I had a Protege for 5 years before I got my 3. Of course it handled great... it was a Mazda!! But I think my 3 is better in EVERY respect.

So I can't agree with you.

 

UMMMMMMMM....Let me think......Nope the MZ3 is better...................

 

Can you even find a Protege 5 for sale these days? It's been years since they've been made, so any you find on car lots will be very used right? Can you even find any on Mazda dealer lots? Maybe a trade-in? When was the last year they made them, 2002 or 2003? Sorry but I think that would be going backward, even though the P5 was an upgrade of the Protege' and the last thing made in this line before the Mazda 3 replaced the Protege series.

I say if you can find a really good condition and low miles used Protege 5, and your GF really likes it, then why not, I won't shoot it down, but I'm sure she could get a 3i or low equipped sedan for the same price, if price is a priority.

 

I owned the p5 before my 3, yes the p5 provided more feedback. Overall the p5, mine wasn't stock, was more fun to drive then the 3. It was due to the fact all of the (NVH) was let into the car and the driver felt everything that was going on. The 3 is in no way boring thoe.

 

As I recall, when Car & Driver published their first article on the 3 one of the things they mentioned was that something that had made the Protege so much fun to drive seemed to have been lost in the 3. Although the new 3 was clearly more powerful and refined, some of the directness and lightness that made the Protege so much fun to drive in spite of the car's limited power apparently was gone (and was missed by the road test editors). 

 

I drove the P5 with the intension of buying. I found it flat and boring (honest). The interior was like they were trying too hard to be modern. The exterior looks didn't make me say wow. but when I saw the 3 on the road I was like "what was that, that's tight". Once I found out what it was, drove it, bought it. JM2C

 

Fox, why do you always type in red? are you colorblind or do you just like to stand out? (not trying to offend you, just wondering what's the "dealiyo")

 

I was waiting for that question. 2 reasons. #1 It signifies the blood of Jesus, #2 It makes it easier for me to find my posts when running down a page.

 

That's sacrilarious...

 

Technically I owned a P5 but never really drove it much.  I wouldn't say the 3 is boring compared to the protege5, I think the opposite is true.  My boss has a p5 in yellow and he says it's his favorite car ever, but nothing's really impressive about the car.  Nice handling and looks yeah, but the 3 is a step up.  However, of Mazdas lineup and all the ones I've owned, the P5 is second on my list to the 3 of which I liked the best.  Was discussing this with my boss today in fact.  He was telling his boss to get an rx8 to replace his ailing oldsmobile .  So he can join the cool mazda club.

 

I had a P5, it was totaled when a woman in a 'stang chatting on a cell phone decided, her conversation was more important than paying attention to traffic signals, I Tboned her doing 45mph. Now I own a MZ3.

From the accident I think the P5 was fairly safe, hopefully I won't get a chance to compare and contrast the front end collision aspects of the 2 . As far as "Zoom-Zoom" factor stock, I have to admit I miss the feel of my P5, I agree with some other opinions, that you "felt" more like you were driving. I am hoping some suspension upgrades and some new tires will bring that feeling to the MZ3. The MZ3s BIG plus is the power and also the fact that it does feel and look like a more luxurious car. Hopefully a stiffer ride will bring the 2 feelings closer together.

 

There's currently a P5 parked next to my 3 in the driveway and I drive the P5 every once in a while. I like the handling feel of the P5 a lot more. It is more fun to drive. It has a much more communicative steering. That being said, there is no other area where I like it even close to as much. The engine is no where near the 3's, the interior on the 3 is 10x better, the ride is better and it's a much better commuter car. While I love the P5 and how it feels to drive, I would never give up my 3 for it.

 

[quote author=Fox Fader link=topic=27964.msg384103#msg384103 date=1125020967]
I was waiting for that question. 2 reasons. #1 It signifies the blood of Jesus, #2 It makes it easier for me to find my posts when running down a page.
[/quote]
Uh, all blood is red.. wanna elaborate? :shock:

 

That is exactly why i started this thread. I always thought zoom zoom has always been mazda's top selling point (at least it's advertised that way). But when I drove the P5 wow I finally realized what that means. It even reminds me of the car I missed very much (embarrassingly it's a plymouth sundance that i missed). I don't think any kind upgrade can help improve the steering feedback. It's sad.

