What happened to the Mazda Protégé?
From 1990 until 2003 Mazda Motor Corp. was parent to a 4-door and hatchback vehicle. This car has since become a favorite to Mazda enthusiasts and drives worldwide. It was compact, sporty, fuel-efficient and easy to drive. This car was called Protégé.
The Mazda Protégé came from the Mazda Familia, FG3G and Allegro body types constructed in Japan and South America. Also known as the “BG” and “BH” model, it was originally available both in front and all-wheel drives. Even though the vehicle was slightly more expensive than some of its mid-size competitors because of its manufacturing in Japan (the most notable competition came in the form of Toyota’s Corolla), the Mazda Protégé was a huge success. This was due mostly to its size and excellent steering responsiveness.
In 1999 a redesigned “BJ” series was introduced and became well-known in the form of a 5-door hatchback Protégé5 in 2002. In 2001, the entire Protégé line-up was advanced yet again with improved audio systems, advanced suspension and a sleeker visual design. The Protégé targeted younger, hipper drivers who wanted performance but did not want to dump $50 into the gas tank each fill up.
October 2003 saw the end of the Mazda Protégé as the company evolved 4-door compacts to the Mazda3. Again, Mazda3 targeted a younger car buyer who demanded performance and efficiency. But the Protégé is not dead everywhere. For its 13 production years it was one of the highest selling compacts in Canada. You can’t walk two blocks in Montreal without seeing several different year models in front of houses and apartments. The Protégé body-type still remains in Taiwan as the Mazda Isamu Genki and in some South American countries, still named Allegro.
One fact is certain – the Mazda Protégé will always remain a classic to all who appreciate Mazda design and reliability.
I’m on my second P5, never had a better car!
I have had 3 Proteges. My first a 1992 DX (I bought new) had 135,000 and was running strong when it was totaled in an accident. My second was a 94 DX (I bought new), the ex got it in the divorce, it was running strong at 155,000 when it was totaled in an accident. My current car is a 98 Protege LX ( I bought it new 10 years ago) and it is going strong at 133,000. I have never owned any car that was as practical and reliable as my Protege’s. Best damn cars I have ever had.
I now own a 2002 Protegé LX with 115 000Km on it and it still goes like a charm. no major failures (only changed the EGR valve last summer, under warranty…saved 380$:P) brakes are strong, with the right tires, even if they,re a little pain in the ass to get…it sticks to the road firmly and does not roll in the wind. it feels very strong to drive, not like those cheap american imitations…. owned a 1996 Sunfire “brand new” ’till I changed in 2002…it kept breaking down over times…engine, computer, brakes, brake lines, gaskets….the body color was rust with a little purple here and there…. what a piece of crap ! costed a lot to keep it running so I had to change it…the looks helped me choose it back then…in 2002, the civic was too “square” and the Corolla was too expensive to insure…. and americans… they were ase ugly as expensive…. since then, I NEVER had remorses about my little Mazda. Wish I could get my hand on an MP3 at that time…oh well… i’ll wait till it dies to think about buying another car.