You guys are the experts...
 

Here it goes.
I am in the market for a new/used car so I went to my local mazda dealer today where I happen to know one of the salesmen. I really only went in to see what used cars they had because I only intended to spend around 10k but I started looking at new Proteges just for grins. Well after talking with him for awhile he gave me a quote of $13,168 for a nicely loaded 5-spd LX and right before I left he showed me a nice, similarly equiped, Protege5 (I think the only difference was the 5 didn't have a moonroof) that he said I could get for the same price.

Anyway, should I go with the protege and if so which one (and why?) or should I save a couple grand and go with something used? (a jetta or a maybe an A4 with the 1.8t)

If you can get a P5 for that money thats a steal! P5s usually start above 15K for MSRP. If I had 13 grand, I would get that.

Ok,... if you can actually get a P5 for the same price,.. I think you'll like it much more. Some tips are 1> put in Bosch Platinum 2point spark plugs, 2> a K&N air filter
For custom gauges go to www.speedhut.com
For altezza taillights go to www.matrixracing.com

If Bigwayner does get the P5, he would be spending MORE than the 10k he was willing to spend in the first place. I think paying a few payments on it would be wiser than rushing to mod the thing.
Second, the car comes with perfectly good plugs. Yes, plugs will come sooner or later, Until then he should hold off.
Third, Altezza taillights....IMO, yuck. All show, no go. Personally, I would spend the money on something like an intake. Atleast an intake would make more gas mileage and HP.

Ripper: well,.. YOU are entitled to your opinion I guess. I know that I bought mine brand new & the original spark plugs suck. After installing the 2point I instantly noticed better performance.

p.s. Decepticon scum are a DISEASE which should be eradicated from existance as a whole!

:D Yep, I sure am entitled to an opinion. I have no doubt that the 2 point plugs are better. I have had the stock ones in since I bought the car an they are fine. When I do have to change them, I shall look into your advice for those particular plugs. However, I think he should just see how it runs with the stock ones since they are new. Atleast get his moneys worth out of them. Have a nice day. :P

P.S. You shall pay for such treacherous comments in due time fleshling. Hail Galvatron!

make sure those prices include ABS and moonroof for the protege. I would spend an extra $700 and get an ES. You also should get a stick, not auto. The price for the P5 is good, if it includes ABS. Typically the p5 run about 1k more than an ES. The $2500 off of 60 month 0% cannot be beat. VW's and Audi's are great cars, but with the Proto you will have years of trouble free service ( had my last one for over 186k miles). They are also alot cheaper to service than the german cars.

My new P5 stickered at $19.3K. It is laser blue with moonroof-6disk cd-ABS-EBD-side airbags- polished 16" wheels- leather interior-5spd-and wheellocks. Out the door I paid a hair of $14.8K. There are great deals on these cars right now. Go to edmunds.com and look up the TMV (tru market value). This is wat people are paying for this car IN YOUR AREA. I actually bought my car for $300 less than invoice and then they tacked on $2750 in rebates AND they threw in the mazdaspeed exhaust for free. Not a bad deal, but GREAT deals can be found if you shop around..

not a plug, just advice...go to www.mazdasouth.com Their prices are the lowest in the country.

p.s. If you feel like getting your decepti-chops busted please step right up. (matrix in hand).

TILL ALL ARE ONE!!!

I agree with the spark plug thinggy. I have added the new Bosch Platnium +4's to my pro and notice a very big difference for a sparkplug

Tough words for a bot that sends Magnus to fight all his fights. :D

Have you seen how big Ultra Magnus is??!! Besides, I would just send in Blur and have the Cybertronian War over in 35seconds, but thats not playing fair and you know us Autobots!

LOL. Blurr may be fast, but you need MORE than speed to yield the Mighty Galvatron. He lacks the skill an firepower.

Wait for the mazda 3!:D