Advice ES vs Pro5

[sjn8888]

I know this topic has been covered before and I'm not going to base my decision on which one has a slight edge in performance (ES Sedan vs Protege5), but which one is the better car for a mid-thirties guy....

Sedan with ABS or Pro5 without ABS that costs $500 more than the sedan????

Which one will still be a respectable car five years from now (when I'm 40!!).

I like the looks of the Pro5, but it's tough to turn down a cheaper car with the same engine/interior/reliability and ABS/side airbags.

How important is ABS on these cars??

Thanks for advice....

SJN

 

[low_psi]

i say safety features are important!! i see the p5 as more of a utiliy vehicle(the reason my next car will be a wagon) whereas the sedan is just a normal family car...

if you like the p5 better, i say pay a lil extra each payment to get the safety options.

i dunno if you have a family or not, but just me personally, as a 19 year old, i'm concerned with safety. i've had too many friends get seriously hurt/ die from car accidents

 

[Andres]

I can tell you something...

My P5 is the first car with ABS and EBD (Electronic brake distribution system) I have had, and believe me: IT'S THE BEST THING I HAVE EXPERIENCED !!!!

I just love how much more secure the car feels and actually behaves.

I wouldn't think about it for a split second !

Later,
Andres.

 

[JAC]

The P5s looks alone are worth it IMO. The strut bar and the bodykit are at least 700$ if you decide to get them as aftermarket. 5 years from now I think the P5 will be more respectable, right now when I see a stock ES I go: "oh, a protege", but when I see a stock P5 I go: "wow, a P5, what a great looking car". It all depends on what you consider the most important.

How much would it cost to add ABS to the P5?

 

[nate0123]

They're both really good cars, so get the one that has the save-your-life options. If that means you get the sedan, you won't be any worse off for it. I love mine Definitely don't pass on the ABS.

 

[alexlitov]

It all depends where you live. If you live in sunny cali when it rains for a few weeks ABS wont' save your life. If you have snow then yes definately get an ABS. Both of the cars are econoboxes. They are identical to each other only P5 has an extra door. Get what ever makes you happy

 

[nate0123]

If you live in sunny cali when it rains for a few weeks ABS wont' save your life. If you have snow then yes definately get an ABS.

Not true. I would have saved myself an accident on my record, an insurance claim, and higher insurance rates for several years if my first car had had ABS. And yes it was just a LITTLE RAIN!

 

[zerodk]

I'd say both choices are good.

I personally pick the P5 because of superior cargo capacity and looks. And in Canada, I believe ABS is std anyway.

I'd say when it comes down to it, those things are the deciding factor. If flexible cargo hold and styling (subjective here I guess)aren't a priority for you, then get the sedan.

I wouldn't let $500 be the deciding factor for a car worth well over $10000. Afterall, you have to live with your purchase.

 

[JAC]

Not true. I would have saved myself an accident on my record, an insurance claim, and higher insurance rates for several years if my first car had had ABS. And yes it was just a LITTLE RAIN!

Nate is right, my countrys climate is very similar to the one over at california, a year ago I was having some problems withthe ABS system of my old galant so I disconected it. One night at like 2am the pavement was wet but I didnt notice,while taking a hard turn (it was like a U turn) the car skid and I ran into a mountain (doh) , I think that ABS might have helped me out if it had been working properly.

 

[nate0123]

Well I see some P5 drivers assuming that their cars look better, but honestly I like the sedan a bit better. I'm still a big fan of the P5 though, even if it does look like a roller skate.

 

[alexlitov]

Nate is right, my countrys climate is very similar to the one over at california, a year ago I was having some problems withthe ABS system of my old galant so I disconected it. One night at like 2am the pavement was wet but I didnt notice,while taking a hard turn (it was like a U turn) the car skid and I ran into a mountain (doh) , I think that ABS might have helped me out if it had been working properly.

NO. ABS only works when you are braking!!! From reading your post you just back slid from YOU going too fast!!!

 

[tonkabui]

Well I see some P5 drivers assuming that their cars look better, but honestly I like the sedan a bit better. I'm still a big fan of the P5 though, even if it does look like a roller skate.

(fight) i will kick you in the nads (nuts)... you you you... you es driver! you look like a roller skate! (smash)

 

[alexlitov]

Most people dont' even know how to use ABS properly even if they do have it. They are suppose to push and hold their brake pedal while braking, they usually just pump it. One thing is having an ABS and the other one is knowing how to use it.

 

[nate0123]

yea but at least my car isn't purple

 

[nate0123]

Most people dont' even know how to use ABS properly even if they do have it. They are suppose to push and hold their brake pedal while braking, they usually just pump it. One thing is having an ABS and the other one is knowing how to use it.

I think you underestimate people's common sense. Careful using those "most" statements. I was never taught to pump my brakes, and I never had any inclination to do so.

 

[alexlitov]

That's what I learned from watching discovery channel. They had statistics and stuff too. I think that all the people need to take more driving classes. For instance in Germany they have like a month of actuall behind the wheel training. If all those soccer moms learned what to do if their huge SUV started to skid, that would save millions of $$$ for the insurance companies.

 

[alexlitov]

Also, a lot of people with stick don't know how to keep the car steady in place under a big incline. You can easily spot a manual car in SF. Also, many people with stick dont' know that you can downshift with your car which cuts down on your stopping distance.

 

[JAC]

I do know that ABS brakes are not suposed to be pumped because they basically do it for you, my car skided because when I slamed on the brakes (thinking ABSealy) the wheels locked. Maybe I wouldve hit the mountain even if I had ABS but I think the damage would have been less.

 

[alexlitov]

I do know that ABS brakes are not suposed to be pumped because they basically do it for you, my car skided because when I slamed on the brakes (thinking ABSealy) the wheels locked. Maybe I wouldve hit the mountain even if I had ABS but I think the damage would have been less.

Did you skid sideways?

 

[Captain KRM P5]

Which one will still be a respectable car five years from now (when I'm 40!!).

Respectable is a term you would ascribe to something like a Buick or an Olds or Mercury - some geezer car - the question you should be asking is whether or not YOU PERSONALLY will like the car that far down the line. That kind of money should be spent on a car you enjoy, not on whether or not its respectable. There are plenty of Cadillacs that drive like s***

That said, I think either, but especially the p5 - will age better than say, a Pontiac Aztek.