How to spend $2000

[ProtegeES03]

Imagine you won $2000 and you own a 2003 Protege ES. What mods would you do?

I initially planned to go with kit + drop but I can't find a kit that I'm pleased with after a month of searching (pretty sure I've looked through everything available, currently looking into custom)

Open to any suggestions. Car is A/T :(

[TX Speed Demon]

Trade in and downpayment on a new car with a manual trans.

[Replica]

Trade in and downpayment on a new car with a manual trans.Yeah...or a p5 or something.

[SOLO Proto]

Suspension, wheels and tires...or save for a turbo

[Familia323]

depends on what you want... do you care about performance more or looks?

[Ja7Red]

You don't like the buddyclub2 kit?
http://www.buddyclub2.com/
Check it out if you havn't. It's a nice kit.

[JCell]

Suspension, wheels and tires...or save for a turbo

i had the same thing in mind, but also the buddy club 2 kit, it's freaking awsome

[ProtegeES03]

Probably looks. If I wanted something fast (which I do) I would get a new car (when I have money). As for the bc2 kit, I agree it looks great on the sedan. But I haven't seen any perfect fitting bc2 kit installed, and have heard nothing but negative comments about fitment and quality. I have no confidence that it would come close to fitting as well as in their pictures (which is pretty nice)


depends on what you want... do you care about performance more or looks?

[ProtegeES03]

No offense to the legion of p5 lovers on this forum. It's a nice car but
1. not a big fan of hatchbacks/wagon and 2. if I wanted a p5 I would have bought it to begin with instead of the ES (about the same price I believe).




Yeah...or a p5 or something.

[Familia323]

why not do some of the MP3 conversion if not all? Not that I like everyone and their mom doing it now, but it makes the car look so much better. Even if you did the front and the sides, it would still look good and not cost too much. And as a bonus you know it is going to fit perfect, unlike all the aftermarket stuff.

[never Ender]

Do an MP3/MSP conversion. Then stiffen your suspension. ;)

[Ja7Red]

Do an MP3/MSP conversion. Then stiffen your suspension. ;)

I just wanted you all to know that it is pretty expensive to do a MP3/MSP conversion. First you have to get a hold of the parts. I did it at a low cost $190 is what I found the kit for on ebay for an MP3 and the guy was local so I didn't have to pay for shipping, he delivered it. Then you gotta have it painted and prepped. Everyone wanted $800 to do that. I had the Mazda dealership that I bought my car from do it and they charged $500. Then there's the most expensive part to get. The rebars. OMG they are $400 for rebars. The Mazda bodyshop said I'd either have to pay that or wreck my car. As fate would have it, my front end was smashed and luckily it wasn't bad, but insurance was going to have to buy a new one and new rebars, and Mazda's bodyshop oredered the MP3/MSP rebars for me. No, I dind't wreck the car on purpose. I was ran off the road by a damn Neon coming home from a trip, he cut me off and it was raining, I hit the brakes to avoid getting hit and went into a slide at 60mph and my front drivers side bumper kissed the concrete divider. Not much damage. I was lucky. Now, why do you need new rebars? Well, if you have a regular sedan (dx,lx,es) they have longer rebars. The P5,MSP,MP3 have much shorter rebars so the fog lights will fit in. The shop told me I might be able to run without the rebars, but they wouldn't do it because if I did get in a wreck my whole front would be lost.

[ProtegeES03]

mp3/mps conversion is expensive as hell + if I get a kit I would like to get something that looks at least a little different from stock. $190 is a ridiculous price, good find.


I just wanted you all to know that it is pretty expensive to do a MP3/MSP conversion. First you have to get a hold of the parts. I did it at a low cost $190 is what I found the kit for on ebay for an MP3 and the guy was local so I didn't have to pay for shipping, he delivered it. Then you gotta have it painted and prepped. Everyone wanted $800 to do that. I had the Mazda dealership that I bought my car from do it and they charged $500. Then there's the most expensive part to get. The rebars. OMG they are $400 for rebars. The Mazda bodyshop said I'd either have to pay that or wreck my car. As fate would have it, my front end was smashed and luckily it wasn't bad, but insurance was going to have to buy a new one and new rebars, and Mazda's bodyshop oredered the MP3/MSP rebars for me. No, I dind't wreck the car on purpose. I was ran off the road by a damn Neon coming home from a trip, he cut me off and it was raining, I hit the brakes to avoid getting hit and went into a slide at 60mph and my front drivers side bumper kissed the concrete divider. Not much damage. I was lucky. Now, why do you need new rebars? Well, if you have a regular sedan (dx,lx,es) they have longer rebars. The P5,MSP,MP3 have much shorter rebars so the fog lights will fit in. The shop told me I might be able to run without the rebars, but they wouldn't do it because if I did get in a wreck my whole front would be lost.

