Protege vs 3
- Thread starter J dragon
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nautical2086
Member
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- 1999 Mazda Protege ES
I drove my friends 3 with CAI and CS exhaust, and thing is pretty quick, handles just as good if not better than my protege and my protege is lowered and i have kyb struts.
SilverBulletES
Member
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- '90 MX-5, '00 328i
Wouldn't swap my 3-year old Proteg for a new 3 ever. They're both good cars though.
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Yeah, See me and my buddy are going back and forth about them...I never drove a 3, but I'm interested in one...
I loved my protege and don't think anything else is better than that. The 3 however has had much negative feedback, like the added weight it doesn't corner like a Protege more like a focus.
I loved my protege and don't think anything else is better than that. The 3 however has had much negative feedback, like the added weight it doesn't corner like a Protege more like a focus.
goldwing2000
OG Mazda Mafia
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- 2004 Mazda3s Hatch; 346,000 mi (sold)
2024 CX-5 CE; 7,500 mi (so far)
Drive it. You'll lose any doubts about the cornering.
The 3's chassis is 50% stiffer than the Pro. It has wider tires, a three-link in the rear and front strut towers that are integrated into the firewall, so you don't even need a bar.
It's fantastic as it sits but if you drop in even just an Eibach pro-kit and some better tires, it will corner like it's on rails.
The added hp (20? 30?) more than makes up for any increase in weight.
And the added interior quality is just the icing on the cake.
But I'm not biased or anything.
The 3's chassis is 50% stiffer than the Pro. It has wider tires, a three-link in the rear and front strut towers that are integrated into the firewall, so you don't even need a bar.
It's fantastic as it sits but if you drop in even just an Eibach pro-kit and some better tires, it will corner like it's on rails.
The added hp (20? 30?) more than makes up for any increase in weight.
And the added interior quality is just the icing on the cake.
But I'm not biased or anything.
MazdaAxela
Member
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- Mazda 3
^^ Wel lif you get the auto than yeah its geared for economy most automatics are. But in the 5spd it definitely works well for spirited driving. With my stock suspension and all It handles pretty darned well out on the AutoX course. cant say how much better it is over the protege as Ive only ever drive one 95 protege and it wasnt in the best condition.
1
16902
Can I just have both? I like my P5 for what it is. It ain't fast, but it handles well and looks good.
That said, I would also like a 3 sedan. The interior on this car is beautiful and I want the projector beam HIDs. The 160hp wouldn't hurt either. I still have yet to drive a 3, but most major publications think it rocks.
I still wanna keep my P5 for my "fun" car. It will become rare some day to see a nice one on the road. Most of the people who have them do not appreciate what they have like us here on the boards.
That said, I would also like a 3 sedan. The interior on this car is beautiful and I want the projector beam HIDs. The 160hp wouldn't hurt either. I still have yet to drive a 3, but most major publications think it rocks.
I still wanna keep my P5 for my "fun" car. It will become rare some day to see a nice one on the road. Most of the people who have them do not appreciate what they have like us here on the boards.
Familia323
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the 2.3L engine is showing some nice numbers when turbo'd.... that kinda makes me jealous. But I still like my protege.
Solo2Protege
Member
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- Mz3|Mz6W|Protege LX
i have both and well, my Protege will out handle my 3 in a heartbeat...but then again, it's fully mod'd for autox...
the 3 is more refined, and a very nice car, but i still see the Protege as more of a *racer* than the 3. The 3 could be a racer, but it would take more work and money to acheive the same results. (not talking drag racing, talking left and right turns )
the 3 is more refined, and a very nice car, but i still see the Protege as more of a *racer* than the 3. The 3 could be a racer, but it would take more work and money to acheive the same results. (not talking drag racing, talking left and right turns
)LASERBLUE135
Registered Pimp
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- Laser Blue MSP
Well considering my dealership sold protege ES's for $11K flat and I got my MSP for $16k flat I don't think it's as good a car performance wise.
the MSP was the same price as a 3S (so far) and is a MUCH better car. Its a nice track car, comes with all kinds of sh*t/rims/kenwood/bodykit/suspension, and can hit 13's in the quarter for about $2500 more (that's repeated, reliable, no blown engine) (exhaust,unichip 10psi,FMIC,CAI)and I doubt you'd get nearly as fast for as cheep with the 3.
pro5's were selling for $12k flat at the end of their run too. so price vs what you get the Protege>Mazda3
That said if the price drops on them, read:$3000+ rebates etc. that will be a different story as the 3 is a better car no question, but the price is NOT justified.
the MSP was the same price as a 3S (so far) and is a MUCH better car. Its a nice track car, comes with all kinds of sh*t/rims/kenwood/bodykit/suspension, and can hit 13's in the quarter for about $2500 more (that's repeated, reliable, no blown engine) (exhaust,unichip 10psi,FMIC,CAI)and I doubt you'd get nearly as fast for as cheep with the 3.
pro5's were selling for $12k flat at the end of their run too. so price vs what you get the Protege>Mazda3
That said if the price drops on them, read:$3000+ rebates etc. that will be a different story as the 3 is a better car no question, but the price is NOT justified.
