Matrix XRS or Protege5
 

Both are 5 door vehicles, which one would you choose and why? I'm looking at trading my civic in to buy either one for my gf.

Now, here is my take on them:

Pro's of the XRS: more headroom, more cargo room, more powerful engine, and it's a bigger vehicle.
Con's of the XRS: Premium gas, worse gas mileage, questionable styling and it's more expensive.

Pro's of the P5: Cheaper, smaller, better gas mileage, regular gas, better looking, and it's easier to drive.
Con's of the P5: Smaller vehicle, less storage and less roomy.

Which one is better? I prefer a more roomy vehicle but I am also looking at gas mileage.

protege5 because it looks alot nice then the nappy MATRIX AKA MINI VAN!!!!!!!!!

The XRS is not a mini-van... It's a cross-over vehicle. Most minivans have slidding rear doors.

A factory supercharger will be comming for the XRS/Vibe.........

and you can get it with Navi (but not the 17" rims and navi for some reason?!?!?)

Blown: Why not the AWD or 4WD version of Matrix in case of huge snow since you live in Edmonton??

That's a possibility Manixc... I don't know what kind of options are available for both... I wanted AWD and I went shopping for a WRX this weekend, turns out that I have to be willing to dish out $40K for a new WRX and I can't justify doing that. I even found a used WRX with 1800KM and they still wanted $39,200 for it.

AKA Soccer Mom Transport Vehicle (SMTV) [IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG][IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG][IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG]

Of all the XRS I've seen on the road, I haven't seen a lady driving one! On the flip-side, I've seen more women driving P5, like 90% of the drivers.

thats a ripoff for a wrx. A new one here in calgary cost 34995 plus tax. But trading the car in, the tax is only the difference. For a used wrx with 25000km, it is 32495 plus tax. Maybe you should consider a drive to calgary if you really want a wrx

Matrix

Looks more mascaline, it's bigger, will have better reliability and resale value, 180hp engine, interior looks better and is of higher quality imo. Ones the cheap version and ones the nicer version if you ask me. I wouldn't buy a mazda. If I wasn't driving a honda, I'd be driving a toyota...

The mazda is a cute little booger though..

When you say tax, do you mean just GST? Or, Documentation fee, Tire Tax, Environmental Levy, and gst?

From what I can figure, the breakdown is:

MSRP: $34,995
Delivery: $900
7HR check-up(more like dealer markup): $600

Sub-Total: $36,495+tax

Or:
Documentation: $590
Tire Tax: $20
Env. Levy: $40 (????)

Sub-total: $37,145 + gst
x 7%
Total: $39745.15 (smaller number than the $40K+ price the salesman gave me)

I really think the dealerships here really markup the car and their attitude is "If you don't want to pay $40K for a WRX, someone else will". After visiting 2 dealerships, I concluded that I will never buy a subaru... They really have poor customer relations and I could care less to give them my business. I've had excellant service from all the Honda, Pontiac, Mazda, Toyota and Acura salesmen that I've talked to.

Toyota will have a better re-sale value... However, how would the re-sale of the Vibe relate to the re-sale of the Matrix? Both are pretty well the same price, however, I really like the service I get a Pontiac compared to Toyota.

Don't get Vibe if U want to resale.

Which cars does ur gf think is a better car??

And definitely look at the gas mileage:
XRS uses Prem Gas and more gas, than it will be more expensive to afford.
Pro5 probably costs the same as our civics.

And insurance??

If you are looking at XRS, why not CR-V???

