P5 vs. Mazda3

[feldenkrais]

I've seen posts in other forums for people questioning their purchase of a P5 when the 3 is just around the corner. After reading some reviews of the 3 elsewhere in this forum nobody should regret their decision. Sure, the new 3 makes more power but if that were an issue we wouldn't have bought the P5! The P5 is all about HANDLING and the reviews of the 3 say it is "softer" than the Mazda 6. I drove both the 6 and P5 and the P5 out handles the 6 in every way! The 3 just isn't meant for the handling crowd. And what about that body style? P5's got more classic lines that won't get boring. What's everybody else say?

fks

 

[dficken]

I think I like the p5 better. Although I would really have to see the 3 in person to confirm that. Time will tell. But either which way, I am not dissappointed in my p5 purchase.

 

[justcharlie]

The p5 really outhandles the 6 in every way? That's kind of surprising to hear.

 

[uclap5]

i find the report supprising especially because i believe in the European market manufacturers tend to stiffen up their suspension, while they soften it up for the US market.

That report was obviously european (comparing to renault, etc) so that means the US may recieve even SOFTER suspension.

I wouldnt be suprised, consumer reports and the every day buyer seem to LOVE soft suspension, so mazda just may have done it on purpose for a more comfortable ride to compete with the ride of the corolla for example.

i know soft != bad handling, but in cheap compacts that is more applicable than not.

 

[mountjonas]

i actually like the way the 3 wagon looks. not as much as my p5, but it's still nice looking. i don't know if i'd buy it since after the p5 i'd want to step up to something else, but as a lot of people do here, if it's too soft, they'll upgrade to aftermarket components.

 

[proES03]

what is the mazda 3

 

[mountjonas]

the next protege, mazda is selling out like everyone else and naming their cars alphanumerically. personally, protege isn't the best name but it's a lot more creative than 3, or 6, or anything in the acura nomenclature system

 

[Installshield 2]

I read that it is a better way for potential buyers to recognize the differences between each car in Mazda's line...and it makes more sense to me...Mazda use to only have numbered cars for the most part (MX-3,323, Mx-6, 626, 929, MX-5, RX-7 etc.) but then the officially renaming cars with names, such as the Miata, Tribute, and Millenia...The 3, 6, 7, and 8 category's will make it easy to recognize what category each car falls into again for the ignorant...The 3 being the smallest the 6 being midsized and reports for 2005 show that there may even be a flagship 9 (redesigned Millenia S) coming up too...And with the return of the "RX" nameplate, people will know which cars are Mazda's sportier entries...

 

[CruzinAltitude]

I love my MP5, and stand buy the decision to get more and more every day. If the 3 has a suspension set up softer than the 6, and way softer than the MP5 there is no way I would get. Period.

 

[uclap5]

im sad to see the protege name die. 3 is too ambiguous. or is it the mazda3? does that make it a mazda mazda3?

and im sure people who by it will start calling it "My M3" which is a name already taken.

MP5 all the way. bang bang. best gun in counterstrike.

 

[Monstermile]

I stand by my decision to buy my P5 now instead of waiting. I like the looks of the P5 a little better, got an awesome deal, and really didn't feel like waiting. I will probably look into a 3 in a few years. That gives them a chance to work out all the new model bugs and maybe come out with a Mazdaspeed version. Besides with it being a new model, you won't see any deals, discounts or rebates for a while.

 

[justcharlie]

MP5 all the way. bang bang. best gun in counterstrike.

Not even close, M4A1!

I don't regret my purchase, I think the 5 looks better than the 3.

 

[matallama]

I suspect Mazda may do a mass-market approach, watering down the handling of the 3, but then offering an optional model with upgraded handling. That way they can satisfy everybody - the people that like a soft, cushy ride, and us. Of course, what will suck is that we would have to pay more to get the better handling version, and the car in general would no longer have the aura of great handling (we'd be constantly having to say to people, "no, I got the XXX model, it's much better than the base model").

Of course, I could be wrong. Damn them for making us wait. They should be bringing a Mazda 3 to our doors so we can test them out personally

 

[feldenkrais]

JustCharlie,

Based on the two test drives I took comparing the 6 with the P5 the P5 felt more like a slot car with the on/off ramps- quicker steering with less body roll. Since the 6 is quieter and smoother riding the P5 may have given me the impression that it was faster- I was focused on not breaking loose in the turn with a car that wasn't mine (yet). You could probably check one of the car mags for G's in turns and slalom course speed.

 

[Big D]

Drove the 6 in the revitup, and i drive my MP5 in autocross, not even close.

 

[IainK]

Through my work i've driven the RX-8 against my SP20 (Protege5 in Australia) and Mazda6 Luxury Sports. No prizes for what handles best and flies in a straight line... HOWEVER, a leaked document landed in my e-mail the other day which mentions:
Mazda3 all-wheel drive turbo prototype. Dyno'd at 154kW AT THE WHEELS!!!!

Turbo 2-litre four-cylinder, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive with 18-inch RX-8 alloy rims, 1395kg, three-door body with 4-inch widebody stretch over "standard" 2.3L Mazda3

 

[misbehave]

I read that it is a better way for potential buyers to recognize the differences between each car in Mazda's line...and it makes more sense to me...Mazda use to only have numbered cars for the most part (MX-3,323, Mx-6, 626, 929, MX-5, RX-7 etc.) but then the officially renaming cars with names, such as the Miata, Tribute, and Millenia...The 3, 6, 7, and 8 category's will make it easy to recognize what category each car falls into again for the ignorant...The 3 being the smallest the 6 being midsized and reports for 2005 show that there may even be a flagship 9 (redesigned Millenia S) coming up too...And with the return of the "RX" nameplate, people will know which cars are Mazda's sportier entries...

I feel like that Mazda is copycatting the naming system from BMW. The only difference is have the RX for sportcar instead of the M.

 

[misbehave]

Not even close, M4A1!

I don't regret my purchase, I think the 5 looks better than the 3.

Try to compare M4A1 with MP5 or MPK in a CQB situation and you will know who's the king.
Try to rent a Diehard2 DVD and rewatch the gun fight took place inside the airport between the airport security assult team and the terrorist.
I know movie is not real and may not project the reality, but you should be able to get the feel of it.

 

[justcharlie]

Try to compare M4A1 with MP5 or MPK in a CQB situation and you will know who's the king.
Try to rent a Diehard2 DVD and rewatch the gun fight took place inside the airport between the airport security assult team and the terrorist.

I understand that, and I own the Die Hard Trilogy, but the M4 is an AR while the MP5 is an SMG. The MP5 has weaker rounds that are less effective on kevlar and it also has inferior range. Lacks the option of a silencer, as well. Maybe it's just a matter of opinion, but I was under the impression that the M4 is a more universally effective weapon.

 

[Iconoclast]

P5 all the way, its short production run and better design (smaller-park easier-less of a hit and run target, single cluster taillights-cheaper to replace, better gas mileage) will staple it iconic w/ mazda fans and tuners.

atleast in my opinionated opinion