Considering a Protege

[shaundarbie]

My sister-in-law is wanting a new car: something small, inexpensive, reliable, four doors and good on gas. My first thought...Protege! She's probably looking at late 90's, base model (1.6 or 1.8 would be fine for her), and I think she'll want an ATX.

My question--besides the normal car stuff, is there anything specific to watch out for? I.e., is the ATX prone to failure like the 626?

Other models we will look at are the usual suspects: Civic, Corolla, Elantra, and maybe a Kia.

Thanks in advance!

[hello2000]

Here's a few...
-2000 Toyota Camry (approx. $8K) 27 - 32 MPG, 2.2L 133hp
-2001 Toyota Corolla CE (approx. $9.5K) 33 -41 MPG, 1.8L 125hp
-2000 Mazda Protege LX (approx. $7K) 29 - 34 MPG, 1.8L 103 - 122hp
-2000 Honda Civic EX (approx. $8K) 35 - 43 MPG, 1.6L 102 - 160hp
-2000 Acura Integra GS (approx. $8K) 30 - 31 MPG, 1.8L 140 - 195hp
-2001 Mitsubishi Galant ES (approx. $7.5K) 27 -28 MPG, 2.4L 140hp
-1999 Kia Sephia (approx $5K) 31 MPG, 1.8L 125hp

I know you said late 90's but I done 2000's, so late 90's will be cheaper. Personally I like either the Civic or Corolla, best gas millage.

[martinmzfan]

The only three, small economical cars I'd recommend which meet her criteria closely are the following:

Mazda 3i (4-dr or Hatch)
Toyota Corolla
Honda Civic

Based on professional reviews and independant testing orgs. My 2 cents.

[zerocover]

2000 Mazda Protege LX = 1.6l 105hp

Cheap and reliable. No problems with anything. The car spent the night at the dealer once but that was when the maf was recalled. + its the strongest engine avaible for the pro, (no one has been able to kill one, 30+ psi on stock bottom end easy).

The Es 1.8l is also a pretty reliable car. But its stuck with the fd which we all know is an fs variant so idk about that.

The only thing I can think of that can directly compete with a pro would be the civic or the corolla. Now my aunt has a late 90's civic it was good and reiable untill the engine gave out.

And as far as the corolla goes, I dont see why anyone would ever buy a toyota.

All that aside the 1.6l 2000 protege can be had for around $4k if you buy from a private party.The price cannot be beat. Anything else worth buying is gonna be twice that. The pros not as mainstream so its demand is lower, much better for the comsumer that knows what they want.

The ATX tranny is the same one used for the 2.0 pro and the 2.3l mazda 3, so on the 1.6l it will last forever.