Ok, I know this is a total newbie question, but I just bought a used 2002 Protégé 5. I love the car and once I sell my old car (96 Civic Ex) I’d like to take about $1,000 - $2,000 and do a few performance mods. I sit next to a guy with a 2000 Subaru RS who has been buying bits off of e-bay and has turned it into rocket. He’s done more than I can afford or justify (I moved to the P5 partially to get rear doors to make loading my son easier).

Type of driver;
- Daily commuter over HWY17 into Santa Cruz (reverse commute)
- Love driving twisty roads and hairpins (a little to fast)
- Not the high top end or drag race type

What I’d like:
- A bit more horsepower
- Better brakes
- More traction
- Not a lot of extra noise

Things I need right away:
- New tires
I bought the car with about 12k on it but the front tires don’t have much tread in the center. I think the original owner over inflated the front tires. I was thinking of replacing all 4 and going a little wider on the stock 16” rims.

- Bike attachment for roof rack
Does anyone know if Thule or Yakima make bike attachments for the stock roof rack?

I’ve poked around a bit in the forums and FAQs but I don’t have any idea on costs vs. benefit. I’d appreciate any help.

Thanks

Cxracer (stands for Cyclocross Racer)

 

I would look into getting some carbon fiber brake pads, I don't think you really need to get a new set of discs (that can wait till later) .....
then I would most likely look into a turbo kit ... I guess because I think the p5 would be a smoking (turbo audi wagon look alike) with about 40 more horses ,, and would really smoke the best of them .
And still be a daily driver ..
But for now , a trip to the used tire shop , and scrap two tires on the ride .. and then just poke around the forums and take your time looking and researching mods..
Bruce

 

There are a tons of questions about racks for the P5. Here in Canada, our load bars were developed by THULE and all their things fit with no hassle. I should know. I currently have the load bars with 2 bike trays and #871 fairing. I'm not sure who makes the American ones, but I wouldn't be surprise if Thule had something to do with them too.

 

Welcome to the club. You find alot of friendly and helpful people here, as well as an informative post archive. I'm sure SirNuke will extend his welcome to you soon.....

 

If you want to use the factory rack, the best way is to buy either the Mazda bike brackets or Yakima Mighty-Mounts and a compatible Yakima carrier. Mighty-Mounts are cheaper, but the Mazda ones fit much better.

 

You want to stop better?

-Get better tires

You want better handling

-Get some coilovers(Tein, JIC, GC)/struts/springs
-Get better tires

Power is relative, and expensive. If you must...

-cams
-intake/cat-back exhaust
-flywheel (quicker revving)

Tires and killer suspension would come out to under 2k.
Engine work would come out to under 1k. Flywheel would add a bit more.

Kick me down some of your money so I can do the same mods.

Thanks

 

A Killer suspension would be more like $4,000. Some coilovers are $2,000+.

I'd suggest in a good set of carbon-metallic brake pads, Eibach Pro-Kit springs with KYB AGX shocks (if they make 'em for the Pro5). That's $700 so far. $1,300 isn't enough for a turbo kit, but you can get some other pretty good things. Like an AEM cold-air intake ($225), exhaust (custom made for $250 or prebuilt for $600), and a test-pipe for the cat ($100). That's $1,275 so far. You'd still have $725 left over to do whatever you wish.

 

I'd agree with Nigaud5sx about the performance upgrade mods. You will get some good power, and won't spend a bundle. I dunno how important sound is to you, but the MP5 system isn't the best. An amp and some speakers wouldn't be a bad thing to get. You could get a kickin amp and 4 Infinity speakers for about $200, and keep your stock Head Unit. But, like I said, depends on how important that is to you.

Check out protege5online.com. Some pretty good prices, and the owner of the site is very helpful, and gives you some quick responses.

Good luck with everything!

Pepi Martinez

 

Just out of curiosity, what suspension kits cost 4k? I know Teins cost around 1200-1400 and GC's with Koni Yellows will set you back about a grand. I'm speaking of good streetable/trackable suspension kits, not track only stiff-*** race setups.