MaDmaX981

I am new to the site and just wanted to say that I'm impressed on how helpful and pleasant everyone is. And as you know, this is rarely seen on most forums. I have learned a ton about the Protege5 and I don't even own one.

My wife is obsessed about getting the MP3 but admit that the Protege5 is the one we need. We don't know anyone who personally owns a Protege5 so my question is how is your experiences with it? Aside from the Protege5 being a wagon, what difference in external and internal features are there between the Protege5 and the MP3? My last question is how much did you pay for a Protege5 to give me an idea on how much to haggle with? Thanks and more power.

2002VividYellow

My P5 stickered @ $18,655. cause its had some optional crap.

Floor mats $80
Moonroof deflector $40
Perimeter shock sensor alarm $220
abs with side airbags $800
power moonroof $700

The dealer didn't really drop the price because of the demand in my area for the Yellow, I've only seen one other yellow p5 in my area.

Plus i just wanted to dump off my Mustang Gt @ the time.

Cyberglitch

It is a great car inside and out. My wife is pregnant and this will be our first and I've been looking at news car anyways. Well I wanted some kind of 4-door car and a friend showed me the P5 and I feel in love with it and so did my wife. Great cargo room but not a huge car like full size wagons. This is good b/c my wife is very small and can not drive a big car. It's also sporty and I defiently love driving and being seen in this car. All in all it's a great car and will love it for years to come.

As for price depending on what you want you can haggle with.

I got a Red Auto, moonroof w/ deflector, mats and all the little stuff for $17.2 +TTL Sticker price was somewhere around 18.8 talked them down to 17.7 plus another 500 off for my wife graduating college this year. So all in all we got a great deal.

Just look around at dealers in your area and see wha they have and how fast they move them. You can will and deal more if the car you want is on the lot rather then them having to either get it or special order it.

ZoomZoomH

madmax,

just for your convenience, you can now actually check your local mazda dealer's inventory through Mazda USA's site, http://www.mazdausa.com

they list the msrp and options installed of each car on the lot, excluding TTL and all the other dealer add-on crap of course.

Unless you're trying to get the yellow, I think you should be able get a P5 for well less than msrp now....

not sure if there are anymore new MP3s laying around for sale...

good luck in your search!

ZackyFarms16

when i first got the car i was thinkin in my head "what the hell am i doing, i went from trying to get a wrx, to a Wagon, thats a MAZDA?!!!." But really though, the P5 is an awesome car, especially for the price. It handles awesome and the car is so small you seriously cant tell its a wagon. Like i know that sounds wierd and absurd but when driving it it doesnt feel like a wagon, thats what im trying to say i hink. im not sure about the elantra or the matrix. The matrix is faster and the front looks pretty tight, but the back is a little ify in my opinion. But it seems like a tight car. I dont know anything about the elantra. Its an awesome car, it looks good, the interior is nice, very comfy seats, handling is tight, the power is laking but you get used to it, and its not that bad. and thats about it. Have fun and good luck


be sure to haggle with the price, you can bring it doen

Installshield

I prefer the P5 to be considered a Compact four door Sport Hatchback with extra visibility due to small rear-side windows.

kc5zom

Knowing your dealer's invoice and holdback values are very important when negotiating on a car. Check Edmunds (http://www.edmunds.com) for these values. Negotiate your price first, check other dealerships in the area for rebates and dealer cash (this is money given to the dealer that they do not necessarily have to pass on to you), and always wait until the last to discuss any trade in. Its better not to even let them know you have one until you are getting ready to close the deal and have agreed on a price for the car. Otherwise they will try to screw you by adjusting price and trade-in values to maximize their take. A price within 2% of the invoice is a pretty good price without the rebates. Currently the P5 invoices for around $15,750 so a price around 16k for a base one would be a good deal. As for the differences between the P5 and the MP3:

1. No Kenwood MP3 Player
2. Better suspension on the MP3
3. Some interior trim effects
4. 10 less horsepower
5. Wagon with its rear window windshield wiper thingy

The P5 and the Sedan are different only in the hatchback window, some exterior and interior trim differences, a standard strut tower brace, and a leather wrapped steering wheel. Also some options available on the P5 are not available on the sedan (leather, polished wheels). Either one is really a good way to go but the P5 makes a louder visual statement.

MaDmaX981

Wow, thanks a bunch for the helpful replies

Will let you guys know what we decide. The wife prefer the yellow P5 but thanks for the warning.

tresdos3

first up..welcome to the forums

hmmm..well seeing as we dont get the matrix here....id have to say that the elantra looks o.k.....ive seen a few dropped with kits getting around and they have a good shape to em'...but again im a bit suss about hyundais.....(no offence to hyundai owners)....id definately go with the p5 ...although i wouldnt say no to an elantra if there was no choice

stick with Mazda quality..i reckon