Hey all -

After weeks of driving cars and reading forums, I bought the Protege5 in red, polished wheels and sun roof.

I considered the new Mini (too, well... mini), the WRX (expensive, turbo lag, and did not handle well), and the Spec-V (really close!) I live for the corners so I bought the best handling, most "zippy" car. A friend with the WRX says after a ride in my 5 - "wish my WRX could do that".

Just turned over 1000 miles and love this thing!! I would say it handles better then my Datsun Roadsters. I would have never thought I would have fun in a front driver around corners. This suspension is well designed. My wife calls it my "little red wagon" so Radio Flyer seems to fit.

I have a question. If I understand, adding a intake and exhaust will give about 10 HP. Does this effect the bottom end performance? I have dynoed Mustangs and trucks - sometimes these additions are good for HP sometimes not.

Looking forward to talking 5's with you guys in the future.

Phil

 

hey flyer, welcome to the club....hope you enjoy it here as much as we do.

 

welcome to the club my friend? i dont think i would agree with you on the WRX no handeling well. but the mini is small and v-spec is to boring. i would love to have a wrx and if i couldve i wouldve but it is to much. anyways welcome.

oh on the intake and exaust i diddnt notice any low end loss from either mod. tell you the truth the exaust did close to nothing if it did any good besides the nice growl. i would deffinitally get the injen cai though.

 

Thanks for the welcome!

Hey Nuke - looked at your web site - you are a talented dude! How do you like your mods - how do they make the car "feel"?

I did not mean the WRX handled poorly, just the 5 has an edge on handling. I too wanted the WRX, but the 5 "felt" better to me. I think new wheels/tires would make a big difference on the WRX. And thanks Vivid for your reaction to the mods on your 5. So, what is the Injen CAI and how much.

Phil

 

i got my injen cai for $200 from the shop i work at. you can yours from protege5online.com they have pretty much everything that is available to the public for sale. another thing you forgot to mention springs. i have eibachs and they make a substantial differance in the way the car handels. all for the better though i picked mine up for $215. i think that the above website has them also.