I would assume that everyone participating in this forum has some degree of liking toward their P5. I test drove one today and realized how much it meets everything I'm looking for in a car. I've been driving a civic, but although the mid-90's body style was far superior, it is gaining on a decade old. I want to know some opinions on this car. I'm getting a 5-speed. Tell me, how bad ass of a car is this, and what might I not like?
Looking at joining the P5 crowd
- Thread starter T Driving
- Start date
LapisBlueProteg
Member
- :
- Protege 5 3.5
i just got mine on firday and i have no regrets about it, mine is also a 5 speed and its quick, Go for it dude the car is the next racing car to hit the streets
T Driving,
I went from a 94 Civic automatic [1.8 non-vtec, 102hp, 98lb-ft] to my 03 P5 5spd.
Was your Civic an auto or 5 spd? What engine?
-You might not like spending more money on gas fillups. If you drive the same in both cars, the P5 definitely is a gas guzzler. I used to drive the snot out of my Civ and it still got great milage.
-There's fewer mods for the P5 then there are for the 5th [?] generation Civic.
-The P5 has better drivability b/c of "fatter" torque curve.
-P5 is quieter inside b/c of better sound insulation.
There's lot's of good things that others can say about it.
I went from a 94 Civic automatic [1.8 non-vtec, 102hp, 98lb-ft] to my 03 P5 5spd.
Was your Civic an auto or 5 spd? What engine?
-You might not like spending more money on gas fillups. If you drive the same in both cars, the P5 definitely is a gas guzzler. I used to drive the snot out of my Civ and it still got great milage.
-There's fewer mods for the P5 then there are for the 5th [?] generation Civic.
-The P5 has better drivability b/c of "fatter" torque curve.
-P5 is quieter inside b/c of better sound insulation.
There's lot's of good things that others can say about it.
What are you exactly looking for in a new car?
Overall I love the P5 for it's different look, nice interior layout, great handling basis to start from, and did I mention different look?
Cons:Weak stock engine, needs more HP to compete. But it makes up for it in the handling department.
Overall I love the P5 for it's different look, nice interior layout, great handling basis to start from, and did I mention different look?
Cons:Weak stock engine, needs more HP to compete. But it makes up for it in the handling department.
You will definitely be pleased with this car and this site. Here are a couple things you will realize after you have owned you Protege for a while.
1)You'll want a 5 spd
2)This site kicks ass (headbang)
3)Modding the car in the right way will give great results i.e.
FI and suspension mods big NO on NA route as of now
4)Small-Medium aftermarket support. A good thing because you
can sort through what companies are bad and which ones
actually good products. And there are more than enough parts
out there to satiate any modder's appetite.
5)This car sounds as good or better than any 4cyl engine yay
for large bore to stroke ratio
Anyone else can add on to this
1)You'll want a 5 spd
2)This site kicks ass (headbang)
3)Modding the car in the right way will give great results i.e.
FI and suspension mods big NO on NA route as of now
4)Small-Medium aftermarket support. A good thing because you
can sort through what companies are bad and which ones
actually good products. And there are more than enough parts
out there to satiate any modder's appetite.
5)This car sounds as good or better than any 4cyl engine yay
for large bore to stroke ratio
Anyone else can add on to this
digitalpro5
Member
- :
- 2003 Blackmica Protege5
At this point in the game you'll still have a unique car driving around, but its too funny when I go to the mall and I see 4 pro5's of different colors all parking together (damn wish there was a spot free next to them:-( )
I like being able to drive any where without seeing another protege5, unless its the mall.
I like being able to drive any where without seeing another protege5, unless its the mall.
Lisakay said:
Although only 21, that was the incentive for my car. I wanted a vehicle that I could use to move in and out of my apartment with at the end/beginning of the school year, transport sporting equipment (paintball gear) but still look good.
As previously mentioned the Protege5 is the sleekest looking 'sport wagon' on the market. While cubic feet of storage is a bit compromised due to this, the fact that you see them on the road tells you something is going right with them.
keyserscott
Member
I like the MP5. Had mine for a year. Not exactly a speed demon but it gets the job done. It's main stregth is the handling and the styling. Test drive one.
