Well, it looks as if I may be landing myself in a 2003 Pro-toe-ghey LX for the 2005 season.

Are there any good mazda forums or protege forums? Or are they gonna be ClubSi-esque in their uselessness?

 

pos unless is the b00sted variety

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">pos unless is the b00sted variety </TD></TR></TABLE>

find me a MSP within 50 miles of 63131 for &lt;=$13k

otherwise :middlefinger:

 

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/

I only know about that site because I googled my name one day and it seems the MSP guys mentioned me quite often because I was always beating up on them in STX

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by carl_aka_carlos &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

find me a MSP within 50 miles of 63131 for &lt;=$13k

otherwise :middlefinger:

</TD></TR></TABLE>

http://www.msprotege.com/vbb22...t=msp

 

Is there a reason you want an LX?

The ES and 5 have a better suspension. But if you're aiming for H Stock the 16x6 wheels are something of a liability... the only R compounds for them are the OE Elise Sport front tires (195/50-16 Yoko A048s).

There's always the MP3, too. You could probably find an MP3 for that much with a little searching.

 

I'm not even going to click that link 'cause I know it ain't within 50 miles

I had a lead on one (MSP) that a car-dealer friend of mine got in on trade, but that was back in december, so could very well have sold/traded it by now.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by carl_aka_carlos &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm not even going to click that link 'cause I know it ain't within 50 miles
</TD></TR></TABLE>

$13k and make a day trip out of it

If got your pops to bite on any of those cars in Atl, I'll take a look at them, take some pictures and do some e-brake slideZ for j00

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AKADriver &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is there a reason you want an LX?

The ES and 5 have a better suspension. But if you're aiming for H Stock the 16x6 wheels are something of a liability... the only R compounds for them are the OE Elise Sport front tires (195/50-16 Yoko A048s).

There's always the MP3, too. You could probably find an MP3 for that much with a little searching.</TD></TR></TABLE>

No, it's just what I found. I heard (and I don't know, but it's just what I heard) that there aren't any differences between the suspensions of ES and LX's, the differences are in the options.

And there are actually plenty of r-comps that would fit 16x6s. Hoosier and Kumho both make those sizes.

 

The black MSP that was for sale by Mad Hater sold for $12.5k just recently. It was in WI

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by carl_aka_carlos &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">No, it's just what I found. I heard (and I don't know, but it's just what I heard) that there aren't any differences between the suspensions of ES and LX's, the differences are in the options.

And there are actually plenty of r-comps that would fit 16x6s. Hoosier and Kumho both make those sizes.</TD></TR></TABLE>

They all have MUCH larger diameter than stock... the car needs all the acceleration help it can get! 205/55-16s will physically fit in the wheelwells, but they're very tall next to the OE 185/60-15 or 195/50-16. Only Yokohama sells the 195/50-16, and popular sizes like a 205/50-16 or 205/45-16 won't quite stretch on there.

I believe there are suspension differences, probably not too much, but I know the ES and 5 have a pimpy strut tower brace while the LX and DX don't. The ES and 5 also get rear discs and larger front rotors by half an inch.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AKADriver &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Only Yokohama sells the 195/50-16, and popular sizes like a 205/50-16 or 205/45-16 won't quite stretch on there.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

This has been discussed at length in RR/AX.

225/45/15 h00siers will fit on a 15x6 rim.
215/45/16 will also fit on a 16x6 rim, and so will a 205/45/16.

Acceleration isn't king in autoX, grip reigns supreme!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AKADriver &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I believe there are suspension differences, probably not too much, but I know the ES and 5 have a pimpy strut tower brace while the LX and DX don't. The ES and 5 also get rear discs and larger front rotors by half an inch.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm not worried about drums on the rear, not doing much back there anyways.

It's not like I picked the LX because it's what I wanted. It's available, and the price is right.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by carl_aka_carlos &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It's not like I picked the LX because it's what I wanted. It's available, It's pink, and I am ghey</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

"And today, class, we're going to discuss how to have fun with the edit feature on honda-tech.com!"



Carl, who is probably just as bored at work as .RJ is

 

Kumho V710 = 215/40-16

You don't need any better argument for an ES than that.

Anyway, I hope you get a new Focus.

Actually, I hope you shut the hell up about a car already and let your dad decide since he obviously sucks serious *** at or doesn't care about communicating with you and/or accepting your suggestiongs.

