i have a 2k2 protege5 (8k miles) and a 2k1 civic (18k miles)

protege strengths
looks good
handles great

protege weaknesses
tranny sucks and already disengages out of 3rd gear...several people have been having trannies break on them
engine is thrashy and shows its old age (over 10 year old engine)
interior looks great but has some rattles and the felt is wearing out already
terrible paltry gas mileage ~18 mpg though I am a leadfoot

civic strengths
engine is rock solid and quite impressive...gets unbelievable gas mileage ~32 even with my lead foot and i drive both hard
the interior speaks quality at touch and feel of all surfaces and buttons
crash safety (i have a wife and kid so its now important)

civic weaknesses
handling is so so...i do have 15" rotas with sp5000s tires on it (same rubber as the protege ES and pr5 stock but they are 16" wheels)...though the 2k1 is before honda tweaked the suspension tuning
not as fun to drive (its an auto so that is a factor)

all in all i think the civic is just a better car to own as it does everything well and nothing poorly...choose the mazda if you care about speed over everything else and can live with problems here and there

 

Thank GOD!!! just read that article... and all I have to say is that its good to see civic back on the top. Some recent articles I read the civic was on bottom of the pack... and I didnt not like that a bit... aaahh now I feel good... the oddyssey is on top of its class (not sure how long though since the new sienna is out and the new quest is going to be out soon), the pilot is on top of its class... the accord is in its class... the crv in its own... and now the civic is back up... it sure is a nice feeling.

 

New 2004 Odyssey comes this Fall. :thumbup:

 

wohoo :thumbup:

 

I could bet that C&D got a bad apple, for they liked the other 7th generation Civic they had driven previous to that comparo (actually two...the Hybrid and EX Coupe 5-speed)