What Mazda to get?

[Clarkbug]

Hello all.

Im definitely new to these forums, as I dont own a Protege (as of yet). I just started looking around and found this forum. Great place, I have to say.

I just moved down here to VA from Upstate NY for a new job. Along with that new job Im considering a new ride now that I can actually afford a decent car payment. My question to the members of this forum is basically: Which Mazda to get?

Yes, I know that is very open ended, so let me help narrow it down some. I have liked the looks of the Mazda3 since I first saw it, but it is a little too pricy for me to afford. I have seen a few used ones on the lots around here, for about 15k. I am more leaning towards a used Protege instead. While browsing the internet, I found two different models I was very interested in, although they are both very different. At one dealer I found a MazdaSpeed Protoge with 22k miles on it for about 15000. That seems like a pretty good deal. At a different dealer I found a Protege5 with 8k miles on it for 14000. Both of these cars look pretty sweet, and I think they would both be a blast to drive. (I have not driven either, I would definitely do so before purchasing)

I dont drive the car to work (I can walk) so this would be mainly for going to the store, and for when I take trips back up North to visit the family. I have been driving stick for years, but I wonder if an auto would be better for the city traffic, as I am right outside of Washington DC. (I know this would rule out the MSP)

So my question, as the ultimate newbie here, is what do you the owners of Proteges, think would be the best thing to go for? And also is the auto really lots more sluggish than the manual? (I heard it has a manual shift gate, but its not the same....)

Thanks in advance for your help, and sorry for the long post.

~Bug

 

[VPower]

first: welcome to the board
second: I wont do any comments on wich car to pick...dont worry, there will be plenty ppl who will voice their opinions.
third: get a manual...the auto with sport shift isnt that great
hope that helps....

 

[Clarkbug]

Hey there.

Thanks for the prompt reply. I didnt think I would get a reply quite so quickly, but I am glad I did. Now just to wait for the other opinions to roll in... I guess I am just looking for some pros/cons of the various types of proteges out there (MSP, P5, regular Protege) and which might be the better idea to go for.

Also, I would much rather drive stick myself. Im just wondering what the clutch life is like, and how much the city driving will affect it. Im used to pretty wide open driving, not lots of stop and go at all... Right now I drive a '97 Escort and it has served me really well. I like it lots, but its getting to that point where its going to start costing me money and I dont know how much I trust it on the highway (123k miles and counting....)

Thanks in advance for any input!

~Bug

 

[mazdaowner123]

Hey, welcome. Here are some things to think about. The MSP probably won't be as reliable. It'll be more fun to drive, faster, and handle better, but little stuff (and sometimes major stuff) can go wrong. This goes from a clunking rear sway bar, to coolant leaks, to blown engines (rare with a stock car, but it's happened). The P5 would be the more reliable car to own, but it isn't as fast or sporty (but still fun to drive.) Another thing to think about is that the P5 has cruise control and the MSP does not. Cruise control is nice on long trips; I wish I had it.

Not trying to scare you with the MSP reliability. Some people have stock cars that are 100% reliable, other people seem to have MSP's from hell. With mine, I've been in for a coolant leak (which they didn't fix), an ecu flash, and the clunking rear swaybar (which has been fine since they put new bushings in it.) If you're patient, the MSP could be for you, just be ready to deal with some little stuff. The MSP is a very special car though. Racing beat suspension, Kenwood soundsystem, limited edition, turbo, etc. If you're going to keep it stock though, the reliability shouldn't be too much of an issue, but take good care of it. A lot of the problems come when people start tinkering with boost and don't know what they're doing. Hope this helps, glad to have you on the forums.

~brian

 

[Clarkbug]

Hey there.

I appreciate that advice. At this point I just moved down to VA and am living in a townhouse with two other people. The point of me saying that is that I no longer have my tools/work area for tinkering with my vehicle, so I would be keeping whatever I get basically stock. I dont really have the time or space to play with adding any mods, and at this point I will be lucky if I can change my own oil...

