Okay, check my sig and you will see that I like cars a bit . I have mainly been a Honda/Nissan fanatic but after driving the Mazdaspeed Protege I was changed. So, not being impressed with the turbocharged cars power, I settled on a used 2001 ES2.0 with 31,000 miles for $10,000.00. I love the car. It handles great. My only gripe is the stock multifunction stereo, it's weak. This car will be my daily driver but I will mod it a bit. So what does the ES 2.0 offer that the other cars don't? Is it basically an Mp3 without the exhaust and bodykit?

 

the mp3 had a really nice suspension that normal protege's don't have. i bought my 2003 es just about a year ago and there's no way i'd ever get rid of it. it's my baby. on the stereo, i just got a really nice clarion headunit a few weeks ago and installed polk speakers all around. so far i'm extremly happy with it. next on my list is an alarm system and a nice amp.

 

I think the stock Pro handles better than anything I've driven in it's class/price range. But, there are a lot of nice suspension goodies out there to make it handle even better.
Check out
www.mazdastuff.com
www.racingbeat.com
to start.
The Pro is a lot of fun to drive on a nice twisting back road.

 

The ES has a bit stiffer springs than the DX/LX...usually comes with a spoiler...also usually has bigger wheels..has bigger rotors....usually has foglights....thats about it

 

the mp3 had the 'extra' 10hp LOLOLOL



anyway, welcome to protege club!

 

Yes it has fog lights, spoiler, cruise,PW,PS,moon roof, and 205/50-16 Dunlops. Does adding a K&N drop in and removing the intake resonator do anything? I know aftermarket intakes are pointless for the most part so I don't want to waste money. Are there any free mods? How hard are cams, valves, etc. to come by? So, will the Mp3 body kit fit my Protege?

 

Redcivic, you should scope the vendor section for products I'm offering.

My personal favorite mod is the Ebay Intake for $38 shipped. I noticed a .2s drop in my 1/8th mile time with just this mod. I'm not making claims for them, but SOMETHING caused my car to pull harder on the top end.

 

angels?

 

angels or "natural gas" powered!

sometimes it feels like my car is posessed by the evil twin of Mazda.....Adzam, whose moto is sputter sputter as opposed to "zoom zoom". I mainly notice this in the heat and whenever the AC is on!

 

Evil this, evil that. Evil Mazda, evil dealerships. Next thing you know ya gonna claim I'm evil....oh, wait...

 

I'm gonna bust you in your Decpti-chops......Everytime I look around all I see are Decipticons. It makes my optics sizzle. When will I ever have enough Energon cubes to power a full scale assault?? And when I do will I have enough left over for a new cat-back and the mazdaspeed struts??

 

A few more questions. Can some break down the generations? Are there any sites for JDM parts? Where can I get a brief history on the protege and shared platforms? Can you guys recommend some more performance oriented forums on the protege?

 

You will find most of what you need to know right here:

http://web2.airmail.net/theman/protegefaq