[Ja7Red]

mp3/mps conversion is expensive as hell + if I get a kit I would like to get something that looks at least a little different from stock. $190 is a ridiculous price, good find.

Maybe a sport 20 conversion. They do have the parts at corksport.com and so far I've only seen one car that did it. I know it's a bit more difficult to do on a Pro that is above 99. The other thing is if you get lucky and come across the parts on ebay or somewhere for the mp3/msp conversion you can keep it looking different than stock by getting the autoexe/style front lip. There's also a nice kit at www.onderground.com , the squall kit. That kit goes on ebay a lot, there's also an evo kit that is made for the 2 piece headlight 3rd gens, but it would probobly fit with a little fiberglass modification. Just a few extra choices. A hint when looking on ebay, try mazdaspeed protege, then mazda speed protege, and check mazda mp3. I saw another mp3 front and rear bumper with the lip already on it for sale shortly after I got mine, but they arn't on very often. Check out corksport.com they usually have a lot of different body kits. They have one that would probobly fit right up on the (dx,lx,es) that is on the polk momo protege and it looks almost the same as stock but it has a nice lip on it, you can find pics of it installed on a p5 and an es at cardomain.com http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/432962 there's a link to the es. http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/12/web/432000-432999/432962_2_full.jpg

[ProtegeES03]

I've seen just about everything there is and either price/looks/quality is a factor which turns me away. I'd rather get something that fits directly than do any conversion. The only kit I really like the looks of is the buddy club kit, which from what other people have said is horrible quality/fit. Personally don't like any of those designs on onderground (which is where I think I'd have to get the bc2 kit) and their customer service is not the greatest.
Why the hell is WW the only company that makes a damn urethane kit for the sedan :(

Tried e-mailing corksport = no reply for at least half a month so I gave up on that + price after shipping from them would not be that pretty. Shipping to canada is retarded


Maybe a sport 20 conversion. They do have the parts at corksport.com and so far I've only seen one car that did it. I know it's a bit more difficult to do on a Pro that is above 99. The other thing is if you get lucky and come across the parts on ebay or somewhere for the mp3/msp conversion you can keep it looking different than stock by getting the autoexe/style front lip. There's also a nice kit at www.onderground.com , the squall kit. That kit goes on ebay a lot, there's also an evo kit that is made for the 2 piece headlight 3rd gens, but it would probobly fit with a little fiberglass modification. Just a few extra choices. A hint when looking on ebay, try mazdaspeed protege, then mazda speed protege, and check mazda mp3. I saw another mp3 front and rear bumper with the lip already on it for sale shortly after I got mine, but they arn't on very often. Check out corksport.com they usually have a lot of different body kits. They have one that would probobly fit right up on the (dx,lx,es) that is on the polk momo protege and it looks almost the same as stock but it has a nice lip on it, you can find pics of it installed on a p5 and an es at cardomain.com http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/432962 there's a link to the es. http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/12/web/432000-432999/432962_2_full.jpg

[SpicyMchaggis]

a MP3 conversion only costs about 1000$ w/o wheels..thats all the body parts, and painted..another 550$ for struts/springs and 500$ for the MP3 wheels...done..so 2g's out the door and your car will be nice..but then again, take the 2g's you got and trade your car in for an MSP..

[never Ender]

If you don't wanna spend the money on the MP3/MSP conversion. Then get the lip kit Mazda offers.

http://images.auction123.com/A123IH/110dd74b-fdbd-4f0d-a522-9eb9e4e84b6a/JM1BJ225431165218/01/webimage001l.jpg

More pics here: http://www.msprotege.com/vbb230/showthread.php?t=48637

[Shades]

I'd go for the Oliver billet rods n pistons gb going on and a nice cf hood. Extra c-bills? slam it with some springs, or go UR underdrive pulley or catback exhaust.

Or you could go for stoptech's big brake kit...

Or you could put it into a turbo fund...

If you want to put it towards looks: Hot rimz (1K), shocks & struts (800), tint (200)

D@mn, someday when I finally get my money tree to grow, life will be good :)

[Familia323]

ah
a MP3 conversion only costs about 1000$ w/o wheels..thats all the body parts, and painted..another 550$ for struts/springs and 500$ for the MP3 wheels...done..so 2g's out the door and your car will be nice..but then again, take the 2g's you got and trade your car in for an MSP..

I dont know where you got your stuff from but it cost me more than 1000 for the body stuff and to paint it thats for sure....

[ProtegeES03]

Agreed. I'm leaning towards bc2 if I'm going to get a kit, but very nervous about the fit and breaking it.


ah

I dont know where you got your stuff from but it cost me more than 1000 for the body stuff and to paint it thats for sure....

