Why would you buy a Protege instead of....

[Sentra SE-R]

Why do I have to keep correcting you guys on the technical stuff? Do some research before you speak! The Spec V has 175hp and 180lb of torque, not 105 like one guys said, nor "120-130" like another guy said when only a few posts before someone said it was 180. The compression ratio again, is not high, you guys are thinking about Hondas. The SE-R Spec V got a compression ratio of 9.5, the P5 is 9.1. Handling wise, the SE-R is better too, again, some research will clear that up. Motortrend had SE-R Spec V going at about 65mph thru the slaloms, the P5 is close, at 64MPH, but that's neligable. Road holding for the Spec is .88 and the P5 at .85. Yeah, the SE-R is also rated #1 in Edmund's, Carguide, Lemon aid. I personaly do not think the SE-R is ugly. The rear end IMO is better looking than the regular Protege's slanted backside. The front is actually somewhat reminicient of the Protege 5, but with a more compact fog lamp. Some people has also said the front looks like a Mustang. I think some of you guys haven't even seen the SE-R so you're thinking of the regular Sentras. Believe me, they don't look the same.
Here's a few pictures of the 2002 Spec. Note, in 2003 the interior is much better.
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/nissan/sentra/ser4drsedan25l4cyl5m/photos.html

Found a picture of 2003's interior:
http://gallery.thevboard.com/view.p...gal_med10.jpg&dispsize=512&start=0&picindex=0

 

[BigBlue]

It seems while a number of people have mentioned the MP3 in comparison to the Spec V, you seem content to completely disregard that and only look at the P5...interesting.

 

[big_ben]

Please don't post those pics. I have to clean off my keyboard now. I vomited all over it after seeing that ugly ass car.(puke) I would so kick the s*** out of you on an auto-x course. The SE-R is total s*** compared to the MP3. I'm sorry, but it's true, you have an ugly worthless car.

 

[Sentra SE-R]

Classic foot in mouth syndrome:
Case #1:
by: Big_Ben
>Do you realize that that SE-R has high compression. That car >was tuned for NA applications

9.5:1 'nuff said

Case #2
Also by: Big_Ben
>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.

When did we start talking about the Matrix? Ben, are you with us?? That said, the Matrix still got more torque than a P5

Exhibit 3:
By: ...could it be??? ...Big_Ben!
>See, all of you keep talking about the Spec V. That is a different >car than the normal SE-R. The SE-R has a 2.0 liter motor.

I guess ignorance really is bliss for you! <----insert foot here.

Case # 4:
By: well what'd you know? ...Big_Ben!
>You'de better hope you don't encounter any curvy roads with >that monster of a car you have.

.88 road holding, 65mph slalom test and a helical-limited slip differential. Yes it is a monster.

Diagnosis: yeah, classic.


As for why I only talked about the P5, not the MP3, P5 was the car I came remotely close to buying before the SE-R. I'm comparing those cars, not the MP3, but since the P5 and MP3 shares the same engine, some of the performance arguements are interchangable.

 

[big_ben]

Like I said, the SE-R doesn't come close to the MP3 in any catagory except for crank hp. What do the SE-R's dyno at? If the SE-R has 175 crank, that's only 35 more than the MP3. You are going to need more than that to beat the MP3 in a race. What does the SE-R weigh? Is it less than 2900lbs?

 

[Sentra SE-R]

Like I said, the SE-R doesn't come close to the MP3 in any catagory except for crank hp. What do the SE-R's dyno at? If the SE-R has 175 crank, that's only 35 more than the MP3. You are going to need more than that to beat the MP3 in a race. What does the SE-R weigh? Is it less than 2900lbs?

Well if you really want to know, the Spec dynoes at 140whp stock, most people with I/H/E get about 160whp and 171lb of torque. It weights 2750lbs.
0-60 in around 7.2 (motortrend)
1/4 mile in 15.2-15.7 I heard people doing 15 flat stock.

 

[Todd]

I was thinking of the spec-v but I do alot of city driving and I wanted automatic and the spec-v does not come with that. That and it was about $2000 more then the P5.

