All of my cars are paid for, so I pay myself a cay payment each month as well to cover any costs that might crop up. that way, I know it has been serviced, safety items are good to go, and I have some money left over to tackle any major repair that might come my way.
02 mazda protege hatchback reddit install#
that way I can do things like, install new brakes, tires, shocks, spark plugs, maybe an ignition coil, complete fluid change, etc. I save at least $1000-2000 ON TOP of the purchase price of the vehicle. Your goal is to figure out what issues it has, and if they are 1) a deal breaker or not, 2) if they are something you can live with or have to fix right away.Īs far as budget.
02 mazda protege hatchback reddit free#
They'll often do it for very little money, or even free (hoping to earn your business for repairs down the road). The #1 recommendation for any used car is to get a PPI (pre purchase inspection) done at a shop you trust. the person selling it, is selling it for a reason. In general mazda makes reliable cars, they are often just behind toyota in reliability (and sometimes ahead).īUT again, the car is 17 years old. Now it's a beast and super fun to drive.Īny used car that is 17 years old is going to have issues, Regardless of make/model. My original engine was at around 142K (running perfect) before I turned it into a MSP5 (Mazdaspeed Protege 5) thanks to the forged engine/drivetrain donation with many other upgrades from my totaled MSP (2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege). Just make sure that maintenances and oil changes have been done, if there is proof even better, oh and the major services like the timing belt have been done (specially with the milage it has), it should be a very dependable car. I've had to replace that damn switch every couple years, last time being the begining of this summer (this would make it switch #5). It's just bad design where it overheats/wears out and stops working where random fan speeds don't work when selected. There has only been one major issue that affects the P5 and regular Protege sedans, the AC fan switch. I have done all the recommended maintenances which has kept it going all these years with zero issues. Pop out the plastic parking brake bracket and then cup holder/shift console can pop out next.Ĭheck if you have the stock subwoofer pin power cable in the hatch area, if so there's plenty of P5 OEM spare tire subs on eBay.I have had my 2002 Protege5 since it first came out, supposedly the first one in Arizona (that's what the dealer told me as they took it from the showroom floor and got it ready for me, IDK guess I'll take their word for it.). Really easy to take apart center console for keeping cup holder and shift area clean. If AC control flickers on and off at 3-4 setting buy a new/replacement switch.
Headlights are easy replacement but be careful not to lose the metal bracket pin.įog light bulb replacement instructions are not in owners manual, but pretty easy to do after some online research. Watch out for brittle air intake hose especially at the accordion-looking section. Keep an eye out for power door lock actuators failing due to plastic construction in the mechanisms. P5 has a non-interference engine which means the valves will not come into contact with the pistons if the timing belt breaks. Don't let a repair shop scare you into a preventive timing belt replacement if you don't really have the money available.
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