Mazda Protege

The Mazda Protege was a dependable compact car that gained an enthusiast following with its final generation. Known for sharp handling that punched above its weight, the Protege offered a more engaging driving experience than many of its competitors like the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. It served as a solid foundation for Mazda's later sport compact efforts.

Collector interest almost exclusively centers on the limited-production performance models. The 2001 MP3 focused on handling and audio, while the 2003 and 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege added a turbocharger, a limited-slip differential, and a Racing Beat-tuned suspension. With just over 4,500 Mazdaspeeds built, they represent a high point for factory-tuned sport compacts of the era.

The market has a massive price spread. Standard, high-mileage Protege sedans and wagons trade for very little, often under $2,000. In contrast, exceptionally low-mileage, unmodified Mazdaspeed examples have fetched incredible prices, proving there's a real demand for top-tier survivors from the import tuner scene's golden age.

Prices range from as low as $830 for base models to $90,000 for pristine, collector-grade Mazdaspeed variants.