 

I looked at the MSP after my R got stolen. Got this forum from someone who used to be into Protoges: http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TeamSlowdotOrg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Kumho V710 = 215/40-16

Actually, I hope you shut the hell up about a car already ........ </TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm with Rich and RJ. Buy a car, make sure its pink and Ghey, and shut up.

At least its in stock class, otherwise we would start the 6 month spring/shock combo decision.

Why don't you just get a daily driver and autox/prosolo with the Mustang??

You better hurry Carl, you have less than a week

 

I gotta say, my wife has a 2002 Protege LS and it's really not a bad car for an econo-shitbox. It seems light, tossable and the pedals work great for heal/toe. Reliability has also been very good on it.

I've often thought it would be a fun car on track or autox with a little massaging to the suspension. No matter which model you get, you could always add the MS or MP3 suspension later for better handling (www.racingbeat.com).

Downsides: Engine sounds like a truck sometime, long shifter throw, rear drums on the LX/DX.

Resale value was never hot on the Protege, so buying a used one and letting someone else take the depreciation hit isn't a bad thing.

Hope you find a good one.

- Mark

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TeamSlowdotOrg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Actually, I hope you shut the hell up about a car already and let your dad decide since he obviously sucks serious *** at or doesn't care about communicating with you and/or accepting your suggestiongs. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Actually, pops and I have communicated on this car. It fit's his requirements (safe, reliable transportation) and is within his budget (&lt;=$13k) so I'm 90% certain we'll go with the Protege.

I highly, highly doubt that pops will get a new focus for me, even if they are going for dirt cheap.

Oh, and I could always do a model update to the ES if the 16's turn out to be thewheel to have.

 

Do the ES and LX share the same drivetrain these days? Used to be the nice DOHC in the ES, and a smaller, weaker SOHC in the LX and lower.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crack Monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do the ES and LX share the same drivetrain these days? Used to be the nice DOHC in the ES, and a smaller, weaker SOHC in the LX and lower.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm pretty positive that they are the same motor! The DX is the only model that has a lesser motor, maybe......

I should prolly start browsing all those mazda forums

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by carl_aka_carlos &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm 90% certain </TD></TR></TABLE>

Ha.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TeamSlowdotOrg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ha. </TD></TR></TABLE>

You'll see. I'm the one who will get the last laugh!






























Ha!

 

No difference in the ES and P5. they both have a 2.0 liter. DX and LX come with the 1.8.
Brakes are different, blah, blah...

I have an MP3 and it's been pretty cheap to own and operate. Handles really well, but power isn't it's forte. It's got 10 more HP than an ES or P5, and it weighs less too.

I go hot and cold on it all the time. There are days when the car is great, and days when I hate the FingPOS.
Mostly the hate days are when I am on the freeway and can't get out of the rightmost lane because it won't accellerate fast enough to keep from getting run over.
Mostly the like days are on back roads. It's a great chasis and with the MP3 suspension it is really, really well balanced.

Items to watch for:
Front wheel bearings will wear out every 25k miles.
Swaybar bushings eat themselves every 15k miles. (no big deal if you don't mind the clunking, but it's only a 20 dollar fix)
Interior trim is cheap and things break off easily. (watch those trim rings around the stereo!)
The car won't hold an alignment to save it's ***. Seriously, I've had it in every 2 months for the past year. (No major hits, potholes, RR tracks or anything, and the car has never been wrecked)

I just got off of warranty, so none of the above replacments have been out of pocket for me. however, I plan on parting with the car in the next 12 months too.

EDIT: Easy upgrades that will produce power:
Chuck the entire Fing exhaust. It's bent 5 ways from Sunday in the dumbest places, producing kinks for no good reason. Factory manifold, midpipe and cat back are all worthless for making any power.
Drop in a K&N and get a larger intake tube to fit to the factory airbox. (Factory CAI, sort of) If the tube is much larger than the throttle body, you might as well chuck that too and go with one from the Miata or something. ( I thnk it's like 5mm larger, but don't quote me. I haven't measured)
There is also a small disc with a grate just past the air filter. Punch that out and remove. It costs you 30 cfm.
Cams are also an easy swap and will make good power if you source the right ones. Swap the Intake cam onto the exhaust and source the Mazdaspeed intake cam. Viola.
Autocross classes notwithstanding, of course. Good luck.
HTH.


Modified by madhatter at 4:34 PM 2/10/2005

 

LX has the 1.8? Eh, my integra only had 1.8 liters of fury......

Most of the upgrades you listed are illegal for SCCA Solo2 stock class, which is where I intend to run the Protege.