The year 2003 treated car enthusiasts to a range of beautiful, performance cars. Among the best performers were the Audi A4 Convertible, Chevrolet Cavalier, and Mazda Protégé. However, we'll be focusing on the latter. The Protégé is a great classic car
that many auto buffs would love to include in their collections. Building up from its predecessor, Mazda launched the 2003 Protégé with several modifications: a tight suspension, comfortable seats, powerful brakes, excellent steering feel, and an eye-catching exterior. Although it had a mediocre horsepower output, the small, snappy sedan was a tough act to beat back then.
What was the cost of the 2003 Mazda Protégé then (and now)?
When the 2003 Mazda Protégé (MP3) made its market debut, it came in four trims: Base, DX, LX, and ES. According to Cars.com
, the DX was priced at $13,580, while the LX had a $15,315 price tag. As expected, the flagship ES trim cost $725 higher. Among the 2003 Mazda family, only the B4000, Mazda6, MVP, MX-5 Miata, and Protégé5 (P5) had higher prices, ranging from $16,895 to $21,840. Dubbed the MazdaSpeed Protégé, the MP3 was well worth the price, having been transformed into a first-class front-wheel-drive compact sedan with excellent handling for a sedan. In fact, it competed for the best handling with some of the high-profile sports cars of the time, like the Ferrari 360 Modena, Porsche 911, and Corvette Z06.
Today, the MP3 is virtually a classic, and you can expect the prices to have plummeted. The cost of the model varies based on the condition and the model you choose. For the LX, the average dealer retail price is about $1,947. If you choose the DX, you can expect to splurge about $2,101, while the ES sedan has an average retail cost of $2,160.
Features of the 2003 Mazda Protégé
The Mazda Protégé retained its understated but sporty design. It featured a large air dam that came with built-in fog lights on the front. That combined with extended rocker panels to deliver a low yet aggressive stance. At the rear, Mazda redesigned the spoiler and gave the taillights a little tilt.
The MP3's bells-n-jingles also extend to the interior. The cockpit features high-performance aftermarket racing accessories like the Nardi steering wheel, alloy pedals, a footrest, and a Sparco shift knob.
Owners of the Protégé seem to like their whips, as highlighted on KBB
. One owner said, "My car is 21 years old and everything still works okay and drives great." Another one pointed out: "It's not the fastest vehicle around, but it is punchy in town, but delivers plenty of power to keep you up to speed on the interstate." MORE: Mazda's First Entry into EVs Isn't Exactly Groundbreaking
How the Mazda Protégé compares to other 2003 models
When the 2003 Mazda Protégé came out, it had equal rivals, such as the Chevrolet Cavalier and Honda Civic. Among the three, only the Chevy beat the Protégé when it comes to power, delivering 10 more horsepower than the Protégé's 130 hp. Still, the Mazda takes the No.1 spot in acceleration, taking from 0-60 mph in 8.4 sec.
I'm sure that only a handful of you paid attention to this car before this review, but the truth is, the 2003 Mazda Protégé is a highly reliable and exciting to drive with top-notch handling skills that make one mistake it for a sports car. We really recommend it, especially if you're a driver who loves a high-spirited ride.
MORE: Mazda Still Has a Long Way to Go With a Pivotal Technology for the Future
Trust Jerry to help you shop for affordable auto insurance
While you might research and find cheap car insurance, the chances are that there's still an auto insurance company offering a cheaper plan. With Jerry
, you get personalized and cheap car insurance policies from the top nationally-acclaimed carriers. The good news is that you can save up to $879 per year when you partner with Jerry. 
4.7
