CarAndDriver

My friend with the shot POS Aveo is looking at used Mazda Proteges. We came across a 2001 ES Auto with 85K miles for $4500. That year added rear discs and the 130HP 2.0L engine to the ES.

Anyone had any experience with the 99-03s? I drove a sedan and wagon of that vintage as rental cars and came away impressed. Solid little cars with more sport than a Corolla and Civic.

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

I drive a 2002 Protege5. Fantastic is my description. I bought it in 02 and it's got 117k on it now. It gets good mileage and handles well. The seats are comfortable and sufficiently supportive. The steering wheel is sporty and the instruments are functional and cool. Power is acceptable.

Paul.

midlife crisis

It's my daily driver even in 25" of snow we have. Dependable, and kind of fun.

turtle69

i had a 2003 protege5. it was a great car, needed more power, though the handling more than made up for it. engine blew at 70k... sad day.

Redhawkjrt

My daughter bought a '99 at my urging several years ago - it has given her good service with only one exception. The sway bars seem prone to failure, she has replaced the rear one twice in about 40K of use. I would suggest going aftermarket if one fails on you, as it appears the factory piece is substandard.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

MSP protege, great car. The ES 2.0 was nicely equipped also and had the better brakes and amenities I believe.

RyansRx8

My good friend has a blue msp...there cool little cars and very cheap...love the turkey call it makes

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Yeah it was a good car, traded it in on the 8 with 90k trouble free miles. Tough to make decent power on though compared to other TC cars but it was fun and reliable for my 80 mile a day round trip to work.

CarAndDriver

Well he decided to spend 2K and put a used 51K mile engine into his crap Aveo. He bought it used and someone had put cheesy graphics on the side and now they are peeling...

Would have been sweet to get that Protege though...He had a 70s Mazda pickup at one time in the past.

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

whats a new 51k mile engine?

that sounds like a used engine.

CarAndDriver

Sorry a used engine that is new to that Aveo.

Bigbacon

iTrader: (4)

Aveo! lol, I am waiting for my dad to get rid of his so I can ask for it and just make it a crazy semi-sleeper car. No rice, just nice and silly.

dynamho

If I were to build a simple, no frills, basic, practical, and fun transportation, this would be it.
I have a 2002 ES. I see the 3rd-gen Mazda Protege as the Honda Fit of its day.

Only about 2700lbs and very tossable. However, as redhawkjrt implied, the endlinks and endlink mounts on the shocks connecting the swaybars are known to be weak. These aren't expensive to replace though.

Reputable turbo kits from Hi-Boost aren't very expensive.

neit_jnf

My sister drives a 2000 protege with the 1.6L engine, automatic trans. It has nearly 200k miles, still gives around 30mpg hwy. As far as maintenance it has had all shocks and upper mounts replaced, swaybar end links, timing and all other belts, brakes, battery, and other normal wear items. Its been great, runs and shifts smootly, and everything works as it should.

I had a 2003 Protege5 2.0 manual that gave me 34mpg hwy and had great handling. I moved back to PR from MI and sold it to a friend with 60k miles, its now nearing 90k and has never given any problems except the egr valve that had to be replaced and the normal wear items.

DarkAngel

Man I really miss my Pure White 2001 LX 2.0. It had rear drums but with the 2.0 option. Mine was 5 speed and I loved how it handes out of the box! Bro bought a 2002 P5, first in AZ when it came out, still has it with 70K and going strong. I gave him all my stuf before I traded mine in for another car.

I have been considering an MSP for a DD though as they are reasonably priced for under 10K. Saw one for 5K I was looking into. I would highly recommend it if anyone were to buy a great DD. To bad your friend bought an engine. Would have had more fun in the Protege. Funny how the MSP 2.0 is the exact same engine in the N/A 2.0 Protege's. They just kept the boost at 6 to keep the internals stock. Man I know so much about these fun little cars.

The Protege is the car that got me into the Mazda Line up. Bought the wife an 07 MS3 and gonna get an 8 for me hopefuly by this year before summer. I just love Mazda.