Protege 5 - Likes & Dislikes?

[highenuff14]

Hi,

Just joined the board and in the market for a Protege 5. I was wondering what are the pros and cons on this car. I currently drive a 148hp Accord and 130hp seems to be quite little in comparison. Also, how much should I expect to pay before tax after $2250 savings? Thank you very much.

 

[Dimitrios]

Welcome.

Some "pros"
Well, don't just look at HP. I thought about that too (I was about to buy a used 2001 G20t) - I did some number crunchin' and the power to weight ratio of the Pro5 was a tad better.

Secondly, it's different. I see about 1 Protege5 on my commute a WEEK! I see about 5 hundred million Civics, Accords, and everything else in that week.

Third, if you buy one, get the 5-speed. Much more responsive vs. the auto.

"Cons"
Yeah, the HP does suck - esp. if you have a full passenger load and are trying to haul ass. 4500 RPM shifts ensue...

But hey, I enjoy mine (as do many, many others on here). A blast to drive...did I say it's different?

 

[alexlitov]

There is a search button, it will help you out a little better than a million people telling you how they love their car.

 

[akhilleus]

Honestly its a fun car. I was comparing it to a nissan se-r and although there was a hp difference the sentra was just a really bad feelin car. Also since i had planned on doin mods it was nice to get a car that looked smooth...cause the se-r is quite ugly. Now i did want a mp3 but they were limited in production. Dimitros said it, the p5 is stylish and still uncommon so mine still draws looks. Right now with the p5 price so low and the Mazda 3 intro. you could get it really cheap and then invest 2-3k and it will blow away most new cars in that price range. And may i mention that it has been acclaimed by almost every auto publication out there.

 

[mp5typer]

What i really like about mine is the handling...i mean s***.. my best freind has an se-r and i can school his ass through twistes or a cone course.... just ask any one at the board the p5 out handles nearly every car on the road....yea hp does kinnda suck but who care you will have money left over from the purchase to buy mods

 

[DevilsSi1481]

i like the handling on them and their look.

 

[Jack Daniels]

Likes:
Bargain basement price with a high quality interior and switchgear. Excellent, neutral handling. It's a good looking little car (reminds me of the small Lexus). It's practical and roomy for such a small car, you can haul a lot of stuff when you need to and the roof rack is very useable.

Dislikes:
Lack of HP and the engine is buzzy at highway speeds. My last car was a Z28, six-speed which turned about 1500RPM at 70MPH. I'm still getting used to 3000+RPM at highway speeds.

I knew all this going in so there were no surprises. If I had to do it all over, I'd most likely go for the P5 again.

 

[grimlock]

I've had mine for a shade over two weeks and love it. I agree with what has been said above. The car looks great, is tons of fun to drive, plus it has room for all of my crap. I doubt very seriously that I could have got a better car for ~$15k new.

So far I have no complaints.

 

[fkmp5]

cons:

the drivers side door is the only door with a button to unlock the power locks.. all passengers have to manually pull up on the lock to unlock the door.. sounds stupid, but it's annoying.

not very fast.

pros:

the looks.

it's uniqueness (and rare to see another on the road).

very fun to drive.

handles well!

a lot of standard features that you would figure to be "options"..

nice aftermarket support.

this list could go on and on..

 

[chuyler1]

cons:

the drivers side door is the only door with a button to unlock the power locks.. all passengers have to manually pull up on the lock to unlock the door.. sounds stupid, but it's annoying.

I have yet to ride in a car that wasn't like this.

 

[fkmp5]

I have yet to ride in a car that wasn't like this.

this was the first car I have been in (with powerlocks) like that. ??

[/threadjack off]

 

[mazdadan]

I have yet to ride in a car that wasn't like this.

Yeah, most foreign cars only have one unlock switch on the driver's side door.

A lot of American vehicles (Mainly Trucks) have them on the passenger side door. My truck has unlock switches on both front doors.

Now I have yet to see any 4 door car with unlock switches on the back doors. I don't think they are allowed to because of the Child Safety laws.

 

[rednecks_r_us]

I agree with all the pro's above.

My only gripes are cheap paint (thin) and no rear cup holders.

I was deciding between the Matrix, Neon, WRX, and Lancer.

Best bang for the buck.

It handles better than my 86 IROC- Z did. (not as fast though)

(edit) Another gripe is the reverse on the 5-speed doesn't always mesh. Have to put the car in 1st then move it a little before putting into reverse.

 

[Iconoclast]

thats a rare thing indeed-from iroc to protege,

did it hurt?

 

[grimlock]

I had a Camaro too before the P5. The loss of power is made up for by the lack of vibration, rattles, and harsh suspension and the improved overall fit and finish quality.

 

[rednecks_r_us]

I hydro planed into the corner of a brick wall. I was all right.
I sold the wreck to a friends brother and used the cash to buy my Kawasaki Ninja. Rick put the drive train on the IROC into a 1929 Ford Roadster.

My roc was modified with 5.7 TPI w/headers, Hypertech chip, shift kit in the tranny and a posi in the rear.

Passed everything but a tire shop.

Rain + bald tires = not a good thing.

I didn't trade anything for the Pro just bought it. 0% interest is good. 16.8 wasn't bad to talk down the guy to either.

The car has been very fun. After market parts are available for a price. There aren't many Proteges on the road that I see as compaired to Hondas.

I am the only laser blue Protege in my area. Which makes my car unique and rare. I'm glad I got this car.

 

[P-Funk!]

I was really ready to buy the Jetta 1.8T

But when i could get kayaks ($3K) _and_ a car under them that could hold them, big enough for gear & still cool.

Only the P5 met all criteria.

...and it handles great, quick, and 'unique'.

 

[DeanSweet]

I know opinions aren't worth much but here is a link I went to to help decide why I should buy my PR5. It was rated by Car and Driver as #1 in one of their tests. I believe them to be a reliable source. so go here and read:
http://www.caranddriver.com/default.asp?section_id=39&cdFlash=4075&cdMake=MAZDA&cdModel=PROTEGE5

I love my P5 and I haven't said that about any car in a long, long time. I have owned a total of 38 cars in my almost 20 years of driving and this one 10 months later makes me smile. Just remember to go test drive what ever cars you are looking at and make sure the seats are cozy, nothing in hindering your line of sight and call your insurance company to quote you on each car.
Regards
Dean

 

[jjac28]

I know opinions aren't worth much but here is a link I went to to help decide why I should buy my PR5. It was rated by Car and Driver as #1 in one of their tests. I believe them to be a reliable source. so go here and read:
http://www.caranddriver.com/default.asp?section_id=39&cdFlash=4075&cdMake=MAZDA&cdModel=PROTEGE5

I love my P5 and I haven't said that about any car in a long, long time. I have owned a total of 38 cars in my almost 20 years of driving and this one 10 months later makes me smile. Just remember to go test drive what ever cars you are looking at and make sure the seats are cozy, nothing in hindering your line of sight and call your insurance company to quote you on each car.
Regards
Dean

it's got 9.55 for overall score! nice!

 

[slcp5]

Hi,

Just joined the board and in the market for a Protege 5. I was wondering what are the pros and cons on this car. I currently drive a 148hp Accord and 130hp seems to be quite little in comparison. Also, how much should I expect to pay before tax after $2250 savings? Thank you very much.

I think if you could sqeeze out so more cash, you should look at the mazdaspeed, you'll be alot happier everytime you hit the gas, which is a lota times