I think it's technically a "sport wagon." :lol: We're going to look at a 2002 tonight. Does anyone have one? Do you love it? Hate it?

Had one as a rental once, it had a 3rd row seat jammed in there which was impressive. It's not exactly over powered and if you had 6 passengers, it would be quite slow

Had one as a rental once, it had a 3rd row seat jammed in there which was impressive. It's not exactly over powered and if you had 6 passengers, it would be quite slow

I've read the pick up in the automatic ones are not great, but this is a manual. Think it'd be different? We're mostly riding with 2 adults and 2 kids. Maybe some dogs now and then. :lol:

You can determine if the power is adequate during a test drive, take everybody with you to load it up with the correct weight.

Hubby has had a few Mazda rental cars for travel to BWI before. He doesn't like them at all.

Seems like they have a bit of an enthusiast following, though they only have 130 hp if memory serves.

Hubby has had a few Mazda rental cars for travel to BWI before. He doesn't like them at all.

Any particular reasons why?

Any particular reasons why?

Plain vanilla fleet model automatics usually suck :lol:

Any particular reasons why?

I've had one Mazda rental and the ride was harsh, the drivers comparment cramped..

Whomever is the tallest I would have test drive it, but it was not a SMOOOTH riding car in the least. It was good to look at, but nothing I'd want to spend a day in.

I've had one Mazda rental and the ride was harsh, the drivers comparment cramped..

Whomever is the tallest I would have test drive it, but it was not a SMOOOTH riding car in the least. It was good to look at, but nothing I'd want to spend a day in.

Hmm. Ok. Well, neither one of us is all that tall, just average height. We were looking at a '00 Saturn wagon, but we came across the Mazda and it's newer and looks nicer, so we thought we'd check it out as well. D also said he just found an Elantra as well, but it's a regular sedan.

Hmm. Ok. Well, neither one of us is all that tall, just average height. We were looking at a '00 Saturn wagon, but we came across the Mazda and it's newer and looks nicer, so we thought we'd check it out as well. D also said he just found an Elantra as well, but it's a regular sedan.

It's all subjective.. A harsh ride for me maybe perfect for you.

And the Mazda I had was a Coupe, not a minivan, though I would assume the 5 series would be built on a sedan/car frame.

Good luck.

Consumer reports likes Mazdas and I have the used car reports edition at home somewhere. Can look it up and see what they had to say about it if you like.

It's all subjective.. A harsh ride for me maybe perfect for you.

And the Mazda I had was a Coupe, not a minivan, though I would assume the 5 series would be built on a sedan/car frame.

Good luck.

Consumer reports likes Mazdas and I have the used car reports edition at home somewhere. Can look it up and see what they had to say about it if you like.

That's ok, don't go through the trouble. We've been reading reviews and we're going to see it tonight. Thanks for the offer though!

Any particular reasons why?

They're small and slow, and he doesn't like how they're built.

Well, we saw the Mazda Protege5 last night and a Hyundai Elantra hatchback. I really liked the Mazda. It felt nicer to me than the Elantra, but the Elantra is much cheaper. I just don't think the guy (private seller) is willing to come down as much as we'd need him to, because the car still needs inspected and needs all 4 tires pretty soon. The Elantra is already inspected and just needs a few things done which we're pretty sure the dealer will do. It's got all 4 tires with only about 10K miles on them. We'll probably go with it, but we're still going to look around a bit more.

Folks, remember to filter your perceptions through your experience. How the Mazda feels to someone who routinely rides in a Land Rover is not how it would feel to someone who rides daily in a Civic. I have always had a thing for Mazdas, to me, its like a Honda, with more soul:) Basic driving appliance, but with a little pizazz. I"m sure these days, to me, the 5 series Mazda might seem cramped and rough around the edges, but back in my Neon days, I'm sure my only complaint would have been the lack of power.

CG, if you like the Mazda over the Elantra, consider carefully, you will live with the choice for years. Tires, that should be about $300 installed for decent ones, inspection shouldn't be an issue, I dont think. If you can swing it, I say get the one you like.

Folks, remember to filter your perceptions through your experience. How the Mazda feels to someone who routinely rides in a Land Rover is not how it would feel to someone who rides daily in a Civic. I have always had a thing for Mazdas, to me, its like a Honda, with more soul:) Basic driving appliance, but with a little pizazz. I"m sure these days, to me, the 5 series Mazda might seem cramped and rough around the edges, but back in my Neon days, I'm sure my only complaint would have been the lack of power.

CG, if you like the Mazda over the Elantra, consider carefully, you will live with the choice for years. Tires, that should be about $300 installed for decent ones, inspection shouldn't be an issue, I dont think. If you can swing it, I say get the one you like.

Yeah, I drive a 97 Cavalier with no AC, and no power locks or windows. :roflmao: Both seem like an upgrade (and they are!), but the Mazda just felt better.

They're both 2002s. The Mazda is priced at $5500, but the seller said he'd take $5000 minimum. It has around 70-80K miles (can't remember exactly).

The Elantra has 89K miles (and engine and trans are under warranty until 100K), and the dealer is asking $4300. We wanted to stay under $5,000. :ohwell:

Tell the private seller flat out what your deal is, and that as much as you want his car, the price on the Hyundai is tempting you. He will either fish or cut bait. Looking at tires equivalent to the OE ones, your actually looking at about $400 or so out the door.

Kumho Ecsta ASX (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+ASX&partnum=95WR6EASX&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Mazda&autoYear=2002&autoModel=Protege%205&autoModClar=)

Kelley Blue on that car, though, is about $5300, good condition, 75K, with no options, so I can see why he wants at least $5000.

But wait, if you consider the tires, the good condition says tires have "substantial" tread left. If his dont, then it drops the car down to fair condition, and the value to $4600 or so.

2002 Mazda Protege5 - Private Party Pricing Report - Kelley Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com/used-cars/mazda/protege5/2002/private-party-value/pricing-report?condition=fair&id=4359&category=hatchback&mileage=75000)

Using that as a lever, maybe you can make a deal:) Good luck.

Tell the private seller flat out what your deal is, and that as much as you want his car, the price on the Hyundai is tempting you. He will either fish or cut bait. Looking at tires equivalent to the OE ones, your actually looking at about $400 or so out the door.

Kumho Ecsta ASX (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+ASX&partnum=95WR6EASX&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Mazda&autoYear=2002&autoModel=Protege%205&autoModClar=)

Kelley Blue on that car, though, is about $5300, good condition, 75K, with no options, so I can see why he wants at least $5000.

But wait, if you consider the tires, the good condition says tires have "substantial" tread left. If his dont, then it drops the car down to fair condition, and the value to $4600 or so.

2002 Mazda Protege5 - Private Party Pricing Report - Kelley Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com/used-cars/mazda/protege5/2002/private-party-value/pricing-report?condition=fair&id=4359&category=hatchback&mileage=75000)

Using that as a lever, maybe you can make a deal:) Good luck.

Thanks! We'll try that. :smile: