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Honda Fit v. Mazda Protege 5

11 messages,  Last post on Jun 25, 2009 at 11:58 PM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Fit, Mazda Protege5, Hatchback

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#3 of 11 Re: Honda Fit vs Mazda Protege 5 [katraak] by anotherscott Apr 22, 2006 (5:17 am)
Replying to: katraak (Apr 21, 2006 6:35 pm) I test drove a Protege5 in August of 2002 (I'm not sure whether it was a 2002 or 2003, but they are pretty much the same). I just drove a Fit, though very briefly. Based on my first impressions (and my recollected first impressions), the Fit is more fun to drive, more of the "go-cart" feel a la Mini Cooper (which I also test drove in 8/02).   The Mazda was rated 30-31 mpg hwy, so you might do about 25% better on a comparably rated 38 mpg Fit, which would lower your weekly fuel bills by about 20%. If my quick math was right, it would save you about $30 a month. That's not quite the same as someone moving up from a gas guzzler! If you get about $10k for your Mazda, and get the Fit for about $15k, you'd make up the $5k difference in, oh, about 14 years. But if you're someone who likes to move on once a car tops about 50k miles, that's another factor. And at least you know you'd have no repair costs for the next 36k miles. Replies to this message: katraak (Apr 22, 2006 2:51 pm) autonomous (Apr 24, 2006 2:30 pm)
#4 of 11 Re: Honda Fit vs Mazda Protege 5 [anotherscott] by katraak Apr 22, 2006 (2:51 pm)
Replying to: anotherscott (Apr 22, 2006 5:17 am) anotherscott, Thanks for your feedback. Yeah, you're right in that at current gas prices it doesn't make sense to trade in my Mazda for a Fit. At most I can get $ 10K and moreover I have only 4 more payments until it is completley paid off. Hopefully, then I can save a portion for my next car and also absorb higher energy prices.   Also there is no reason for me to get rid of it as it has been ultra-reliable. I have never been to the dealer after I drove it out of their lot. I have no doubt in my mind that I can keep this car for another 3 to 4 years just paying for regular maintenance. But, I can't help but think ahead 2 years and see how much gas will cost then (may be 4,5 $). If gas prices stay the same. around 3 bucks (which I highly doubt) I will keep the car for the next 2 years or else I have to move to a more fuel efficient one. The Fit is not avialable at our dealer yet and they said they would get some in the next 2 weeks. I can't wait to look and test drive it. Thanks Replies to this message: autonomous (Apr 24, 2006 2:30 pm)
#5 of 11 Fit for ... [katraak] by autonomous Apr 24, 2006 (2:30 pm)
Replying to: katraak (Apr 22, 2006 2:51 pm) Another thing to keep in mind are insurance costs.   Although the Fit offers some interesting features, I personally would not give up my P5. Now, a Mazdaspeed 3 is another story ...