Manixc - The main deciding factor is interest rates right now... I know I can get 0% on a protege 5 and then I get the student rebate of $600. I think that interest rate also applies to the Vibe, except the student discount is $1000. I don't know about Toyota and what they offer... Personally, I think I'll stay away from the XRS because it takes premium and I have a feeling gas prices are going to be on the rise again. I think the AWD Matrix or Vibe is probably the best choice. As for the CR-V, I think it's too big of a vehicle for her to handle in the city, she has only driven my civic... My gf is partial to the protege 5 but never looked at the Vibe/Matix(she does like the look of the Vibe though).

i dunno, i like the protege 5. the matrix looks like a rav 4 with an ugly drop:shake: but its all on you. :tup:

hey, make sure when you buy your lady the car, it's under YOUR NAME. if things dont flow like they should with you and her you will have an extra car.:_please:

My lady will be my wife in 3 months... So, no worries.

Ahh my kind of thread.. since i'm the only P5 owner on this board (??). I've test drove both. The Matrix, rides high like an SUV, the seats and positioning of the radio/dash controls aren't very ergonomical. Power doesn't come quick on for daily usage as peak torque comes at a high 6000+ rpms while the Pro 5 comes at 3500RPMs. The P5 will outhandle the Matrix everyday of the week. Looks better, better gas milage and BEST bang for the buck.

But you know, i have nothing against the Matrix, it has plenty of aftermarket support Just like the P5.

Go get your gf and go test drive both, and her heart will desire one over the other.

P.S. Someone said mostly women drive P5's, well Old fogies and Women drive civics - what's your point?
Btw, IF your gf gets the P5, tell her to Join the Protege 5 club. I know in Vancouver the Dealer is a sponsor of the club and every member gets 10-15% off stock/aftermarket parts.

btw: Car & Driver voted P5 #1 over the Matrix xRS over their 5door hatch tests. including the (vibe, aerio, subaru, pt Looser)

pss. Insurance is cheaper on my P5 than it was for my 2k1 Civic.

http://www.7thgencivic.com/old_attachments/protege4.jpg


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[IMG]/forums/themes/orbitz/paperclip.gif[/IMG] protege4.jpg (41 Kb)

Noodleboy - I was the one who made the comment about women driving P5s... I definitly agree with you about old people and women are the majority 7thgen civic owners... I've sat in the Honda service department more than once and realized that. Thanks for your input. I will take my gf out and test drive more than one vehicle, I'm thinking about convincing her to also look at the Rav4 and the CR-V. Maybe she's a SUV kind of person.

Yea the new Crvs with some 19" rims look really nice. Saw one the other day at Yum-cha and was actually gawking at it. oh.. "hope your gf doesn't go.. hey check out that suzuki aerio.". cuz i will cry.

oh yea, let us know what u end up picking and post some pics

I personally want to stay away from the CR-V... Too many people I know own them. As for the Aerio, my gf thinks they are horrid looking... Man, she has some good taste. She really likes the P5 in the Laser Blue mica...

Laser Blue Mica is nice dude. SHe looking for stick or the auto? I know the Auto comes with Tiptronic...
The 2003 protege 5's have f**king nice projectors...:tup:

P5 comes with Tiptronic now???


Go for P5 then.

Yup, the 2002.5 (US) P5's have tiptronic, and in Canada it's the 2003 Pro5's with Tiptronic.
:tup:

just wondering. why do u call your "gf" your gf if your getting married in 3 months? wouldn't that classify her as your fiancee? or u haven't popped the question and planned in your head 3 months? lol, just playing.

Matrix XRS:tup:

i like the p5, but the matrix definitely outclasses it. you get what you pay for.

Aerio = shopping cart that was squished between 2 semi trucks... tall, narrower box on what looks like 12" rims(:laugh[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]...[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-puke.gif[/IMG]

Matrix is not bad if you need the space. The interior is huge. It drives nice enough but not as nice as the Protege5. But the biggest reason I went for a P5 instead of a Matrix is I can't find a comfortable position behind the wheel. Either the pedals/shifter are too far or the steering wheel is too close.

Well, I love the 2003 P5, especially in Laser Blue mica! However, we went last night and she didn't like the P5 as much as she imagined...

Let her try them all and then will she decides which one she likes more [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]