As the owner of two 03.5 Pros--a P5 and an ES, both stick--I'd like to toss in my thoughts for what they may not be worth.
Some excellent comments have been made here and as usual, the "mine is cooler" statement. As a matter of fact, the Pro and the 3 are both just that.
Handling
Let's look at the 5-5 and the 3-5 and leave the sedans out. I suggest that of the two, the 5 is the "driver's car" having driven both and own one. Mazda simply got it right when they built the 01-03 chassis. The cars, IMHO, have better overall balance than the 3 series, which has a new platform. I have been able to push a 3 demo on three occasions and found it lacked the "tossability" of my 5 or my wife's ES, neither of which has chassis mods, but do carry 17/7 wheels. Mine is running Goodyear F1 GS D3s, hers a set of Yoko Avid H4Ss. My 5 will outcorner the ES--no contest--as it should.
The 3--in both 5- and 4-door configuration are solid handlers, but give a sense of "touring" more than "sport." Our cars w/o the change in wheels/tires tended to ride more firmly than either 3, particularly the 5 which carries stiffer stock springs than the ES.
If you have read the major automotive pubs reviews, you'll find my views rather a common thread with their writers, as well as finding many of the same comments on various net forums.
Interiors
The 3 is definitely more upscale than the Pro, which to me is practical as well as functional and quite ergonomically suitable. Of course, a set of Dave's rings makes it. Period! I think the instrument panel in the 3 is nicer esthetically, but then, this is all subjective.
The seats in the 5 we find more than adequate, even for long trips. No dead butts. However, I prefer the seats in the 3. As for materials in either, they're both attractive (cloth the comparo), but again, I think the 3 is better. I have the GB Northwest Interior leather kit awaiting installation which will probably swing my opinion to the 5. It better. My wife got it for me as an anniversary gift!
Engine
Who can argue? The 3 has it off the line. I do, however, believe the correct mods for a streetable all-motor will provide all I need on the road and for the occasional track day. I'm not a fan of hair dryers even though I admit that's where the power lies in a vast assortment of applications.
Styling
My wife originally wanted the 5 for her business; I bought the ES. After a month or so, she found the trunk width of the ES more suited to her doings and I took over the 5. I've never looked back except after parking it. It's a very nice package with the MP3 lip and the grill brow painted body color.
I do like the lines of the 5 better than the ES, even though neither is hard on the eyes. I just feel that the 5 is probably one of the best balanced overall designs ever incorporated into a hatchback, regardless of marque or price.
The 3 has never quite come together for me, although I think I prefer the sedan to the 3-5. It would probably be more appealing with the correct set of body and wheel mods and lowered. I do know there are some nice color choices available for each, some of which "make" the styling more than others for me.
Conclusion
Mazda is selling the 3 faster than it ever sold the Pro, regardless of year. They're reopening a closed plant in Japan to meet demand and may devote some line time to the 3 at yet another. The 3 is outselling their expectations to the point that some dealers have less than a 2-week supply of cars--50 days is considered a cushion in most circles, I'm told.
If I had no 5, I would probably buy a 3-5 and my wife would get the 4-door, even though she has problems with the lines and prefers her ES, both of which we intend to keep. Additional mods are forthcoming on both.
There's probably more I missed than what I made a case for, but regardless of which you prefer, it's a Winged M with pride of ownership.
I rest my case.
