infiniti2002

Hey
I am turning getting my licence in a couple months, and i really want to buy a 2002 protege5 used. all my friends say " ya it would be a sweet car........if you had a family!", but i dont really care, cause this is an awesome car. But i am just wondering how old you guys, cause i dont think its a family car at all. Ive narrowed it down to this, or a 1994 acura integra......what do you think would be the best?

Wheels_SD

I'm 26. Just bought my P5, and love it. It's my first brand new car. I don't have any kids or a spouse. I like to surf and do other outdoor activities, and this car allows me to fit all my surf gear into it, or on top of it (if I bring some friends along). It also looks pretty sporty, which was a definite factor in my interst in it. Everyone I've shown it to agrees that it looks sharp (hopefully they're not just being nice to me). I think Mazda is really marketing for a young demographic, like yourself and me. It is good for a family, but that doesn't make it un-useful for your situation. I'm biased, but I'd say if it's between an '02 P5 and a '94 Integra, it's a no brainer -- You go for the P5! But that's just my biased opinion.

I've noticed that the P5 seems extremely popular in Canada. Does anybody know why? I haven't seen any others in San Diego, yet. I'm sure I'll notice a few, but so far I haven't seen any others driving around.

SedanMan

There are quite a few Protege 5 up here. I see them constantly and am amazed when people say that there P5s turn heads. Here they are very common.

As for the original question, they are marketed for a younger demographic... between a 94 teg or a 2002 P5, I would go with the P5 just because its newer and you wont have as many repairs right off the bat. You will also be getting a new model, not last years model like the integra. Of course you really have to make up your own mind. Just remember that you wont win any races with a P5.

thegreatskeptic

I'm 24.

Lemme tell you this. My first car was a "cool car." At the time the 1988 Dodge Daytona seemed cool. But mommie and daddy weren't paying the bills. I, as a high school kid, spend all my working hours to support that stupid maintainance nightmare.

The Protege rocks. I just sold another nightmare, a 99 Volkswagen GTI. Cool car, right? No.

The Protege is just as fast. Just as fun. Your friends will appreciate the fact that you can have them ride with you. And IT SHOULDN'T BREAK DOWN.

As someone who lives on a budget, I cannot stress the importance of this enough. If you treat it well, it will treat you well.

Good luck, just make sure you get the ES with alloys and the spoiler...makes it look sporty. Maybe get a little tint, too.

pantherES

24

NOBLEWV

Just turned 32 and still trying to grow up! LOL!

Just bought my 2002 Protege ES on July 9, 2002.

fossil boy

Uh, I'm not quite as old as dirt, but I do have clothes older than some of the other members (fortunately, NOT underwear and socks)...
Hey the protege is a great car at a great price!
The 4 doors (+ hatch) are a real plus. having had 2 door cars ranging from a '65 mustang to the GT-S,
I can safely say that more access points = convenience & comfort. And heck, the little mazda handles so well, you won't care if it looked like a DC-3 (though we all know it's very purrrrrrdy)

Gaspo

22, got my ES at 21, and all my buddies think it's sweet. I don't even have any Mods yet and they love it.

jaimz25

I'm 25 and I had been drving an '81 VW Scirocco for a long time until the tranny busted. It wasn't worth fixing because the repair would be more than the car was worth. So I decided to shop for a new car. I had my sights set on buying the new 2003 Toyota Corolla S until my girlfriend suggested I take the Protege 5 for a test drive. From that moment, I fell in love with it. It was so fun to drive...like a roller coaster, as opposed to the Corolla which made me feel old and very yuppie-ish. So I bought it and am very happy. All my friends love it and it does not have that family car feel to it at all, trust me. But don't expect to be out racing w/ it...it's not meant for street races. But it is stylish and attractive....women love it (hee hee). So I say go for the P5, you won't be dissappointed.

infiniti2002

This just confirms everything i thought about the car. I love it. I dont really care about racing or speed, cause if i do get one, i wont have any money to pay the speeding tickets As for maintainance, that is a big issue. My sister bought a 1993 mx-3, and has had to put alot of money into it, and its only got 88,000 kms. She has had some trouble paying for repairs on that, so seeing her pay that much kinda got me away from buying an older car.

Now ive got another question for you................What do you think would be the cost of a used 2002 protege with a sunroof and 5spd? I am thinking in 3 or 4 months i should be able to get one privat for like $17,000...........that being a really good deal. What do you guys think?

KeiraP5

I'm 17 and I looked at a variety of cars and chose the P5. I wanted something big enough to drive some friends around comfortably and be able to hold my stuff. I was also looking for something sporty and this was a great choice. It fit everything I was looking for and I love it. Go with the P5...you won't regret it.

nramsey

I am 23 and this is my first NEW car. I have had many used cars in the past though... '87 626, '91 Miata (still have), '92 Protege DX (no AC...only reason I sold it), '97 Altima (thought I wanted and automatic but turned out I didn't. Just got my 2002.5 P5 about a month ago and now have 1800 miles on it The first couple weeks I'd just get in it and drive around for no reason. Fun car

With the exception of that old 626, all of my Mazdas have been VERY reliable. Requiring nearly nothing more than oil, filter and gas.

infiniti2002

Ya that is how my dad feels too. He has a 1991 BRG miata that he drives for 5 months in the summer, and in the last 4 years, there has been absolutely nothing wrong with it. The only time it goes to the dealer if for an oil change and sometimes a tune up. Im amazed at how many of these cars i see in victoria. Everywhere i go i see like 4 or 5, and everyone turns heads. I think the success of this car is due to the fact that there is no "base model" . They all come looking great, not like the sentra, where the gxe looks ugly, and the se-r looks awesome.

nightowl

22 here...i love my P5 and so do all my friends!!!

protetype

there was a thread similar to this not too long ago. i just turned 21 a few weeks ago. i've had my 2000 for a year and a half now.