 

[houstondallas]

Secondly, The variable valve timing on the SE-R is better because it's continuous, I used v-tec only as an analogy.

I'm definetly a P5 forum newbie, but I know a bit about cars.

What makes "Vtec" work well has some to do with the valve timing, but much more to do with the last two letters in the acronym.

VTEC = Variable Valve Timing and Electronic Lift Control

The lift control is what creates that surge of power at 4500rpm. A second cam follower is enganged on a more agggresive cam lobe to allow the motor to breath better at higher rpm's. The sentra has the valve timing (most cars do), but definetly doesn't have the lift control.

An equivalently sized Vtec equipped motor would blow the doors of the SE-R's mill.

Just wanted to clear up the misconception.

houston

 

[dmitrik4]

losing...brain...cells...must stop...reading this...thread.

call someone who cares.

 

[YellowBaggedP5]

I hope that was a joke.

Im lmao..........but i must say that chicks dig my wagon. Between the switches, yellow wheels, interior, tv's, ps2, and system i bang more than any se-r ever will. I don't know about the stock p5's cause mine was stock for 2 days only.

 

[Daemos]

Just a note...this guy isn't me

Now I say it isn't fair to compare the Protege 5 to a base SE-R...one was built to be a sports car, and the other a wagon. The Protege 5 is excellent at what it does

Three Words-ITS A NISSAN, also the variable valve timing isnt always a good thing, you cant just look at the horsepower. Take a look at the torque on all the cars with the variable valve timing, 175 hp, 105 ft-lb of tq, also when do you get that hp number at redline of course. What good is that gonna do you, other than piss you off? The P5 is way better than a sentra any day.
My .10

Umm are you talking about Vtec...last I felt in my car was 175 hp, and 180 ft-lb of tq at 4000 RPM, our redlines are at 6100 rpm, and rev limiter kicks in at 6200 rpm.

Yes the rear end of the Spec V is ugly as hell, but I'm not gonna be the one staring at it in a race

You can't compare a Ser to a P5 they're totally diffrent classes. Now compare the Ser to the MSP then you got a whole new arguement. They both have their cons and pros.

To Sum it up.
MSP has handling, looks, and sound
Spec V has Sunroof, speed, and stronger tranny

THAT'S it. I've done it, that's all true according to real non-production numbers okay? settled good

Acctually the last time I drove an Mp3, my friend's spec V handled just as well, though he had sticky sticky summer tires on I can't really go saying on mine, because I've really only driven my car with winter tires cuz the day I got it, there was snow on the ground *cries*

I formally apologize on behalf of the sentra community, we're a great bunch...but it seems some of us are just a lil too full of our selves. Not everyone bought a car to go street racing, my bro wants a P5 just because he can acctually fit stuff inside the car, me I got mine because I wanted a car that had a sunroof (that was my primary concern, believe it or not ) had decent sound for stock, and had good handling and power.

The MSP would be a good choice for me, because it's just a tad slower than the spec v, it out handles it forsure (stock for stock...people with coilovers on spec V's don't count) and it has decent sound...the only thing that bothered me by it was lack of info on price...it's gonna be atleast 2 K canadian more than MSRP (and I paid far below MSRP for my spec) I wanted a sun roof, and the MSP doesn't have the imobilizer key.

(I think I might know who this Sentra SE-R guy is don't worry, we're not all like that )

 

[Equinox]

po-ta-to.


Hey wait a second man, I have a sunroo-...oh wait it's a moonroof. =/

 

[Vibrant-V]

I own both of these cars.....

Daemos already appologized on behalf of the vast majority of us Spec-V/SE-R owners about this senseless post, so he saved me from doing so.

These two cars shouldn't be compared..... since my wife owns an auto 2002 Blue Protege5 and i own a Vibrant Blue 2002 Spec-V. Both our cars are loaded models and i can appreciate the versatility of the Protege5. It's a great car for what my wife needs, not overly powerfull, easy to drive, and is comfortable on long trips.

