The SE-r is marketed towards idiots who know nothing about performance. They see that it has lots of horsepower and they are blinded by that. It's the same as the Toyota Matrix. Yeah, it has 180hp, but look at the torque. The matrix has only like 120 or 130ft/lbs. That's pretty pathetic. I'll meet you at the track, a curvy one. All your SE-R can do is go kinda fast in a straight line. That's it, no more to look at here folks, keep moving. You'de better hope you don't encounter any curvy roads with that monster of a car you have.
Why would you buy a Protege instead of....
- Thread starter Sentra SE-R
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I don't think the two cars really compete against each other for many buyers up here. For one thing they're not priced as closely as the original poster suggested. The P5 starts at $20,185 and even with A/C and sunroof is still cheaper than a base Spec V ($21,985 vs $21,998). If you want ABS and sunroof (must-haves for me) on the Sentra you have to ante up for the 'Sport' package, for a total of $24,898.
I looked at the SE-R but personally felt that the only things I cared about that it had going for it over the P5 were more power and a better stereo. I felt the P5 looked better, handled better and was more practical, with the hatch and bigger back seat. Figure in the $3000 savings (plus $400/year less in insurance premiums) for the P5 and it was an easy decision. If performance was #1 on my list I probably could have lived with the compromises the SE-R demands, but it wasn't. I don't think the cars are aimed at the same kind of driver, anyway.
Rather than slamming each others' choices we should be thankful that the hot compact segment is broad enough to support cars as different as the SE-R and P5.
I looked at the SE-R but personally felt that the only things I cared about that it had going for it over the P5 were more power and a better stereo. I felt the P5 looked better, handled better and was more practical, with the hatch and bigger back seat. Figure in the $3000 savings (plus $400/year less in insurance premiums) for the P5 and it was an easy decision. If performance was #1 on my list I probably could have lived with the compromises the SE-R demands, but it wasn't. I don't think the cars are aimed at the same kind of driver, anyway.
Rather than slamming each others' choices we should be thankful that the hot compact segment is broad enough to support cars as different as the SE-R and P5.
cjstringer
Member
Sentra SE-R said:
I'll see you on February 23. Come on up to Indy. I'll give you a lesson you never wish you'd learned. Did you even read my post? Where's your history if you're gonna be talking smack? I have championships. CHAMPIONSHIPS! Beat that.
Get used to looking at the ass end of my Protege, buddy boy.
WhiteZoomZoom
Member
Sentra SE-R said:
You know why ? coz the Sentra is a ugly piece of sh*t. No one wants to drive that or buy that except people like you.
So what if there are 20 p5's on the street, its obvious that people love the p5. If the Sentra is really that "great", why don't you see 20 Sentra and only 4 P5 in your life ??
I don't mind seeing other Pro's on the street. It makes me happy seeing so many people is enjoying the same car as I am.
I don't know jack on engine stuff so I am not gonna comment on those issues. But I know what common sense is and you ain't getting it. (nuts)
You guys are hilarious! (rofl) Ben, you mad me laugh the most! You are right, that SE-R is ugly as hell to me! I am glad I bought my MP3!
If you want to talk about horsepower in a ugly car, hell, I can make a Ford Pinto a rocket. Is is worth it to me. Heeeellll NO!! SE-R, you say get used to looking at the assed end of the SE-R??? If that's the case, I will have to walk around the whole car, cause that's what the WHOLE thing looks like to me! Just my opinion. Everyone has theirs. Congratulations if you are happy with your ride man!, And welcome to the site! Let's not start a war guys.
If you want to talk about horsepower in a ugly car, hell, I can make a Ford Pinto a rocket. Is is worth it to me. Heeeellll NO!! SE-R, you say get used to looking at the assed end of the SE-R??? If that's the case, I will have to walk around the whole car, cause that's what the WHOLE thing looks like to me! Just my opinion. Everyone has theirs. Congratulations if you are happy with your ride man!, And welcome to the site! Let's not start a war guys.
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Yeah flamewars are kinda pointless. We all know that any owner of some other car besides a Mazda coming on here to have an impartial discussion is really looking for that anyhow. Basically he's trying to "rub people's noses in it".
I too think that comparing the Spec V to the Protege5 will have pros/cons on each side. But really the Spec V is the tuned version of a Sentra...compare it to the MP3 which is fairly close price-wise to the Spec V(especially as mentioned before you get the sports package) and it becomes a different story altogether.
I respect the Spec V....here in Winnipeg I know at least 3 owners personally. I can easily say that at least here it's not as "rare" as you'd make it seem. Just off the top of my head I can think of around 15 different ones I've seen(including a super riced out one which is off-topic, but just funny to see). I also think the Spec V doesn't really set itself apart from the normal Sentra either.
As for looks, you name it...Protege sedan, Protege5, MP3...they all got it beat I feel. The styling is just way better in my opinion. I find too many people will justify getting an ugly car(not saying the Spec V is mind you, just doesn't turn my crank) just because it's fast in a straight line. By the same analogy, I should go out with a ugly girl with a horrible personality just because she's good in the sack...sorry, but for me I want the whole package.
I too think that comparing the Spec V to the Protege5 will have pros/cons on each side. But really the Spec V is the tuned version of a Sentra...compare it to the MP3 which is fairly close price-wise to the Spec V(especially as mentioned before you get the sports package) and it becomes a different story altogether.
I respect the Spec V....here in Winnipeg I know at least 3 owners personally. I can easily say that at least here it's not as "rare" as you'd make it seem. Just off the top of my head I can think of around 15 different ones I've seen(including a super riced out one which is off-topic, but just funny to see). I also think the Spec V doesn't really set itself apart from the normal Sentra either.