[SpicyMchaggis]

hmm, thats all its costing me..

[Familia323]

Agreed. I'm leaning towards bc2 if I'm going to get a kit, but very nervous about the fit and breaking it.
so if you are that worried about fitment(which I would be).. then just get pieces of the MP3 stuff. You dont have to do everything at once you know. If you get the right parts at one time it wont look bad at all.... Plus if you do have someone bump into you it isnt going to crack and cost you another bumper... I dont know.. just a thought. It also helps if you know someone that can cut you a deal on paint.

[Ja7Red]

ah

I dont know where you got your stuff from but it cost me more than 1000 for the body stuff and to paint it thats for sure....

I agree. I got lucky and found the whole kit(front,sides,rear) for $190 like I said before, but just the front bumper retails for about $400 from a dealer. You also have to buy the rebars(they are extremly important) which the mazda shop told me were $400. Also fog lights, you can live without them, but it completes the look(you can get some cheap for about $60. Then every shop I went to quoted $800 for paint and install, my local Mazda body shop was less and did it for $500. So if you're a good shopper yeah it could cost about $1,000 for just the body kit and install. I wouldn't say only $1,000 as if it was pocket change though.

[DiS]

If you don't wanna spend the money on the MP3/MSP conversion. Then get the lip kit Mazda offers.

http://images.auction123.com/A123IH/110dd74b-fdbd-4f0d-a522-9eb9e4e84b6a/JM1BJ225431165218/01/webimage001l.jpg

More pics here: http://www.msprotege.com/vbb230/showthread.php?t=48637

holly crap!!!! Where can I get this lip kit?!!?!? Im guessing dealer (wow)

[shinzen]

It seems that your local mazda dealer is hosing you big time- I got a quote 2 days ago for the front bumper for $205- then go buy some rebar and cut it to length- I think there's a how to for doing that and putting it on. Paint you shouldn't pay more than about $300 from a good shop for the front bumper, that's without the hook up

[ProtegeES03]

mazdastuff.com $261.00


holly crap!!!! Where can I get this lip kit?!!?!? Im guessing dealer (wow)

[jred321]

header, catback, intake, nitrous, fuel

[ProtegeES03]

I doubt I could get a front bumper for only $205, and after the rebar doesn't seem worth my while just to get the look of a MP3 front. If the lip cost $260, $205 is a pretty good price for the front that you're getting. The parts itself for a full MPS or MP3 look is well over $1000 CDN quoted by my dealer, and I don't think they factored in the rebar. I think my friend can hook me up with a paint/install < $500 CDN but no clue how good this shop is.


It seems that your local mazda dealer is hosing you big time- I got a quote 2 days ago for the front bumper for $205- then go buy some rebar and cut it to length- I think there's a how to for doing that and putting it on. Paint you shouldn't pay more than about $300 from a good shop for the front bumper, that's without the hook up

[ProtegeES03]

A/T :(

Prob why I'm leaning away from any performance mods, and doubt an exhaust would sound as nice on an auto.


header, catback, intake, nitrous, fuel

[jred321]

A/T :(

Prob why I'm leaning away from any performance mods, and doubt an exhaust would sound as nice on an auto.so? wasn't pirana running a lot of power on his auto p5? and i don't think it started slipping until ~250whp, so i wouldn't worry about that. exhaust isn't done for sound

[DiS]

mazdastuff.com $261.00

ah bummer, only the front lip is 260! too expensive

[Familia323]

hehehe.. the "rebar" isnt actually a piece of 1/2 in. or so rebar that you use to place in concrete. The reinforcement bar is a big piece of metal that has another piece of styrofoam that is molded to the shape of the front bumper. It supports the bumper and holds the bumpers shape. But anyway, the front bumper at the time cost me 225, the rebar 224, you also need the new front upper grill 130, lower grill 45, fender wells 40 each, sideskirts/rearvalance/wing about 600(i got that stuff from a friend).. then install is not that hard. I have never installed body parts before and I didnt have any trouble. Its just scary drilling holes into your car. But If you think that 260 for a lip is expensive then yeah... you would be better off with aftermarket stuff. I actually think that lip looks pretty good..... good luck with your decision...

[SpicyMchaggis]

yo..car-part.com...GO..

[Familia323]

body massage..

[scorch70]

body massage..
With a Happy Ending! :) wink, wink.



scorch70

[brandon2k]

$2000.....? Hmmmm.... I would pay off about a tenth of the Visa card. (second)

[ProtegeES03]

$2000 for a body massage? (chair)


body massage..

[Familia323]

gi joe short films....... spicymchaggis knows.