I bought my Spec-V because it was cheap, powerfull and believe it or not.... it's cheaper to insure than my wifes Protege5. The Spec-V is $76 per month while the Protege5 is $102 per month. I love both Mazda's and Nissan's, so i can appreciate both cars shortcomings and benefits.

To be honest, i wish i would have held out for the Mazda Speed Protege, but i'm sure the insurance for it will be big $$$ and my Spec-V is no slouch.... i've ran 15.137@91.86mph with just an AEM intake and It's been dyno'd at 155.1hp/159.4lbs torque. For those who want to see my results, email me... i have my timeslip and dyno results.

Admin..... feel free to lock this thread.... peace all

 

[Sentra SE-R]

I don't get it, I came to this board to get perspective from other people, and all I got was some flaming and questioning of my intelligence. I agree, this thread has turned senseless, all I wanted to find out is why Protege 5 buyers bought their car instead of the SE-R when it's about the same price, considering the attributes of the SE-R. So far, the only valid reasons are because the P5 is a wagon, and it's better looking. Fine. I appreciate the answers and this is it for me. Peace.

 

[dmitrik4]

PLEASE lock - or better, delete -- this thread.

 

[KYREDP5]

If you have anything else to say about it, let's meet on the track. Let's see who wins. As for the Mazdaspeed, I could use the price difference between the two cars(4k) to get a turbo and blow <b>any Mazda</b> away. You guys better start liking the rear end of the Sentra, 'cuz that's all you're going to see.

Um ok...Ever hear of the turbo'd Miata's putting down 400+rwhp, or the RX-7TT's??? The RX-7 running 10.XX all motor? Do I even need to go on? You spend $4000 on your little nissan and beat any Mazda and I will presonally come and shake your hand.

 

[YellowMP5]

I wonder how many of us P5 owners that love our rides are surfing the Sentra SE-R forums?!?! Hmmmmmm.

don't know if topic starter nissan guy ever answered this question but i will answer it for him. maybe he has buyers remorse and this is his way of dealing with it, by coming over and trying to put down other people's cars. i am sure vibrant-v doesn't go around toyota boards saying how matrix sucks. it seems he does appreciates both cars and thats it. when the se-r came out after i bought my 5, and my neigbors friend bought one, i was like, oh s***, that car is fast compared to my pro at least. but no way in hell will i trade my pro for the se-r. i won't even trade my pro for the msp, bacause i love my baby. anyways, i'll just shut up now.

 

[Daemos]

don't know if topic starter nissan guy ever answered this question but i will answer it for him. maybe he has buyers remorse and this is his way of dealing with it, by coming over and trying to put down other people's cars. i am sure vibrant-v doesn't go around toyota boards saying how matrix sucks. it seems he does appreciates both cars and thats it. when the se-r came out after i bought my 5, and my neigbors friend bought one, i was like, oh s***, that car is fast compared to my pro at least. but no way in hell will i trade my pro for the se-r. i won't even trade my pro for the msp, bacause i love my baby. anyways, i'll just shut up now.

Me too hehe, I love both cars, I wish like car companies would team up and make a super car that's my dream, but it doesn't seem like it'll ever come true.

 

[uclap5]

Play nice everyone....

Personally, i think the p5 looks better, and i have yet to see a really good looking spec-v when fixed up.

I personally wanted a hatch for hauling stuff, and well as a factory roof rack that doesnt look like ass. Its actually quite hard to find a better looking factory roof rack on a SCC.

Also MPG is better on p5, with a bigger gas tank. I frequently go on 380 mile trips, and i can make it in 1 tank.

I wouldnt mind the 6 speed or LSD tho =) the Spec-V is a very good value, just like the MSP is/ will be.

 

[Sir Nuke]

Deamos and Vibrant V,

for starters .... thank you, wouldn't it be nice if ALL us car nuts could just get along and not take sides so defensively.....

I believe this discussion is over....it not going anywhere....and its being non-productive. I see no further reason to have it continue.