2 small kids, protege5 or mazda 5?

[MexicanDragon]

Hey there...

new to the boards, but i'm having a tough decision. A new mazda 5 touring 5spd, or a 2k3 p5 in blue with 44k and i guess about 3-4 months of warranty left. the p5 would be about 10.5-11 at the dealer, the M5 would be MSRP or less (18,500-19,500). That's a fairly large price difference, and would be the difference between owning the car in 2 years or 4-5. I've thrown this up on bimmerforums.com as well, dealing with the e36 3 series and the e34 5 series, and am trying to decide between these 4 cars, and maybe a few more on the side. I love the styling of the protege 5, but have never driven one. From what i've read, i wouldn't bother with power mods, but definately wheels/suspension mods, probably a short shifter. The M5 definately needs some tightening up of the suspension if its going to be a lot of fun. I drove one, its nice, and would work well for my family, but I'm just wondering if the P5 would fit a toddler and a new born. Also, would it be worth getting an extended warranty on the p5? I don't know the reliability issues, haven't read up on them completely, but mazdas seem to be fairly reliable.

I appreciate any help I can get here. Thanks in advance.

**BRENT**

 

[xelderx]

If you can find a P5 for sale you need to get it quick, because they don't pop up that often. That says something right there. For me it would be a financial thing. the P5 being the most economical choice, but I don't know your situation so...

 

[MexicanDragon]

If you can find a P5 for sale you need to get it quick, because they don't pop up that often. That says something right there. For me it would be a financial thing. the P5 being the most economical choice, but I don't know your situation so...

This is just at the dealer. There is a blue one, and then a red one came in where the owner wanted to trade it in, he was looking at 3's. I like the P5 better than the M3 aesthetically, and the 7k$ price difference is even better, even without the extra 30HP. I just don't know if its big enough for two carseats. I have a cadillac catera right now, and I just can't handle the automatic anymore. BTW, both p5's at the dealer are manuals! I'm going out in the morning to look at the M5 and the p5. I like 'em both, might drive 'em both, we'll see how it goes. Thanks for your thoughts.

**BRENT**

 

[Captain KRM P5]

i would personally take protege5, better gas mileage, lower cost of ownership overall when compared to a bimmer as well stat for stat.

 

[chuyler1]

The Mazda5 is a great family car...but then again, so is the Protege5. However, the sliding doors on the Mazda5 will make it easier for you to buckle in your children. Think about how many times you will be bending over to do that.

Neither have an abundance of cargo space but you can easily install a roof-top cargo box. There may be circumstances where you need to transport more than just your wife and two children. The Mazda5 has the advantage of the 3rd row and can seat 7 whereas the Protege5 can only realistically seat 4. Think about birthday parties and family vacations.

As far as performance goes, the Protege5 lacks in the HP department but is a blast to drive. The Mazda5 has the advantage of the 2.3L engine but weighs more and is taller. It will still be fun to drive but it won't corner as well.

Whatever you choose, I'm glad you aren't looking at SUVs. It's unbelievable how many people in your situation feel they are justified in purchasing a 15mpg gas guzzeler because they might need that extra cargo space someday.

 

[MexicanDragon]

I've thought about many of the things you brought up. Not tons of space in the p5, and the m5 doesn't have a lot unless you fold the rear seats down. The US M5 only seats 6, btw. Its a little different from the euro market config.

As far as power between the two 5's, the protege5 has a SLIGHTLY better power:weight ratio, but its hardly any at all. P:W ratio is 21.09 vs. 20.89. I hope to test drive them both tomorrow. The M5 is VERY top heavy, lots of body roll. I HAVE thought about the extra people/friends aspect, but it is looking like a family member is going to give us an older dodge caravan. Its not a good looking car like the mazda's, but well taken care of, and plenty of space.

BTW, captain. The P5 and the e36 3 series with the inline 6 actually are very similar as far as fuel consumption. high 20's to low 30's each, depending on driving style. More spirited driving will yield lower in each, of course. I'd say the P5 best the 325i by maybe 2-3 mpg tops. Its actually surprising what BMW did with the i6 as far as fuel mileage. Cost of ownership, i'm not so sure about. It would depend on how long I keep the car. The BMW would be older, higher mileage, but only be about 5-6 grand for a solid example. Depending on the recent repairs, it could not give me any failures for 30-50k miles. But its important to have the repair history on them. The protege5 would have to be partially financed as well. I could buy the bmw outright, but the tege would be about 55-60% financed. Could get it paid off in 1.5 years, so interest wouldn't be too terribly insane, and if I get an extended warranty, it may come out about even. The P5 has a good bit more room though, is sporty enough, and would handle well. The BMW would be sportier and probably handle better, but not have as much room. Rear seat space is definately important in this decision, but most of my trips with kids are under 20 minutes right now, occasionally stretching to 40. I have a lot of options right now.

