Car Reviews: 2001 Mazda Protege

Although we would like to believe that all vehicles are equal, that is simply not the case. Some cars are simply produced and manufactured to higher quality standards than others. While there are a massive number of choices on the market for one who is seeking a used car, perhaps one of the best choices is also one of the most overlooked. Quite simply, one of the best choices when it comes to picking out that vehicle is the 2001 Mazda Protégé.

Even from the outside, it is very difficult to tell that the Protégé is a vehicle which can be obtained for right around $6,000. If one happens to go with the DX model, than they are rewarded with side turn signals, premium wheels and an attractive but not overstated rear spoiler. While the 2001 Protégé is not the most unique vehicle on the market, it nonetheless manages to stand out quite a bit from the crowd.

The distinctive front end design, interesting tail lights, and side boy moldings all contribute to a car which looks attractive and interesting, but still manages to look professional and reserved. Quite simply, the Protégé is a vehicle which can and should appeal to almost anyone, and it provides the looks and exterior appearance to back up that statement.

However attractive the exterior may be, perhaps one of the best parts about the Protégé is the interior. In fact, the interior is where the driver spends most of his or her time, so it only makes sense that any vehicle should include attractive interior design. With an interestingly designed steering wheel, performance styled gauges, a non-cluttered but not blank center console, and seats which manage not to be just the standard cloth fare, the Protégé truly is a driver's vehicle.

The attractive green glow of the instruments and radio at night is a truly rewarding part of owning the vehicle, and it makes everything easy to see without overwhelming the driver. The interior of the Protégé really stands beyond it's price range, it makes the driver feel as if he or she is behind the wheel of a car costing much more, and for that; the interior, much like the exterior, is a crucial component as to what makes the vehicle such an excellent value and such a top choice for consumers.

Regardless of the interior and exterior though, one of the single most important things about any vehicle is the way in which it drives. Even though one may not expect the Protégé to be a stand out performer and driver, it certainly comes through, and earns its title as one of the best cars in it price class. The 2001 Protégé sticks to every corner the driver can through at it.

The nimble and quick response of the steering system hides the fact that the Protégé is actually a four door sedan, and the 2.0 liter four cylinder engine provides plenty of kick, even with the automatic transmission (the manual models are notoriously difficult to locate). The Protégé does all of this while still having a comfortable ride and enough space to sit five adults securely, without any feelings of claustrophobia emerging.

Couple the excellent driving ability of the Protégé, the attractive interior design, sporty but reasonable exterior with the cars excellent gas mileage (around 30 to a gallon), and it's long running reliability, and consumers may just have found their ideal car. The Protégé is sure to give drivers a positive and excellent driving experience for years to come, and for the price that a used 2001 Mazda Protégé can be attained at, there is virtually no reason that this car should not be first on the list of anyone who is seeking a four door sedan that has the potential to have some fun and offers nearly everything a driver (or passenger) could want.