02/03 Pro Vs. Nissan SE-R & Spec V
 

Ok...I have sold my Pro DX and i am now debating what I should do. I love the Protege's look, reliability, and Handling, but the nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V is a very powerful car. I test drove the Spec V and it is VERY NICE. I can't get over the power it has compared to the Protege. 175 HP and 180 Tq!!!! Stock!!! I was thinking of going with the SE-R which has 165 HP and 175 Tq. because I don't think the Spec V is worth $17,865(US). They sell for sticker price becasue they are so hard to keep on the lot. I have been to 3 dealers and none of them would budge on price. (I know it's not my buying technique because I can get a Pro ES for $200 under invoice) All this power for the price of a Protege ES. I really don't know what to do!?!?! I know everyone is going to tell me to buy a Mazdaspeed Protege but I don't have that much cash to spend. Has anyone had any experience with Nissan??? Are the SE-R's reliable??? What kind of problems do they have??? (example: Flywheel problem on Protege) Any and all input will be very helpful!!! I know most of the facts now I'm looking for an opinion. Thanks everyone

I bought a 2000 sentra before my p5. In the year I had it there was 3 recalls. I have had my p5 a year without a problem. Thats not to say I didn't like my sentra
I just saw a commercial for a sentra special edition, which I beleive has the same engine as the ser specv, just without all the other goodies.
I would buythe se-r myself. I would have to go with the power.

i had the same dilemma betwene the p5 adn the ser spec v, and i was gonna pay out the ass for insurance on the spec v, so my parents bought me a p5

I think I am going to go for the SE-R. If i can find a 5 spd. seems like all the sentras are auto. THAT SUCKS!!!

Why not just go out anf by a MazdaSpeed Protege??? it is the better car by far. that is my 2 cents.

Time for my point of view being a spec V owner.

I belive the MSP and the Spec Both have their good/stronger points.

I'll start with the spec.

Spec V advantages:
6-speed tranny
larger engine with more untapped potential
Cheaper
Probally easier to find
faster 1/4 times
imobilizer key feature
sunroof available (if that's important to you :p)

MSP advantages:
Much better handling
will be more unique
nicer styling
more bigger name companies are involved.
faster 0-60 times

Note: The stereos are almost identical...sound wise...but they still both suck compared to real after market stuff.

Now here is my opinion on the look of things. If you're not into modding get the MSP, because I know the spec has more potential than the MSP.

The Spec has more torque and hp on a non turboed engine. the MSP uses the stock protege engine and just slapped on a turbo.

list of mods to make the Spec V FORSURE > than a MSP(stock). Tein SS Coilovers, and a new deck. bodykit for the ugly rear end.

list of mods to make the MSP FORSURE > than a Spec(stock) better intercooler

Now for modding potential.
the spec has everything going for it, including turbo, but doesn't have an ECU.

the MSP though...it seems to be at it's max potential...cept maybe for a better intercooler, and a bigger turbo (but that'll require alot of engine work)

For stock for stock the ms and spec are on virtually equal footing.

But (in canadian funds) the Spec is 2000 less than the MSP, with that...you could buy tein coilovers, and it will easily be equal with the MSP for handling purposes.

For tuning potential...the Spec just blows the MSP away.

I love the MSP cuz it looks really nice...I just want a car I'll beable to tune in the future :)

But if you serously want a good performance bargain (I can't believe I'm gonna say this) I'd wait for the SRT-4 Neon...puts 225 hp and 250 tq to the wheels STOCK. and does the 1/4 in 14.2 seconds, and also does 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds...and supposely has relaly really good handling. (and is gonna be under 20K US)

If the MSP was up there...on your voting thing, I wouldn't beable to vote...because the Spec and MSP are equal in my mind stock for stock.

He said he didn't have that much cash to spend on the MS Protege.

i love mazdas, but i would get the nissan if you want power, and speed get the nissan.

They are both good cars the Protege and the sentra. Just get the one that makes you the happiest. Get a sheet of paper and write down all of the negatives on both cars. Be really picky i.e color of fabric, material quality, the way dorrs close, the engine bay. Which ever one has the most negatives loses. Dont worry about looking for positive because youll never dislike your car becasue of how good it is.

And as for every bone head, knuckle head posting here who cant get it through their THICK SKULLS HE CANT AFFORD TO BUT THE MS PROTEGE SO DONT GIVE YOUR @ CENTS> THE DONT COUNT FOR $HIT!!!!

Quote
"I know everyone is going to tell me to buy a Mazdaspeed Protege but I don't have that much cash to spend. "

buy a ms protege :D

the stock trany for the Spec -V sucks! WTF are you talking?:bs: :bs: :bs:

Just b/c it's a 6 speed doesn't make it good. First and sencond gear are so short. and it's like nissan took a protege 1 gear and spit it up into two small gears. so please don't go around telling people how great your trany is. And i know all of this b/c my oy has a spec v and i have driven it pleanty of times. Plus i think it was Car and Driver that rated the MP3 over the Spec-V just for the fact that the trany SUCKS!!!!!


sorry bout that guys. just had to set the record straight.

I don't think the MSP is anywhere near it's max potential. The GT25 turbo should be good for at least 300RWHP! I say this as MR2 Turbo owners with that unit are not getting more than 300WHP. Sure tranny and engine durability will be compromised as hp increases, but speed costs money. Also from what I've read in SCC, the 2.5 Nissan unit is not very tough when compared to the legendary SR20 that it replaced. They had a side by side of the rod and the 2.5's look puny compared to the SR20's. I doubt that the Nissan unit could handle any more boost (possibly less) than the FS-DE.


Back on topic: As far as the cars your list go, I'll add another option, why not wait for the new Mazda3? It will have the great new MZR engine, possibly with a 4 wheel drive turbo model. That is the car I'm waiting for. I know a MSP would be nice... but as soon as the turbo MZR lands I'd want to trade in.

Bottom line: Can't go wrong with any of the cars on the list.

Everyone stop bitching... that's all the guys on the Nissan board do. That's why most of this board is nice, not everyone has to bitch and moan and flame everyone for what they post.

Now...

I own both a 2002 Spec V and a 91 Turbo Protege. While there are a few weakpoints of the Spec V it is an all around good car. It is true that the tranny lacks a smooth feel to it, but it is solid and very useful. The LSD works great, and 6th gear is perfectly setup for cruising. The A/C works, seats are comfortable and the lighting is good.

The downsides are that you will need to spend another $2-500 for a decent head unit because the stock one is crap. Don't bother with options on the car because they are pointless. ABS may be a plus if it came by itself. The seats are tough to clean because of the mesh, the car lacks good styling but is a killer on the street.

I've only done 1 modification that was a must, AEM Intake. The rest of the mods for the car just make it sound like a riced out civic. True that there is potential for bolt ons but lets face it, the motor is designed for efficiency and not power. Like most of the new cars coming out the features inside the motor weaken it for any type of Forced Induction abuse. I would not bolt a turbo on this motor, direct port n2o is about as far as I'd go.

What you get for the money is pretty good, I think the warranty could have been better/cheaper but that's how it goes. I paid around 16,800 + tax/warranty/etc.. and it totalled to about 21k after it was all said and done. It will be 4 more years of paying out my ass to own this thing but it's a worthwhile investment.

The protege on the other hand is a fun beater, if you are looking at an ES model expect to pay higher dollar for a few tidbits. The build is solid but the protege lacks power and space. For the extra money I would go for the '03 Spec V with a few fixes in it over the 02 model. After all, if you are going to be paying for a car for 5 years wouldn't you like to enjoy it?

Otherwise just buy a 90-94 Protege LX and turbo it, it'll cost way less than all of these cars and beat them all in numbers. I know after I get out of the protege and get into the Spec I feel like I'm driving a festiva. lol

Yes, I agree with all your comments....

I love the MSP

The 03 tranny no longer sucks, the 02 ones sucked so much that nissan replaced them. longer gear ratios in 1st and 2nd, and no more clunky feeling.

Nissan also replaced the material the seats are made of. (then you can always use scotchguard to protect the seats)

Forced Induction racing has a Turbo kit for the spec that'll put 275 to the wheels, on stock internals.

Yes the Spec V engine is weak compared to the legendary SR20 engine.

But I stand by the fact that I think the MSP engine is near it's max potential (in terms of boosting) without getting iron sleeves, or stronger rods and pistons.

But you are good no matter which car you drive.

KrisA WTF are you talking about, yea the turbo may be good for 300RWHP...but the MSP IS NOT a rear wheel drive car :p

The boost is limited to 6.9 Psi so you don't blow the engine (which means that the engine must not beable to take much more boost than that)

Not to flame anyone, my brother is on these boards, and is probally gonna get an 03 P5, I love both cars.

You won't go wrong no matter which one you choose :) Because it'll be YOUR car, and it's what YOU chose, so you'll be happy no matter of the outcome :)

Sadly, if you are buying either of these cars for straight line performance then you are not buying the car for what it's intended for. If you want straight line performance go buy a muscle car. These cars are built to turn!