i want one of these cars.. advice?
 

Hey guys
I'm buying a car for college and the Protege has topped my list. Just looking for any advice since I'm very new to the Protege family.
My preferences are just for the post 1999 models, preferably low km's and all around good condition (who doesnt want that??)

Here are a couple that I am looking at on AutoTrader:

2000 MAZDA PROTEGE
Dealer
km's: N/A
"5 spd., air, sunroof! CD! Spoiler! PW, pl, cruise, tilt, 5 star alloy wheels! Silver! Mint condition! Gas saver"
6,990.00 CAD (5,271.86 US)

2000 MAZDA PROTEGE SE
Dealer
km's: N/A
"Auto., air, CD player! Sapphire blue on grey int., mint condition, very clean, gas saver! 4 dr., 2.0L motor! Call today! Hurry!"
6,990.00 CAD (5,271.86 US)

Those prices seem low to me, probably high km's. And what should I really be looking for when I go testing one of these things.
What do you think??
Thanks

I think for a little more money you could get a sporty P5 or an 01 mp3 and be MUCH happier.

Prices sound about right with common milage...should be about 12-15K miles per year.

Ask for service records of the cars and all maintaince that has been performed and needs to be performed. If they tell you it nees nothing then ask for a small warranty of some kind...3K miles or 3 months...something like that.

Prices seem a little high for a 2000. I've never priced them, but I'd think they'd be more around $4000-4500 USD tops.

Re: i want one of these cars.. advice?
 

Those prices seem about average for the Protege up in Canada. They may actually be a little low....I would check the milage (anything under 100Kms will be good though). Based on those 2 cars, I would definately go with the one with PW and PL. I have a 1999 Protege SE, and not a day goes by that I don't wish I would have bought the LX or ES model. Plus you'll be getting a better engine with the LX or ES model (not sure which model the first car was that you were asking about). Another factor is that the interior of the LX/ES model comes with a tach, whereas the SE doesn't. Not a big deal, but it make the cars interior seem more finished. Go with the more options one if they are the same price. You can't go wrong that way. Just my 2 cents from a guy that just went through the buying process last year.

go for a 2002 if you can, mazda corrected many of the problems with the original 3rd gen by that year i think.

what problems??? there were no problems.save a bumper issue on 99's which there is a recall campaign on the dlr will fix for free...if anything mazda had a few issues switching to the 2.0L....the best sedan is probably a 2000 ES (fastest non-turbo 3rd gen when stock)

first of all
that add saying it has the 2.0L engine is wrong, because the highest engine size available in 1999, and 2000 was the 1.8L...which is good, because the 1.8L is a nice little engine, which loves to rev.... and although it has 10 peak hp less than the 2.0L engine, it still ends up being faster cuz of the power band.

also it was only the ES that came with the 1.8L, so you will definately want an ES....
The only other model that came with the 1.8L engine (up here in Canada) is the LX - Touring Edition, which is what i have.... regular LX's came with the 1.6L

definately go for a manual car, i would suggest manual in any car you are trying to buy, especially on one with an engine like this (one that loves to rev)

The price seems about right, give the people a call, make sure the recall on the 1.8L engine was done (i think it was something with the coil packs)

Also i like the looks of us 99-00 front bumper, more than the 01+ models. the only exception would be the P5 bumper, and the mazdaspeed one without the fogs...

where in Canada are you???

hey thats good advice
u think the 2.0L was typo or is that something to worry about with regards to the dealer?? hmmm..!
I'm in Burlington, Ontario so not too far from you.
I also looked at a Protege at AutoPark today, the specs are:

2000 Protege LX - $7,900 CAD
km's: 140,957
5 spd, CD Player, Cruise, pl, pw, ps

Just so the rest of you know my price range is around 8000, i have a loan for that much and I'm hoping the rents will help out too, but I dont think I can afford a p5, mp3 or otherwise on that kind of budget, even though I'd like a car like that!

I'm mostly worried about km's, what kind of mileage can I expect out of cars like these?
Also I'm still confused about the teir breakdown for the protege, which is best (as in LX, ES, etc..)?

just giving this a bump
a couple more Q's for you protege professors out there
theres the LX, the SE and the ES? whats the difference in these cars? (did a search, couldnt find anything...)

im also looking as to what i should look for when buying? any trouble rust spots, faulty windows, or anything that i should have my eye open for?
i should be buying within the next couple of weeks so advice here would just make my day

:bt:
thanks fellaz

I paid $8,995.00 for my 01' ES 2.0 with 40k.

Just some clarification PostModern... The 99 & 00 models came with either a 1.6L or 1.8L engine. I'm not sure of the model specific trim differences up there in Canada but here in the U.S. the 1.8L only came with the ES. In 2001 Mazda replaced the 1.8L with the 2.0L as well as freshening the car with a new front fascia, more sound deadening material and all-around refinement. For 2002, Mazda made the 2.0L STANDARD across the entire model line. This is also the year they introduced the Protege5 wagon and the first special edition sedan: the MP3.

My advice to any prospective Protege buyer would be to stay away from the 1.6L cars. My personal preference goes to the 2002+ cars as they have the most standard equip. My 2001 ES2.0 didn't come with a leather wheel, ABS or side-impact airbags!

thanks for the info sage, those 2 cars are pretty much gone as i didnt like the auto one and the 5spd was sold rather quickly
there is a new add i'm looking at:

Year: 2000
Make: MAZDA
Model: PROTEGE
Model Detail: LX
Price: $8,000
Mileage: 190,000 km
Ad Type: Private
Comment: 1.8L, auto, fully loaded, silver, p-sunroof, alloy rims, Pioneer stereo, new timing belt, 190,000 hwy driven, cert. and e-test. $8,000 obo.

Price seems a bit steep to me, considering the km's.. thoughts?
I'm also looking at Chrysler Neon's right now, even though I love the Protege, my budget doesn't allow for much (total of $8000 to spend) so if a good Neon comes up I might snag it.. Really right now I just need help spotting a deecent car, so help!!

:blue:

$8,000 for a car with 190,000 kms? That isn't a good deal dude. The Protege will still be good for another 100,000 kms and stuff....but for that price I wouldn't buy it. The right car will come along. If I have learned anything buying cars, it is to not rush it. The right car for you will come along eventually. Same as buying a house....finding a woman...etc. You will know when its right.

Well I was gonna call him in a week or 2 and see if he's sold it yet, in which case I'm sure he'd take a more reasonable offer (probably say round $6000 and take it from there).

But actually, there is one that was gone from Autotrader and has come back, its actually the first one listed in the original post. $6,900.. not sure about km's.. I'll keep u guys posted
thanks for advice, too, way helpful