Another choice would be a Honda Odessey for 7 grand, a 2000 EX with about 115k on it, a great deal, but its in AK. I'd have to work out some logistics problems there.

Oh... first reason i was going to reply. Thanks for the vote of confidence for not looking at SUV's. First of all, I had an S-10 blazer as my first vehicle. I was originally from texas... that's a compact car over there. But it got better mileage than my current cadillac. Anything with seating for more than 4 is going to be too pricey, and too big, and a fuel hog. 25-30MPG is ideal, and that's what the BMW and both mazda's can deliver (in 5spd trim). SUV's can't offer that. I DO love the chevy suburbans, however. I've driven around in a 2k2 one with leather seats that were amazing, but its not pratical for me at all, taking small trips with only 2 kids. Kids and their friends, down the road... I'll worry about that when the time comes.

Any of you P5 owners have 2 kids who want to chime in? How does it work for you? Do you have to scoot the seat up in front to fit the rear facing car seat? Do you get kicked in the back by the kids in a booster? Let me know.

Thanks.

**BRENT**

 

[AlbNYPR5]

This is just at the dealer. There is a blue one, and then a red one came in where the owner wanted to trade it in, he was looking at 3's. I like the P5 better than the M3 aesthetically, and the 7k$ price difference is even better, even without the extra 30HP. I just don't know if its big enough for two carseats. I have a cadillac catera right now, and I just can't handle the automatic anymore. BTW, both p5's at the dealer are manuals! I'm going out in the morning to look at the M5 and the p5. I like 'em both, might drive 'em both, we'll see how it goes. Thanks for your thoughts.

**BRENT**

My daughter's feet always are hitting the back of the front seats when she is in her car seat (unless the passenger seat is pushed all the way up). If that is something that may be an issue with you, you may want to test drive them both with the car seat in the back seat to see how it will fit safely.

 

[Greg S]

With an infant seat you do need to move the front seat up slightly, 2-3 notches, for the best clearance. Otherwise it's fine and it's a short term issue as the children get older. I've got a 2 year old and a 4 year old and they have no problem fitting in the P5 at all and that's with both seats all the way back since my wife is the short one at 5'9". Definitely not as good for longer trip with stuff, like stollers adn the like, but that's what I have the SUV for, well that and the fact that I am constantly at Lowe's getting building supplies for work on the house.

 

[INGREXCO]

P5. It is more fun to drive and has enough room for the children

 

[MexicanDragon]

Thanks for the info on the kids fitting. I know I just have about 11 months left with the rear facing seat. Same deal with the sig O being 5'9". We test drove a WRX, and it just wasn't big enough for us. Same day, we hopped in a focus. (almost exactly half the price of the WRX, great deals on both that day). The focus fit the then pregnant sig O, but was tight with the toddler seat behind her. She'll scoot the seat up in the cadillac, but still plenty of room. I guess we'll find out tomorrow if the car is there for a test drive. (been driven by the sales manager of the hyundai side of things).

BTW, my 3 y/o kicks my seat now. I don't have a problem with it, just need to get a rear seat protector for the car.

I have liked the P5 since it was first introduced. That car and the WRX wagon got me excited about wagons (along with the e34 M5 wagon... beautiful).

The only thing that bothers me about the P5 if I get it... I'll be wanting to mod it. Mainly wheels/suspension stuff. But a few years down the road, I might want a turbo, etc.

Oh, can anyone chime in on the extended warranty issue? Is it worth it? What does mazda offer? And would I really need it? (the car i'm looking at has 44k on it, so 6 months tops on the transferred warranty).

**BRENT**

 

[SlowPro98]

The Mazda 5 is the 1st generation of the car, therefore it is going to have some issues, almost all first runs do. There was a guy I was chatting with at Tony March Mazda. we were waiting in the service department and he had 2004, and he had been into the service department at least once a week. The lattest issue was a faulty gas cap that was leading to a CEL and sputtering.
Also, after reading several reviews for the 5, it's basically a tall version of the 3 (same motor and platform, just heavier and taller).

