hey, I haven't been on the board in a while and tried a search but found nothing of any use. I know the protege will be replaced by the 3 and I have seen some rederings of the new "protege 5" and "protege sedan". My question was does anyone have any solid info on pictures, release dates, prices, specifics, etc ... thanks in advance to everyone.

 

All I've seen is that concept car, I think they called it Sportif or something, that's supposed to replace the P5. Supposedly it will have a choice of engines. But I think it's a 2005 model, not 2004. Where did you see pictures of the sedan?

 

Here ya go, just found this with a search:

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...ghlight=mazda3

 

yah I found this before ... it has very limited details. Poor translation and nothing really solid in facts except for the engine. I found a couple pics of a potential interior I'll see if I can post em up. I'm surprised there isn't more discussion on this ... the new models will be out in the next few months.

 

these pictures of of the new wagon obviously. I can't find anythign on the sedan nor can I confirm if these pictures are the real deal. No one out there ha any solid info at all?

 

I actually think the P5 is better looking the way it is now. That's just my opinion.

 

Edmunds.com has a very brief preview of it, nothing new really. They say the wagon will be introduced first, followed by the sedan. Sounds backwards to me, I would think the sedan would have wider appeal to drivers.

And this thread has alot of pictures:
http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...threadid=21767

I know it's been discussed more on this board, but unfortunately you cant search for "Mazda 3" because "3" is too short.

Myself, I'll withold judgement until I actually see it. I wasnt impressed with the Protege5's looks from pictures, but that all changed when I saw it in person. But I can already say this new car wont work for me; the roofline slopes too much, wont be good for carrying my kayak. Guess I'll just have to get a 6 wagon.

 

And still more info, from www.autonews.com:

Protege
The redesigned 2004 Protege will share a platform and components with the next-generation Ford Focus and the Volvo 40 series but will resemble neither car.

Prototypes show an exaggerated arch roofline mated to a stubby hood and trunk. Both a sedan and five-door hatchback version will come to the United States.

Mazda will attempt to lure enthusiasts with its next generation of high- horsepower four-cylinder engines that it is developing for Ford. The engines will displace 2.0 and 2.3 liters.

Mazda says production of the 2004 Protege will start early in 2003.

From Detroit News Auto Insider (with spy photo?!)
http://info.detnews.com/autosinsider...x.cfm?myrec=73

Plus I read on one site that the new Miata is going to share the Rx8 platform.

If anyone out there has more Mazda3 info let's try to piece it together in one place.

 

yah this is all good. thanks for the replies. so the sedan will arive at the same time as the sportif? or later? i've seen conflicting statements. I personally hope it arrives at the same time becasue I don't want a 5 door ... I want a sedan and I want one soon. The protege is not appealing to me if it's going to look outdated in a metter of months. I concure with the post above ... lets get what info we have together and see if we can figure it out.

 

Dont like it, the p5 looks better. They should have kept the p5 and just get the engine to about 150hp.

 

Gotta admit the P5 looks a lot better than the Sportif, especially the back end. It's a shame that Mazda didn't just plug the new engines into the Proteges (especially since they put it in the Focus in non-VVT form 148hp, 152 ft.lb).

 

hmm... can't believe i'm saying this... but the new shape is growing on me. i guess it is like the rsx... i hated it when i first saw it. now it grew on me and i like it a lot. same thing happened when the integra got those round headlights. i still think it's ugly, but it grew on me. the interior is sooo sweet though. looks like my sister's a4. the backend needs a little revision still, though.

 

great looking car. but whats with the ugly gauges?
they remind me of the vibe and matrix!
the protege5 looks v. different and just as nice. the production ran for only 2 years so the pro5 look will be unique in its look out there on the streets. not too many people will drive them.

 

humm... i think i like the new design, but not the tail lights. never was a fan of those euro-type lights.

also, i noticed this on the Rx8 as well, but the tailight shape
does not work with the contour of the car's lines.. it doesnt
follow it and there is no consistency in the lines vs the body.

that part i dont like about the cars. otherwise, with a more
powerful motor, i think it'll look like a poorman's Murata or FX45.

its a nice design, but still only a mazda.

 

oh god it looks like a friggin minivan. Leave the 5 alone. The guages look cool though. Looks like they were stolen outta the rx-8