#6 of 11 a good comparason for you... by inaudible Jun 05, 2006 (10:32 pm)
well, i bought a 2002 protege5 after my 92 si was stolen, i bought it because honda didn't have any reasonable hatchbacks in their lineup (the hatch si was overpriced imho)   i just traded in my mazda for the fit..   the insurance costs on the fit with american family was only $35 less than the protege5 - negligible. (i'm a 23 yr old male, it's expensive either way)   first thing's first, the protege5 is one of the best handling hatches on the market, in that category, it definately wins.   the mileage numbers are the reason i switched tho... i was only getting 21 in my mazda, i get 32 in my fit - mostly city driving.   the engine in the hondas are more refined by leaps and bounds, my fit definately has more oomph than my protege, suprising since the mazda is 130hp and the fit is only 109hp - that would be due to the marvelous invention that is vtec. this was probably the sole reason for my desire to switch (once you go vtec you never go back!)   the ride is definately softer in the fit, once again this is due to the suspension.   you sit a little bit higher in the fit than the mazda, first i didn't like it, but after about a week, i actually preferred it.   all-weather floormats are available for the fit, they never made them for the protege (it may seem minor, but after one midwest winter, carpets get ruined... aftermarket ones never fit properly either.) also, the fit's flooring seems more durable (and easier to vaccum) than the carpet in the mazda.   the stereo in the fit BLOWS the mazda away - though the lack of a mid-range eq bothered me at first, the 200 watts and the mp3 capability totally made up for the simple oversight... bass response is LOADS better.   the stock tires are much better in the rain than the mazda's (though i havent tried it in snow yet)   the flood lamps aren't as bright as the mazda, but they cover more ground horizontally. on the same note, the headlights seem to be aimed too low off the lot, but i just had the dealer recalibrate them (they did it for free)   no arm rest... but i've seen after market ones that work fine, i just ordered the one from the european jazz - gonna have it installed in a week or so.   the fit has TONS more storage space, i play upright bass, packed up it is 6'5" - the fit has a whole foot of space extra with the passenger seat down, it was really annoying to get it in the mazda... it also fits my bike easily with the magic seat.   i can't say too much about the trans, i went from auto in the mazda to a 5spd fit - though the gears seem tuned more for off the line acceleration than the mazda. the 5 gear in the auto makes for much more comfortable highway crusing from my test drive experience.   the mazda's steering wheel looked cooler in my opinion, though the ergonomics are pretty much the same (i loved the feel of the mazda steering wheel, the honda's is only slightly smaller.)   the fit doesn't have all the creature comforts, it took some getting used to the lack of a sunroof, but now i don't really care about it. all the important features are there.   there is more rear passenger room in the fit - also the seat backs have 2 settings as opposed to being fixed.   all in all, it feels like there is more interior room in the fit.   the styling looks a little cheaper in the fit than the mazda.   the build quality between the two is a non-issue, they're both built extremely well.   --- so, after a year in my mazda and a couple months in my fit, i would have to say you won't be dissappointed. the fit's engine efficancy and quality is really the major difference between the two. definately worth checking out.   if you drive alot, you'd probably be better off in a fit. Replies to this message: eldaino (May 24, 2007 6:30 am) mustangleader (Jun 25, 2009 11:54 pm) mustangleader (Jun 25, 2009 11:58 pm)
#7 of 11 Re: Honda Fit vs Mazda Protege 5 [katraak] by douglas7 May 22, 2007 (5:52 pm)
Replying to: katraak (Apr 21, 2006 6:35 pm) The message on the board is dated a year ago. Do you still have your P5? My advice to anyone is obtain a low mileage Japanese (preferably Mazda) car and look after it. I have a 323 that I purchased expected to get a year out of it. That was in 1996 and it is still as reliable as ever. Keep your Protege until it is no longer financially viable ... likely ten to fifteen years. Honda are great cars but to trade one Japanese vehicle for another with such low kilometers would be a waste of money.   cheers   jd
#8 of 11 Re: a good comparason for you... [inaudible] by eldaino May 24, 2007 (6:30 am)
Replying to: inaudible (Jun 05, 2006 10:32 pm) where did you get your armrest from?   the protege 5 didn't have one either though...   my wife had a 2003 sport auto, before we traded it for the rabbit, and while she liked it at first, it had suspension and transmission problems and gave bad mpg for how big the engine was...its the reason she won't consider the 3 hatch (or mazda in general) and would totally prefer the fit. IT was a sporty drive, but it did rattle a bit.
