LX vs EX - which to buy?
 

Hi Folks,

I can see the listed differences between LX and EX on the Mazda website, but am wondering how big the difference is in actual driving - just ordered the LX online, but the carsdirect person will probably call tomorrow, so have time to change if I really want to.

I personally liked the interior of the LX more, the large silverish center console in the EX did not appeal to me. The EX looked better with the rest of the interior, but ...

However, if the EX actually handles and drives a lot better, may decide to pay the extra for that. If it is just cosmetic, then will stay with the LX.

I am getting an automagic, btw, but assume differences in manual would also hold true for the automatic.

Thanks folks,
swgeek.

Re: LX vs EX - which to buy?
 

Damn dealers cheated me, they never offered me no automagic when I was getting mine :mad:


;)

I'm not that familiar with the new trim models, but if the engine is the same (2.0L) and the suspension is the same then the difference is purely cosmetic.

I know that there was no difference in performance between the 2001 LX 2.0 and the 2001 ES

it's ES not EX. and the changes are mainly cosmetic. the ES package has more "stuff" like white gauges, silver trim, diff. interior, and bigger wheels wich you may find makes the handling slightly better but the ride a little firmer. btw... in my opion.... get a manual. this car's acceleration is much better with the MT.
:)

The ES has a couple of standard features that aren't available on the LX , some performance-related (the 16" wheels and rear disk brakes) and some cosmetic (interior trim, gauges, standard spoiler and foglights).

If you want performance, you can upgrade the wheels of any car, and the rear disks from Mazda aren't considered to be all that great anyway. The cosmetic stuff (spoiler, lights etc.) can all be added later too. However, it may cost you more to add the ES extras later than it would to buy an ES in the first place. IMHO it's largely a matter of personal taste. YMMV :D

The ES is also going to have better resale value no matter what you do to an LX.

I personally disagree with this. Resale value for the ES may be better in the short term (i.e. less than 3 years) but most folks who buy older economy cars don't really care about trim levels. Most of the standard features and options of the LX and ES are the same (engine, power windows and locks, power steering, keyless entry, available sunroof, etc.) and there really isn't anything particularly special about the ES that would boost the resale (such as the MP3's limited production status and special bodywork).

Kelly Blue Book - 1997 Mazda Protoge, west coast car, 60K miles, same equipment, private party value.

ES - $6105
LX - $5605
DX - $5030

As for the resale value of the MP3, exclusivity value hasn't yet shown its face at least on the west coast. Those that are for sale are getting a few thousand more than a ES (2001) but not in the neighborhood of $20K +

Lots of people complain about the rain performance of the tires that come on the LX. It was one of the reasons I got the ES instead. The ES was also in the color I wanted and was only $1000 more and had more options.

i remembered someone saying the sway bars on the ES are a bit larger than the LX. so that will be a bit more performance for you. are you planning on swapping out parts for your car like new rims and fog lights and brakes? you you plan on doing that anyways then go with the LX to save money on things you are going to change anyways. unless you don't see you will be doing that in the near future , go with the ES. I like the stock rims on the ES and Protege 5 anyways. I'd go with the top of the line car if i was to buy a brand new car. that's just me though

In regards to resale value, you have to also factor in that you are originally paying more for the ES over the LX.

It's not like when you go to sell your car, there's magically more money in the ES than the LX....you spent more on the ES when you first bought the car.

The depreciation should be similar for both cars...you can't just look at the final number that KBB lists and say that the ES is "worth" more.

I'm too lazy to run the numbers...but if somebody wants to, I'm sure it would provide some insight on this.

All I said was that the ES was worth more than the LX or DX on the resale market and it is. If you want to do cash flows, that is a different matter.

I have just bought a 2002 LX matellic green 2 months ago, I only paid $13,200 with power everything, at, c/c, a/c, cd, and ABS. Can't believe it!

I then added the aftermarket Konig 16" wheels and Kumbo 16/205/45 tires with stock sway bars and suspension still. So, if you are also concerned with performance, you can do the same thing as I do. Add the performance tires after you buy the LX and SAVE on cash!!! I only spend $900 (included tax) for the tires and wheels.

And for cornering, man, you can notice the difference right away. Stock tires can't compare.

$.02

13200!!!?
 

13200? Wow - did you get that price at a dealer?

How did the dealer do that? It seems to be below dealer cost.

swgeek

Doe's the sport automatic make a big difference?
 

Thanks for the feedback y'all, this is really helping...

> Lots of people complain about the rain performance of the tires
> that come on the LX. It was one of the reasons I got the ES
> instead. The ES was also in the color I wanted and was only
> $1000 more and had more options.

I thought the tires were almost the same on both cars?
Does the 16 vs 15 wheel make a difference in the rain? I would have thought the width of the tire made the biggest difference..., and that is the same right?

I did think of a big difference - I am getting the automatic (sorry Aaron), and the ES has the sport automatic, so I have a pseudo manual mode as well. Hmmm.. is that worth the extra...

So, the major differences are:

silver console in the ES (which I actually do NOT like, but that's me),

16inch alloy wheels vs 15 steel - is this a real advantage?

foglights standard - I like that

spoiler standard - don't really care about spoiler

better seat material - cannot remember - is it a lot better?

white gauges - I don't really care about that.

So, *for me* (YMMV), the biggest diffs are the sport automatic and the foglights. Is that worth the extra $1K? not sure.

Anyone with a sport automatic have any input on this?

Thanks,
swgeek.

is it worth it? only you can awnser that one. do a search on SPORT SHIFT though, there are a couple people who like it.