Now, as for the protege 5, I love my p5. My wife loves it too. It's great on gas, easy to take care of, looks great, holds all of our stuff, and handles great. We just took her parents to brunch on Sunday, and we all rode in the p5 and I didn't have to eat the stearing wheel with her parents in the back. And her parents arent that big, both are less than 5'8", father is about 190, mom is 100lbs. I have had my father in my p5, both front and back, and he's 6'4" 300lbs (think black santa clause). No problems. I don't think that 2 car seats will be an issue unless you like to recline your driver seat to og-homie-lowrider levels.

Also, think of the price. if you get a good deal on the p5, you would consevabley save yourself several thousand dollars (not just off list, but through financing)

OH and the p5 is great in INSURANCE RATES as well.

 

[SlowPro98]

The only thing that bothers me about the P5 if I get it... I'll be wanting to mod it. Mainly wheels/suspension stuff. But a few years down the road, I might want a turbo, etc.


**BRENT**

read this after I posted, but if you treat the motor right, it can last you several years, and you can save up and get a built and turbo'd motor. That's my plan. I take care of the car as best I can, and when something breaks, don't replace it, UPGRADE IT. Radio was broken, got a deck that plays MP3s. The battery died, so I got a yellow top. Each step taking me closer to where I want the car to be.

 

[Kansei]

The only thing that would make me say Mazda5 is that the Protege5 doesn't have side curtain airbags. You gotta factor in safety, ever consider something like a volvo S60R? safety and sport, seems like a really nice car too.

 

[p5power]

The only thing that would make me say Mazda5 is that the Protege5 doesn't have side curtain airbags. You gotta factor in safety, ever consider something like a volvo S60R? safety and sport, seems like a really nice car too.

Exactly what I was going to say. Take it from a guy that works on designing airbags everyday....side curtain bags are amazing things. The difference is like night and day. Plus the M5 has dual stage airbag modules with seat weight sensors (they call the system "MARS" http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=mazdaSpeedDrivingSafetyCommon&sectionParameter=safety01) up front to automatically determine what force the bags should come out at...and with the passenger seat, if it should come out at all (think car seat, though I'm sure you know not to do that!).

Though I'm a huge fan of my p5, if I were a family man, safety would be my primary concern. As much as a hard time I have saying this...the p5 is really a fun car...if I had to make the choice, I'd take the M5.

 

[MexicanDragon]

read this after I posted, but if you treat the motor right, it can last you several years, and you can save up and get a built and turbo'd motor. That's my plan. I take care of the car as best I can, and when something breaks, don't replace it, UPGRADE IT. Radio was broken, got a deck that plays MP3s. The battery died, so I got a yellow top. Each step taking me closer to where I want the car to be.

Hey... I like the "upgrade instead of replace" thing, and will probably do that... just hope nothing breaks any time soon if I get it. I think the turbo thing would be fun, but not really worth the $$$, to me, at least. I don't like the idea of a turbo FWD car. I'm thinking that I'll just do suspension mods, realistically, as that is my main priority. "If you can't drive a slow car fast, you can't drive fast" kind of mentality. Not saying the P5 is slow, but its obviously not, well, FAST.

(edit: started this post 4 hours ago, then got up to handle the kids... now where was I?)

Instead of more power, I'd probably just do the sensible thing and get another car at that point, depending on the needs of the family.

About the S60R. LOVE IT! But waaaay out of my price range. Maybe one day.

**BRENT**

 

[brentmc79]

I just bought my P5 about two weeks ago, and I've been pretty happy with it so far. Like you, I've got a wife and kid (16mo) and we all seem to fit pretty comfortably. We'll be taking our first road trip in the car next week for Thanksgiving. That should be the ultimate test.

Yeah, its definitely not the fastest thing in the world, but its still fun to drive. I was also looking at WRXs, but unfortunately I couldn't find one that was not only in my price range, but also a wagon in time. I only had a week to find a car and wagons were slim-pickins, so I ended up with the P5.

Overall, I like it but I think I'll be a lot happier once I get new wheels, suspension, intake and exhaust.

 

[chuyler1]

Subarus are nice because of the AWD, but the increased insurance is something to pay attention to when you've got lots of mouths to feed.

 

[MexicanDragon]

Hey guys... just wondering. Any of you with higher mileage p5's... how reliable are they? Are there any serious/expensive problems out of warranty? The one i'm looking at has 44k miles, so just about 4k on the warranty. I'm very interested in this car, but I want something that's going to be relatively trouble free. Let me know... thanks.

**BRENT**

 

[Breeegz]

no trouble on mine @ 37000

only changed the oil.

 

[proman]

don't have a protege 5 but have an ES which both use the same engine. i'm at 113k and just had my timing belt replaced. no other issues.