So I'm looking into buying a Mazda. I prefer the sedan, but need the room and it's the best looking affordable hatch out there. Since I decided on Mazda I started noticing all the Protege hatches out there and was curious what would be a better buy. A low mileage protege or a new Mazda 3 hatch? I look forward to your comments/suggestions. Thanks.

 

Proteges corner better and 3s are more roomy and comfortable.

I love my P5.

 

The styling and handling on a protege are top notch for the class. . . but that 2.3 in the 3 is hard not to love

 

Go with the 3. I love my P5, but I would trade it in without having to think too hard just because of that 2.3 liter engine.

 

personally.....it'll depend on the price and condition of P5
Currently I have 06 MZ3S T sedan and I'm VERY happy with it

 

I have a 2006 Mazda 3 2.3GT hatchback and my daughter has a 2003 P5 hatchback. Both are standard shift. The 2.3 Mazda has lot more features than the P5: 2.3 liter engine, larger wheels (17 inch), rain sensing windshield wipers, steering wheel mounted radio & cd controls, one button quick opening sun roof, trip computer, outside temperature gauge, LED rear tail lights, etc.
Marty

 

I have a 2006 Mazda 2.3GT sedan. I love it. I think both hatch and sedan are same size, of course the hatch would give you the utility and a little bit more space. As to which is sportier would be a matter of opinion, maybe I'm bias, but I say sedan is the way to go.
Good luck.

 

I can't speak for how they drive, but IMHO, aesthetically, the P5 wins out.

 

Having driven both hatch models, and the sedan style 3 as well, id have to give the upper hand to the mazda 3. the styling is just complete top notch, the shifter and clutch in the 3 are much sportier (semi-short shift / semi-sport clutch) as compared to the protege's standard econo-car setup. the 2.3 liter engine with v-spec in the mazda 3 is a rather sporty, economical, and solid engine. the proteges engine is a little more sluggish (im not sure if it has v-spec). the 3 definitely handles much better and loves to be thrown into corners, but im not saying that the proteges handling is lame...it is still a great handling car...any mazda likes to turn. also, the mazda3 loves mods.

i drive a 2004 mazda 3s with a few mods (cai, custom exhaust, tein coilovers, eibach swaybars f/r, mazdaspeed strut bar, mazdaspeed rear camber links)

the protege i drove was a P5 with a catback exhaust.

the 3 sedan i occasionally drive is my sisters 2006 2.0 liter.

hope i was able to help
--jeff

heres a link to my cardomain website where you can check out my 3.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2303055