I haven't seen anyone really compare these two cars yet so now is the time. I am going on a road trip to Edmonton on Mar 15th with a couple of buddies and we have to decide whose car to use. He has a spec V and I have a Pro5.

Now mine is much better on gas and can carry more (not much more) but his is an absolute blast to drive and can haul three guys better. So what do I do? It is about a 1000km trip roundtrip.

Now since most of you will probably say the Pro5 I wish to ask why. And also I would like to hear your thoughts on the Spec V in general compared to the Pro5. Apples and Oranges to compare but they cost almost the same amount. If I had to go back in time.....

 

In the Spec V you could accelerate fast enough to strip them down.

 

Good point. On another note, why don't people compare sentras and proteges. I have read enough banter about the civic and corolla (which I think looks pretty decent, corolla s that is) but I want some ammo for my friend spec v. Obviously he chews on me in performance (damn that limited slip is sweet) but I gots him in practicality. In terms of looks, I think it is hard to compare the two, it is kind of a 'each his own' thing.

There must be some beefs about the spec v, other than that monster of a tranny. I heard the regular SE-R actually out performs it straitline because of the nasty 6 speed that thing has. But on the other hand the sentra has a much better factory stereo (who is the joker at Mazda, 4 speakers?) and the seats are really supportive.

Let's hear some bitching from the Pro5 crew.

 

Take your buddies car, why wreck yours. Plus if you want to have some drinks (the official past time of Edmonton? ) you don't have to drive.

As far as the Spec-V goes, I test drove one and hated it.

Here's why:
1) the engine sucks, sure it has power but so does a Cummins diesel, I wouldn't want either in my car. The engine has no character... think truck engine.
2) tranny - it sucks
3) clutch - yup it sucks too, cable clutches bite
4) steering - no where near as good as the Protege
5) red interior - yuk
6) guages - difficult to read to say the best
7) cheap interior - the plastic looked like it belonged in a Chevy
8) solid beam rear suspension - nuff said
9) sentra build quality - it sucks... I guess that's what happens when you pay people $1 an hour to build your cars

The only things I did like about the car were:
1) the seats - much more supportive than the proteges
2) the tires - lots of grip
3) LSD
4) ummmm... errrr... ahhhh... well I guess that's it.

For the record I liked the 2001 SE with SR20 power much better, now that engine has character. However, it still had all of the other crappy traits that the SE-R Spec V does. I can't wait until the MazdaSpeed 3 comes out... it will humiliate the Spec-V in all aspects.

 

Come on, be fair to the Spec V, that thing corners about six times better than the Pro5, and he has Blizzaks on right now, not his summer tires. Oh I also like the rims (nice five spoke and 17").

You are right about the gauges. Orange for the dash, pissy blue color for the stereo, and the controls are not as intuitive. BUT, when you feel turning up the music and pressing the accelerator.....HOOHAA!

On the other hand, chicks dig my car and think it cost alot more than it did. Though at night some mistake it for purple (Daylight blue, Midnight purple). Next accesory on the block, a pirate flag for the antenna and the Dukes of Hazzard horn + backup beepers.

 

Let me tell you all something i test drove the spec v and i was not impressed at all. it looks good in the front but like **** in the back. ITs not that fast and does not handle anything near my P5. the clutch is soft and the tranny sucks the guy at the dealer who took me for the test drive told me to let her rip and thats exactly what i did he almost **** his pants when i was shifting gears without letting go of the gas popped it into fourth and it came out of gear. They should of kept the SR20 and turbo the **** out of it i dont like the new motor at all . When i get my haltec ecu and can take full advantage of my 11.9.1 pistons and jap cams i will be able to run circles around your boys spec v. take his car your car doesnt deserve the abuse besides hes got a truck motor in his car good for the extra weight HE HE

 

Ive got a Pro5 and my girl has a SpecV. I cant believe you think that you can actually compare the two... I didnt test drive, I drive them both almost every day. The SpecVs trans is a little tough to get used to after driving the mushy undergeared Pro5, but its ratios are MUCH better. I love my Pro5 too, but listen to what you guys are saying, "when I mod my car, it will be as good as a stock SpecV". Its way faster that the Pro5 and handles MUCH better than the pro, STOCK. I hate people that mag race, but look at the specs of both cars, theres so much of a difference its not funny. I say take the Pro5 though, theres more room in the back seat...

 

i don't know....you guys keep ragging on the cornering and such and I have to defend the spec V (though the butt end is butt ugly). That car corners WAY better than the Pro5 even if it feels like a pig doing it. Limited slip limited slip limited slip.

Good point on the cable clutch, just last night it was bunching on him, and the first to second shift is a complete bitch (though mine can be tempermental at times). But in terms of acceleration, that engine has a lot of torque. Sure it redlines low but it pulls you back in your seat when touched. I just don't get that feeling from the Pro5.

Whoever mentioned the shitty paint on it was right though, that things has chips already after two months. But boosted I don't think even those mods would be enough. Our gear setup just doesn't seem to offer the accel that the fairly short Spec setup.

 

I could make a Yugo have better stick than a Protege... does that mean it is a better handler??? I say no, handling is as much about feel as it is about #'s, to me the Spec V felt like crap. Likewise a Mustang GT generates way better cornering #'s than a pro (about the same as an MP3) would any of us say that it handles better?

 

It's pretty obvious that a Pro 5 would be much more comfortable on a road trip then the Spec V.

The spec V overall is a better "driver's" car then then the pro5. The pro5 is more liveable though and insurance will proabably be cheaper and it gets better mileage.