should i get a protege5 or protege es as a first car? [Archive]

gobrad1210

10-07-2003, 07:47 PM

hey guys--
im 16 and looking for a car and i have done my reasearch and driven both the mp5 and the pro ES both with auto with the sport shifter....i would like to kno if u guys think i should go wit the wagon/hatch or the sedan
i kno the sedan is a lil quicker, and the hatch has more room

please tell me what u guys think,
thanks,
Brad

Black Majik MSP

10-07-2003, 07:52 PM

Get the P5, but why not get stick? Trust me, you'll be glad you did & it's not hard to learn.

shinzen

10-07-2003, 07:55 PM

depends on what you want, I love my ES, but I have also already owned several hatchbacks- wanted a change. And I definitely agree with majick- GET THE STICK It is so worth it- you'll learn it quick and be able to do way more- and you have less loss through the transmission to the wheels- just my two cents

gobrad1210

10-07-2003, 07:58 PM

un fortunately im up here in michigan and my parents really want me to learn a stick and stuff but theywont let me get one for my first car b/c its more stuff to do when ur driving...
so i guess the sportshift is the next best thing?

Black Majik MSP

10-07-2003, 08:26 PM

Isn't it cheaper to get stick? It's not really like driving stick is a chore...I've been doing it for little more than a month & I don't even think about it anymore. That's seriously a stupid reason, especially if they want you to learn stick eventually.

chuyler1

10-07-2003, 08:33 PM

pesm5

10-07-2003, 08:33 PM

why does everyone like the p5 so much? i'm seriously seriously considering getting a protege for my first car as well, but an es sedan(stick). i don't really like hatchbacks/wagons, which i guess i'm the only one, but other than the extra storage(which i don't need) i don't see much benefit. isn't it also heavier? and has a lower bhp/ton ratio?

edit- i forgot to mention the p5 also has that nifty front bumper. i could probably get that put on later though, i would think.

double edit- i just wanted to add that i think the protege makes a really good first car... relatively cheap, not too much power but it handles well enough for me not to drive into a lamppost or something :p and i can have some fun too. just thought i should add that for poster #1

uclap5

10-07-2003, 08:40 PM

we are just all hatchback lovers. ;)

its heavier by a few lbs. nothing to really fret over.

the appearance package on the p5 is really such a step up over the sedan that there really isnt anything that needs to be done. besides, all the aftermarket lips are meant for the p5/ mp3/ msp front bumper.

if you like the sedan go for it. its all in the same family ;)

pesm5

10-07-2003, 08:45 PM

ahh ok. i think i read in car and driver that the p5 had slower 0-60 times due to the weight, which is why i said that. probably not a big difference.

i won't be buying a lot of aftermarket things because i'll be working hard enough to pay for the car. maybe a few years down the line, but good to know :)

uclap5

10-07-2003, 08:52 PM

the sedan does however have a lip available mazda (i think) that looks pretty snazzy.

and i cant remember if the es comes with fog lights or not.

or if it comes with the front strut tower brace.

all things to look into :)

pesm5

10-07-2003, 08:54 PM

it does come with foglights but not the round ones in the p5. i dunno about that brace but i would hope so :)

gobrad1210

10-07-2003, 10:04 PM

yeah lol

shinzen

10-07-2003, 11:21 PM

I own one, doesn't come with the brace, but it still handles like it's on rails- and pesm5, I am with you, I really love my sedan- like I said, I have owned several different hatchbacks, and although really nice, the sedan to me looks cleaner- I wish it had the p5 front end though, and it's all a matter of personal taste. The foglights on the p5 look way better than they do on the es though :(

pesm5

10-07-2003, 11:27 PM

yeah, shinzen- when i get my car the first thing i'll be getting for it will be the bumper. if i can, that is. i'm looking forward to it

shinzen

10-07-2003, 11:32 PM

you can get a front bumper that looks absolutely sick by wings west (at least I think it is) along with the fender flares and rear bumper it looks really mean

night rider

10-08-2003, 11:09 PM

yea there are alot of different facias, the only thing is with every single one ive looked into u have to get a front brace for fitment as well as new wheelwells. this is info ive heard from others as well as my local mazda dealerships parts guy who has done the msp body conversion on his ES. the front strut brace can be purcaessed threw your mazda dealership or off people around the forum for cheap and its a breeze to put on.

but 5-speed all the way- my first car was a 84 accord with a stick.
i taught my girlfriend to drive my ES at the local high school in about a hour. a few days of work and she was able to drive it around town with confidence.

LOS-323

10-09-2003, 11:49 AM

Originally posted by gobrad1210
hey guys--
im 16 and looking for a car and i have done my reasearch and driven both the mp5 and the pro ES both with auto with the sport shifter....i would like to kno if u guys think i should go wit the wagon/hatch or the sedan
i kno the sedan is a lil quicker, and the hatch has more room

please tell me what u guys think,
thanks,
Brad

I have a sedan, and it's a stick. I wouldn't get an automatic unless you pointed a gun to my head (traffic is not really a problem here).

I love my car, but when I have to really pack it with stuff I wish I had a P5. Still from what I can read in this forum, they are both great choices, and the only factor would be how much hauling space you need.

gobrad1210

10-09-2003, 08:00 PM

well guys i think i made my decision..silver p5 2003
auto-wit sport shift
abs-side airbags
roofrack
subwoofer

out the door for about 16
:)

mygreenmazda

10-10-2003, 10:09 AM

Protege ES and get it stick.

pesm5

10-10-2003, 03:23 PM

and i've made my decision as well; black mica ES with a sunroof and manual transmission. yay.

mountjonas

10-10-2003, 03:34 PM

Originally posted by gobrad1210
un fortunately im up here in michigan and my parents really want me to learn a stick and stuff but theywont let me get one for my first car b/c its more stuff to do when ur driving...
so i guess the sportshift is the next best thing?

it only takes a few weeks to get used to stick. after that, you're not even thinking about the clutch. if anything, it almost makes you more aware of whats going on, at least that's how i felt when i learned stick. plus, once you learn stick and if you like it, you'd be disappointed that your car is an auto.

cbcbd

10-10-2003, 03:59 PM

Please reconsider getting the manual. Right now you don't realize it because you're new to it, but once you learn and drive a manual you'll be just like most of the auto owners who regretted not getting the auto.

Glad to see you made the choice about the car, it's just preference, they're the same basically. I got the P5 because I was tired of sedans and could use the space.

Scenario:

2 guys, both are good looking, have lots of $$ and promising careers. One of them drives a stick shift, the other drives an auto...
which one gets the girl? :D

nuff said...

redrims

10-10-2003, 07:17 PM

get the P5 in stick...you'll get laid more with the P5 :p

pesm5

10-10-2003, 09:04 PM

is that a fact? ;)

edit- by theb way, is it possible for me to buy a p5 front bumper for an es or no? or maybe a mazdaspeed or MP3 bumper? do they sell them? i tried searching but i had no luck...

mountjonas

10-10-2003, 09:44 PM

verified fact. i didn't get laid until i drove a manual.

as for the bumper, yes you can convert an es, but you need a new bumper support among some other small things, but it is possible. search for mp3 conversion and you'll come up with a few people.

for example: conversion (http://www.msprotege.com/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26665&highlight=mp3+conversion)

mygreenmazda

10-10-2003, 10:16 PM

It is true I guess, My pro is sooooooooooooooo small in the back that I cant do anything, while I suppose with the P5 you can put the seat down and have enough space.:D

Good color and good decision.

night rider

10-12-2003, 05:49 PM

its possible in the ES guys.

nate0123

10-12-2003, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by pesm5
and i've made my decision as well; black mica ES with a sunroof and manual transmission. yay. I especially approve of your decision :D

pesm5

10-13-2003, 04:12 PM

then you'll be happy to hear it's now in my garage :D oh yes. got a fantastic deal, too, 14k out the door :D :D

time to go drive.

btw, nate, how much did you drop your car? i was looking and i think it looks pretty nice as it is, there's not much of a gap in between the wheels and the frame, but a little lower wouldn't hurt...

oh and edit number two, i think the first thing i'm going to change on it is the shift knob... don't like the stock one. probably the cheapest thing i can do, too.

alexlitov

10-13-2003, 04:23 PM

Protege ES looks more like a cheap econobox IMO.

Black P5 has style.

Black P5 with Manual Tranny gets it's owner laid.

If you fold the rear seats over, it's like a queen size bad in there....

nate0123

10-13-2003, 04:25 PM

the Spools are supposed to drop it 2" front and rear, probably actually dropped it around 2.0F, 1.5R

if you put aftermarket wheels on you will see just how much gap there is

before drop:
http://said.uc.edu/students/morrisnr/pro030713-01.jpg

nate0123

10-13-2003, 04:30 PM

Originally posted by alexlitov
Protege ES looks more like a cheap econobox IMO.

