Well after being a loyal member of VWvortex for about 2 years Im parting ways with Volkswagens. I had a 2002 GTI 1.8T which I loved but payments got steep so I opted to get a 1992 GTI 8v. After replacing the exhaust, CV boots, and various other things then driving 50 feet and snapping my clutch cable I freaked out and swore off VWs forever haha. So Im in the market now and Ive spotted a very nice 1999 Protege, Im assuming base model, at a local dealership(VW/Mazda dealer go figure..). I told myself I wasnt going to get into modding again or even get a manual car to tempt myself but I cant help it. So being brand new to these cars I had some questions. Are Proteges pretty reliable cars? Anything I should know about the year or generation that I may purchase? Things to look for when test driving? I know stock its a pretty slow car but do they respond well to mods? Any other information you can give me would be great. I realllyyyy like this car and hope they dont sell it by the time I get there. Thanks!

 

I have a friend that is a mega V-Dub fan and all over the Vortexx, it is nice to see some of you guys over here...

as far as reliability Proteges and Carollas have been at the top of the reliability list since I started driving, so for at least 4 years...and I believe they did well way before that...

Depending on what model you are looking at, if it is a 99 it has either a 1.6L or a 1.8L...LX/DX (lower models) had the 1.6L while the ES had a 1.8L FP-DE DOHC 16v 122hp engine...If you can try to find an ES. It will rev so much better than the VW 2.0L 8v's and if you get a 5 speed manual ES, acceleration is not that bad for the class...and the stock handling is excellent...tragically that engine has been superceded entirely by a long stroke dinosaur, which is what is in every Protege brand new...The 2.0L FS-DE's do not rev nearly as well as the 1.8L's, but have a larger aftermarket. Also the block is dimensionally identical and a good bit of bolt ons for the FS will fit the FP so you do have some options if you get back into it...

Good Luck and just do the normal car inspection **** before you drive off with it...and also this board allows you to swear, even though some people don't like...Some of the mods swear more than Tony Montana...

 

I have a 99 LX

But i got a touring edition up here in canada, which came with the bigger 1.8L FP-DE engine..

even tho mazda did go with the 2.0L (FS-DE) in 2001+
I still like the FP-DE better, and even tho theres a 8hp difference
[FP (122hp), FS (130hp)] i can easily keep up with the FS-DEs and pass a number of them..... I think the FP's powerband is a little better.

Also the FPs love to rev....
well one problem i have had, is that i broke a connecting rod..... but it was just me, and its rare to hear of this.....
Also the 99 - 00 years are lighter than the 01+ years.... which helps in the power to weight ratio....

And the handling is excellent...... some of the best in its class....
you should see me catch up to my friends Probe GT (170hp) in the turns, and my car is pure stock.....

You can always turbo charge the car later on.... and then you will have a nice small monster...which will be alot of fun....

the only thing this car would need then is an LSD....

if your going with NA, then I/H/E, would be the most common thing to do first.... then u can always get the jspec cams..... but the most u can net from that is about 20 - 30hp... turboing is the best route....

well thats just my .02 cents

 

1999's are about 300 pound lighter and they are very good cars, really good handling for the price. Up to this point I havent lost to a 2.0 yet. They are reliable cars.

 

I have a 2.0 and I could smoke you launching in 2nd gear.

 

hey i haven't lost to a 2.0L NA

I didn't say anything about the 2.0L FI

hehe, even tho i would still smoke u... hehe just kidding.....

just wait til i get my FD..then we'll see whose talking