though the protege and focus have similar power rating they are completly different cars... if anyhthing the protege and escort were based on each other.... the tribute and escape are the essentially the same vehicle.. based on the same platform...

 

Well if that's what you are going on then we need to add in the Mitsubishi Lancer and Acura RSX as those two cars are 2.0 liter and FWD. They must be the same design.

For this argument, the only thing the Focus and Protege share is engine displacement, layout and the use of unleaded fuel.

 

The Ford Focus and Mazda Protege 5 have no interchangable parts (except maybe the valve stem caps). The Mazda Protege 5's engine is a completely Mazda designed and built engine that has been around in its current form since 1994 when it started out life in the 626. Its specs are as follows:

1991cc DOHC four cylinder with a bore and stroke of 83mm x 92 mm, 130 hp @ 6000 rpm, 135 lb-ft torque @ 4000 rpm.

The Focus engine is a new design, by Ford with the following specs:

1988cc DOHC four cylinder with a bore and stroke of 84.8mm x 88mm, 130 hp @ 5300 rpm, 135 lb-ft torque @ 4500.

If the P5 was a Ford Focus platform, I would not have purchased it as I have had 4 new Ford vehicles in the last 12 years, and the last 2 were junk. I will probably never buy another new North American vehicle again. You cannot beat the Japanese cars for engineering, reliability, quality and value per dollar. Plus, they are assembled by workers who care about the work they do, unlike some overpaid, unionized workers who only care about job security, with the quality of work being a secondary consideration. I know, because many of my friends are unionized auto workers.

 

Well I'm trying to believe that Mazda is not Ford, at least not the P5 I bought. Trust me I'm not in favor of Ford a bit. A friend of mine works at local garage told me that Ford and Mazda engines are alike (close spec), so does Mitsubishi and whatever the other car companies. You would think that if Ford owns close to 34% of Mazda they would suggest and implement Ford's engine into Mazda's lineup to save design cost. Well at least change the spec a bit so it's not obvious to consumers like us. It's cheaper to alter than redesign. I know we don't really want to associate our beloved Mazdas to Ford but we are just consumers, it's all marketing strategy. IMHO

I didn't even want to get the P5 first place but I love the way P5 looks. I hope it performs like a Japanese car, not Ford Focus.
Heh I hope it will last as long as my Toyota.

Peace!

Poman
03 Mazda P5 (Wife's)
99 Toyota Solara V6 SLE Supercharged (MINE)

 

It's not that hard so you shouldn't have to try really. One thing you do have to remember about auto manufacturing is that a lot of components are actually outsourced. Pieces like window switches, radios, sensors, etc are not necessarily Mazda OR Ford. They may be produced by some third party company like Lear (interiors), KableSchlepp (electrical), NGV (transmissions), etc... There may be pieces of the P5 that are shared with Toyota, Chevrolet, BMW or who knows. It's done to save money and get better product.

 

The Protege 5 has been sold in one form or another in other countries for a few years now and has an outstanding record. The basic design, whether as a 323F, Familia, SP20, etc, has been Mazda's global best seller prior to coming to the North American market as a P5. So, put your mind at ease, this is a well built car with good reputation that should last you a long time with regular maintenance. The rumour is that the next generation Protege will be built on a shared Ford Focus platform, so be thankful you bought one now. I would never buy a Ford designed Protege (which the P5 is not). It is entirely Japanese deisigned and built, without Ford's input.

 

One of the reasons that we chose the P5 was that the window sticker stated "97% Japanese, 3% American!" That kinda put me to ease And in the fact that for the price of the car I get 6disc indash changer, 16" low profile/alloy wheels. 4 wheel disc brakes, bodykit, strut/sway bars, sports shift and other little goodies, it's just too hard not to get it! The lack of HP is killing me though....wish they made a V6 version of P5 that would be sweeet.