20k flat.

[LittleCD]

I think if you have your car driven for One Take, you should address all known major issues before asking. You know Matt is going to drive it hard and the last thing you want is for something bad to happen. What do you guys think?

[sufhctd]

I've watched this video so many times reminiscing on times when I drove a P5 auto and dreamt about swapping this engine and transmission into it

[VMPhilosophy]

The time frame that the MS Protoge is from was a near golden era for FWD econosport vehicles. The Nissan Sentra SE-R, Ford SVT Focus, MKIV GTI and Honda Civic Hatch SI were rejuvenating the small car craze.

[icemanroyal]

Too bad these Protoges rust as the mere sight of moisure.

[robo]

I have the slower 5 door, the Protege5. Great cars.

[trevorwray]

"Like my lemons race car" that's never a comparison you want to hear about your car...

[wangonguy]

Cool car and great video as per usual. Side note: when your car regularly looses power steering and pops out of gear maybe it's time to stop "fixing" your car yourself and take it to a shop. Although I do understand it's not always that easy.

[veretos]

Nice! I have a Protege5 I've been waiting for a Protege or the like on here. This guy has all the right stuff! The short shifter, the solid mounts, the 6's brakes, the fmic. I'm really glad Matt noticed the torque of this engine, it's not just the turbo its a fairly long stroke 2 liter. I'm also sure Matt will be very pleased to know that the KF or KL V6 is a direct swap into these Protege's. But as goes for the power steering problem.... time to take off the steering pump and A/C comp! But really though I don't live in CA so I'm sure you want A/C more than I do

[ultramarine]

As the only owner of a series 2 (basket handle wing vs the early MP3 style wing) I was glad to see this review. The MSP seems to have been forgotten about sometimes, so it's nice to see others appreciating it. I'd love for you to try mine once I have the funds to modify mine the way I want. Oh, and btw, the curb weight is listed at 2, 843 lbs.

[Nick]

Just bought a manual Mazda Protege ES! Thanks for the video. These cars are cheap and fun to drive :)

[zacharykarr]

How often do you get scared when you do these runs? Sometimes you seem really worried, like the first half of this video.

[zbrembo]

Fun fact, Callaway did the engine modifications for Mazda.

[trollonme]

Omfg this one take is what I've wanted for a while

[oregonborn]

One thing ive noticed is these proteges are the most front wheel drive feeling car ive ever driven. You can tell the front is steering and powering so that steering gets stiff under speed in a corner

[solidbravo]

i know this wont be high priority for you to do matt, but is there anything you can do about the audio quality? its like 90% bass from the engine.

[smohan]

Ah, the memories. I had a Protege5 until recently. Paint is on all Proteges is dog**** and rusts horribly if it even looks at a car wash, but the motor was solid and the shifter had that lovely bit of notchiness that is missing in all new cars. Glad to see some are even found out there in Cali.