I had Civics for 12 years before I test drove a P5. Bought the P5, NEVER again buying a Civic, unless they REALLY get their act together. My 1990 Si with 276000km (172000miles) handled better even after 10 years of beating than my brand new 2000 Civic EX. The new Civic generation is even worse.
No question about it, the P5 is a much overall better deal of a car. Only down side is the fuel mileage, my ultimate best is 30mpg (US) with the P5, it was 35 CONSTANTLY with the Civic EX (manual tranny w/cruise control, no air in both cars).
No question about it, the P5 is a much overall better deal of a car. Only down side is the fuel mileage, my ultimate best is 30mpg (US) with the P5, it was 35 CONSTANTLY with the Civic EX (manual tranny w/cruise control, no air in both cars).
ICURWeTodid
Member
i think how you like it will also depend on your expectations - but heres my .02 ...
pros -
*great looks bone stock
*pretty decent gas mileage - i get about 29/30mpg highway with cruise set @~85
*handles better than some cars with suspension mods (friend with a modded civic liked the feel better - this could be personal preference though)
*ive had my car just over a year - now have about 34k miles and havent had any issues with the car (well except for a pesky rattle at 85-90mph - but i think its related to my tires being out of balance. i just need to take some time to find it)
*you arent in a civic just like the other 20 people around you at the traffic light
*one of the mags (maybe motor trend/road track) picked the mp5 over all other cars in the comparison
* did I mention the car looks better than the civic?
cons -
*stock radio (granted my other car (96 v8 SHO) has a stock jbl system that sounds great) - i like that it came w/ a cd - but it isnt the greatest
* resale - honda and toyota seem to hold value better
*aftermarket - not always as easy to find parts
*roof rack noise - easily solved with a socket wrench and some extra space in the garage
the only other thing is the car would be ideal with another 50-75 hp.. but when i want more HP, i get in the other car
pros -
*great looks bone stock
*pretty decent gas mileage - i get about 29/30mpg highway with cruise set @~85
*handles better than some cars with suspension mods (friend with a modded civic liked the feel better - this could be personal preference though)
*ive had my car just over a year - now have about 34k miles and havent had any issues with the car (well except for a pesky rattle at 85-90mph - but i think its related to my tires being out of balance. i just need to take some time to find it)
*you arent in a civic just like the other 20 people around you at the traffic light
*one of the mags (maybe motor trend/road track) picked the mp5 over all other cars in the comparison
* did I mention the car looks better than the civic?
cons -
*stock radio (granted my other car (96 v8 SHO) has a stock jbl system that sounds great) - i like that it came w/ a cd - but it isnt the greatest
* resale - honda and toyota seem to hold value better
*aftermarket - not always as easy to find parts
*roof rack noise - easily solved with a socket wrench and some extra space in the garage
the only other thing is the car would be ideal with another 50-75 hp.. but when i want more HP, i get in the other car
the car is definately bad ass.. it looks great and has ample room inside for everything i've ever wanted to do (save for the time i wanted to buy a ping pong table).. and the car handles like a champ.. but really, the only bad thing i can say about it is the lack of power.. of course, for some reason, as i move through all 5 gears i at least FEEL like i'm going quick.. haha.
don't get me wrong, the car is quick enough-- but stick around here long enough and you'll hear it at least twice a week: our cars weren't designed to go fast straight-- they're designed to go fast AND be able to handle tight corners and turns.
now that you test drove one, you should be hooked.. at least that's what happened to me and a bunch of others on this forum!
don't get me wrong, the car is quick enough-- but stick around here long enough and you'll hear it at least twice a week: our cars weren't designed to go fast straight-- they're designed to go fast AND be able to handle tight corners and turns.
now that you test drove one, you should be hooked.. at least that's what happened to me and a bunch of others on this forum!
hawkwind101
Member
My only big complaint is Mazda's paint. It's thin and you will get lots of chips on the front bumper and hood. If you buy one I would advise to get stoneguard on the bumper and a deflector.
looks like you're in the same boat as I was.....
