I'm buying of these this week but I am torn. I am looking at 22,000$ for the 3 and 23,500 for the Protege 5. Because the 5 has 0% financing my payments will end up being 15$ cheaper?

How much should I factor in that the 5 is a 2003? Any insights to whats a better deal???

Thanks, sorry for the newb question.

 

well even though i liek the 5's styling better
2003 was the last year for the 5, so it will be gone.... and you are getting a last year model...

the 3 is new..... has more power, eiother engine you choose has more power...
2.0L has 18 more hp
2.3L has 30 more hp

and well really you gotta test drive them both to see what you like.... they both aint bad at all.... if you are looking for more power than the 3 is where u wanna go.... all i can say to you man is to just test drive them both and see which of the two you prefer yourself... and get the car YOU like!!

 

i couldn't wait for the 3 so i bought a 5 and then when the 3 came out i drove it and hoped that i didn't make the wrong decision. well i didn't and let me tell you my reasons. the left portion of the floor where your foot goes when you are not using it for the clutch is very high and i found that i couldn't get comfortable at all in the 3. this is in contrast to the 5 which to me has the most perfect driving position of any car that i have driven. i can move the seat or the wheel anywhere and the thing just feels perfect. the 3 feels less tossable than the 5. the 5 has better driving dynamics. i will tell you, however that i have had a lot of rattles in the 5- that couldn't be fixed. my passenger side door had a rattle that i had the dealer replace the interior door panel and the thing still rattles. it drives me crazy but i do love how it handles and the engine is very willing to rev. if i were you i'd go for the 5 also because it is well evolved and the 3 is the first model year and who knows what could happen with that. also- check your prices- i bought a loaded 5 with everything (yes even leather which i love) except the alarm and roof rack for around $16k.

 

Those prices...do seem very high...maybe we're talking CAD?
As for the car, gotta say despite the higher power output of the 3, I think the 2003 models are better looking cars...

 

Thanks for the replies guys, ya sorry I'm talking Canadian $$. I think i will go for 5, save a bit of money and get the car right away instead of waiting a month.

 

hmmm, I was thinking of trading in the P5. I haven't test drove the Mazda 3 yet. I'll be sure to test out what's been mentioned, when I do go on that test drive.