Whats the performace differance between Protege and Protege 5?

[Todd]

Im just wondering whats the performace differance between Protege and Protege 5 if any? I know that I bought the 5 and it was about $5000 more then the standard Protege. With all the reviews I read about the 5 I assumed that it had some type of beefed up suspension. I realized that the engines are the same and that they both come with 4 wheel disc brakes. I just noticed that the suspension is the same too. So with the option of the 16 inch rims for the Protege, is there really any differance???

[uclap5]

i dont see the $5000 difference you are talking about. on cars direct there is only a $1000 difference between the p5 and the 2.0 es. $500 of which is because of a bigger rebate (2500 vs 2000)

the suspension is supposed to be a bit stiffer where did you find the suspension was the same?

[ZoomZoomH]

the ES and P5 have the same suspension setup.

[Todd]

Here in Toronto Canada, the starting price for a P5 is about $20,000 and a standard Protege is about $15,000. :confused:

[Jeph]

whats considered stanard, the lx model? Because if you compare it to the ES model you are only talking maybe a grand difference

[Todd]

I guess it was the LX. So even if that is the case, besides the rims, I dont see a performace differance.

[Jeph]

i swear the LX has rear drum brakes not discs. No spoiler, fogs, mostly appearance mods.

[Todd]

So if it does have drum brakes, at least I spent the extra money on better braking. I also prefer the looks of the 5. But besides that, speed and handling I guess are the same.

[Jeph]

The engines are the same i believe, in past years the lower models had smaller engines. But i think all protege's have 2.0l engines now. Handling will be a little different with the P5 and the sedan, the P5 comes stock with a strut bar. where as the sedan doesn't, the P5 is heavier (right?) But other than that its all looks.

[Micah]

it's been covered multiple times in this forum, you can also ask at the dealer, or check the part numbers. The ES and the P5 have the same suspension. ES and P5 both come standard with 16" rims, 4 wheel ABS, Driver/Passenger/Side Impact Air Bags, oh and lots of fun to be had for a relatively low price.

[KYREDP5]

Side airbags and ABS are not Standard!

[SpicyMchaggis]

the DX is the standard..no power windows..no power locks..basic stuff..thats what i have..2k2 DX..they go for like 14,100$ new..

[Jeph]

Hehehe I got my 2002 ES for $14,000 :D

[Micah]

I got my 2002.5 ES for $15,300 ( with sunroof, Side Airbags, ABS, cargo net, perimeter alarm, etc. ) I gotta say, the cargo net rules, I thought I would never use it, but I always do, put stuff in there, and it doesn't move around. Groceries don't come out of the bag anymore, I've tossed DVD's, sneakers, all kinds of wires, all kinds of stuff in there.

[CruzinAltitude]

Now that it appears that you all have the price discrepancy cleared up what it comes down to is this. The Pro5 and the Pro perform the same. One just looks better. The key is, to you which one is that?

[Action Jackson]

The P5's suspension is tweaked slightly different than the ES GT package.

And the P5 has the strut tower brace.

Being a "long hatch" or "short wagon", the P5 aerodynamics and handling will be slightly different.

[Smoke286]

I have a 2003 ES, by the time you add in A/C the price is the same as the P 5. The only real difference is the tower strut bar, which you can have installed, Its a personal preference I guess, I don't like the hatchback look. I'm in Newfoundland btw, where it seems every second car is a Protege

[drumsbeloud]

the 5 is slightly slower in the acceleration department due to it's added weight over the sedan. i'm sure it's only marginal though.

[jjac28]

car and driver give both the same acceleration numbers. i dont think 50 lbs of extra weight on the p5 will make much difference.

[UBlink]

If 50 lbs. makes a difference I know somebody who needs to get back on the diet!

[Action Jackson]

The P5 isn't exactly a "lightweight".

[PatrickP5]

I don't have the technical info memorized, but I can say that I went into the dealer intending to buy a protege. The salesman took me all around and showed me like 194769437697 different cars and convinced me to try both the sedan and the 5. I drove the sedan, got out and right into a 5 and the 5 just felt a little sportier. The suspension felt stiffer and I liked it better around the corners. I'm not trying to say it was a huge difference, but the 5 just felt a little better to me. I also think it looks better. The sedan is pretty good looking, too, but the 5 looks pretty good for something straight out of the factory. I went home with a 5.

As for the $5k price difference, make sure you're comparing similar trim levels and not comparing the 5 to the bottom trim sedan.


Patrick

ps. It's already been posted, but 4-wheel antilock disc brakes and side airbags are optional, not standard equipment.

[SpicyMchaggis]

its funny...i got my 2k2 DX for like 8k$ out the door..*cough* mazda auction *cough* APPARENTLY the "auto market" doesnt like 5-speeds and not having power windows..wow..this country is spoiled..

[dficken]

My friend has the ES and I have p5. They are basically the same. The suspension seems tighter on the p5 because of the strut bar in front. The ES is cheaper and they usually gave better rebates on them than the p5 (but this was a year ago). So that is why you may see them a little cheaper. But then in the paper they are always advertising protege sedans an 10k or 11k. But I am sure it is a dx or lx model. A year ago, you could get an ES for a couple grand cheaper than a p5 (mind you there were better rebates for the es model).

Anyway... Spicey... kick ass 8k out the door rocks even for a DX. Good Job.

[jjac28]

doesnt the p5 have better tires? the dunlop sp sport? so i would think that this improves road grip and handling.

[Micah]

My ES came with those same tires, and they suck in the snow. Next winter I will have snow tires on steel rims

[rednecks_r_us]

ROFL
I bumped this thread cause I thought it was funny going back in time and seeing what our main concerns were when P5's were new.

[SuperProtege5]

Fun read for me too. thanks for bumping this redneck.

[kura808]

wish i had ABS and side air bags haha xP

[2k3 PrO RiDa]

woah i always thought that all the protege5's came standard with abs.

[kura808]

woah i always thought that all the protege5's came standard with abs.

i think the p5's after the '02.5 version were made standard? i saw alot of '03s and '03.5's wit ABS and side airbags when i was looking for a p5 to buy xP

[fLyPiNoY7]

mine didnt come with abs or side airbags and its an 03

[SuperProtege5]

Yea mine didn't get the ABS or side airbags. However, mine is an 02 that was built in December of 01

[susamafone]

03.5 without abs. would have been nice to have it be a standard feature, but alas, i rather enjoy being able to lock up my brakes if the desire ever arises...

[theice]

abs is the only thing I wish I had. At the time of purchase, opted for an 02.5 black w/o abs over a navy 02 w/ abs cause I wanted the sportmatic tranny and window sails with tweeters. Been in 3 accidents since then when brakes have locked up (only one at-fault, but no damage caused and abs may or may not have actually helped me stop sooner). Not sure if I'd make the same decision again

[rednecks_r_us]

My other truck in a 1950 Chevy with 355 hp. There was no such thing as ABS back in the 50's. So I'm used to not having ABS.

When the wheels lock up I just let off the brakes until the wheels start rolling again. Skidding tires take longer to stop than rolling wheels.