SilverBulletES
Member
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- '90 MX-5, '00 328i
LASERBLUE135 said:
Holy fark! 11K flat? Was that at the end of the model year? Well, mine was one of the first '03s out (in fall 2002-- which makes a huge difference in depreciation vs. buying 15 months later), had every single option (which meant they had to track one down and truck it in from out of state to find a 5spd) and I paid $100 over invoice, 0% financing split over 4 years with a 4 year 50K warranty. Can't complain I guess.
That said, would never get a 3 for my next car. Keeping the Proteg til it dies. Miata's next and then other project cars from here on out. If I was going to get future wife a car it's an A3 2.0T with sequential transmission (I'm assuming she won't drive stick, none of the women folk ever have.
)
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- '08 Jetta; '10 Wrangler Unlimited
SilverBulletES said:
i feel the same way about my P5......
everyone seems to love the 3 though.......
-R
SilverBulletES
Member
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- '90 MX-5, '00 328i
I admit I've never driven a 3. But here's two huge (possibly superficial?) reasons I love my Proteg: I love how it looks (best looking sedan under 30K I think) and it's 100% Japanese. Sugoi ne?
goldwing2000
OG Mazda Mafia
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- 2004 Mazda3s Hatch; 346,000 mi (sold)
2024 CX-5 CE; 7,500 mi (so far)
SilverBulletES said:
I'll betcha it's not. (glare)
It may have 0% US/Canadian parts content and be assembled in JP, but so does the 3. That doesn't mean it's 100% Japanese.
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Solo2Protege
Member
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- Mz3|Mz6W|Protege LX
LASERBLUE135 said:
I'd have to disagree, throw $2500 at both cars and i'm quite sure the 3 would be on top.
mmmm, let's see for $2500 the 3 would still be faster. It starts with 160hp, where the MSP starts at 170hp...only +10hp and it has a turbo... c'mon now, it's a cool car, but it's still way underpowered.
the hiboost kit for the 3, albeit more than $2500, has shown awesome gains...~300WHP @ ~10psi.... where does the MSP fit? haven't heard of too many 300WHP MSP's, not to say there aren't any, i myself, have not seen any without major work/money.
even with the MSP being underpowered, if it had the brakes the 3 does, it might be a whole other story.
SilverBulletES
Member
- :
- '90 MX-5, '00 328i
Are you saying 3 brakes suck or don't suck?
Oh and another thing-- the Proteg has a larger backseat than the 3--
The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'
That's what I said
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand
Or so I have read
My baby fits me like a flesh tuxedo
I'd like to sink her with my pink torpedo
Big bottom, big bottom
Talk about bum cakes, my girl's got 'em
Big bottom drive me out of my mind
How could I leave this behind?
I met her on Monday, twas my lucky bun day
You know what I mean
I love her each weekday, each velvety cheek day
You know what I mean
My love gun's loaded and she's in my sights
Big game is waiting there inside her tights, yeah
Big bottom, big bottom
Talk about mud flaps, my girl's got 'em
Big bottom drive me out of my mind
How could I leave this behind?
Oh and another thing-- the Proteg has a larger backseat than the 3--
The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'
That's what I said
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand
Or so I have read
My baby fits me like a flesh tuxedo
I'd like to sink her with my pink torpedo
Big bottom, big bottom
Talk about bum cakes, my girl's got 'em
Big bottom drive me out of my mind
How could I leave this behind?
I met her on Monday, twas my lucky bun day
You know what I mean
I love her each weekday, each velvety cheek day
You know what I mean
My love gun's loaded and she's in my sights
Big game is waiting there inside her tights, yeah
Big bottom, big bottom
Talk about mud flaps, my girl's got 'em
Big bottom drive me out of my mind
How could I leave this behind?
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LASERBLUE135
Registered Pimp
- :
- Laser Blue MSP
Solo2Protege said:
The 3 is a great car with the 2.3 liter and has huge potential (that's a big 4 cyl), but the MSP is KILLING cars with just 200wheel hp. It really doesn't take much for the MSP to be fast as hell.
If you poured tons of money into ANY car it would be faster than sh*t, but the MSP will be faster than an SRT4 for the same price( hit 13's for less than $19K), I don't think you can say that for the 3.
the MSP brakes are VERY good stock, compairable with almost anything out there (in terms of real world stopping distance). I don't understand this statement?Solo2Protege said:
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