Givin the option..would you trade your p5 for a mazda3 hb?

[paranoidxe]

I was just curious, if both cars had equal mileage, and ZERO problems would you trade straight acrossed your P5 for a Mazda3 Wagon?

 

[Kansei]

I was just curious, if both cars had equal mileage, and ZERO problems would you trade straight acrossed your P5 for a Mazda3 Wagon?

Oh hell no. Look at a Protege5, and then look at a Mazda3

One has agressive, edgy styling, the other is round and bulbous and looks downright obese from some angles. The Mazda3 HB looks really big next to a Protege5 too, and while some people might like that I sure don't.

I like the looks of the Mazda3 sedan, but the hood/grille of the hatchback completely ruins it for me. It reminds me of a horse, I can't put my finger on why though.

I don't like that the dash design prohibits an aftermarket head unit from looking at all decent. I like the Protege5 steering wheel a lot more too, though audio controls are nice I'd much rather a wheel like the Mazda6 wheel for that.

I don't like the cable actuated shifter, it feels numb. I don't like the taillights, the style is a bit overplayed if you ask me. The LED taillights on the SP23 are cool though. But why doesn't the Mazda3 HB have an LED high mount stop light? weird.

I don't like looking at the rear of the Mazda3 HB, the hatch area looks way too damn empty since they moved the license plate down below.

I don't like how the exhaust system is set up on the car because from what I've read it's like all one piece back from the exhaust manifold so it's a pain to replace without wrecking the stock one.

The general proportions of the car look off to me, and it just doesn't look at all sporty. The angle of the last pillar looks bad to me too, but of course this is all just my opinion.

Look at the side profile of a Protege5, and then look at the Mazda3.

There's the P5 side profile for reference, I don't have a pic of a Mazda3 handy.

To me, the current Mazda3 hatchback is the equivalent of making a Mazda Protege LX wagon. Don't get me wrong, I actually rather like the LX/ES.. but you know what I mean. The Protege5 has the agressive styling of the MP3 and Mazdaspeed and I think it does a great job getting the "sport wagon" theme across.

I'm going to stop my rant now. Most of what I don't like in the hatchback is proper in the sedan, like the proportions, the front/rear styling, etc. Yeah it's not agressive looking, but it looks damn nice.

EDIT: oh and the handling is painfully mushy if you ask me. Even thinking back to how my car was stock the 3 just feels heavier and damn it seems to lean a lot. The tires are gahbage too, same crap that ford puts on the Focus.

They aren't bad cars, they just definitely aren't for me.

EDIT2: the lack of a roof rack bothers me as well, I think it was rather well executed on the Protege5 from a style standpoint.

 

[NoRotorNoMotor]

no way, a mazda 6 hatch maybe, but not a 3

 

[Kansei]

no way, a mazda 6 hatch maybe, but not a 3

Yeah the 6 hatch is pimp.

I'd consider a Mazda5 even though I have no use for anything more than 2 seats, but the storage space would be nice. The styling is great on the 5 aside from the aweful taillights the USDM ones get.

Mazda, bring back the MX-6! I'd get one

 

[Pretzellogic]

no way, a mazda 6 hatch maybe, but not a 3

I might take a 6 wagon as well.

 

[NoRotorNoMotor]

I might take a 6 wagon as well.

ya thats what i meant

 

[MP5_509]

3 HB. Hell no. 6wagon YES!

zverg: im assuming thats your P5, if so holy crap that thing is sweet lookin. The drop is perfect. What are you using and whats your bike set up on your stock rack?

 

[JOMO]

I wouldn't trade the p5 in for a 3. Even though it has more power and is bigger, I dont think the design is for me. Its to bulky for me. I like the p5's styling more, bodylines and almost everything else. The 3's nice, but trade the p5 in for one,no way.

 

[RedPro5808]

Before I bought the P5 I was waiting to see how the mazda3 sedan and hatch would look like. When I finally saw how the mazda 3 looked like I really didn't like it. I bought the P5 and been loving her ever since.

 

[Mr. Win]

Yes

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

Negative, no can do, not even close, don't ask, uhuh & all of the above...except yes

 

[Mmmmmken]

I like them both, but I like the P5 better... more aggressive looking.

I'm suprised so many like the 6 wagon... reminds me of my dad's old station wagons. *yawn*

If I traded up, it would be to a Mazdaspeed 6!

 

[anarchistchiken]

I'm not a huge fan of the 6 wagon in stock form, but with some nice wheels and that amazingly sexy DG lip. Definately owuld not be able to trade the p5 in for a 3.

 

[Nomad]

I like the P5 styling the best.
I like the extra room in the Mazda 3. I could deal with the radio as I'd just add an amp to it.
I like the 3's power and braking. I do not like the heavy wheels.

I'd like a 2.3 in the P5. But that's what turbos are for.

In another 6 years I might pick up a Mazda 3, but like others said, the Mazda 6 will be comparable if not cheaper price wise.

 

[cheapmiata1600]

no

 

[altspace]

Waiting for MP3 to decide.

 

[Johnnybass]

i've only seen one mp3 that i like...the rear window (ugly triangular window befthe the hatch) was covered by plastic...it looked hot

but still, i wouldn't trade it up...love the p5 too much...not even for a 6 wagon...maybe the mazdeaspeed 6...that's a tough one though

 

[hookdupdelsol]

Before I bought my P5, I was in love with the 3's. Almost once every month I would go test drive the sedan just to see if I would like them or not. I could never make up my mind. Than I realized that if I am going to buy one, I want everything. Navi and all. Well, needless to say, I wasn't ready to drop 25k on a extremely fully loaded M3. So I bought my Vivid Yellow P5 and well, I am very happy. I don't like the looks of the hatch on the Mazda3. Whats up with the crease? WHY did they have to make it look like it was creased?

I think the Mazda3's interior seemed a little more sturdy or solid, but I think I made the right decision on buying my P5. Oh and did I mention my P5 was 10k less than the Mazda3 that I wanted and the only things that the Mazda3 would have had that my P5 doesn't is a Navagation System and the extra oomph from the engine.

EDIT: Not to mention, the Yellow on the Mazda3 will NEVER compare to the Yellow on the P5. The Vivid Yellow(with Black leather) is what makes me smile(and wince) everytime I look at it!

 

[Robot Romeo]

Look at the side profile of a Protege5, and then look at the Mazda3.

(werd)

 

[jonlong]

I would not trade my P5 in for a 3 wagon, but I would trade it for a 3 sedan in a heartbeat.

The 3 wagon is too bulky, but I like everything about the 3 sedan, especially if it's lowered a little.