Matrix or Protege 5
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia
Rep Power: 291 
Matrix or Protege 5
Hey,
my GF is wanting to get a new car and she's looking for something "versatile" to carry stuff i guess.
She really wants a hatch and she's considering either a 2nd hand Toyota Matrix or Mazda Protege 5. looking for 00-02 model.
anyone have a preference for either one? which one would have more trunk space and lower operating/maintenance costs?
thanks,
P.
my GF is wanting to get a new car and she's looking for something "versatile" to carry stuff i guess.
She really wants a hatch and she's considering either a 2nd hand Toyota Matrix or Mazda Protege 5. looking for 00-02 model.
anyone have a preference for either one? which one would have more trunk space and lower operating/maintenance costs?
thanks,
P.
Shinier than yours, meatbag
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,989
Likes: 0
From: Downtown Vancouver, Canada
Rep Power: 296 
I like Toyota's normally, but the matrix was one of the strangest cars I've ever driven.
The new mazda drives real nice, I would go for that on looks/drivers feel, but as far as the track record of one or the other I have no knowledge
The new mazda drives real nice, I would go for that on looks/drivers feel, but as far as the track record of one or the other I have no knowledge
Nothing works better than a Chris except a Honda.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,346
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
Rep Power: 347 if that were me, I'd go for the AWD Matrix! Awesome!
Anyway, they're cool and they are pretty good. I like the current Mazda wagons over the last gen ones.
Anyway, they're cool and they are pretty good. I like the current Mazda wagons over the last gen ones.
There is no substitute
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Rep Power: 0 I'd say go for the P5. It has a 2.0L engine, where the Matrix has a 1.8L, hence the P5 has 10lb-ft more than the Matrix, giving more power without having to rev the hell out of it. Also the P5 is a bit better handling.
And finally, I think it's a lot better looking than the Pontiac, umm, I mean Toyota.
The Matrix has about 50L more trunk space, but in general I've found replacement parts for Toyotas to be pricier.
And finally, I think it's a lot better looking than the Pontiac, umm, I mean Toyota.
The Matrix has about 50L more trunk space, but in general I've found replacement parts for Toyotas to be pricier.
There is no substitute
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Rep Power: 0 almost forgot:
http://www.automotive.com/2002/12/ma...ons/index.html
http://www.automotive.com/2003/12/to...ons/index.html
check out these links for specs.
http://www.automotive.com/2002/12/ma...ons/index.html
http://www.automotive.com/2003/12/to...ons/index.html
check out these links for specs.
RESIDENT ROTOR HEAD
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,207
Likes: 0
From: , Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 328 Look, I owned a Mazdaspeed Protege for a good while, and I've been into the Protege scene as well. The Protege 5 is the clear choice here. Very communicative steering and suspension. With the proper setup that car will easily give an ITR a run for its money on a road course. With a good turbo kit you can put down some respectable numbers. Just check out www.msprotege.com and check out the plethora of turbo kits available. The FS20DE motor that comes in those cars has a pretty good following...they were also in the Ford Probe, so tuning is out there in pretty good numbers. But if you're looking for a car that will be a better driver's car, in autocross or canyon roads, the P5 is the clear choice....hell it'll give the Matrix a run for its money in the straight line as well. Remember, the Mazdaspeed Protege was declared by Sport Compact Car to be the best handling FWD car to date. Just go poke around their site, you'll find a comparo between the SRT-4, SE-R, MSP, Si, GTi, and a couple others...the MSP was the best overall car. The SRT-4 won in the speed dept, but handling, and overall track driveability, it lost. When the editors were asked which car they'd want to own most, they all chose the MSP. And remember all MSP parts are available for the P5.
As for the tranny comment it's BS. The tranny can be a little notchy, but with redline tranny fluid, the problem is solved. The only thing I can think of regarding that is that the auto trannies don't like being turboed.
I can't say enough about these cars. They're great cars. You really can't go wrong with them. BTW most of the mags continually picked them over the civic, corolla, and matrix. Look it up...they don't lose. Plus they're 99% built and assembled in Japan. Can't say that for the Matrix or Civic.
As for the tranny comment it's BS. The tranny can be a little notchy, but with redline tranny fluid, the problem is solved. The only thing I can think of regarding that is that the auto trannies don't like being turboed.
I can't say enough about these cars. They're great cars. You really can't go wrong with them. BTW most of the mags continually picked them over the civic, corolla, and matrix. Look it up...they don't lose. Plus they're 99% built and assembled in Japan. Can't say that for the Matrix or Civic.
