I'm so pumped... finally sold my 1997 VW Jetta GLX today for $18,000 and I get my 2002 Protege ES GT within the next 2 weeks... can't wait!!

PJStyles

P.S - Already have my Blaupunkt Los Angeles MP3 Deck, In-Dash CD Changer and new speakers

 

Congratulations! What made you decide to sell your VW btw?

 

Well... the main reason was that my wife and I are buying a home and I wanted a car under warranty. That's the first reason. Second reason is I was finding the interior of the car ever so boring...

No matter how nice your car looks from outside, you spend the time IN the car not OUTSIDE the car. That's what really sold me on the Protege... it's reliable but has an amazing looking interior.

Besides, it'll be much better on gas and on insurance. I may end up regretting this decision but so be it...

PJStyles

 

Very good points, the protege does have a rather stylish interior and even better exterior. Better gas mileage yes? regret this? doubtfully, the protege handles like a dream and is even peppy, what more could you want? You have everything a sport compact car needs

 

I tend to agree with you.... Funny thing is the feel I get when behind the wheel of the Jetta. It just doesn't feel as responsive. Even when I drive my wife's 1995 Honda Civic LX, I find that I have more control in her car because it almost feels closer to the ground and the seats are lower....

That's odd because my Jetta was lowered too... so not sure why I get that feeling.

PJStyles

 

I don't keep up to date with VW's but from racing them in various situations I can't see how anybody with performance in mind could buy one. Sure they look good on the outside, and the 1.8T is pretty quick, but lets get back to reality, Reality is since we (Sport compact cars) cant have 1/4 mile performance, we need something else to rely on, which is great handling. Honda is trying to get good 1/4 mile times and not focusing on the big picture. They need a Paradigm shift (sorry if I lost any of you guys) and need to "Think out of the Box". The base model protege can easily out-handle the base model civic,jetta,golf,etc. Mazda has always been known for making great sports cars, and they have yet to produce a V8

 

I don't know about the older MK3 Jetta's, but the new MK4's (especiallly w/ the 1.8T) have a lot of tuning potential. With a chip you're easily looking at 200+ HP. I like the new Jetta's...really great looking inside and out. The only thing holding them back is the suspension setup. Waayyy too soft stock, even w/ the factory "Sport Suspension". What a shame...

 

Perhaps the new IV Generation VW's feel a lot different when sitting inside.. but I just love sitting in these Japanese cars... I feel like I'm in complete control... and low to the ground even when the car isn't lowered... Odd I know

PJStyles

 

Yup, Mazda offers you everything. Your in our world now, well theirs, err, cause I dont have mine yet

 

I also gave up my Jetta ( base model ). I now have a 2002½ P5. While I only have 800mi on it so far I feel the VW had a much better 5speed, drove smoother in stop & go traffic and my VW got better gas mileage. I do however like the Pro5 hands down over the Jetta. It looks 5X better, handles 10X better and has many many more standard features than VW. All for less $$. As far as the faster of the two, I'm not sure. I had mastered beating the b@lls off the VW. I'm still (and will be for some time yet) babying my new ride. The Mazda feels much stronger on the bottom ½ of the RPM.

 

hey, what kind of jetta was it? 1.8t? vr6? the new jettas are pretty damn phat IMO. i love the GLi with the new 200hp vr6, and the 1.8t is tunable as hell. i really like v-dubs, especially GTi's and jettas. have u guys seen the golf R32 ? that baby is hottt.....

well, welcome to the protege family
enjoy