I'm back in NY for a week, so when my dad mentioned he was thinking about getting a new car, I gladly offered to go look with him. He currently drives a 2000 Civic Value Package that has about 70K on it (warranty expired this morning) and was looking for something the same size/price. He started talking about the deals the Honda dealership had going on and I told him to forget Honda and get something else, and he actually went for it. After that, he wasn't even considering another Civic.



We went out tonight just to get some prices and see what's available...or so we thought. We went to the Mazda dealership first and test drove an '03 Protege LX and then went to the Nissan dealership for a Sentra 1.8s. There was absolutely no competition. For the same price as the Sentra, the Protege has more power, looks better, has aluminum wheels, a moonroof, and a 6 disc CD changer. He picks up the Protege tomorrow, and is hopefully saying goodbye to Honda forever.



I think the dealer wanted to give me a job, too...since I sold him the car, rather than the salesman. https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...#>/biggrin.png

DOOD, didn't they have any Mazda 3's there? I saw 2 sedans and a hatchie at the Mazda dealer last night.



Very sweet!! The red is an awesome metallic.

No, the guy said they wouldn't have any until next month.

the protege is a good car, its even better when you drive its rivals

The new Mini wasnt even a consideration huh?



I would think someone driving a Civic would head straight for it.



I needed a daily driver and looked at what everyone had to offer. Whatever you do do not drive one. That was the mistake I made I ended up putting a deposit on mine as soon as we returned to the dealership.



I know I am being biased due to owning one.



The Protege is a good car too just not my style.

isn't a mini quite a few pennies more then a honda civic?



plus what is so bad about a honda civic... nice reliable handling car.



I drive a honda acccord as well... great car.

I have owned an Accord and Civic. They never came close to the fun I have driving this Mini. They handle like trucks compared to this Mini. I decided my BP RX-7 needs suspension work after driving this car.



The Reg. Cooper is right about the same price as the Protege. The S model is about 19K yes more money but your basically getting a BMW.

When I needed a DD, I didn't even THINK about going to honda...



I went straight to mazda and bought a brand new '03 ES Protege(sedan for those that don't know)...handles very well for a 4door, good midrange power(needs more up top though) and good factory features & sound..very good pick for 17K. I was looking at a few FDs but they just don't make a good enough DD for my 135 miles a day driving...



BTW, test drove a '02 civic a while back(when they were new) WORST HANDLING CAR EVER! Never say a civic handles..at least not compared to my protege!



It'll be a year next month since I bought my protege and w/ 37K miles on the clock it still drives great....and yes, i said 37K miles..I know its horrible!

the S model is only 19K USD?



hrm... interesting...



+ i just finished watching the italian job.



https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...#>/biggrin.png



charlize theron is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Did you watch the Bonus features. The driving school? She can drive that makes her 10X hotter.



My JCW is as much fun to drive as my TII. I can toss that thig around. When I threw on a set of V-700's it rails every bit as good as my TII if not better. Its handling is nothing short of amazing.



Go test drive one you wont believe it. I was amazed to the point of not negotiating and just wanting NOW. It killed me to wait 6 weeks for it to show up. They build to order.