The protege5 is the real Sport Utility Vehicle!
Protege 5 versus newer cars
- Thread starter whatthefunk
- Start date
MazdaSpeeder
Member
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- Protege5 (5-spd)
Here's another vote for the P5. I agree with all the above posts- I personally think that the car looks better than the 3 hatch. It's a nice ride, with a manual tranny the car is a ton of fun to drive, it handles very well (both in spirited driving and emergency situations) and a big plus for me is that it is very easy to work on. I work on this car a ton (mostly modding, but I had to replace the header) and it was simple simple. Plus, any info you need you can find right here. You can still get nice P5s in the 40-60k miles range for 9 bills loaded. One other advantage...these cars hold their value well. I say, go for it!
My wife has a loaded '04 Mazda 3, my P5 feels better (more sportscar like) in every way than the 3. It's really much more fun to drive and I've spent lots of time driving both, at high speeds around curves. The 3 handles great but doesn't give you the same feedback as the P5, If they kept making the P5 I'd buy a new one. Also they're not very common and the common folk don't know what the flock they are!
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I just picked up a 2002 P5 last month. I found it on the internet & paid 6200.00 for it. I wanted a more practical daily driver to take to work & buzz around in. My other car is a 2005 Mustang GT. I must say I was suprised how much I like driving it. I get that " WHEEEE!!!" sensation at 40 mph in the Mazda. In the Mustang I need to go 80 mph. 30 MPG vs. 15 MPG in the Mustang doesn't hurt either. I look at it as a Swiss army knife on wheels , It does a bit of everything at the expense of not being exellent at one thing. BTW.....2005 Mustang GT for sale. NY area
fishdonotbounce
Registered Zombie
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- 08.5 CWP Speed3
I wanna add that if you do end up buying a P5, you can probably find one for no more than 7k in good condition.
If you compare that to the 15k or so that you were to otherwise spend, sure you wouldn't have a warranty, but you would have a choice of either using that remaining 8k or so to make it a pretty quick little bastard or just saving the 8k and saving 8k.
If anything goes wrong with the car, you can even buy a new one while still staying under the price you would have paid for a new car.
With all the points about the car's great reliability made, I believe that it is a much wiser choice economically. And plus, it is a hell of a lot more fun than a M3 for sure
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Good luck.
If you compare that to the 15k or so that you were to otherwise spend, sure you wouldn't have a warranty, but you would have a choice of either using that remaining 8k or so to make it a pretty quick little bastard or just saving the 8k and saving 8k.
If anything goes wrong with the car, you can even buy a new one while still staying under the price you would have paid for a new car.
With all the points about the car's great reliability made, I believe that it is a much wiser choice economically. And plus, it is a hell of a lot more fun than a M3 for sure
.Good luck.
whatthefunk
Member
I've been following this thread, and I'd like to thank everyone for their thoughtful replies. Your advice helped me greatly. My decision came down to a 2004 M3 and a 2003 P5...and I went with the latter. I bought the car off eBay for about $3.5 K less than the 04 would have cost, and it's in better shape. In fact, a mechanic buddy of mine checked out the car and tells me he's seen very few used cars in as nice of shape as this used car is in. Here's a peek at the expired auction page:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazd...015QQitemZ250262497977QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
So why the Protege? I got it for around $10K, which was a titch under book, and its apparently exceptional condition swung the vote. I strongly considered the M3 for all of the reasons detailed in this thread, and I suspect that at times I'll regret not springing for the additional power and luxury. But if/when I purchase a sports car again, it'll be a true scorcher, not a band-aid for my addiction. The Protege5 - from what all of you owners tell me - will never be fast, especially with an auto. But it is a safe, affordable, attractive, auto tranny car with great handling that gets respectable gas mileage - all of the criteria of the person who will drive it 90% of the time. That being my wife.
