Hi folks. Just found out about this forum from the Miata forum.

Anyhoo, here's my question:

If you had to choose between the Protege5 or the Subaru 2.5 TS Wagon what would you pick? Why?

I'm considering both of these wagons for my SO. Looking for thoughts and opinions. Any other wagons come to mind?

I posted this on i-club and miataforum.com for comments as well.

Thanks,
Ditch
'99 Mazda Miata LP Emerald Mica

 

I pretty much made the same comparisons myself when searching for my new wheels about a month ago... result? I have a P5.

I had a Subaru wagon ('86 model year) a while back and always liked the car (though the 1.8L in it was way underpowered) so I took a look at the Impreza when it came time to buy.

The number one reason I have a P5 (and I am sure that others here will agree ) is the handling. The car is a great car to put into the twisties... 4 wheel disc brakes too!

It seemed to me that the P5 also came with a few more goodies (cruise control?) and had more interior head room for me and my passengers (I'm ~6'1"). I also think that the P5 has much better lines.

However, the all wheel drive and the 2.5L boxer do make the Impreza a nice car!

Also, when it came down to the wire, the P5 was less money than the Impreza.

 

might I also suggest a read of the following thread as some other folks also expressed their opinions of the P5 there.

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...=&threadid=915

I know that it does not compare the two cars, but it does have some good points in it

 

I looked at the Subes too If I had the money (35K Cdn $) I'd have bought a WRX.

But I looked at the TS too. With it's all-wheel drive and the 160 hp motor its nice but more expensive and I found the car not than much bigger than the P5. The 130 hp P5 with the 5 speed was very pleasing to drive and (although a popular car) was still a very good value...given the features and fit and finish. So I went with the P5. Still grinnin' ear to ear... here!!

 

PS... btw did ya see the launch last week? Saw one in 94 and it was spectacular!

 

I didn't bother looking at the Impreza Wagon because it costs more and it looks way UGLIER than a Protege5.

2.5RS (sedan) vs Protege5 would be a hard one.

 

I've said elsewhere (though I can't remember where), the Subie is a good car. I went with the P5 because I thought it has a bigger back seat, handles better, looks better, and was cheaper.

But if I lived somewhere where the weather was worse, I would have thought about it pretty hard. AWD is nice if you see a lot of snow where you are. But you're in Florida, right? I'd go with the P5 there, but you may have other reasons why you'd like the Subie better.

 

I came down to the same two cars. I decided on the Pro5 for a few reasons...

• Don't need AWD
• Much cheaper when similarly equipped
• Pro5 is signifigantly better handling
• Pro5 is better looking (IMO)

 

kenji: ugly is in the eye of the beholder. I think both look about as nice.

paulf: yep. I was on the launch team.

JJB: though you're right about the price difference, my local dealer wants over $3k markup over list. I'd bet that TSes, being eclipsed by the more popular WRX wagon would be selling at a discount.

All: Well, I took a test drive today. Among the things that stood out were:

-Very little body roll, less than my Miata I'd dare say (how big are the sway bars, anyway?)

-Brakes were OK. The non-ABS that I drove stopped readily, but brakes were progressive in coming on. Kinda weird to modulate at the threshold.

-Mild understeer. Not bad for FWD.

-Can you say looooooong shift throws? My Miata has spoiled me.

-Acceleration was marginal, but OK. Is there an LSD available? Wheels seemed to slip freely when accelerating at a turn.

All in all it was nice. I could do without the fake carbon fiber on the dash, though. I liked the height adjustable seats. Gotta go drive the TS now...

Thanks all for the input,
Ditch

 

I would say your local dealer is an a$$

 

WHOA! You mean there are dealers that aren't?

 

my top 3 reasons for getting a protege 5 are

1. looks (main reason i got the car)

2. handeling (doing 60km/h around turns are cool )

3. price.....it was under 30 grand with the sun roof!!!

 

that's 30 CDN......

The subaru one is too much like a family car for my liking, but then again I've never driven AWD to appreciate it.....
I'm guessing that Pro would be better on gas too because of stuff mentioned by the previous posts.

 

Hey DITCH, yes, I think there are some dealers that are OK. There are several dealers here in the Houston area and I'd say that most of them suck, but one is actually pretty OK, or at least the guy who sold me my P5 was. Best car sales experience I've ever had, in fact.

 

All of you are looking at the Impreza in the wrong light. As an owner of both cars the Subaru is quicker, handles much better, and there is nothing like feeling the power of AWD pull you out of a turn at 70mph. However I am basing my experiences on the RS I own and not the newer style Impreza. I also must agree with the idea that the new Impreza is not that attractive and that is one reason I still have mine rather than a WRX.