Buying an '03 LX 2.0 auto what to look for?

[LowriderS10]

Hey guys,

First off, nice message board :)

I have a chance to buy an '03 Protege LX 2.0 auto for dirt cheap (about half or third of the going rate). Has about 55K miles on it, mostly old lady driven, dealer maintained, in perfect condition. (It was used by my g/f's work, so I know a lot of its history).

Anyways...what should I look for? Any trouble spots? I drove it and looked it over and can't find anything wrong with it lol

also, what sort of gas mileage should I expect? thanks in advance :)

[mazdaspeedemon2]

DON'T BUY AN AUTO unless your not going to mod it
don't make the mistake i did

[LowriderS10]

why not?

I HATE auto transmissions, but this is too good of a deal to give up. And I'm planning on using it strictly as a commuter (for a "fun" vehicle, I have my lowrider). All I'm planning on doing to it is maybe tint, lower it, rims and a different front end (P5 most likely)...but even those will be a while. It's mostly going to be a practical A to B car.

[StealthWyvern]

Well if its auto make sure it doesnt take to long to engage into gear from park. It should engage fairly quick. My trans was slipping tell I put some trans no-slip crap in it but now the trans takes a little bit longer to engage into gear.... Most people dont notice it but its their.

[LowriderS10]

ahhhhh thanks...I used to do that engage test all the time...then I stopped buying automatics and totally forgot...I'll do that (or get my g/f to do it, since the car's 600 miles from me lol) ASAP...great advice :)

[LowriderS10]

my g/f just went and checked and said it goes into gear instantly :)

[mazdaspeedemon2]

auto trannys wont put up with alot of hp 200bhp at most

[LowriderS10]

oh thanks haha...well, I don't think mine (if I get it, and I don't see why I wouldn't) would ever see that kinda power...this will be a commuter with maybe a few mods to look/handle better...(my lowrider has a fully built engine, full suspension, etc, etc, no need to dump money both ways). Plus, since I drive about 40-50K kms a year I won't do any engine mods that would adversely affect fuel economy :) I doubt mine will ever see much more than intake/exhaust mods on the engine side of things...

[LowriderS10]

anyone else? :)

[LowriderS10]

nothing? seriously...come on people haha...

[StealthWyvern]

you stil haven't figured out if you want it or not? Have you looked at it yet? the trans engien ect ect

[LowriderS10]

I figured out that I wanted it a long time ago...it's my g/f's work car and her work has to get a new car before they sell the Protege (although they're working on getting special permission on selling the Protege to me, I'll find out in 10 days).

In my first post I've said that I've looked at it and drove it.

"trans engien ect ect" that's absolutely useless.

I want to know what to look for when buying a PROTEGE...specific problems normal car ppl may not think to look at (I've owned 12 vehicles so far I know what to look for in a used car...but I'd like to know the Protege-specific things I may overlook)...

[StealthWyvern]

I figured out that I wanted it a long time ago...it's my g/f's work car and her work has to get a new car before they sell the Protege (although they're working on getting special permission on selling the Protege to me, I'll find out in 10 days).

In my first post I've said that I've looked at it and drove it.

"trans engien ect ect" that's absolutely useless.

I want to know what to look for when buying a PROTEGE...specific problems normal car ppl may not think to look at (I've owned 12 vehicles so far I know what to look for in a used car...but I'd like to know the Protege-specific things I may overlook)...


I didnt go back and reread the entire thread. However did you get a chance to look at the car when its cold and drive it upto op temps.

[LowriderS10]

I drove it after it had been sitting for at least 5 or 6 hours and drove it for about 10-15 minutes on a July day, so I'd guess it was up to operating temp...why? Also, my g/f drives the car on an almost daily basis (put about 120 miles on it yesterday)

[StealthWyvern]

I drove it after it had been sitting for at least 5 or 6 hours and drove it for about 10-15 minutes on a July day, so I'd guess it was up to operating temp...why? Also, my g/f drives the car on an almost daily basis (put about 120 miles on it yesterday)


Some cars issues are more likely to be noticed on a cold engine. Take for example my exhuast leak on my MSP. Its hardly noticable when warm.