Again, thanks for all of the assistance and insight. It was a great help. I'll return soon to pick the brains of the local wizards, since a simple drop and a hp-wringing mod or two are inevitable. In fact, if you have recommendations for the first mod or two, I'm all ears, since there's a lot of collective wisdom in this joint. Adios, for now, from this new member of the P5 (and Mazda) pack.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazd...015QQitemZ250262497977QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
So why the Protege? I got it for around $10K, which was a titch under book, and its apparently exceptional condition swung the vote. I strongly considered the M3 for all of the reasons detailed in this thread, and I suspect that at times I'll regret not springing for the additional power and luxury. But if/when I purchase a sports car again, it'll be a true scorcher, not a band-aid for my addiction. The Protege5 - from what all of you owners tell me - will never be fast, especially with an auto. But it is a safe, affordable, attractive, auto tranny car with great handling that gets respectable gas mileage - all of the criteria of the person who will drive it 90% of the time. That being my wife.
Again, thanks for all of the assistance and insight. It was a great help. I'll return soon to pick the brains of the local wizards, since a simple drop and a hp-wringing mod or two are inevitable. In fact, if you have recommendations for the first mod or two, I'm all ears, since there's a lot of collective wisdom in this joint. Adios, for now, from this new member of the P5 (and Mazda) pack.
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fishdonotbounce
Registered Zombie
- :
- 08.5 CWP Speed3
Great choice bud. I'm sure you won't be dissapointed.
As far as the first two mods go, I would say new strut/spring combo. Others will say intake, headers, exhaust, but you'll get a total of maybe 5-10 HP outta that if youre lucky. The suspension is where its at with our cars Plus it seems like its an auto so there's little chance of making it very quick unless you have deep pockets.
Enjoy and welcome to the Mazda family (thumb)
As far as the first two mods go, I would say new strut/spring combo. Others will say intake, headers, exhaust, but you'll get a total of maybe 5-10 HP outta that if youre lucky. The suspension is where its at with our cars
Plus it seems like its an auto so there's little chance of making it very quick unless you have deep pockets.Enjoy and welcome to the Mazda family (thumb)
FightClubTheory
Member
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- 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege
Welcome to the family!
Wow, that thing has an immaculate paint job on it and seems to be in excellent condition (except the interior and all the dog-themed accessories).
As far as first mods you'll most likely be told to lower it. Or you can get an aftermarket air intake (for a bit more mileage).
Hope to see you around more!
Wow, that thing has an immaculate paint job on it and seems to be in excellent condition (except the interior and all the dog-themed accessories).
As far as first mods you'll most likely be told to lower it. Or you can get an aftermarket air intake (for a bit more mileage).
Hope to see you around more!
tonybonekhang
Member
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- 03 Mazda Protege 5
Don't expect it to be a fast car. Keep that in mind when you mod it. A few things here and there but don't look forward to anything dramatic. These cars lack off the start and minor bolt-ons don't do much for it so keep it all at a reasonable cost.
At the stock level the car feels like a slug during acceleration but hugs the curves like a dream. Compared to my other cars, a 92 protege LX and a 93 del Sol SI this car has no pep. I may be a little biased because the del Sol is turbocharged at 11 psi but even prior to that it felt a lot better. The most I'd do is get an aftermarket intake or a drop in K&N filter. You can go after a modified exhaust and/or header but that'll be more for sound than performance. There is really no performance mod that is worthwhile on our underpowered cars (aside from boosting it).
The suspension feels good as is so a lowered suspensionin in my opinion is more about looks than performance. The factory suspension is way beyond superb already.
At the stock level the car feels like a slug during acceleration but hugs the curves like a dream. Compared to my other cars, a 92 protege LX and a 93 del Sol SI this car has no pep. I may be a little biased because the del Sol is turbocharged at 11 psi but even prior to that it felt a lot better. The most I'd do is get an aftermarket intake or a drop in K&N filter. You can go after a modified exhaust and/or header but that'll be more for sound than performance. There is really no performance mod that is worthwhile on our underpowered cars (aside from boosting it).
The suspension feels good as is so a lowered suspensionin in my opinion is more about looks than performance. The factory suspension is way beyond superb already.
i had a 02 mp5 red five speed and i drove the hell out of it! no problems at all. i still got 28mpg or so.. i put like 90k miles on it in 3 years.. got rid of it at 97k miles wish i stil had it it would be paid for and still rolling hard.. i had intake, exhaust, and a nice set of enkies on it.. Im looking to dump this fusion for ms3.. but my ford is a great car to..
