P5 to M5

jeremyfl

Member
:
2003.5 Protege 5
Hey anyone here go from a p5 to a m5???

If so what are your comparisons:

1. Power
2. Peppiness
3. Cargo room
4. Interior quality

Thanks a lot for the help.
 
I use to have a P5 and driven the M5 twice. I thought the M5 won out because of the utility. The P5 and M5 I think really are close in pep! P5 may have won but not by much as I recall. Interior quality I liked better in the P5...more sporty and I liked the cloth seats better in the P5. Just my 2 cents.
 
M5 = BMW != Mazda5 :)

maybe Mz5 or something, or just "5" on here.

The onyl mazda5s I've driven were automatics but they didn't feel like a slouch at all. A very fun car, I'd love to have one :)
 
I don't have a P5, but I do have a Protege of the same era, so the build quality and front interior room comment observations will apply. The Protege has better interior materials--seat covers, carpet and panels are thicker. Both of them have hard, cheap dashboards. It's occurred to me that Mazda had to do a little de-contenting to get the price of the 5 down. The assembly quality of both are fine, though. The 5 does have a lighted driver window switch and steering wheel controls, both of which are missing on the Protege.

Something else you may notice--the Protege has more room in the footwells. The 5 actually borders on tight for me. It may be that the Protege has a surprising amount of footwell room for a car in its class size. The driving positions are very different as well; when I switch from one car to the other, my left foot gets confused as to which way the clutch pedal is going to move. I'm betting you'd find the 5 smoother and quieter, as you'd expect for a newer generation vehicle.

No comment about the engine performance since I have the LX and the 1.6 L 105 hp engine. The 5 beats the snot out of that Protege.

No comparison on the cargo room. I know the P5 is on the tight side in the back for a compact wagon. By comparison, the 5 is cavernous.
 
^^ driver window switch is lit on the Protege.

and yeah.. the Protege does have a MASSIVE amount of front footwell room. With the third row seats folded flat the Mazda5 cargo room kicks the protege5 in the butt, but it isn't covered/sealed like it is in the Protege5
 
I have both the p5 and M5 now (bought the p5 from my cousin who got an S2000.

1. Power
The 5 has more HP than the p5, but the p5 seems to response better when throttle (it's also a auto 5 and 5-speed p5)

2. Peppiness
The 5 is more comfortable but the p5 is much better looking and more styling

3. Cargo room
I can fit 4 sets of golf club and 4 adults in the 5, only 2 sets (maybe 3 max) and 4 adults.

4. Interior quality
I will also have to go with the 5 since I can pretty much control everything on the steeling wheel.
 
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Wow thanks for all the help. I dont think the leg room will be a problem, as it would be for my wife and she is knee high to a tree stump LOL.

I had a p5 when they first came out (manual) I know have a msp she has a later model p5 (auto) now. I hate driving her car it feels slugish I know the msp has more power but even compared to my manual p5. I am thinking the 5 will be a good replacement. Are they making any other leather options besides that horrible brownish color.
 
Traded a P5 on a Mazda6 wagon and about to take delivery on a 5 GT for my wife. The build quality on the 5 is light years ahead of the P5. Seat quality is as good or better, more options for less money (in Canada anyway). For essentially the same price as my P5, you get rain sensing wipers, auto climate control, 17" wheels, more utility, more power and looks that easily rival the P5.
 
^^ you forgot that with the more power, you get 500 more pounds :P

I love the 5 though, don't get me wrong. I'd love to get one, I'm just too happy with my P5 to give it up :P
 
I'm in love with both cars! Sure the P5 has less power... But I like boths exterior bod and interior. One thing that i love on the M5 is the steering wheel controls. Sometimes my husband tries to turn up the volume on the P5 and realizes he's not in the M5. I feel in luxury when I drive the M5. But my P5 baby will always be pampered(I couldn't give my P5 up either) and I love the way it grips the curves!

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I was going to say... P5 to M5 is quite a trade-up!


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I was never a big fan of gold rims, however, I have seen some cars that it looks really good on. Would have to see it first.

sugarqublex said:
Thanks... we are planning to add gold rims to the Mazda5!
 
jeremyfl said:
I was never a big fan of gold rims, however, I have seen some cars that it looks really good on. Would have to see it first.
Only cars I can tolerate (and like) gold rims are black cars. Just my personal taste.
 
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jandree22 said:
Only cars I can tolerate (and like) gold rims are black cars. Just my personal taste.

True... I think I only like gold rims on black, red and the subaru's blue car. I guess it's like when other cars put the mustang striping...Some cars look good with it and others look sick... But everybody has their own taste like jandree22, said.
 
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