Need Some Current Owner Opinions Please!
March-10th-2005, 06:55 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 2
Need Some Current Owner Opinions Please!
I am going to be in the market for another car soon. I really like the 2000 and up protege es. Would like to get pros and cons or for that matter any opinions about the car so I can make a more informed decision. I also like the protege 5 if anyone has a comment on that one as well. Thanks to all for the help!
d.
d.
March-10th-2005, 07:33 AM
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 239
My 2002 P5 is the best bang for the buck I've ever seen. It rides and corners like it's on rails. A little more HP would be nice but with a 5 speed, once you learn to keep the RPMs up and find the sweet spots, you can really scat. Not much off the line but it'll shoot in and out of traffic like a scalded dog. It loves to run at high RPMs. Do not get an automatic, it would be a COMPLETE waste of a good car.
March-10th-2005, 08:27 AM
#3
Registered User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 153
Any of the 2000 and up Proteges would be good choices. I am partial to the 2002 Protege5 because that is what I have. The 2003 same choice. A little more money than the 2000 ES but you have the functionality of the extra space in the back. All good on gas mileage. Just my 2 cents.
March-10th-2005, 08:30 AM
#4
The man behind the mask
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 11,572
I love the proteges but my current situation has me warning people of modding or "hot-rodding"....if you plan to drive hard you better go ahead and set aside about $200 for all new engine mounts. I've torn mine twice and the engine vibration is really pissing me off lately.
They are GREAT cars and the P5's actually hold their value better than any protege made including the MP3 and MSP.
They are GREAT cars and the P5's actually hold their value better than any protege made including the MP3 and MSP.
March-10th-2005, 10:54 AM
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ft. Bragg NC/Livonia MI
Posts: 29
I have an 03 p5 and its ands its great. I would really like the msp but moneys limited so.
when I got mine I looked at the si and svt focus and coral s and I liked the way the p5 drove alot better.
when I got mine I looked at the si and svt focus and coral s and I liked the way the p5 drove alot better.
March-10th-2005, 12:07 PM
#10
Awesome Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 3,186
If you buy a Protege you will not be disappointed. A little more giddyap would be nice but there is so much more to love about them.
I've owned at least one vehicle by Toyota (2), Nissan (2), Mitsu (1), Subaru (1) and Honda (2) and Mazda has impressed me more than any of them. As long as Mazda continues to build cars of this quality I am never going back.
I've owned at least one vehicle by Toyota (2), Nissan (2), Mitsu (1), Subaru (1) and Honda (2) and Mazda has impressed me more than any of them. As long as Mazda continues to build cars of this quality I am never going back.
March-11th-2005, 02:32 AM
#11
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Rapid City, SD
Posts: 118
I really like mine, just gotten a little too small for what I need. And I happen to agree they could have done better on the engines, but the 5 speed makes up for that... somewhat. I'm spoiled by my Maxima so ehhh.
The handling is off the chart. I see why they said it was a 4 door miata. I wish it was a little more roomier, then I would keep it. But it's just cramped trying to put 2 child seats, and everything else.
The handling is off the chart. I see why they said it was a 4 door miata. I wish it was a little more roomier, then I would keep it. But it's just cramped trying to put 2 child seats, and everything else.
March-11th-2005, 08:26 AM
#12
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Akron, OH
Posts: 61
P5 opinion
P5s especially are nice, inexpensive cars. Great utility with the hatch and it doesn't look like every other little sedan. Great handling, good brakes, good gas mileage in a well assembled package. It could use more engine, but he excellent 5 speed helps a lot. I replaced a Honda Prelude with my P5. I miss the power of the 195hp VTEC (the P5 feels like the Prelude, except the VTEC never kicks in!), but since I have a 9 year old and 13 year old to haul around, the back doors and useable back seat are pretty important. I've put 35,000 miles on mine since it was bought new in June of '03. I'm planning on keeping it at least another couple years.
March-11th-2005, 04:50 PM
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 27
Originally Posted by Rusty
My 2002 P5 is the best bang for the buck I've ever seen. It rides and corners like it's on rails. A little more HP would be nice but with a 5 speed, once you learn to keep the RPMs up and find the sweet spots, you can really scat. Not much off the line but it'll shoot in and out of traffic like a scalded dog. It loves to run at high RPMs. Do not get an automatic, it would be a COMPLETE waste of a good car.
March-12th-2005, 07:40 PM
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Omaha,Nebraska
Posts: 439
Originally Posted by Rusty
My 2002 P5 is the best bang for the buck I've ever seen. It rides and corners like it's on rails. A little more HP would be nice but with a 5 speed, once you learn to keep the RPMs up and find the sweet spots, you can really scat. Not much off the line but it'll shoot in and out of traffic like a scalded dog. It loves to run at high RPMs. Do not get an automatic, it would be a COMPLETE waste of a good car.
March-13th-2005, 11:10 AM
#15
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 49
excellent car. Have a 2000 es. Dependable, corners great and when i'm due for a new car, it will be a Mazda. Never understood why the Protege took a back seat to Toyota or Honda. Neither one offer a car with this handling for the money.