Better Family car... ZX5, ZTW or Protege 5?

1703 Views 24 Replies 18 Participants Last post by blueovalbaboon, Oct 31, 2003

ENZI

Discussion Starter · Oct 30, 2003

2

Well Folks I just found out that I'm going to be a daddy in about 7 months and man are we excited! So now, I have to start thinking further down the line about what we will need. First on the list is buying a family wagon or something with four doors with room for all those baby bags full of diapers that we will be carrying around once the baby arrives because my wife’s 97 Z24 is just not going to cut it. I’d like to buy a nicely equipped Focus wagon, buy the wife does like that idea and would prefer a ZX5. However I have managed to convince my wife that the Protégé 5 is a cool little wagon, but I’m not familiar with its reliability and performance history so I’d like to hear what some of you know about this car and the ZTW & ZX5. I would perfer to buy another Focus cause I love my ZX3 and would love to have a matching wagon, plus I confident that if anything were to come up I could take care of it myself with the help of the FJ peeps.

So any information on safety features and safety ratings would also be great to know.

Thanks in advance!

Enzi

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1 - 20 of 25 Posts

BUR_ZX3

· #2 · Oct 30, 2003

Wagon! and sell me the wheels!

w00t... congrats Henry... you big stud you.... we miss you out here in SoCal. Bring your wife and new baby out here soon!

SoCal W0000000000000000000000000!

EggYolk

· #3 · Oct 30, 2003

p5

ENZI

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 30, 2003

2

Wagon! and sell me the wheels!

w00t... congrats Henry... you big stud you.... we miss you out here in SoCal. Bring your wife and new baby out here soon!

SoCal W0000000000000000000000000!

LOL...Sell you the wheels! Only if you trade me for those nice 16's!

Don't worry, now that we are expecting I have a good reason to get back to cali ealier than planned w/o getting into trouble with work.

Now I just need to save up for a house in OC.

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zetecwagon

· #5 · Oct 30, 2003

I have an 01 wagon and love it. Get a 2.3 and a 5 speed, or a used zetec with 20Kmi on it for $10K.

D-Fi

· #6 · Oct 30, 2003

vw jetta wagon or passat wagon are both sick.....but if its out of those three....p5

covert1

· #7 · Oct 30, 2003

3

My biased vote goes to the ZTW. I own a loaded '02, and, if you're coming to the SVTOA Drag event on November 8, I will be there and you're more than welcome to take a good look at it.

It's a misnomer to consider the P5 a "wagon"... It is more closely aligned with the ZX5. The fact is, the ZX? and the P5 don't hold a candle to the cargo volume of the SE/ZTW wagon. Park all three side by side by side and open the tailgates, you'll clearly see what I mean

In the scheme of things, having another Focus is definitely a benefit to you. A Jetta wagon would be an OK alternate, but mainly due to its powerplant. I think, however, a PZEV equipped Focus would be up to par, with its potential.

The P5 is a smooth driving and relatively nice looking car that's as pleasing to drive as the Focus. One thing I was surprised with, when I tested my friend's, is that with the AC on, it didn't seem to struggle a lot. I thought that was kind of neat. He bought it used, with 20k miles on it. I'm unaware of its long-term reliability, but I'm sure there's a discussion forum out there where you can learn more.

The conundrum is this: if you choose a Focus, is it better to have the peppy PZEV and have only ABS, or is it more valuable to find an '02 that's equipped with ABS and Advancetrac stability control, for safety's sake? [The latter option happens to be egregiously absent from the current U.S. lineup

]

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cen

· #8 · Oct 30, 2003

I'd sad go with the Protege 5... I think they look great, they have a little bit more room than the ZX5's and I'm sure the reliability is fairly close the it considering they are both ford's!

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Nells

· #9 · Oct 30, 2003

I'd sad go with the Protege 5... I think they look great, they have a little bit more room than the ZX5's and I'm sure the reliability is fairly close the it considering they are both ford's!

I thought that whole Ford/MAzda alliance was over???
Still like the P5 a lot better (they're prettier, lol)

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zedexthree

· #10 · Oct 30, 2003

ZTW. More protection in a rear end crash than ZX5. The wagon is cool too.

Congrats!!!!!

Zedex

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Qdoba Addict

· #11 · Oct 30, 2003

PZEV ZX5 5 speed. Why? Because finding a 5 speed wagon is almost impossible. Sure the auto PZEV combo might be adequate but the 5 speed will be a lot more fun. Stay away from zetec auto wagons, every used one we test drove felt like a total dog. If you find a rare 5 speed wagon and can live with the slightly frumpier rear styling snatch it up.

ENZI

Discussion Starter · #12 · Oct 30, 2003

My biased vote goes to the ZTW. I own a loaded '02, and, if you're coming to the SVTOA Drag event on November 8, I will be there and you're more than welcome to take a good look at it.

It's a misnomer to consider the P5 a "wagon"... It is more closely aligned with the ZX5. The fact is, the ZX? and the P5 don't hold a candle to the cargo volume of the SE/ZTW wagon. Park all three side by side by side and open the tailgates, you'll clearly see what I mean

In the scheme of things, having another Focus is definitely a benefit to you. A Jetta wagon would be an OK alternate, but mainly due to its powerplant. I think, however, a PZEV equipped Focus would be up to par, with its potential.

