What to do with $500?
 

I've got an 02 Protege ES totally stock. I also have $500 to spend on the car.
What should I do? CAI? Lowering kit? New exhaust? Short shifter? Something else?
I'm looking to get the most bang for the buck--as in HP, torque, handeling, and speed--without sacrificing too much gas mileage or daily driving comfort. I put about 450-550 miles on the car every week for work.
Thanks for the help.

I'm assuming it's a 5-spd...

Here's my shortlist.

Ebay CAI~~$48-60

OBX 4-1 Header~~$230

AWR front motor mount~~$65

Kartboy shifter bushings~~$35

Tein S-tech springs~~$160

That would just about round you up! Get some power and suspension.

are the motor mounts really that shitty? I mean the car is a 2002, why would you need to replace any motor mounts?

since you dont own a protege I guess you don't know about it's quirks......so yes, the mounts suck horribly.

The motor mounts are crap. I'm due for replacement as soon as my end-of-the-year bonus comes in!

Thanks
 

Thanks for the help. I'm in the planning stage now, and will post again when I'm decide what to do.
How much HP can expect from these mods(asides from the suspension/transmission mods), and how will it affect my gas mileage?

the intake and header are the only REAL performance mods...I'd expect about 10whp+ or so with those two. Not a lot but the intake will help make the car more responsive off the line and the header will give nice gains on the top end. A lot of extra passing power...

The springs lower the car and make it ride smoother yet firm when needed. The bushings reduce all of the shifter slop making it feel crisper and the motor mount keeps the engine from rocking around, axels from hopping, etc....