I am a convert.

4 1/2 hours ago, after years of driving Hondas, I sprung for an '03 Protege5 auto, Sunlight Silver Metallic, Moonroof/CD pkg, roof rack, floor mats.

(test drove the 5sp but I'd slam my head on the dash the moment I get stuck in traffic. But, y'all are true-- driving a Protege5 with a stick is F-U-N)

The price was easy... less than what Edmunds predicts for TMV and jives with what I had been seeing SillyCon Valley. And with the 0 down, 0%/60mo financing (didn't make sense to take the cash back and do a 4.5 to 5.7% financing), from the time I walked onto the lot to when I signed on the dotted line(s), it took 45 minutes. And no reach arounds by the dealer.

Actually, it all started with an e-mail inquiry at noon and the deal was sealed in the PM. Man, one of the best experiences I've had in buying a car.

I'm gonna enjoy driving this thing daily (my '99 Accord LX coupe will revert back to my pimp, err.. relationship mobile) and am looking forward in reading some messages here!

 

Hey there, good to know ya.
I live right over the hill in Silicon Beach (Santa Cruz).
Nice Car!!

 

Welcome to the board from another Silicon Valley resident. Hope you enjoy it here and maybe I'll see you on the road.

Just curious, which dealer did you get your Pro5 at?

 

hello Project and Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to our Club. There are TWO BIG fridge'S in the corner with anything you can think of in them...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have.

make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom don't care....and take it easy.

oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!!


you just never know.....after driving the 5 around...you will start to notice how the ladies think they are slick little cars...and they do look might darn sharp.....you may find yourself PIMPIN IN THE 5! LOL

and IF you found driving the stick so much fun....why did you get an auto?

 

Another P5 in the family! You will love your car, like we all do... it's fun to drive, handles well, great brakes, eye catchin', etc... welcome and have fun!

 

Welcome to the club ProjectZero.

I´m also a convert. I used to drive a Civic. When I was looking for a new car, I wanted to buy another Honda... but I ended up buying the Pro because it was cheaper. I´m glad I did. The Pro is way better than the Civic.

Enjoy the car... and let us know of any mods you make.

 

Sup!

 

accords truely are the Hoopty Pimp Mobiles of the japanese car market

 

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Al Sanchez in Garlic Country USA. Didn't visit any other Mazda dealerships-- from the initial e-mail to the walk on the lot experience... it was smooth.

Stay tuned :-) At least now, with four side doors, I'm not limited to driving with one other occupant (sure-- the Accord Cpe has 4 seats, but really-- the rear ones are just for insurance purposes :-) )


This thing called SF Bay Area Traffic. Y'know, spend 1 hr 15 min to drive a lousy 35 miles. Plus the periodic drive over Hwy 17 and the road pimples in SF. It's scary enough to drive Hwy 17, but it's a real white knuckler in the rain with a stick.

I had a stick in my old 1990 Accord Sedan (since sold-- but had 250K mi on the clock when I signed over the slip) and that was brutal in Silicon Valley during the salad days. When the local folks started to tear up the freeways and highways to increase capacity (which forced an increase in commute times/stop 'n go spurts, thanks to looky-loos who apparently never seen dirt), I decided to part with the manual Accord and get the auto Accord.

Maybe if I had a reverse commute direction, the 5sp would have been fine. But not in stop and go traffic these days. Gotta have that free hand for the coffee and Breakfast Jack for breakfast on the road :-)

 

good choice

 

I feel your pain. I am in the same boat as you and got the auto for the exact same reason. 70 mile round trip commute every day in some of the ugliest traffic in the country. If only my commute wasn't so bad it would have been a no-brainer.

 

pFFT! You guys don't love the Protege that much do you


I drive around in Bay Area traffic all the time with my 5sp.


Real men drive stick

 

congrats on your purchase

after some time I think you'll find the p5 looks cooler than any accord.... maybe you should make p5 your pimp mobile....
besides there are 4 doors so you can easily take two more.