The P5 is a smooth driving and relatively nice looking car that's as pleasing to drive as the Focus. One thing I was surprised with, when I tested my friend's, is that with the AC on, it didn't seem to struggle a lot. I thought that was kind of neat. He bought it used, with 20k miles on it. I'm unaware of its long-term reliability, but I'm sure there's a discussion forum out there where you can learn more.

The conundrum is this: if you choose a Focus, is it better to have the peppy PZEV and have only ABS, or is it more valuable to find an '02 that's equipped with ABS and Advancetrac stability control, for safety's sake? [The latter option happens to be egregiously absent from the current U.S. lineup

]

Hey, Thanks for the advice! I just may take you up of the test drive offer since a few friends are going to the drag event. I would agree that the ZX5 and P5 are the same space wise and that the ZTW has far more room/protection. The big selling point is the PZEV engine in the wagon, only down side is that Ford doesn't offer Advancetrac stability control for the 04' model. But I'll have to consider everything. Thanks again.

63330

· #13 · Oct 30, 2003

the P5 is pricier, it is going for $25K Canadian, while the ZX5 is about $21-22K range. Save your money, and get the ZX5 or ZTW

Rally Man

· #14 · Oct 30, 2003

What about a Mazda6 Wagon?

hatched

· #15 · Oct 30, 2003

Of the three you listed, I'd go with a PZEV wagon, 5-speed. I looked into getting a 5-speed wagon, and it is, as mentioned, nearly impossible to find. I like the ZX5, but the wagon is going to have more room.

I've been in P5s and have never been impressed. They seem cheap on the inside and fairly gutless, too.

I really like wagons and the new PZEV engine seems to have some guts.

BTW: I'd bet the 6 wagon is going to be quite a bit more expensive than any of the three he listed. However, it is pretty sweet lookin'.

ENZI

Discussion Starter · #16 · Oct 31, 2003

PZEV ZX5 5 speed. Why? Because finding a 5 speed wagon is almost impossible. Sure the auto PZEV combo might be adequate but the 5 speed will be a lot more fun. Stay away from zetec auto wagons, every used one we test drove felt like a total dog. If you find a rare 5 speed wagon and can live with the slightly frumpier rear styling snatch it up.

Yeah, a 5-speed PZEV wagon would be tons of fun, but the wife is getting a little tried of driving a 5-speed and she firmly believes driving an automagic would make caring for the baby easier while driving. I'll keep pushing for a 5-speed by telling him that it would save us $800+ on the price!

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Osiris

· #17 · Oct 31, 2003

Dealers around here are selling P5's for about 13 grand.

I'd have a new one if my wife would take it. She wants a small SUV though.

I'd take the Mazda. The p5 has always been liked by the automotive press and the resale is pretty good, better than a Focus anyway. There's more than enough room for a small family too.

If you want a REAL family car look for a used Taurus wagon, like a 2000+ model ( genIV ). You might think I'm insane but they're spacious, they ride nice, they're cheap, very safe and they have 200 horses to back them up. Scary thought, but when I was selling them I raced a buddy of mine in a new Taurus wagon while we were transporting it and a ZX3 back to the dealership. I was pretty surprised to see that I won.

ENZI

Discussion Starter · #18 · Oct 31, 2003

2

Dealers around here are selling P5's for about 13 grand.

I'd have a new one if my wife would take it. She wants a small SUV though.

I'd take the Mazda. The p5 has always been liked by the automotive press and the resale is pretty good, better than a Focus anyway. There's more than enough room for a small family too.

If you want a REAL family car look for a used Taurus wagon, like a 2000+ model ( genIV ). You might think I'm insane but they're spacious, they ride nice, they're cheap, very safe and they have 200 horses to back them up. Scary thought, but when I was selling them I raced a buddy of mine in a new Taurus wagon while we were transporting it and a ZX3 back to the dealership. I was pretty surprised to see that I won.

Well, if I could get a new P5 for 13K in Cali once I'm back I'll jump on it, but if I could also get a NEW PZEV Wagon for the same price I would have to going with the ZTW! Hands Down.

Hmm... Anyone from Team SoCal have Dana's # handy?

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focalBlur

· #19 · Oct 31, 2003

P5's are going bye bye

they are being replaced by the 5door mazda 3

so unless you are buying RIGHT NOW the P5 is not really a good option

I would second the idea of waiting and getting a Mazda 6 wagon or hatch, both comming very soon

as for the focus wagon, they are great nice and roomy, if you don't want to spend the cash on a Mazda 6wagon go with a focus wagon
this order:
Mazda 6 estate
Mazda 6 hatch
focus Wagon
focus ZX5 or Mazda 3 5door

Stay away from the VW, I love VW's but they have way too many quality control, and you know they must be bad if a focus owner is saying that

P.S. the Mazda 6 estate comes standard with the 220hp V6 and 5speed

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vad

· #20 · Oct 31, 2003

Dealers around here are selling P5's for about 13 grand.

The Pro5 has been discontinued!!!

The replacing model will be called Mazda3 and will come to your local dealership at the end of the year.
This is why the dealers run huge discounts for the the remaining Pro5's - to clear up inventory and make room for the new model.

Don't forget that the new Mazda3 will come standard with the new Mazda designed 2.0L and 2.3L (as in the Mazda6)as an option - same engine as in the PZEV but without the Zero Emissions penalties.

For more info:

http://www.canadianautoreview.com/mazda3_sport_gt.htm

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