main difference between the p5 and mp3

[tranzformer]

well some of u know that i have been looking for a p5 lately. I have read some up on the mp3 and got some interest in that as well. seems like a real nice car and i might test drive one. just wondering what the main difference between this two cars are?? I know the p5 is the hatch version and will weight more, but are they pretty much the same besided this and do they both handle as good as each other??

[Mike R]

The MP3 has bigger sway bars, revalved struts, heavier springs. Mp3 has 10 more Hp than the 5, but the MP3 requires premium fuel. The wieght difference is like 50 lbs.

It's easy (and inexpensive) to upgrade the 5's suspension to the same (or better) specs.

[tranzformer]

i never knew the mp3 needed premium. so pretty much the p5 is the best of both worlds

[Mike R]

Yep. I've got less than 1.5K worth of aftermarket stuff on mine and it handles incredibly.

[NJP5Guy]

well some of u know that i have been looking for a p5 lately. I have read some up on the mp3 and got some interest in that as well. seems like a real nice car and i might test drive one. just wondering what the main difference between this two cars are?? I know the p5 is the hatch version and will weight more, but are they pretty much the same besided this and do they both handle as good as each other??

From what i've come across the mp3 actually weighs more than the p5...must have been due to the mp3 player. (dark)

[element.8]

the mp3 is a sedan.

the p5 is a wagon.



(upyours)

man, i'll never hear the end of this one, i'm sure. ;)

[uclap5]

differences: ECU, intake manifold, springs, struts, swaybars, interior, muffler, sound system, steering rack, rims + tires.

[NJP5Guy]

differences: ECU, intake manifold, springs, struts, swaybars, interior, muffler, sound system, steering rack, rims + tires.

are you sure the intake manifold is different? that doesn't ring a bell.

[mp5jeff]

the mp3 weighs more then the p5 btw...

[NJP5Guy]

the mp3 weighs more then the p5 btw...

i beat you to that one already :)

[JOS3]

either way, you cant go wrong. they are both nice cars

[protegeV]

the mp3 is a sedan.

the p5 is a wagon.



(upyours)

man, i'll never hear the end of this one, i'm sure. ;)haha, iw as gonna say the same thing...but i was also gonna say
(p5yellow) >(mp3blue)

[Captain KRM P5]

the protege5 has VTCS on the intake manifold whereas the mp3 does not. this is why when you swap ECUs an mp3 equipped with a p5 ecu throws a cel because the VTCS system is no longer inplace. as said before, the ECU has advanced timing, it has a factory short throw shifter, tokico designed struts, racing beat designed springs, a racing beat designed exhaust, better sway bars and stabilizers throughout, the kenwood sound system (not much really to cheer about there but stock, pound for pound, better than the p5) , the two tone leather steering wheel, the seat trim, 17 inch racing hart alloy wheels, a plastic engine bay cover. if there is anything else i can't think of it.

given the choice, if you can find a nice, relatively low mile mp3, i'd personally take one over a p5. especially if you found a yellow one.

[MPChi]

You missed the MP3 badges :D

Also, MP3 got the dark grey housing headlights with the orange corners like the protege sedans, and also comes with orange side markers instead of the clear ones on P5.

Oh, and MP3 looks prettier! *dug*

[protegeV]

I have orange sidemarkers...both of em :P

[cbcbd]

Since you know what extra the MP3 has on the P5...

Some good things P5 has that MP3 does not:
-Cruise control
-Moonroof option
-ABS

[NJP5Guy]

Since you know what extra the MP3 has on the P5...

Some good things P5 has that MP3 does not:
-Cruise control
-Moonroof option
-ABS


i don't think i'd count ABS as a good thing.personally i don't like it so i didn't get it equiped. but the best thing it has the mp3 doesn't is the fact it has cargo space!!!!

[cbcbd]

But if you want a moonroof then ABS was just part of the package. Does the MP3 have optional side airbags?

Well, the P5 did, just in case.

[NJP5Guy]

I don't think it did but i could be wrong. sunroof would have been cool in my car if my head didn't hit the roof with one.aaarrrgggg

[Midnight22]

the protege5 has VTCS on the intake manifold whereas the mp3 does not. this is why when you swap ECUs an mp3 equipped with a p5 ecu throws a cel because the VTCS system is no longer inplace. as said before, the ECU has advanced timing, it has a factory short throw shifter, tokico designed struts, racing beat designed springs, a racing beat designed exhaust, better sway bars and stabilizers throughout, the kenwood sound system (not much really to cheer about there but stock, pound for pound, better than the p5) , the two tone leather steering wheel, the seat trim, 17 inch racing hart alloy wheels, a plastic engine bay cover. if there is anything else i can't think of it.

given the choice, if you can find a nice, relatively low mile mp3, i'd personally take one over a p5. especially if you found a yellow one.
which car throws the cel, the 5 or the 3?

[PhreakV]

the mp3 with the p5 ecu throws the cel...

you could get the moonroof without the abs. abs came with the side airbags as a 'safety package'. the moonroof is a seperate option...

[cbcbd]

which car throws the cel, the 5 or the 3?The MP3:

-P5 has VTCS, MP3 doesn't.
-swap ECUs
-P5 ECU is looking for VTCS in MP3 intake and doesn't find it, MP3 throws cell

[Midnight22]

wait duh, thanx guys...

[cbcbd]

the mp3 with the p5 ecu throws the cel...

you could get the moonroof without the abs. abs came with the side airbags as a 'safety package'. the moonroof is a seperate option...Really? I thought I remembered the moonroof being part of the package, which I thought was weird. Eh, whatever, I'm sure they were just lying to get me to take the one on the lot. It's fine, I didn't mind taking all those things.

[PhreakV]

yeah, I would've preferred to get the ABS and moonroof together but instead I got the moonroof solo. they might've changed the package mid-year but for an '02.5 (mine at least) that was the two options. my tires only wish I had abs, but brake slides are pretty fun :D

[protegeV]

the moonroof IS part of a package...it is coupled with the 6cd changer and I think its like a $500 option for both of them, but I got it for free :P

[protegeV]

could have been different for 02 though, who knows (dunno)

[gimpo2]

I got a moonroof and 6 disc cd changer without the side airbags and ABS.. i got an 03 too

[PhreakV]

moonroof, single disc, no side airbags, no ABS... :D mazda is goofy.

[Replica]

Moon roof, ABS, single disc. Dunno, stupid mazdas.

[Protege2K]

You forgot the mad tight spoiler on the MP3. ;)