If I were to land a MSP, I would be keeping it bone stock at least until the warranty ran out, and then I really wouldnt play with much of anything because I really dont flog my vehicles. I just think it looks pretty sweet and Im sure that it drives even better than that.

Also, can someone tell me what dealers are good/not good/terrible in the Alexandria/VA area?

Thanks again.

~Bug

 

[mazdaowner123]

Sounds like the MSP might be good for you. In stock form the handling is amazing, and the power isn't too bad if you aren't trying to race it. If you post in the MEC section (kinda towards the bottom when you're looking at the list of forums) i'm sure people could help you find a good dealership. MEC = Mazda Enthusiast Club, and they're mostly in NoVa.

~brian

 

[RobMP5]

Welcome to the forum! I have had my P5 for about 9 months and I love it. Depending on what your last car was, both cars are gonna have great handling. I like the speed of the turbo, but I got the 5 because of the hauling capabilities. The back seat has a 60/40 split so you can still have room for 1-2 people while carrying larger objects. Good luck in your hunt!

 

[Katya4me]

Hello and welcome. Be sure to check out the MEC (Mazda Enthusiasts Club of DC, MD and VA) board. I'm in Bailey's Crossroads (between Alexandria and Arlington) and there are a bunch of us scattered all around the area. I went to Rosenthal Arlington and haven't had any problems, Brown's Mazda is pretty good too. If you want a ride in a P5 or a MSP, you could probably get one fairly easily. BTW, I live in a townhouse and my P5 is just a bit modded. Also, if you join MSCW (Mazda Sportscar Club of Washington) they have monthly tech nights at local dealerships and you can change your oil on a lift for $5.

 

[Mikey444]

If you like the Mazda Speed Proteg I strongly recomend it. If you want something a lil more laid back and not as pricy as the Mazda 3, try a Mazda 6 i base winth sport package, the interest rates are much better cutting the payments quite about, and insurance price wont kill your pocket on such a car. this is my opinion based on how things are here in Qubec, of course it is not comparable to VA. just my 0.02

 

[SilentSno]

You'll be happy with whatever protege you get. You have tons of options.

You could buy a used manual protege and add a mp3 body kit, or someother kit, with intake, header, & exhaust along with maybe the msp suspension and have a car thats a blast to drive and handle.

Probably 5-8k on the car depending on shape, plus 3k for the stuff i mentioned, so you'd be at 8-11k which is cheaper. Or you could use the 3k and just buy a turbo kit for a standard 2.0L protege.

Just too many options... But regardless of which protege you pick you'll be happy. Just go manual and the 2.0L engine.

 

[Clarkbug]

Hello everyone.

Thanks for all the replies! And sorry for my delay, I was a little bit busy with the holiday and all. And I just have to say that traffic SUCKS. (A simple 7 hour drive turned into 11.5 hours. Not fun.)

Its good to know that I am in an area that has an active club for a Protege, regardless of its type. Also, the idea of getting to change my own oil on the lift is definitely appealing....

I had looked at getting a 6, but its just too much money for what I can afford. (However, a 3 is still also more than I can afford, but lets not split hairs here)

I suppose that I am just going to have to actually drive some of these cars to see what I think of them. Im sure that any Protege is going to drive/handle/perform better than my little Escort (I have to say, with 124k on it, its still running strong...) But I would like something that has A/C, Backup lights, and will actually pass inspection here in VA.

And has anyone had to be through any clutches in their Protege? I dont mean from racing or needing to put in a new one becuase of upgrades to the engine. Im only thinking in regards to city driving here, I dont want to have to pay for a clutch change too early... I realize this will have lots to do with my driving skills, but I figured I would put it out there.

Thanks again for helping out!

~Bug

 

[Katya4me]

MikeR has over 55K on his stock clutch and xelderx has over 90K on his, they both have P5's. Haven't heard any issues offhand w/ the MSP clutch, but I don't keep up w/ that as much.

 

[SilentSno]

I'm also on the stock clutch with over 58k miles i think.