first car.

[Snowman]

i gotta ask why.

also x88x your car does look pretty cheap and it s a 4 cylinder so not a gas hog. what about upgradability?

the 8 valve 2.0 may not be the fastest boat in the water but it is darn near indestructable. My motor has been through a lot that a normal one wouldn't survive. One of the biggest pluses in my eyes for the VAG (volkswagen automotive group) cars is they are still using iron instead of aluminum. You can build and rebuild this motor all you want to and the only concerns really are the aluminum head. I am watching a project now where a guy is building off of a 6 cylinder and it is going to be putting down at least 200 whp at each wheel. They are fun little cars and most are mechanical tanks so to speak. I am currently looking for a mk3 jetta or golf

[x88x]

also x88x your car does look pretty cheap and it s a 4 cylinder so not a gas hog. what about upgradability?

I've never really gotten into it, but there does exist a Protege tuning community. Just search for Mazda Protege tuning with your search engine of choice; some stuff should pop up. I remember a while ago finding an entire forum dedicated to tuning/modding/etc Protege's, but can't for the life of me remember where it was.

As far as 4-door sedans go, yeah, it's a great little car. Personally, though, if I were to do it again I would go for a hatchback. Largely though, because I have occasion to carry bulky cargo more often than I have occasion to carry passengers. One I've always loved the design of is the Honda Accord mk2 hatchback. Partially, I think, because it's what I learned to drive in (when I was 13.. ), but I just think it offers a great compromise between a sedan and a hatchback (though the backseat probably isn't nearly as large as I remember it..). I probably wouldn't buy one anymore (gen2 was '81-'85), but I still like the design.

I miss slant-roofed hatchbacks. They seem to have died in the 80's in everything but a few sports cars. There is definitely something to be said for finding a happy compromise between style, aerodynamics, and practicality.

[Twigsoffury]

I've never really gotten into it, but there does exist a Protege tuning community. Just search for Mazda Protege tuning with your search engine of choice; some stuff should pop up. I remember a while ago finding an entire forum dedicated to tuning/modding/etc Protege's, but can't for the life of me remember where it was.

man that mazda would explode if you went and tried to put some aftermarket equipment on it after running so long like that. especially if its got a ton of miles.

Cold air intake today, New intake EGR valve/Gasket/o2 sensors/TPS/MAFS tomorrow!

I'm a sucker for a quality station wagon myself

You can say "that station wagon is ghey" as its dustin' on your a@# like a wheat crop.

[altec]

Other then the nasty looking wheel offset, that wagon looks nice.

[Spawn-Inc]

first car + power = big ass ticket... trust me, i speak from experience

haha, me to, and i don't even have much power (sunfire)

I love the vw 2.0 ask me why...

nice air horns, do they sound like a train? and are you running a system or is that the power wire from the alt?

[x88x]

man that mazda would explode if you went and tried to put some aftermarket equipment on it after running so long like that. especially if its got a ton of miles.

lol. Quite possibly. It more fills the role of 'good dependable car that gets me where I want to go, looks ok doing it, and gives a bit of fun when I want it to'. I've never been one to pour money into my car...instead I pour money into my computer...which depreciates a lot faster...

Nice car, looks like some nice additions too...just one problem. ...those spoilers..I'm no aerodynamics expert, but I would be willing to bet money that the bottom one doesn't really do anything...and I wouldn't be surprised if the top one doesn't have much affect either. Take those off and it's a nice little car.

[blaze15301]

well i want to thank all you guys for your in put and ill still keep this open. i unfortunately wont be buying a car anytime soon because i just lost my job.

[farlo]

that sucks man, sorry to hear it.

[x88x]

Damn, sorry to hear that. Hope you find another one (assuming you're looking).

[Snowman]

nice air horns, do they sound like a train? and are you running a system or is that the power wire from the alt?

No, they broke I am getting a deeper set of horns and finding somewhere else to mount them. That is the main fuse box that sits on top of the battery it loks like this

I am running a system but you can't see the wires because I am ninja like that. I actually have a full set of ground and power running the full length of the car, as well as the switch wire from just inside the firewall to the trunk. This car was by far the easiest I have ever wired (did it on my lunch break) and has great accoustics.

To the OP sorry about the job loss that always stinks.