As for looks, you name it...Protege sedan, Protege5, MP3...they all got it beat I feel. The styling is just way better in my opinion. I find too many people will justify getting an ugly car(not saying the Spec V is mind you, just doesn't turn my crank) just because it's fast in a straight line. By the same analogy, I should go out with a ugly girl with a horrible personality just because she's good in the sack...sorry, but for me I want the whole package.
LizMoonstar
Member
Just thought I'd be a pedantic French-grammar nerd and add that though the Sentra man's definition of "protege" is correct, the car from Mazda is the masculine form of the word, "proteg".
(/French major/)
I personally think it's a cool name, both in sound and in underlying meaning - to me it suggests someone who is always learning and wanting to do better. There's nothing disgraceful about that.
Besides, what's up with all the cars that just have letter/number combos for names like SE-R or RX-7? I don't know anything about cars, but I'd think they could have at least put a little more creativity into the naming. Huh, maybe it's a girl thing.
BTW, nice way to handle the potential flaming, gentlemen. Much more civilized than the other board i frequent.
(/French major/)
I personally think it's a cool name, both in sound and in underlying meaning - to me it suggests someone who is always learning and wanting to do better. There's nothing disgraceful about that.
Besides, what's up with all the cars that just have letter/number combos for names like SE-R or RX-7? I don't know anything about cars, but I'd think they could have at least put a little more creativity into the naming. Huh, maybe it's a girl thing.
BTW, nice way to handle the potential flaming, gentlemen. Much more civilized than the other board i frequent.
Two words:
1) Ugly
2) Cheap
This is how I rank cars in this category:
VW Jetta
Mazda Protege
Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla
Mitsubishi Lancer
Nissan Sentra
Sorry dude, but the I couldn't feel comfortable telling people that I drive a "Sentra" even if it had 300 horses and a 10 speed trainy!
By the way, last time I heard, Renault owns Nissan, not Ford.
1) Ugly
2) Cheap
This is how I rank cars in this category:
VW Jetta
Mazda Protege
Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla
Mitsubishi Lancer
Nissan Sentra
Sorry dude, but the I couldn't feel comfortable telling people that I drive a "Sentra" even if it had 300 horses and a 10 speed trainy!
By the way, last time I heard, Renault owns Nissan, not Ford.
I test drove both recently and I loved the spec-V. The engine is torquey and smooth, the handling is nice and the car is just packed with value. It's actually cheaper than a P5 in Canada, when you add A/C to the P5, as the SER comes with it standard.
I really liked the interior styling too(2003 have black on grey seats, much better looking than the 2002s!). What I didn't like about it was the massive amounts of tire noise, the harsh suspension and the lack of ABS. The Protege ES I drove handles just as well as the spec-V with a much quieter, more pleasant ride. It also feels more homogenous, the spec-V feels like a sentra with aftermarket add-ons. The styling, though aggressive, is kinda busy, while the protege I find is just the opposite... Clean and simple. Some may call it bland, but I like it.
I also much prefered the braking performance of the protege, and to me that is just as important, if not more, than sheer power.
Yes the Protege ES/P5 can't compare performance wise, but they are just as fun to drive, and make better commuter cars IMO.
Seems a lot of people here are either brand nazis or just plain jaleous of spec-V owners... Grow up, no need to hate
I really liked the interior styling too(2003 have black on grey seats, much better looking than the 2002s!). What I didn't like about it was the massive amounts of tire noise, the harsh suspension and the lack of ABS. The Protege ES I drove handles just as well as the spec-V with a much quieter, more pleasant ride. It also feels more homogenous, the spec-V feels like a sentra with aftermarket add-ons. The styling, though aggressive, is kinda busy, while the protege I find is just the opposite... Clean and simple. Some may call it bland, but I like it.
I also much prefered the braking performance of the protege, and to me that is just as important, if not more, than sheer power.
Yes the Protege ES/P5 can't compare performance wise, but they are just as fun to drive, and make better commuter cars IMO.
Seems a lot of people here are either brand nazis or just plain jaleous of spec-V owners... Grow up, no need to hate
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Wow, such vehmenence in such a simple question.
For what it's worth, someone claimed that the Protege was the #1 car. Over at Edmunds.com, the Sentra SE-R Spec V placed #1, while the MP3 placed #3 in their little comparison test.
For me, I'd rather get the P5 simply because I want a wagon-style body.
For what it's worth, someone claimed that the Protege was the #1 car. Over at Edmunds.com, the Sentra SE-R Spec V placed #1, while the MP3 placed #3 in their little comparison test.
For me, I'd rather get the P5 simply because I want a wagon-style body.
sundevilMP5
Member
hahaha...i love these forums...and hopefully this will be the last time i reply to one of them. anyways, to reply to a couple of the comments made here...
first of all the skyline is not sold in this part of the world...and a sentra is no skyline...mazda was producing the rx7 way before the skyline which has been probably one of the most influential sports cars to come from japan...
i would rather have the p5 as a tuner car because there's always some tweaking you can do to go faster...and nobody expects a wagon to be fast...hehe...
you came here asking us why we chose the p5 instead of the all mighty sentra and we told you plain and simple so don't get all excited when we talk trash about your car...remember you're on a mazda board...
and lastly...
chicks dig wagons...
first of all the skyline is not sold in this part of the world...and a sentra is no skyline...mazda was producing the rx7 way before the skyline which has been probably one of the most influential sports cars to come from japan...
i would rather have the p5 as a tuner car because there's always some tweaking you can do to go faster...and nobody expects a wagon to be fast...hehe...
you came here asking us why we chose the p5 instead of the all mighty sentra and we told you plain and simple so don't get all excited when we talk trash about your car...remember you're on a mazda board...
and lastly...
chicks dig wagons...
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