MAD323

i hate the way car makers make each succesive model a little bigger and heaver and in the end need a bigger motor to haul around the extra weight !!!

like the old school 323 (pre 90) was a small car got a 1.6l
the first gen was a little bigger ... and got a 1.8l
the 2nd gen was a little heaver ... and stayed with the 1.8l (they missed out)
and now the 3rd gen bigger heaver and up to 2.0l

all of that extra weight to lug around

130hp

yeah thats true.
look at the new altima....it looks huge!
i prefer sport compact cars....
soon we'll be driving big houses around!!!

Makaveli

Have any of you seen 'Smart' that little car that is made by Mercedes, but I don't think that it actually has a label Mercedes on it, anyways, it's made in europe only, very fun to drive, so tiny and I'm guessing uses next to nothing when it comes to gas. My friend's sister lives in London and drives one. Go to www.km77.com under images to check it out, very "smart" hehe

MP3-Owner

Anyone looking at the new Mini, By Cooper? It is small and powerful.

Eric F

I don't know if you noticed, but not everyone likes the same things. That must be why car manufactures make many different models. What exactly is the point of this thread? Are you really upset because there are other vehicles made besides the 1st gen Protege?

MAD323

the point i was trying to make is that every gen the car is getting heaver and there for needs more power to move it .....

why not keep the weight the same .....
and keep a smaller lighter engine
and therefore better fuel econemy

znole

well, i guess the next thing is the next best thing, or else nobody would look forward to buy it. the next generation has to be better than the last. people will see more styles / horses than the power / weight ratio of the cars.

Eric F

Companies market products to what the majority of customers want. Most people as they get older do things like get married, have kids, buy homes, etc. They usually want/need a larger car as that happens, so car models evolve to accommodate the masses. Now I am older than most of you, and I am married but I don't subscribe to the same plan most people do. I personally prefer smaller, lighter, and sportier cars up to a certain point. Lets face it though, that only goes so far. All Protégé's are 4 door cars, and there are plenty of smaller and lighter cars than any Protégé available. Why aren't you driving a Geo Metro or something like that? All I'm saying is there's no shortage of choices available, and that's all this is, a personal choice. Our choice is no better or worse than anyone else's, just different.

The Old Guy

well said Eric. I agree 100%.

Eric F

Thanks, I certainly wasn't trying to start a big debate. I just wanted to point out that one of great things about this country is we have a lot of choices. I think that's a good thing. I disagree with many other peoples choices (SUV's, minivans, etc. )just the same as anyone else, but if other people aren't free to make their own choice, neither are we.

The Old Guy

To have a choice is great. I have a Ford Expedition, really comfortable for long trips and it doesn't look like a mini van

I also have a Mustang GT convertible, that I drive when I feel the need of speed and power.

And I have my MP5, which is my every day work car. And I love it. Great lines, gas mileage and very good ride.

Eric F

A coworker of mine has a Navigator. It's pretty nice actually, I was really surprised by the ride. It felt like a car. I wouldn't want to be buying the gas for it though.