Corrinebw

Hello all,

I've been lurking around this board for awhile. I am looking to possibly buy a Protege ES....My very first car! I'm just lookin for some opinions or advice. I want a car that is reliable but fun to drive(not like the corolla, you have to slow down for corners in that...blahhhhh) The Protege looks like the best bet, as close as I'll get to sporty with these small pockets. I also like that sportronic shift option in the ES, bad bad me never had the opportunity to learn a manual. Anyhoo this looks like a great place, thanks for any advice!!

Corrine

David

sportronic shift option is nice but get the 5 speed. You'll learn in no time The ES is a nice car I have a 2000 ES and have talked three people into getting a protege when they took me car for a ride. There are other car on the market for around the same price but the protege I think is one of the best on the market.


Don't get the auto!!!!!!



that's how you make a good car a P.O.S.

Corrinebw

Man I'd love to get a manual(plus I's save like$800) but I don't wanna ruin a perfectly good new car learning how to drive stick. I've heard you can screw it up like that.

ZoomZoomH

welcome corrine! looks like you somehow found this site through the Edmunds bulletin board.

yeah I agree the manual is the only way to go, but I also understand your fear of ruining a brand new car's clutch, so, for the time being, buy what you feel comfortable driving, maybe one day you'll get a beater to practice driving manual, and once you're done learning, you'll trade in the Pro for a spanking new Mazda3

good luck with your Protege purchase!

rkives

I bought my GT new back in 90 and didn't know how to drive a stick. 12 years and 320,000KM later I removed the original clutch and found about 50% life still left. These are light cars, very easy to drive. Just ask someone to drive you to a flat area to begin with then get to hill when you know what it should feel like.

Rick

funkdaddysmack

I agree, I have two 5 spd. cars and wouldn't have it any other way, and I even do 90% of my driving in the city. Perhaps the dealer could teach you. Don't you have a friend or relative with a manual car? If you learned, you would NOT be disapointed with your decision... But I think if you get the auto (even though you can still shift it), you'll regret it. Check around, maybe someone can teach you?

alcoholiday

in all seriousness, the salesman showed me all i needed to know to drive stick in about 10 minutes. i was embarrassed but screw it, i wanted a 5-speed.

if you really want to learn, you can pick it up in no time. easy car to drive. you'll miss a couple shifts in the early going but hey, we *all* miss a shift once in a while.

Makaveli

Welcome to our board


As everyone else said, I would really consider asking someone, maybe even the dealer to show you the basics quickly and then you'll learn in a few days with no problems. I love my 5 speed and feel like falling asleep with an auto. If you lived close to me, I'd gladly show you how to drive a 5 speed Great car, you won't regret getting it.

5SpeedP5

hey, now thats a great idea, ask the sales man to teach ya...... theyd probably be more than willing! i never thought of that....

but in all seriousness, i bought my p5 new, and learned to drive a stick on it while it was new.... its fine 18k miles later.... dont worry about ruining it, these things are pretty strong little cars

ZoomZoomH

yeah, just don't do 5000rpm launches all the time

5SpeedP5

hehe, and avoid those lovely redline launches.... they love to ruin your fun

David

I had a friend that got a Saab 900 turbo new (this is like six years ago) she really liked the car and got good deal. However, it was a five speed and she never drove a stick before. Well the dealer dropped it off at her house on Saturday and it sat there all day Sunday. On Monday, she got up and hour early to go to work in the city, 15 miles drive mostly hilly. She was two hour late for work, but she still has the car.