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2003 Mazda Protégé Mazdaspeed (Miata with benefits) - $5,000 (santa clara)
Hollenbeck near El Camino
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2003 Mazdaspeed Protégé for sale. A great daily driver for those who like spirited driving dynamics. It is a marvel – think Miata with a roof, rear seating for 3 and lots of trunk space (rear seats folds down 60/40). MPG of 28, 29 is typical for me. I provide another vehicle’s sticker to show details of the basic configuration. I’m not-original owner, so please see in the photos of the engine bay for existing the add-ons. I have taken a lot of care of this vehicle and have not tracked it during my ownership.
Highlights: Rebuilt transmission around 155k miles using one of the last available OEM parts from Mazda. New Pirellis on the front (2623). New battery (8/25). Dash cams. I have been using Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W30 for the past two years.
[Note: 2003 Miata is 2387 lbs and has 142 hp, 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege is 2843 lb and has 170 hp stock]
Known Flaws.
• Several dings on both sides, as well as front and back of the vehicle
• Power Side Mirrors do not operate
• Driver side Tweeter, loose and not connected
• Marks on paint
• Curb rash and discoloration on the wheels
• Wear on the steering wheel
• Consumes oil (Oil Analysis Report by Speediagnostics shows no sign of wear-metals)
• Unknown water egress during heavy rain (resealed windshield 10/2025)
• Shifter knob is removable
Recent Service History
The previous owner rebuilt Transmission with one of the last remaining factory parts (around 155k miles). The seller performed the following maintenance and repairs during ownership:
• Replaced AEM Cold Air Intake Filter
• Replaced spark plugs
• Replaced battery (8/25)
• Replaced Fronts with Pirelli P7 AS plus 3 Code 2623
• Replaced hood (non-collision accident)
• Oil change using DRIVEN (20%) or Valvoline Restore and Protect (80%)
• Used Oil Analysis by Speediagnostics available
Notes on 2003 Mazdaspeed - "Mazda collaborated with Callaway Cars, Racing Beat, RacingHart, and Kenwood to put some zoom-zoom into the Protegé with a Mazdaspeed version, which was produced only for 2003 (4,500 units). Using a turbocharged version of the standard Protegé engine, output was increased from 130 to 170 horsepower, which necessitated the addition of a limited-slip differential and other performance upgrades. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4, rated at 170 horsepower and 160 lb-ft of torque. Output is sent to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission."