Sportcross vs. Protege5

[BB Wulf]

I came across this post on an IS300 forum and thought it was an interesting view from the "other side."

Sportcross vs. Protege5 (http://www.is300.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=13368470)

The Sportcross is a sweet ride, but I love my P5!

(thumb)

[Simpletons101]

Sportcross is nice but the rear of the car sticks out waaayyy to much, P5 has a much better looking front end.



Dan

[REMillers]

Cool picture comparison.

[servoeyes]

I love how they're like "Ugh...I hate how I get mistaken for a Mazda" and we're like "Hey, I got mistaken for a Lexus! Weeee!"

:D

I bet if these guys took a ride in a car like Pirana's they'd probably talk less smack about it being an Econo-Wagon.

[cbcbd]

Ooh, much anger in this one


---------------------------------------------
I HATE THE F***IN FACT THAT EVERYONE THINKS THE SPORTCROSS IS A MAZDA PROTEGE
_________________
'02 IS300 SportCross- Mazda Protege is just a Wannabe



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[+ friction]

From the IS forum: "So yeah, there are some similarities but they are definitely different cars and after seeing them together myself, I realized how tiny that Mazda is."

WTF-at least in the pics the Mazda is not exactly dwarfed by the IS.

[Natey]

I wish I had RWD.

[REMillers]

Chill guys.

The P5 is mightly small in appearance to alot of cars, including the IS300. If you haven't seen it in person next to the p5 then you won't fully capture it. Heck the P5 is small compared to the Matrix and other cars in the class.

And personally I have the same feeling when people mistaken the P5 for a Lexus. It is more of a can't you tell cars apart feeling, I don't feel any prouder that they mistaken it just cause of the Lexus name.

[cbcbd]

Looks Comparo:

Like more about Lexus:
-Wheels

Like more about Mazda:
-Everything else


-I don't know if those tires are stock, but they're too thin and gives the car too much of a gap for stock.
-What's up with that butt sticking out?

[BB Wulf]

You can't blame them for being upset, I mean after all, they spent $30,000+ for a P5 lookalike...

:D

[cbcbd]

Originally posted by REMillers
And personally I have the same feeling when people mistaken the P5 for a Lexus. It is more of a can't you tell cars apart feeling, I don't feel any prouder that they mistaken it just cause of the Lexus name.
Well, I'm pretty sure they're reason for feeling that way IS because they don't want their Lexus lowered to a Mazda.

[GerardPRO5]

here's a better side-by-side comparison.

Protege5 vs. Sportcross (http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds/VehicleComparison;jsessionid=1YnJfv6xBtff87TKaG2WN BaUr9KNgvmEblN16XCgzn1VwFzkN2Mk!-1749468629?styleid=100320635&styleid=100124884&refid=&maxvehicles=5&op=3&tab=specs)

[matallama]

Just going by style, the Mazda wins because the Lexus has stupid tail lights and an awkward rear end. Otherwise, the Sportcross could well have been the P5's big brother.

[MadBiker]

Hey! I read somewhere (maybe in this forum) that the guy that did the designs for Lexus (sportcross) jumped ship and is working for Mazda now. If that's true, that would explain the similarity in appearance between our sweet ride and their overpriced one.

[toucci]

all the p5 needs is altezzas! (lol2)

[REMillers]

(puke) hehe to each their own though :)

[Subghetto]

Funny you guys should talk about this,There was a car show in my town in the nathans parking lot where some kid thought that I had a sportcross he was like : "nice lexus man" I was like: "is not a lexus is a mazda protege 5" (encourage. I like the IS 300 sport cross but I like my mazda way too much plus it has a better stylish apperance than the lexus. I was thinking awhile back don't know if I will still do it but I was thinking of doing an IS300 inner trunk light conversion on my P5. I found a picture where some guy did it on his P5. what do you guys think? and how does it look?

IS300 inner trunk light conversion (http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/11/web/383000-383999/383072_17_full.jpg)

[PhreakV]

sorry to add to the threadjack but I always thought that a trunk light conversion might be nice...

[gothmobile]

Both cars are great, my dad owned an is300, and i now have the p5. The p5 handles better, but the lexus has a much more quality feel, but that should be obvious being they are in totally different classes
and you cant beat rwd!!!!!
but no one can say the lexus sucks, its a great car as is the p5

[SeminoleMan]

I just got done posting on the IS300 SportCross owners forum and they seem to express the opposite sentiments that we do. But if I read one more post that says the Protege5 is a copycat, or cheap, or the poormans IS300 I'm gonna (serenity now, serenity now.) I'll probably get flamed on their board....but it's ok. I love my car!

