HS8

Im in the process of buying a car, ive been looking at the P5 and ZX5 cause they are almost the same car. However, i can't decide which to purchase.

P5:
Styling
handling
Interior
roofrack

ZX5:
Immobilizer system
seats
Price (rebates)
Traction control - I live in manitoba, canada so i get bad / good weather from -35 to +35

can anybody give there opinion?

alcoholiday

traction control in a small FWD car just seems silly to me. it's quite expensive an option as well from what i remember of my research.

i also just couldn't get over how ugly the focus is too.

also:

focus = built in mexico
protege = built in japan

on the downside, you can't spit without hitting a p5 there are so many on the road.

HS8

ehehe not in winnipeg, i see more focus than P5, in the mazda dealerships they have a bunch of P5 sitting on the lot.

HS8

i heard about many changes from consumer reports about changing the whole platform:

"The current Protege reportedly takes early retirement after 2003. In its sted comes an all-new 2004 model related to a new-generation Ford Focus and entry-level Volvo 40-Series. All share a new unibody platform, certain chassis components and electronic systems as part of Ford's "C1" small-car program. Styling, features and performance will be unique to and consistent with each nameplate's "brand values." Informants say the Mazda will use new-design 4-cyl engines in 2.0-liter and 2.3-liter sizes. A 4-door hatchback may be offered alongside a restyled wagon and notchback sedan." from [URL=http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/new/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/20544.htm]

And that the newer model will be totally bases on the focus...also i heard about a mazda 3 will be replacing the protege?

Oh well, back to the topic tho, between the two i am looking for reliability, sporty, handling, and after market parts. OR should i go for another car in it's price range?

onehawaiian

i know more focus owners who say they'd rather have a p5 rather than the opposite. in fact, most focus owners i talk to say the p5 was their first choice but couldn't get around the written-in-stone price. but now the prices seem to be lower, so mayb that'll help you out as well.

besides, the p5 gets double points for stying.

Invincibleredp5

get the 2003 P5 in laser mica blue

Evil Homer MP5

when i stated looking for a car, the ZX5 was on the list as well, but even tho i never test drove the ZX5, i'm still very happy with my P5

Or if the SVT focus 5 door was out at the time, i might have gotten that, depending on the price as well.

HS8

laser blue mica eh? will that color come to canada?

pr5owner

the interior of the focus is so DAMN cheap!!! crappy/cheap plastic everywhere, also the colors don't even match up LOL you have like 7 diffrent shades of tan.. its gross i never want to sit in a focus again for the rest of my life, plus the focus has like what? 5-6 recals already? FORD = CRAP, ive owned some fords and they are ALL crap all of the broke down, all of them had cosmetic issues, all of them are now gone my family has switched over to imports and couldn't be happier
________
Bmw New Six

pr5owner

________
VAPORIZER AFFILIATES

kc5zom

I'm sure Volvo people will love that. I hope they keep the T4.

mito7878

I had to drive a focus while my car was in the body shop and I just about shot my self in the brain. That car is the biggest POS in the world. The interior looks like a group of kids took a field trip to the ford plant and let them put together the cars, the engine needed an inhaler, the tranny felt like a bowl of oatmeal with a spoon as the shifter, and the placement of everything seemed odd. About the only thing I liked was the little pen holder and that even looked cheap. Also the seats colth was I think made from those Potato bags. Anyways I think the protege is a much better car in quality, workmanship, good looks.

HS8

hmmmmm, check out the new spec for the 2003 focus
Here
And Here

mito7878

Still ugly and a POS. I do like the standard cd MP3 player

biggyshake

you're just grumpy because you probably had one with the SPI engine (instead of the zetec) and the shitty 14" wheels/tires.

you should go for a ride in a real focus.