#9 of 11 PR5 vs Fit by mustangleader Apr 23, 2009 (11:43 pm)
You've got to be kidding. I drove the fit and no way it compares to the PR5. Yes, I added a megnaflow muffler system, K&N cold air filter, and did have my computer reprogramed but all for less than $800. I bought my PR5 out the door for $15,000 in 2002. As you may read from others, PR5 drives like a sport car/go kart. The fit doesn't especially it sits higher. And Fit is a smaller. Subjectively, I think most would say the PR5 looks a lot more sporty.   With the aftermarket adjustments, PR5 is quicker than both the Fit & Mazda3. I get 31-32 miles on the highway. Have 170,000 miles. Do a lot of driving so I have to have a car that I enjoy for everyday driving. I have a couple of other cars, but this is the one I like to drive daily. I recommend buying a low mileage, used PR5 before spending the money for a Honda Fit.
#10 of 11 Re: a good comparason for you... [inaudible] by mustangleader Jun 25, 2009 (11:54 pm)
Replying to: inaudible (Jun 05, 2006 10:32 pm) After reading this article, I have to disagree with the writer. I went and drove a Fit. It's sits higher than the PR5 which for me, takes the fun out compared to my 2002 PR5. I also own a Speed 3 which is a different car because it's a turbo, higher profile as well, and heavier. Purely from standpoint driving a car every day, I acturally prefer the PR5. Don't know whether the writer had a automatic or a heavy foot, but I get 25-26 miles in town and 32-34 highway, depending how fast I drive. The PR5 has been geared with low end torque which makes it's more usable than the Fit as well as the 2002 Matrix which required more rpms to get max torque. Though I never felt the car was underpowered, I added a K&N cold air filter, a megna flow exhaust system and had the computer reprogrammed. With these aftermarket equipment, I have the combination of acceleration and cornering that Fit can even come close to. Since I made these modifications early on (I have 172,000 miles now), I can't remember the acceleration back then but I was never unhappy with it though review of the PR5 bring this issue up. But I believe it was Car & Driver wrote, "Some cars performance numbers don't impress you but the Protege5 drives just feels right regardless." It rated number 1 against its competitors at that time which was the PT Cruiser, Matrix, Focus, Vibe, etc.   PR5 is better looking, bigger and drives like a sports car than the Fit I drove. I would recommend that if you have a PR5, I wouldn't trade it in for a Fit. if you can find a low milegage PR5, I buy and keep the difference than a new Fit. As every owner of a PR5 has written in places like Edmunds, these cars are mostly maintenance free. And they last!!!
#11 of 11 Re: a good comparason for you... [inaudible] by mustangleader Jun 25, 2009 (11:58 pm)
Replying to: inaudible (Jun 05, 2006 10:32 pm) After reading this article, I have to add more than my earlier reply/statement to the writer who said the Fit is a better car than the PR5. I went and drove a Fit. It's sits higher than the PR5 which for me, takes the fun out compared to my 2002 PR5. I also own a Speed 3 which is a different car because it's a turbo, higher profile as well, and heavier. Purely from standpoint driving a car every day, I acturally prefer the PR5. Don't know whether the writer had a automatic or a heavy foot, but I get 25-26 miles in town and 32-34 highway, depending how fast I drive. The PR5 has been geared with low end torque which makes it's more usable than the Fit as well as the 2002 Matrix which required more rpms to get max torque. Though I never felt the car was underpowered, I added a K&N cold air filter, a megna flow exhaust system and had the computer reprogrammed. With these aftermarket equipment, I have the combination of acceleration and cornering that Fit can even come close to. Since I made these modifications early on (I have 172,000 miles now), I can't remember the acceleration back then but I was never unhappy with it though review of the PR5 bring this issue up. But I believe it was Car & Driver wrote, "Some cars performance numbers don't impress you but the Protege5 drives just feels right regardless." It rated number 1 against its competitors at that time which was the PT Cruiser, Matrix, Focus, Vibe, etc.   PR5 is better looking, bigger and drives like a sports car than the Fit I drove. I would recommend that if you have a PR5, I wouldn't trade it in for a Fit. if you can find a low milegage PR5, I buy and keep the difference than a new Fit. As every owner of a PR5 has written in places like Edmunds, these cars are mostly maintenance free. And they last!!!

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