sonyisdope

So, I graduated college, I finally got a job, and now I am getting my first new car. Currently I have a 93.5 Infiniti G20. Nice car, it's just getting old (120,000 miles old) I have decided on the Protege 5 for a couple reasons, but I do have to set a few things straight that I always see you guys talking about on this forum. . .Number 1, Civics are good cars, my sister has one, a couple of my friends have them, and my roommate has one, and they all have 7th gen civics. I've driven my roommates a lot, and I do have to say that it is an awesome handling car, and with his short throw shifter, it feels kinda peppy too. I understand you guys don't like Civics, but they are awesome, and there is a huge aftermarket for them. I like Civics, but I am picking a P5, because it is sweet looking, and I like it. The other thing, is that I test drove a Hyundai Tiburon. For $20,000 with leather, a 6 speed, and a 6 cylinder, that is a tough car to beat. My only problem with it is that it is a Hyundai. They might make good cars now, but I will stick with a tried and true Mazda. My dad has owned 4 Millenias, and not had a single problem with 1 of them, My mom has a Tribute now, and in the 3 months she's had it, she has had 4 small problems with it (WTF Ford?) So for all you guys who bash American cars, I'm with you, you could not pay me to take a new American car. Now my closing comments. . . I look forward to owning this P5, however, my only problem with it is that it is *kinda* slow. Ok, when I was test driving it, a Crown Victoria beat me off the line. My question is, how do I make it go faster? Catch you guys later, and I will be around. -Dan

tttP5

why don't u wait for the new mazdas? like mazda 6 or turbo protege??

Sir Nuke

Sony, its not that we don't like hondas...or think they are crappy cars...for they really are not....BUT, every TOM, DICK AND HARRY has one...and you see so many of them with all the crappy ALL SHOW AND NO GO mods on them as well....just looks stupid IMO.....THOSE are the hondas we don't care for....their track record as a car speaks for itself.

the Tiburon...well you said it all there...its still a hyundai! lol

As far as the true performance of the P-5...yep...its a little sluggish in the straight line....but just have someone try to hang with you down a twisty road....all that will happen is your tail lights will get smaller and smaller...it handles awsomely! and when you keep the engine in the power band...it has more than enough power for this kind of driving, which is what it was really geared towards.

NOW>..if you are really wanting for the looks and the performance all in one package.....like TTTP5 said...you could always wait for the turbo mazda speed sedan...or the 6

sonyisdope

The mazda 6, and the turbo protege would be sweet, however, they will not be cheap. Not that the P5 is cheap, its just that I can indeed afford it.

noodles

As a member of the 7thgen civic.com forum, i used to own a 7th gen civic. They are nice cars, BUT, they don't have much aftermarket support. The handling is WAY better on the Protege 5 than the civic. P5 gives more HP, more torque and IMO, looks nicer. Comes standard with 16 " alloys and a real tight suspension. Also P5's are 100% made in Japan, while the 7thgens are made in N. America. There has already been 2 recalls on the 7th gen civics regarding the fuel pump so if you get into a car accident , it might go boom. So far i have heard of NO recalls for the P5 and i've had less problems with the P5 than the civic. One of the biggest issues with the 7thgen civics is driving in the rain, it makes this big rumbling sound near the engine and sometimes near the parking brake area, sounds like it's gonna explode or something, and the problem has never been resolved. There's a big thread about it on 7thgencivic.com. IMO, my trade from my 2k1 civic to the P5 was the best thing i did.

macdaddyslomo

also keep in mind it has a V6 now but its roots are still the Elantra...Jesus Christ what a horrible car

bmassche

the elantra is a good car, but Mazda has a better name and better resale value. my dad has a 95 Sonata with the 2.0 litre mitsu engine from the eclipse. He has had no major problems with it in 7 years, but the gears are starting to go. and the window moldindgs are rusting

SilverproES

Sony, I have to agree with on several points you had made. I to bought Mazda over Honda. Eventhough I was aware of the strong aftermarket support Honda does get. I do admit the future is looking much brighter for aftermarket parts for Mazda.

As far is Hyundai goes, I feel the same way. There cars can continue to improve, but I can still remember the days when they made Ponys and Stellars...back in the eighties. It's still a Hyundai!!

makeminemazda

Let's see...You would like a little more speed in a small car without taking the chance on major after-market engine mods. Hmmm...there is a little car coming soon with only a 1300cc engine that puts out 250 horsepower without turbos or superchargers. Can you say...RX-8? Zoom zoom...

BloodRoses53

I grinned the second you said 1300cc... I wanna see how that thing runs on the track with a good turbocharger on it. If I'm in the right mind, that thing will make the Supra look even more like a Pinto. My complaint though is, I hate the styling. It's downright awful. The 7 is among the best in that respect (especially the way they used the Porsche look with the lights, but not so aggressively...). I just don't understand why Mazda wouldn't put a little more time into it. But, there is still hope for aftermarket body kits. Do you think an almost-replica of the 7 bodykit might be made? If one does come out, it will be a pretty nice car...

makeminemazda

Hey BloodRoses and all,

I agree with you on several points. I do not hate the styling, but I am certainly not thrilled about it yet. I think all 3 previous generations of the RX-7 look better as does my P5. Then again, I have seen and driven all of those cars and I haven't even seen an RX-8 in person yet. Only pictures. Sometimes pictures don't do a car justice.

I will reserve final judgment until I can actually get my hands on one. And technologically speaking this car is looking to be awesome without turbocharging. I think Mazda is shying away from turbos due to the reliability issues with the 3rd gen 7s. But I would think they probably have long-term plans for adding something like this provided the car's sales are good.

Let's just hope for everyones sake that the RX-8 is a major sales hit. That is the only way I am going to see my beloved rotary engine back in production to stay. Even if I stay lukewarm about the RX-8's styling I am seriously considering buying one when they come out. I want both Mazda and the rotary engine to be alive for a long, long time.

Keep zooming!