had me a '94 Civ EX Vtec ... danged thing had almost 200K Miles but still purred like it was brand new ( no mods , regular maintenance ) ... IMHO '94 was the best Civ ever made ( Momz has a '99 , Bro has an '02 and Sis has a '97 , and even with the same treatment and maintenance schedule, my '94 still sounded and performed the best ) ... but regardless .... Once I sat behind the wheel of a P5 , there was no turning back ... ( Hate to break it to you folks, but our P5's and P3's are Rent-a-Cars here in Las Vegas.. available at Hertz ... so if you want to take an extended Test-Drive of a P5 , check your local Hertz location to see if they have some, and compare for yourself. ) some Differences between my Civ and My P5 ( just things that I've noticed personally... your experiences may vary, and others are of course entitled to their opinions )
- Civ Feels More "SOLID" .. i.e. Doors are heavier.. body is heavier, like swinging a wood bat vs. aluminum
- Torque to Weight ratio : p5 is faster out the gate up to about mid .... Can't touch a VTEC in High-end though
- Handling ... Civ's no slouch in Handling, but the P5 Just Rails like a Cue Ball .. ( Come on now ... any Car that comes with a strut Tower bar STOCK has got to be handling-conscious ) =p
- Interior Room : I'm a big guy, and the P5 just feels MUCH roomier than a Civ .. ( then again, part of what makes a Civic seem so cramped is also what makes it seem more Solid )
- Just Looks Damned good .... ( Never got a compliment on my Stock Civic - then again.. come on.. it's a Civic ...... already got more than I can count on the P5 =P )
- I seem to be having the same problems that Hawkwind is having .... my once-immaculate paint job is now starting to show little "craters" / " Pits " on the hood area , and I can already see Bare Metal !! ... what the heck , Mazda .. Please do something about this !! ( I may just start my own post about this .. keep your eyes open, folks )
but regardless .... with a completely objective eye , I have chose the P5, and will not go back ... I hope you end up feeling the same way .. good luck on whatever choice you make
had me a '94 Civ EX Vtec ... danged thing had almost 200K Miles but still purred like it was brand new ( no mods , regular maintenance ) ... IMHO '94 was the best Civ ever made ( Momz has a '99 , Bro has an '02 and Sis has a '97 , and even with the same treatment and maintenance schedule, my '94 still sounded and performed the best ) ... but regardless .... Once I sat behind the wheel of a P5 , there was no turning back ... ( Hate to break it to you folks, but our P5's and P3's are Rent-a-Cars here in Las Vegas.. available at Hertz ... so if you want to take an extended Test-Drive of a P5 , check your local Hertz location to see if they have some, and compare for yourself. ) some Differences between my Civ and My P5 ( just things that I've noticed personally... your experiences may vary, and others are of course entitled to their opinions )
- Civ Feels More "SOLID" .. i.e. Doors are heavier.. body is heavier, like swinging a wood bat vs. aluminum
- Torque to Weight ratio : p5 is faster out the gate up to about mid .... Can't touch a VTEC in High-end though
- Handling ... Civ's no slouch in Handling, but the P5 Just Rails like a Cue Ball .. ( Come on now ... any Car that comes with a strut Tower bar STOCK has got to be handling-conscious ) =p
- Interior Room : I'm a big guy, and the P5 just feels MUCH roomier than a Civ .. ( then again, part of what makes a Civic seem so cramped is also what makes it seem more Solid )
- Just Looks Damned good .... ( Never got a compliment on my Stock Civic - then again.. come on.. it's a Civic ...... already got more than I can count on the P5 =P )
- I seem to be having the same problems that Hawkwind is having .... my once-immaculate paint job is now starting to show little "craters" / " Pits " on the hood area , and I can already see Bare Metal !! ... what the heck , Mazda .. Please do something about this !! ( I may just start my own post about this .. keep your eyes open, folks )
but regardless .... with a completely objective eye , I have chose the P5, and will not go back ... I hope you end up feeling the same way .. good luck on whatever choice you make
Paint thickness
I have a digital paint thickness gauge I can use from work and I did check a few cars : paint on the P5 in thinner than most others out there. It was even HALF of the thickness measured on a Dodge Caravan...
My car is too showing signs of thin paint. Front deflector does help a lot though.
I have a digital paint thickness gauge I can use from work and I did check a few cars : paint on the P5 in thinner than most others out there. It was even HALF of the thickness measured on a Dodge Caravan...
My car is too showing signs of thin paint. Front deflector does help a lot though.
hawkwind101
Member
Digital paint thickness gauge! Cool, I would never have guessed there was a tool like that.
