Still thinking about a Protege 5

[WHAT550]

I currently drive a 01' VW Jetta GLX VR6 with all the options but I'm thing about trading it in for a 03' Protege 5 with all the options. I like my Jetta but it keeps have common little problems that most VW have and the care has 60,000 miles on it. My Jetta have about a 180 hp V6 but the P5 would be slower but that really doesn't matter. I need advice on if I should buy the P5 or not. I have heard mazda's do not hold there value but neither do volkswagens. Please give my pros and cons about the Protege 5 and Mazda.

 

[ELEmental59437]

You can get a Protege5 hella cheap now because the dealerships are trying to make room for the Mazda3's.. Thats a pro..

Con, it's addicting...

 

[Turbo Matty P]

I fully enjoy my 03 P5. It has plenty of zing for daily driving. I've also only had 2 problems with my car. the first is the cold-morning clutch shudder. The second is some hidden rattle possibly in the passenger door. Neither of these are factors when it comes to my happiness with the car. If you shop around you will get an amazing deal, I bought my fully loaded P5 5spd for $14.8K +TTL. not a bad deal at all. leather,sunroof,6disk cd,ABS,side air bags, chrome wheels, wheel locks, mazdaspeed exhaust......VERY good deal! check out edmunds.com for invoice shopping. I did this and printed off the total sheet. Took it into the dealer and they had no problem instantly matching prices. Good luck.

 

[webster]

I just bought a 2003 P5 last week because they are probably one of the best deals in the past 5 years or so on a new car. There is a $2,500 customer cash rebate as well as a $500 manufacturer to dealer rebate right now. They both end on Dec 1 I think so you better hurry. Do your homework before walking into the dealership, and DO NOT budge from your numbers.

BTW I traded in a 1997 BMW 318ti with 100K miles on it. It had been a GREAT car, but I needed four door 'wagon' for utility (kids, dogs, other crap). The P5 is a little slower and the engine MUCH less refined, but it actually handles slightly better. Biggest complaint is that there is a ton of road noise compared to my old 318. Love the utility, got a 2003 instead of a 2003.5 because of the std roof racks.

 

[+ friction]

Hell yeah...get one. Just traded in a Honda on a new '5 and could not be happier. As was stated above, now is the time to get one as dealers are in a pinch to get rid of them + the automatic $2,500 deduction in starting point is awesome.

I'm sure the car will not hold much value, but for all the standard features on a '5 plus the relatively cheap options such as leather, it at least feels like a steal!

 

[Andy]

Go for it! You'll love the handling/brakes. As for speed, once you get to a corner, you won't have to slow down as much.

 

[SPRFLY]

heck ya man, do it!! i just traded in my 98 jeep cher for TWO yes i said TWO 'P5's!!! and we love'em to death!!
mine is yellow, tent, leather, and all options... his is white, tent, all options(no leather) we got $2500 off both cars, and the internet rebate @ $1255 off both cars!! so we got them under invoice.. grrrrrrrrrrrreat deal!!!
everyone we know who has a mazda says we will love them and will not have any problems....

 

[cbcbd]

You'll love it.

Actually, read this other post that has a link to a very accurate article on the P5:

http://www.protege5.com/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40771

 

[Moeed]

Whatever you do make sure you get a manual, if you know how to drive one.


manual is the way to go. they are sooooo fun.

 

[NRRfrogmanP5]

yeah buy the p5