Black P5 has style.

Black P5 with Manual Tranny gets it's owner laid.

If you fold the rear seats over, it's like a queen size bad in there.... Hey, some of us don't need our cars to help us get laid (rofl)

And while you're entitled to your opinion . . .

Your opinion is wrong :D

cbcbd

10-13-2003, 04:45 PM

P5 or ES, both are good, BUT I will repeat...

MANUAL!!! Really try for it, you'll know what we're talking about when you do.

I was glad to hear that a friend of mine who just recently got a P5 decided on the manual even though he didn't know how to drive it off the lot :D Now he's driving it fine, and enjoying it a lot.

redrims

10-13-2003, 05:17 PM

Originally posted by cbcbd
P5 or ES, both are good, BUT I will repeat...

MANUAL!!! Really try for it, you'll know what we're talking about when you do.

I was glad to hear that a friend of mine who just recently got a P5 decided on the manual even though he didn't know how to drive it off the lot :D Now he's driving it fine, and enjoying it a lot.

Yes! Listen to him. Getting an auto in the Protege sucks. You'll wish you got a 5sp like a lot of the members here who now wants to swap a 5sp tranny in.

You'll enjoy the protege 3x as much if you get the 5sp. I promise you that. (coming from an owner with an auto Protege)

pesm5

10-13-2003, 07:38 PM

i disagree about the econobox thing too. i think the protege DX does look pretty cheap and econoboxy and i thought the es was the same... until i saw one. the foglights, wheels, and spoiler change the look completely.

oh and include my vote on the manual thing, because it's really not difficult to learn and you get better acceleration and better fuel economy and of course the cool factor. just remember that when you make your choice, there's no going back.

davo

10-13-2003, 09:23 PM

Yer I am an auto protege owner and i am looking for a 5sp manual tranny. The auto is good but the manual is so much quicker. :eek:

Thats my opinon

pesm5

10-13-2003, 09:27 PM

oh and i can definitely see the drop, nate. i'm pretty happy with the stock rims so i don't think i'll be changing them for a while but it's good to know.

tony bantug

10-13-2003, 09:41 PM

I actually made a post about this before I bought mine as well....P5 or ES. I went with the P5 and let me tell you, best decision I have ever made. No offense to anyone with an ES, but the P5 is a tad bit bigger, and the all around look of the car is just amazing. NOTHING looks like it and thats what I wanted...practical, good looks, EXCELLENT handling and it fit my perfectly :)

Good luck to whatever you decide though

EXA4DRIVER

10-13-2003, 09:45 PM

Yes, buy a P5........ In fact, why don't you buy mine off of me :D Excellent condition!

gobrad1210

10-15-2003, 08:37 PM

i have a p5 now! its silver wit an auto tranny and abs brakes ill get pics soon!

uclap5

10-15-2003, 08:47 PM

congrats! :)

i predict 5 months and you will wish you got a manual. :D

just messin. enjoy the ride!

redrims

10-16-2003, 04:18 AM

Originally posted by uclap5

i predict 5 months and you will wish you got a manual. :D

lol...

Congrats on the car :)

dmitrik4

10-24-2003, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by alexlitov
Protege ES looks more like a cheap econobox IMO.

Black P5 has style.

Black P5 with Manual Tranny gets it's owner laid.

If you fold the rear seats over, it's like a queen size bad in there....

:rolleyes:

and some of us don't need to get laid in or cars. ;) that's what beds are for. or couches. or floors. whatever...anything not on wheels.

they all have style. i just can't fit a Lab and a Greyhound in the back of my ES. :(

must talk g/f into buying a WRX wagon.

cbcbd

10-24-2003, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by uclap5
congrats! :)

i predict 5 months and you will wish you got a manual. :D

just messin. enjoy the ride!

mp5typer

10-24-2003, 11:41 AM

Gobrad, I wish to atone for my sins....I Am sorry that I called your auto slow and stupid, I was wrong to say that, please let me know when you are ready to do the auto to manual conversion

deceptikwan

10-25-2003, 01:58 AM

The pro5 is cheaper if u plan to put the body kit on the Es.And if you are gettin the stick,u might aswell get a used mp3 or a new mazdaspeed.But as u said,you're parents want u to get an auto,and i think that's a great way to start.But once u start modding the car,sooner or later you may regret that u didn't get the stick.................................2001 ES GT Custom Pearl Midnight Black Mica,MP3 conversion,Eibach pro-kit,fireball cat-bat,Alpine/Rockford system,k&N,tint