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- 92 & 16 Meyatas
turbo that sucker! good choice man! 7 yrs this month for me!
whatthefunk
Member
fishsdonotbounce (intriguing screen name) wrote: "it seems like its an auto so there's little chance of making it very quick unless you have deep pockets."
At present my pockets are shallow. Flush, even. Which is why I went with a used utility vehicle, albeit one with (apparently) lots of spunk and some endearing qualities. The best testament to its appeal? My buddy who looked the car over for me called afterward, saying: "Dude, the car's cherry. I've never even seen one, but it's striking. Not real quick, but I'll tell you this: it's not a wagon - it's a little sports car. Thing is on rails."
FightClub wrote: 'except the interior and all the dog-themed accessories"
Haw. That was actually a huge concern of mine - not just the fact that someone would doggy theme their car, but that it'd smell like Fido's second home. My bud who looked the car over said the interior's clean, immaculate and dog-funk free.
tonybonekhang wrote: "Don't expect it to be a fast car. Keep that in mind when you mod it. A few things here and there but don't look forward to anything dramatic. These cars lack off the start and minor bolt-ons don't do much for it so keep it all at a reasonable cost. "
That's a recurring theme in this joint, and I appreciate the candor. I'm looking at the P5 as a safe, solid, economical little ride that is fun to drive. I've owned a number of truly fast cars - I don't expect that of a 4-burner wagon (though it'd be nice).
"The most I'd do is get an aftermarket intake or a drop in K&N filter....the suspension feels good as is so a lowered suspensionin in my opinion is more about looks than performance"
Point taken re: the intake or filter...and I may drop it a bit (not much), provided I can find a kit that enhances the look without making the ride too jarring. And I can't abide rubbing. No hammered look is worth that, in my humble opinion.
2words wrote: "i had a 02 mp5 red five speed and i drove the hell out of it! no problems at all. i still got 28mpg or so"
So good to hear. I'm driving a Jeep Overland that gets about 14 a gallon. It's about to see a lot of garage time.
br289165 wrote: "I didn't notice any f'n gravel hauler chips on the nose which is so common here!"
Yeah, I'm considering a nose guard.
bazooka joe wrote: "turbo that sucker! good choice man!"
So...tempting. And thanks.
At present my pockets are shallow. Flush, even. Which is why I went with a used utility vehicle, albeit one with (apparently) lots of spunk and some endearing qualities. The best testament to its appeal? My buddy who looked the car over for me called afterward, saying: "Dude, the car's cherry. I've never even seen one, but it's striking. Not real quick, but I'll tell you this: it's not a wagon - it's a little sports car. Thing is on rails."
FightClub wrote: 'except the interior and all the dog-themed accessories"
Haw. That was actually a huge concern of mine - not just the fact that someone would doggy theme their car, but that it'd smell like Fido's second home. My bud who looked the car over said the interior's clean, immaculate and dog-funk free.
tonybonekhang wrote: "Don't expect it to be a fast car. Keep that in mind when you mod it. A few things here and there but don't look forward to anything dramatic. These cars lack off the start and minor bolt-ons don't do much for it so keep it all at a reasonable cost. "
That's a recurring theme in this joint, and I appreciate the candor. I'm looking at the P5 as a safe, solid, economical little ride that is fun to drive. I've owned a number of truly fast cars - I don't expect that of a 4-burner wagon (though it'd be nice).
"The most I'd do is get an aftermarket intake or a drop in K&N filter....the suspension feels good as is so a lowered suspensionin in my opinion is more about looks than performance"
Point taken re: the intake or filter...and I may drop it a bit (not much), provided I can find a kit that enhances the look without making the ride too jarring. And I can't abide rubbing. No hammered look is worth that, in my humble opinion.
2words wrote: "i had a 02 mp5 red five speed and i drove the hell out of it! no problems at all. i still got 28mpg or so"
So good to hear. I'm driving a Jeep Overland that gets about 14 a gallon. It's about to see a lot of garage time.
br289165 wrote: "I didn't notice any f'n gravel hauler chips on the nose which is so common here!"
Yeah, I'm considering a nose guard.
bazooka joe wrote: "turbo that sucker! good choice man!"