Last edited by nookiemonster; Apr 20, 2005 at 02:00 AM.
Registered!!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Rep Power: 0
Originally Posted by nookiemonster
Look, I owned a Mazdaspeed Protege for a good while, and I've been into the Protege scene as well. The Protege 5 is the clear choice here. Very communicative steering and suspension. With the proper setup that car will easily give an ITR a run for its money on a road course. With a good turbo kit you can put down some respectable numbers. Just check out www.msprotege.com and check out the plethora of turbo kits available. The FS20DE motor that comes in those cars has a pretty good following...they were also in the Ford Probe, so tuning is out there in pretty good numbers. But if you're looking for a car that will be a better driver's car, in autocross or canyon roads, the P5 is the clear choice....hell it'll give the Matrix a run for its money in the straight line as well. Remember, the Mazdaspeed Protege was declared by Sport Compact Car to be the best handling FWD car to date. Just go poke around their site, you'll find a comparo between the SRT-4, SE-R, MSP, Si, GTi, and a couple others...the MSP was the best overall car. The SRT-4 won in the speed dept, but handling, and overall track driveability, it lost. When the editors were asked which car they'd want to own most, they all chose the MSP. And remember all MSP parts are available for the P5.
As for the tranny comment it's BS. The tranny can be a little notchy, but with redline tranny fluid, the problem is solved. The only thing I can think of regarding that is that the auto trannies don't like being turboed.
I can't say enough about these cars. They're great cars. You really can't go wrong with them. BTW most of the mags continually picked them over the civic, corolla, and matrix. Look it up...they don't lose. Plus they're 99% built and assembled in Japan. Can't say that for the Matrix or Civic.
As for the tranny comment it's BS. The tranny can be a little notchy, but with redline tranny fluid, the problem is solved. The only thing I can think of regarding that is that the auto trannies don't like being turboed.
I can't say enough about these cars. They're great cars. You really can't go wrong with them. BTW most of the mags continually picked them over the civic, corolla, and matrix. Look it up...they don't lose. Plus they're 99% built and assembled in Japan. Can't say that for the Matrix or Civic.
There you have it, go with the P5. I knew someone with a P5 who complained about the tranny on a daily basis. He could had a lemon, he could have been negligent, but he stuck with his P5 for a whole year and traded up to a Mazda3 s hatchback. (I'm seriously considering a Mazda as my next car, I'm getting tired of Honda)
Registered!!
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 0
From: Barrie (just north of T.O), Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0 My fiance was in the exact same position. Protege 5 or Matrix. The sales guys at Mazda were ********* so they helped us make our decision. The Matrix has been nothing but awesome! Amazing versatility, great cargo space and I like the look of them and they drive really nice. I assume your GF probably isnt too crazy about modding the car but if she is the protege probably has more potential. I just find that I see protege's everywhere and the Matrix is a little more unique.
and its cheaper too... 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 26,704
Likes: 0
From: Poco, B.C. Canada
Rep Power: 564 over a Matrix yes...but overall...I am not a fan of the Protege 5 at all. My g.f has had one for a couple of years now and it's been awful.
Matrix has probably a lil better quality (being a yota) but also a lil more expensive, no? import price. Protege is a good all around car, only thing I heard was a little noisey, but that was the mazdaspeed version of the protege
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 26,704
Likes: 0
From: Poco, B.C. Canada
Rep Power: 564
Originally Posted by RangerMan
Matrix has probably a lil better quality (being a yota) but also a lil more expensive, no? import price. Protege is a good all around car, only thing I heard was a little noisey, but that was the mazdaspeed version of the protege
even the regular 5's are noisy as hell too. They sound awful.
Registered!!
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 613
Likes: 0
From: East Bay Area, California
Rep Power: 0
Originally Posted by nookiemonster
The Protege 5 is the clear choice here.
Last edited by GirlRacer; Apr 20, 2005 at 01:53 PM.
Originally Posted by Pharoh
even the regular 5's are noisy as hell too. They sound awful.
I like ruining your threads.
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,165
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Rep Power: 0
Originally Posted by nookiemonster
^^^ That sounds like a great option also...but it will come with a greater price tag as well...
Just get the RS Wagon. MUCH cheaper.
Suby Wagon gets my vote.
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
carid
Electrical, Wiring, and In Car Entertainment
2
Aug 8, 2015 05:05 PM
klam
General Automotive Discussion
29
Apr 17, 2002 03:12 PM
