A problem away from owning a 2002 Mazda Protege-Please Help!

[Adela]

Hello to all Mazda fans. After few years of admiring Mazda protege's I decided to get one. A used (that's all I can afford for now) 2002 Mazda Protege ES with 80 K, a really clean and well taken care of car. I looked at it, drove it and want it-one thing scares me though. When we looked under the car, we saw a dash (on the second half of the car-i would say right under rear seats) that was cracked. I have never seen one before, and don't know why it it there (and cracked). Any ideas? I would really appreciate any help. I will not be able to afford high repair costs and would like to know if this is serious and if i should stay away from this car.
Thank You!

[ucMP3]

I dont understand what you're talking about. What do you mean by "dash" on the underbody? Pics and/or a better description will make it easier for someone to help you out.

[Adela]

No pictures unfortunately. It looks like a cover for something, but I don't know what it could possibly protect down there. Maybe they scratched the car on something? What could they have damaged? I do not know how to describe it any better. Thanks!

[ucMP3]

They only thing I can think of it being is the plastic cover that goes underneath where the gas tank is. There are gas lines and (I think) some wiring going above this plastic piece. If it's cracked, I guess they bottomed it out on something maybe? I don't know. But this piece is just a plastic aesthetic piece for the most part... I would check the chassis & more important items that are above this "dash piece" as you call it.

[MaxPower]

Before you ever buy a used car, you should take it to a competent mechanic for an inspection. The $80-100 you pay is well worth the peace of mind and insurance against an obvious problem.

If a car you're interested in spooks you, don't buy it. There are plenty of others out there.

[nilsonov]

Go try to find any other Protege out there...maybe the dealers even, and see if it looks the same down there or not.

[chernisky299]

you could even check on here you might be able to find a protege near you, and if your looking for just a normal protege you will come by more, when i bought mine i found one with less miles and cheaper with a few cosmetic flaws but i ended up changing that in my car that was already fine, moral of the story you may find something else

[80sGuy]

Hello to all Mazda fans. After few years of admiring Mazda protege's I decided to get one. A used (that's all I can afford for now) 2002 Mazda Protege ES with 80 K, a really clean and well taken care of car. I looked at it, drove it and want it-one thing scares me though. When we looked under the car, we saw a dash (on the second half of the car-i would say right under rear seats) that was cracked. I have never seen one before, and don't know why it it there (and cracked). Any ideas? I would really appreciate any help. I will not be able to afford high repair costs and would like to know if this is serious and if i should stay away from this car.
Thank You!Why don't you ask the original owner of the car and see what this crack is all about.

[ucMP3]

Go try to find any other Protege out there...maybe the dealers even, and see if it looks the same down there or not.

you could even check on here you might be able to find a protege near you, and if your looking for just a normal protege you will come by more, when i bought mine i found one with less miles and cheaper with a few cosmetic flaws but i ended up changing that in my car that was already fine, moral of the story you may find something else

Why don't you ask the original owner of the car and see what this crack is all about.

You guys are responding to a thread thats a month old...