Looking for a vehicle to replace my Mustang: Looking at SVT Focus and Protege5

[trevorx3]

I'm not looking for a vehicle to get me from point A to point B. I LOVE DRIVING and HATE automatics and cruise control. I want something that's fun to drive even if I'm not racing it or carving corners. I do however enjoy taking my vehicles out and revving them up and hitting the twisties occasionally.

I have a Kawasaki Ninja at the moment and want a fun to drive car with a decent amount of cargo space.

My ideal vehicle is light and agile but not straight up ballsy when it comes to straightline speed. If I didn't own a motorcycle, a Mazda Miata would be my first choice.

I'm not about having a comfy and smooth ride. I'd much prefer a sporty and stiffer suspension.

The cars I'm considering now are the Mazda Protege5, SVTF, and the Vibe GT. I ideally want a manual hatchback. A VW Golf would be nice but they are really expensive for how old they are because of VW resale value being high. Also, if I had the money I would be considering a Mini Cooper, Mazda3 or MazdaSpeed3, Subaru STi, or even a Lancer Sportback.

Do you guys have any suggestions about other cars I should be considering? If you have any questions or comments, feel free to ask and I'll try to get back to you ASAP.

Thanks guys =D

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

I looked at the SVT Focus...it's a fast car (I can't speak for the handling) but I read about a lot of reliability issues. The P5 is going to be slow, but a BLAST in the corners. I don't know about the Vibe GT, but my only experience with Vibes has been not so great. The Focus and the P5 will be more driver's cars, and the P5 is more reliable IMO (but I am a little biased). Good luck on your choice.

 

[hotcracker69]

matrix xrs

 

[tweety2300]

My mom has an 04 vibe awd does amazing in snow and turns but the all wheel drives are only autos.but the handleing is great intake is rediculously loud. But its a great car overall

 

[AG DesignWorks]

I've owned both the SVT Focus and a Protege5 (with a speed3 in between them).

If you can find one that hasn't been ragged out, the SVTF is a spectacular car for the money. I loved owning that car, it was comfortable for a daily commute, but still firm and balanced for when i wanted to tackle a curvy road. the engine was smooth and had good kick, but still managed decent gas mileage every day. The six-speed in it is very nice too. I had a red five door version with the red and black seats, and the HIDs, those are definitely worth it if you can find one with them.

I would recommend that car to anybody, the only reason i got rid of it was to buy a speed3 when they came out in late 2006.

The P5 is definitely a fun car to drive too, very practical as well. But if you want a direct comparision, the SVTF is the winner. I never had any issues with mine, but that's not saying much since i owned it for the first 36k miles of it's life. What happens after that, i don't know. I'm sure the P5 could be much better, with sticky tires and stiffer springs/struts, but the SVTF comes ready to go out of the gate, and it's all very well put together. I never even did anything to the suspension, i only added a CAI.

I'm sure the P5 will be cheaper to own and maintain in the long run, since it's not a specialty model with a unique engine like the SVTF has, but i would totally drive the SVT again.

 

[regularflavor]

I like you had a mustang and now have a protege 5.

It handles REALLY well considering. It's no where near as fast. But like they always say "its more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow" Plus the protege 5's look dead sexy and the focus looks like a wedge shaped turd, and pontiacs are crap.

if you have the money id spring for a wrx wagon. AMAZING car. Handles awesome and FREAKIN fast. Id have one in a second if they weren't so dang expensive.

 

[scottsmp5]

i heard that those ford focus are nice, but reliability is not great

x2 on subaru...kick ass cars

maybe look into mini cooper s , they just made one that is awd, those are a blast to drive

 

[trevorx3]

Just hate my Mustang V6 Auto. Hate hate hate. I like manual Mustang GTs, but with a motorcycle, I can't justify having a vehicle with no room and can't handle November-February occasional snow. v6 auto mustangs (semi-low weight and rwd) are hands down the worst you can get for snow and ice.

Also, I hate trucks/SUVs more than just about anything. Out of the question. Lumbering beasts with no handling.

I do like a car that is fun to drive even if you're not going necessarily fast. My dad's 1990 5spd Geo Metro is an example of this. Just a fun car to drive in general.

 

[trevorx3]

i heard that those ford focus are nice, but reliability is not great

x2 on subaru...kick ass cars

maybe look into mini cooper s , they just made one that is awd, those are a blast to drive

My budget is looking like $3.5k-5.5k. My first post states that if I had the money, I'd be looking at the Mini Cooper as well as a few other vehicles.

 

[poison]

I KNOW the SVT is a piece of turd. My good friend and co-worker bought one a year after they came out, he cared for it well, and it still was a maintenance PITA. It's faster than a P5, but handling is similar between them, stock; the interior on the P5 is better made and just as nice (the svt seats are junk).

Golfs are very nice, all around, but handling is nowhere near that of a P5, and reliability is questionable. I really enjoyed my 95 golf, until someone hit it. The 1.8t's suck, so you'd want an N/A motor. Rabbits are supposedly pretty reliable, but are over your budget.

 

[tweety2300]

I feel your pain on the lightweight rwd sucks ass unless its dry. If you wasn't determined on a hatch I would sugest an msp or mp3 have u considered a kia spectre5? They're nice little cars and cheap there's also elements or scion xa xb if you could find a scion in ur price range id get one huge aftermrket supplies and cheap prices on parts too

 

[powderider87]

Mazdaspeed protege?!

 

[HighSpeed]

Hell get an SVT Contour if you want room, handling, and some power. I have owned 2 and would own another one. They are very torquey and have a nice tone. Go to contour.org if you want to know more. SVT focus is nice, neat, and impressive but I like the P5 and my MSP. Good luck. you may want to open your search to more than what you listed.

 

[poison]

Buick REgal GS. lol

 

[trevorx3]

Must be a hatchback. Fallen in love with them.

Other than MP5, SVTF, and the Kia Spectra5, are there any other suggestions for my price range? I'll look at the Scion Xa but I doubt it's in my price range. XB is out of the question, too far into crossover/SUV range and I can't imagine it handling very well. Also, just a guess but I'm sure it's well out of my range.

 

[Spiced MSP]

Msp!!! :~)

 

[trevorx3]

not a hatchback...

 

[tweety2300]

240sx its technically a hatchback just not quite the same style your going for. Also look into a nissan versa not sure on how great of cars they are though. And if yyou want good handleing go for an older golf and get some lowering springs and it will do great handleing wise a friend of mine has one that's supercharged its very fast and sticks to turns very well

 

[HighSpeed]

audi s4 avant !