 

I test drove the P5 and noticed its powerband was a bit different when gasing it. THe 3 seems more linear, while the protege peaks out. Just personal observation.

 

I traded a Scion xB for my 3i (yeah-one of those ugly/boxy/"toaster on wheels" cars) and one of the first things I noticed about the 3 was that the steering wasn't as communicative and direct as the Scion's. The 3's really isn't bad but doesn't have as much "feel" as the Scion's did.

Still, although the xB had some things going for it (especially an amazing amount of interior room compared to the external diminsions), I haven't missed it and am glad I decided to trade it on the 3.

 

I older brother owned a P5, but I never got to drive it. I remember the interior being very nice. I think I liked it more than the 3 with the exception of my blue/black cloth seats. Unfortunately on a rainy night, he lost control of the car around a bend. While attempting to correct he scraped the side of the car on a brick mailbox and spun 180 degrees. Now, I have his aftermarket RacingHart wheels and Sumitomo tires to get rid of.

 

aren't the brakes pretty shitty on pro5? i talked to an ex-owner the other day (he was an auto-x instructor driving my 3) and he said the rear brakes were pretty much non-functional on pro5, the calipers get stuck and don't move or smth. that would discourage me from gettin it

 

I haven[quote author=davesaddiction link=topic=27964.msg384162#msg384162 date=1125023125]
That's sacrilarious...
[/quote]

Religiously funny? :dunno:

I haven't owned or driven a P5, but I originally wanted one a few years ago. Then the 3HB came out and I quickly forgot about the P5. I like the updated look of the 3HB, although the P5 still looks better to me than most other 5-doors out there.

 

What Protoge5?
:nono:
No comparison dude.
MZ3 rules :goodjob:

 

[quote author=Vegasdriver link=topic=27964.msg386689#msg386689 date=1125243151]
What Protoge5?
:nono:
No comparison dude.
MZ3 rules :goodjob:
[/quote]

:irock:

 

[quote author=JT link=topic=27964.msg386257#msg386257 date=1125185057]
I haven't owned or driven a P5, but I originally wanted one a few years ago. Then the 3HB came out and I quickly forgot about the P5. I like the updated look of the 3HB, although the P5 still looks better to me than most other 5-doors out there.
[/quote]

I concur. The Protege5 is still a sexy bitch. It's second only to the Mazda3 IMO.

 

There is no comparison, the 3 is better in every aspect including handeling. However, the P5 is less refined, and therefore you feel more through the steering wheel. It may FEEL more like a sporty car, but the fact is, that is because it has cheaper components.

 

[quote author=CDTMAZDA3 link=topic=27964.msg383572#msg383572 date=1124993515]
As I recall, when Car & Driver published their first article on the 3 one of the things they mentioned was that something that had made the Protege so much fun to drive seemed to have been lost in the 3. Although the new 3 was clearly more powerful and refined, some of the directness and lightness that made the Protege so much fun to drive in spite of the car's limited power apparently was gone (and was missed by the road test editors).
[/quote]

You beat me to it. Here's the quote: ". . .The 3 dances to more sophisticated music. Although it responds to driver commands as promptly as its predecessor did—more so, in fact—the puppyesque playfulness of the Protegé has given way to a more serious demeanor that's more purposeful, polished, and substantial. The exuberant teenager is gone, replaced by a hip young adult."
Link to full article: http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=7566&page_number=1

 

[quote author=SBS905 link=topic=27964.msg387700#msg387700 date=1125341584]
[quote author=CDTMAZDA3 link=topic=27964.msg383572#msg383572 date=1124993515]
As I recall, when Car & Driver published their first article on the 3 one of the things they mentioned was that something that had made the Protege so much fun to drive seemed to have been lost in the 3. Although the new 3 was clearly more powerful and refined, some of the directness and lightness that made the Protege so much fun to drive in spite of the car's limited power apparently was gone (and was missed by the road test editors). 
[/quote]

You beat me to it.  Here's the quote: ". . .The 3 dances to more sophisticated music. Although it responds to driver commands as promptly as its predecessor did—more so, in fact—the puppyesque playfulness of the Protegé has given way to a more serious demeanor that's more purposeful, polished, and substantial. The exuberant teenager is gone, replaced by a hip young adult."
Link to full article: http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=7566&page_number=1



[/quote]

I agree.