So...tempting. And thanks.
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Looking at the ad, I'd add 1 more plus in your favor. It's a 2003, not a 2003.5, so no worries about the engine and you still have the manumatic, which is better than the regular auto on the 2002. Congrats on the new purchase. 
If you don't need the roofrack, I'd recommend keeping it in the box as the crossrails rattle without anything on them.
If you don't need the roofrack, I'd recommend keeping it in the box as the crossrails rattle without anything on them.Rockin03mp5
Member
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- '13 Mazda3 / '13 Edge / Your Mom
Also the roof rack causes more drag and more noise at hwy speeds.
I love my p5 (even with the light bulb eating, but that isn't too bad).
My favorite part is when someone is riding my ass and then a sharp turn comes up and I dont have to slow down. I usually see them try to take the corner with me, then end up half on the shoulder before slowing down. (Especially with SUVs. Why do they think they can out corner me?)
I love my p5 (even with the light bulb eating, but that isn't too bad).
My favorite part is when someone is riding my ass and then a sharp turn comes up and I dont have to slow down. I usually see them try to take the corner with me, then end up half on the shoulder before slowing down. (Especially with SUVs. Why do they think they can out corner me?)
whatthefunk
Member
Katya4me wrote: "I'd add 1 more plus in your favor. It's a 2003, not a 2003.5, so no worries about the engine and you still have the manumatic, which is better than the regular auto on the 2002. Congrats on the new purchase"
Yeah, seller told me that it's an '03 built "entirely in Japan", which I take it is a very good thing. And thanks for the congrats.
"If you don't need the roofrack, I'd recommend keeping it in the box as the crossrails rattle without anything on them."
That's the kind of advice that makes this joint so valuable. Thank you. I'm making mental notes: buy light bulbs, synthetic oil, air filter, skip the roof racks, entice top-heavy SUVs into ditches, etc.
Yeah, seller told me that it's an '03 built "entirely in Japan", which I take it is a very good thing. And thanks for the congrats.
"If you don't need the roofrack, I'd recommend keeping it in the box as the crossrails rattle without anything on them."
That's the kind of advice that makes this joint so valuable. Thank you. I'm making mental notes: buy light bulbs, synthetic oil, air filter, skip the roof racks, entice top-heavy SUVs into ditches, etc.
Oh, and if you're prone to getting a lot of rain, drop by a junkyard and get the stalk wiper control from an MPV or early Tribute. It's a direct swap and gives you variable intermittent control, which is really nice.
Rockin03mp5
Member
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- '13 Mazda3 / '13 Edge / Your Mom
It is very funny.
Also there is a multi quote button on the bottom right of all of the posts. Click on it and any other you want to quote, then click post reply, and you wont have to type everything out like that.
whatthefunk
Member
Katya4me wrote: "and you still have the manumatic, which is better than the regular auto on the 2002"
Can you expound on that? By better do you mean more control over shifts? Better reliability?" Both? Do tell.
"if you're prone to getting a lot of rain, drop by a junkyard and get the stalk wiper control from an MPV or early Tribute. It's a direct swap and gives you variable intermittent control, which is really nice"
Wow, another gem. I'm in south Florida where it doesn't just rain. It smothers.
Thanks for the tech tip, Rock'n. I post in a sports forum, and I use a text editor to copy and paste quickly. I'm so used to my routine that it doesn't really slow me down.
Can you expound on that? By better do you mean more control over shifts? Better reliability?" Both? Do tell.
"if you're prone to getting a lot of rain, drop by a junkyard and get the stalk wiper control from an MPV or early Tribute. It's a direct swap and gives you variable intermittent control, which is really nice"
Wow, another gem. I'm in south Florida where it doesn't just rain. It smothers.
Thanks for the tech tip, Rock'n. I post in a sports forum, and I use a text editor to copy and paste quickly. I'm so used to my routine that it doesn't really slow me down.
Mind you, I drive a manual, so this is all from what I've read. But from what I understand, the 2002 was a traditional automatic and slightly weaker than the manual/automatic that was introduced either in late 2002.5 or in the 2003 model. Still not as strong as the manual tranny, but supposed to be better and maybe even look more attractive. Dunno...
