Protege 5 or RSX (base) ?

[KO7]

Hi everyone,

I know this may be somewhat of an odd comparison, but I've narrowed my choices down to these 2. Whichever I choose between the Protege 5 and the RSX, it must be an automatic because my dad is retired and I want him to be able to drive sometimes for errands or leisure. It's my money and if I was getting a manual car again, I'd probably wait a little longer to get the Type S. The main reason I'm considering an RSX is because I love the interior.

Anyways, here's my requirements for a vehicle, so please offer any other choices that come to mind.

I coach volleyball, so the car must have:
- At least 4 seats (5 is better, advantage for Pro5)
- Storage space for vball equipment and bags, road-trips
- Must have a sunroof
- Leather a plus, but not a deal breaker
- Decent fuel economy
- Somewhat fun to drive (hard to do with Auto, I know)
- No more than $12k
- Extremely reliable and inexpensive to maintain

Did anyone here cross-shop with an RSX prior to deciding on the Pro5? If so, how were you able to decide in the end? Thanks in advance, this definitely seems to be the best Pro5 board around.

 

[TreFlip999]

I drove my friens chris's RSX type S...What I liked most about it
-Interior (super nice tan leather seats)
-power
-6 speed


But i love my protege5 and I also too have needs for cargo space and the RXS isnt the win for that...I gotta haul lots of euipment for training, ect...the P5 is gutless and I have a tiptronic shifter though which makes it fun to drive, Also the mods ive done makes it 1000X funner to drive...Interior is nice too in the P5

 

[gottacatchup]

you're gonna have a hard time finding a car for no more than $12

But back to the issue at hand the RSX didn't have nearly enough space for me. I'm 6'4' and if you play volleyball I can't imagine you're that short either. When I sat in the front seat there was 0 leg room behind me.

 

[br289165]

There aren't too many Protege 5's going for more than $9,000 in any year. Check the national auto Trader. com sight. They handle great, are reliable, and relatively inexpensive to fix. Excellent fuel economy.

you're gonna have a hard time finding a car for no more than $12

But back to the issue at hand the RSX didn't have nearly enough space for me. I'm 6'4' and if you play volleyball I can't imagine you're that short either. When I sat in the front seat there was 0 leg room behind me.

 

[mx-p5]

RSX-S and Pro5 were my final 2 to choose, but, cost won in the end.

I got my 03.5 pro5 with 54,000 miles with full leather and sunroof for $9000. Cheapest RSX-S, was actually on the same lot, was also $9000 with 1000 in dealer fees and crap, but, it had 90,000 miles

So, although i do wish I had the power of the RSX-S, i'm happy with the Pro5's handling and hauling

 

[KO7]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

I'm going to test drive a few Pro5 and RSXs soon, manual as well (just to see what I'd be missing out on). What would the performance difference be between Pro5 and base RSX? And as a subjective rating, the level of "fun" for those who have driven both?

Also, is it worth it to look for a tiptronic Pro5 over a regular auto?

 

[mx-p5]

Tiptronic auto's are newer models. Regular auto's are 02's.

As to fun ratings, they really aren't the same animal. All I can say is go drive each like you're planning.

If you won't haul much ever, go with the RSX, although, i've heard the base is a bit sluggish though.

But, if you want to fit 4 fairly comfortably, and have the option to haul most anything, go with the Pro5.

Drive em both, and post back with what you think.

The tiptronic is a wee bit more fun as you have teh option to drive it in sport mode

If you ever plan to turbo, go 5-speed

 

[CnoTataymo]

If you want a quick and decent handling car, get the the RSX Type S. The base RSX isn't all that great. You might as well spend the extra cash for a little more performance. The back seat of the RSX isn't really roomy. I'm 5'6 and I've sat back there with a guy is 5'10 driving and it's pretty cramped. The Protege5 has way more room and can haul more. The back seat is good for people that are 5'10 when the driver is the same height.

 

[dxaveP5]

dude if u geta rsx base might as well urself the mazda3 hatch used or sumthin
but p5 is good for space, and all ur needs.
rsx would be annoying if ur driving ppl cause its a coupe and trunk space would suck if u had luggages or bags

P5 ftw

 

[KO7]

I'm going to go take a look at this P5 soon at a local Mazda dealership: http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/car/746134399.html

Supposedly no accidents and no insurance claim declarations. If everything checks out, how much should I offer for it?

By the way, is that normal wear and tear for front leather seats, or is it excessive?

 

[shane02pro5]

Looks like a nice vehicle! The leather just needs a bit of TLC!
The P5 is a great reliable car and is fun even if kept stock.

Mine looks the same after a few weeks of no conditioner.

 

[mx-p5]

Nice, it's got Mazda5 wheels on it and black'd headlights. I was unaware Mazda made a Pro5 GT. lol

FYI, I got my 03 laser blue pro5 with all those options but 5 speed with 50,000 miles. I walked off the lot for $9000

But, with that milage, i'd offer $7000

 

[KO7]

Thanks guys. Keep in mind that the mileage is in kilometers though (about 85,300 miles). I wasn't aware that those are Mazda5 wheels, thanks for the heads-up. I also didn't notice the blacked out headlights!

 

[ColdSteel]

Yeah those are definitely the 5 rims. Blacked out headlights became standard on the Canadian models in 2003 (I think? Corrections?) So it's the stock headlights. It's pretty sweet and looks much better, but I missed it by a year for myself lol.
Go for the car though, looks like a pretty good deal.

 

[KO7]

This may be a silly question:

The back 3 windows' tint is definitely not stock right? I'm not aware of ANY stock cars having such a dark tint, but I like it.
I also cannot tell from pictures if it had been lowered (slightly)..

 

[InFlames]

the windows do not come tinted stock...and it does look slightly lowered...its hard to tell from the angles of the pics.

 

[mx-p5]

Yeah, if you checkit out, grab some pics from straight on side ways. It'll give us a little better idea if it's lowered. Also, grab pics of teh suspension if possible.

 

[ipleadthe5th]

Id go w/the P5 over a base RSX. Its sporty and practical. Excellent on gas and its not a dime a dozen.

 

[KO7]

Finally have an update for you guys.

I took a look at it today, but wasn't able to go for a test drive yet since my mom just arrived from out of town.

I'm a little disappointed in the condition of the interior... the driver side leather shows A LOT of wear in the form of creases. The front passenger seat has what looks like paint bits on it (wtf). There are two sizable tears in the carpet on the driver's side floor. The rear seats are in absolutely pristine condition however. All this, coupled with the high mileage leads me to think that it was used as a work vehicle.

The salesman was nice enough to provide me with the insurance report and it shows that there was a collision in 2005 that was for the amount of ~$1500, a comprehensive claim a few days later for ~$1450, and then a collision in 2007 that has "no details" for amount paid and nature of payment, which I find a little strange.

Also, the vehicle was imported from outside of my province in 2007.

If anyone could run a Carfax for me, I'd definitely appreciate it: JM1BJ245531167251

Since this is at a Mazda dealership, there's a 1-year engine and transmission warranty is nice, but there's NO way I'm paying anywhere near the asking price of ~$12,800.

 

[mx-p5]

$12800 with what you described ?I'd walk out. Sorry, not happening for me.

I drove out the door for $9000 for my 03 with a 5 speed and 54,000 miles. No wrecks or anything on carfax. Interior was near perfect with leather and upgraded stereo. 6 months or so ago, maybe longer

Where exaactly are you located??

We did end up paying nearly $13,000 for wife's 03 though with 30,000 miles, tip-tronic auto, and leather last January.