[Equinox]

well I wouldn't be too happy either if I was reading this board and owned an is300, I used to think sportcross' were awesome, but I have to agree, the rear sticks out a little akward

[FlannelBoy711]

Originally posted by BB Wulf
You can't blame them for being upset, I mean after all, they spent $30,000+ for a P5 lookalike...

:D

Very true, for the amount of money they paid for their cars, we got the better end, if we spent 15k on our car, then thats 15k we saved and more money into our cars.

[brucelee]

but for the extra $15k they get a better interior and engine refinement, as well as the image of lexus.
BUT
their sportcross only comes in auto!
at least the last time i checked.

[Mike R]

If I had the money, I'd have the IS. I really like the Mazda though. Also, I can't stand the back end of the lexus-the altezzas and the lights in the trunk.

[james5377]

I don't mind getting the Lexus... drove one and loved it.... but having my monthly payment doubled and getting the same exact car as my CEO .... just doesn't sound like a good plan.... (lol2)

[REMillers]

Though some may complain about hearing people thinking their IS is a P5, remember we have seen the same complaining here in regards comparing the P5 to the Matrix and thinking the Matrix is better. Or even people who have thought they were the same, which is strange since they look no where similar.

[MadBiker]

I' druther have my p5 mistaken for the sportcross or even a wrx but not a matrix/vibe augh!!

sportcross is a nice car but i can't afford it...

[RiceWagon25]

Here is my own comparison from about a year ago when I had a Sportcross as well.
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/RiceWagon25/isp5.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/RiceWagon25/isp51.jpg
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/RiceWagon25/isp52.jpg

[BB Wulf]

After well over 30+ years of driving experience, I feel you can have too much “refinement” in a car – it loses its personality. I grant you the P5 has its shortcomings, but it more than makes up for them in overall performance and looks, plus its “shortcomings” are the perfect opportunity for individual improvement and customization. After two and a half years of ownership I’ve achieved a car that’s better, all things considered, than anything else I’ve ever owned or driven. And credit also goes to everyone on the forums that share their ideas, discoveries and experiences!

(drinks)

[P-Funk!]

Hey! When i have $30K+ for a vehicle that does what the P5 does - and is even nicer - i really will get it. ...and if i had mad stacks - i would get the VW TowRag! Poor mans Porsche Cayenne...

[putting head back down - the other children are _learning! ]

(sleep)

[bjdesire]

subghetto! you go down to yonkers too, i go there a lot, maybe i will see you there one day

[misbehave]

Originally posted by MadBiker
Hey! I read somewhere (maybe in this forum) that the guy that did the designs for Lexus (sportcross) jumped ship and is working for Mazda now. If that's true, that would explain the similarity in appearance between our sweet ride and their overpriced one.

I 've heard the same thing too.
Both were designed by the same extremely young Japanese designer (27 year old).

[misbehave]

Originally posted by MadBiker
I' druther have my p5 mistaken for the sportcross or even a wrx but not a matrix/vibe augh!!


I 2nd that!;)

[misbehave]

Originally posted by P-Funk!
Hey! When i have $30K+ for a vehicle that does what the P5 does - and is even nicer - i really will get it. ...and if i had mad stacks - i would get the VW TowRag! Poor mans Porsche Cayenne...

[putting head back down - the other children are _learning! ]

(sleep)


I actually like the VW Tourage more than the Prosche Cayenne.
I know, performance wise, Cayenne really kick ass, but the outlook of the Cayenne looks like a cheap Korean design copycat SUV.

[Subghetto]

Dark_angle 1412 my bad I don't live in the city I live on the island I forgot to update that.

[P5w3kids]

I believe that the SportCross has also been discontinued.

It's interior is if anything less attractive and more cheaply finished than the P5's. Check out the ribbed hard plastic on the dash top and the totally flat door panels. Yuck.

But the main problem with the Lexus is that a manual was only available on the sedan.

[PeaB0dy]

The IS300 Sportcross hasn't been discontinued up here..

There is a 2k4 model..

P5, with the engine and driveline of an IS300, now there is a nice ride..

[mp5jeff]

wasn't the protege5 made before the is300 wagon?

[BB Wulf]

Best I can tell from searches they both came out at the same time, however, the P5 went on sale earlier in the 2001 than the Sportcross. Also, I wonder how good a Sportcross is at drifting? I drove a 240SX for about 10,000 mile before I realized you were suppose use the steering wheel to turn it. That’s great in the summer, but winter and general year around driving is why I bought a P5, and it’s not a bad choice.

(first)