Protege5 OR Corolla Sports

[madza77]

gunners

Having just celebrated one year of 'SP20' ownership, and having faced the same market and questions you have, I have no regrets whatsoever. For mine, the only way you're going to have more fun for your money is to buy a 20+ year old Porsche 911, and wear the associated costs and risks.

I've just come back from a trip on the south coast of NSW, and this car takes it all in its stride, Highway cruising, country road rolling, and of course, tight twisty mountain driving.

Put some zoom zoom in your purchase of a vroom vroom.

I wish I hadn't written that. Sad. But true.

 

[Pro5OnSpeed]

when i was in the market i was also looking at the corolla S, with the VVTi and all, but after driving a P5 on how its supposed to drive, is far superior then the corolla s. both come with great standard features, and while the corolla is less expensive. you can get one fully loaded for 16.

i think the S is a great car, very dependable as far as all toyotas go. i was serious about buying one. it handles quite well for a car that rides pretty high, but all in all the P5 is far more superior in looks, and performance. my friend and i have taken out stock corolla S's in stock to stock form. the P5 is quicker. i have been there. go with the P5.

 

[inflections]

I test drove the PR5 and never looked back - I didn't need to test drive anything else - plus, the PR5 has a very unique/simple/roomy interior. fun to drive and a lot more fun to look at than the corona - corolla - what were we talking about?

 

[ottawaP5]

Theres nothing sporty about a corolla S..... same suspension as the regular CE model, except with tacked on moldings, 15" mags, white guages, and leather steering/shift knob.
The mags look like regular plastic wheels to me, and the moldings look like an afterthought, where in the P5 they blend in with the car. The P5 also has 4 disc brakes, the corolla doesnt.
The corolla is a great all-around reliable car, with slightly more room in back and sligtly more power, but it doesnt fit in the "sport" category IMO.
I wanted fun to drive, thats why the P5 was for me.
If your looking for a softer ride with the a bit of a sporty look, then the corolla is for you. But it is by no means a sports car.

 

[gunners]

Toyota recently unravelled the Corolla Sportivo in Australia

http://www.corolla.toyota.com.au/Corolla/HomePage/0,,,00.html

it's about the same price as an P5 ... but man, it's got 140kw (approx 185 hp) under the hood!!!!

 

[jjac28]

reminds me of honda civic si....

 

[Bijou-MP5]

I don't care...It's still corolla...

 

[vlad]

wow gunners, you guys have these whacked corolloa wagons and hatches while we have the whacked matrix instead. i wonder why they did that? oh well, i'm sure you would be happy with either car. i'm really digging the fit and finish of the pr5's interior and coming from a 145kw car into this one i was able to get over the power loss in about a week and a half. these cars have enough power as far as 'smart' driving is concerned and my only suggestion to you is to check both cars out and go with whatever you like better. cheers.

 

[acidbug]

I test drove a corolla...And i didn't like the handling at high speeds...It becomes very loose!

The pro5 handles excellent at high speeds(60-100MPH)!

Chas

 

[ESJ]

a corolla s does 0- 60 in 8.3 sec, 60 - 0 in 142 ft, and the slalom at 64.6 mph

while the p5 does 0- 60 in 8.8 sec, 60 - 0 in 124 ft, and the slalom at 66.4 mph

i found this all in motor trend mag

i would rather have a car that handles better and brakes 20ft shorter than a car that looks like crap and is only a half sec. faster

 

[dukerjames]

heh half a second in a 0-60 run can be a world of difference.

8.8sec? is that for Auto tranny or 5 speed?

 

[jjac28]

it's for a manual. but add even a small twist in the road and the corolla is in your back view mirror.
but honestly dude how often do you use that 0-60 in everyday driving? really 0.5 seconds is nothing if you drive under normal everyday conditions.

corolla is not sporty,doesnt handle as well and is designed for comfy transportation from point a to point b.
its for older folks...
protege is a sporty car and handles almost like a miata.
corolla doesnt have that zooom zoom!