2000 Mazda Protege Review

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Review:

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- Once the crossroads of the way west, this fabled way station has been lost in the confusion of modern urban America. In the same way, what was heralded as a smart, spunky enthusiast car has been lost in the marketing and buying conformity of the modern purchasing process.

The Mazda Protégé deserves better. It shares the same basic engine with the Miata, and has the same fun and passion for the road. If you aspire to the fun of a European sports sedan with none of the sticker shock, the Protégé is a reasonable choice.

The Protegé traces its heritage back to the 1977 Mazda GLC -- marketed as the 'Great Little Car' -- a three-door hatchback. In 1986, Mazda introduced a new name: GLC was out and 323 was in. In 1990, Mazda gave us the first Protegé four-door sedan, marketed as a slightly more upscale model but built on the same platform.