I have a 96 Mazda Protege DX 1.5L with 92HP and 96 torque and it weighs 2384 lbs. 5 speed manual.
The Mazda 2 I drove has a 1.5L with about 100HP and torque and it weighs 2381 lbs. 5 speed manual.
I have driven it for 6 years. My Protege still runs very well, but needs a new front suspension, brakes, rotors, muffler, and the body is not in the best shape and I have been driving for past year without 2nd gear (Synchro bad). Car is valued at $700. Repairs are $1200.
I thought the Mazda 2 would be the perfect replacement. I wanted a car that feels the same. A Car whose handling and acceleration and high revving engine noise is similar to my Protege.
After driving the Mazda 2, I was a bit disappointed. Did all newer cars go soft? The Mazda 2 felt slower, smoother, and quieter. It was no where near as fun to drive and it has much less back seat space and trunk space than my larger, 3 lb heavier Protege.
I went around the corner pretty fast in the M2 and there was lots of body roll and tires screeched a little. My Protege hugs the road so well and tires never screech, probably because they are much wider than the M2 tires.
If Mazda built me a replica of my 96 Protege, I would buy it all over again. I am going to keep my Protege alive as long as possible since they don't make cars nearly as fun anymore.
Anyone feels the same way? Any ex-323 or 1st-2nd gen Protege owners?
The Mazda 2 I drove has a 1.5L with about 100HP and torque and it weighs 2381 lbs. 5 speed manual.
I have driven it for 6 years. My Protege still runs very well, but needs a new front suspension, brakes, rotors, muffler, and the body is not in the best shape and I have been driving for past year without 2nd gear (Synchro bad). Car is valued at $700. Repairs are $1200.
I thought the Mazda 2 would be the perfect replacement. I wanted a car that feels the same. A Car whose handling and acceleration and high revving engine noise is similar to my Protege.
After driving the Mazda 2, I was a bit disappointed. Did all newer cars go soft? The Mazda 2 felt slower, smoother, and quieter. It was no where near as fun to drive and it has much less back seat space and trunk space than my larger, 3 lb heavier Protege.
I went around the corner pretty fast in the M2 and there was lots of body roll and tires screeched a little. My Protege hugs the road so well and tires never screech, probably because they are much wider than the M2 tires.
If Mazda built me a replica of my 96 Protege, I would buy it all over again. I am going to keep my Protege alive as long as possible since they don't make cars nearly as fun anymore.
Anyone feels the same way? Any ex-323 or 1st-2nd gen Protege owners?