I'm just looking for a nice commuter from school to the mountains to snowboard. I found a nice protege5 with decently low mileage for a good price. Its super clean and has leather, any thoughts on the car? It is a 2003 with the standard 2.0 FS-DE motor.

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For the future I only plan on a painted front lip, maybe some eyelids and a light drop with some volks or advans.

 

Jump on it. It's a great little car and handles AWESOME! I had rented one while in Colorado on business a couple of years ago. After work and on weekends I would drive up to the Rocky Mtns and do some twisties. The Protege5 handles like it's on rails. Power is meager, but hey....its just a commuter. The handling makes up for it. The interior is really nice as well, and with the wagon/hatch you get tons of utility. A great little car.

 

Do it. We had one of those and a modded Miata for a while. The stock P5 was fun even compared to the Miata. They are stupid cheap right now too.

For example:

http://appleton.craigslist.org/cto/1531220174.html

2003, 36k, asking $7600 and I'm sure he'd take less.

 

my sister has one and it handles really well! the only thing i would say is the lack of power... it's pretty weak.
other than that, it's relatively cheap and pretty reliable.
Go for it!

 

+10

These are great little cars with plenty of room, good handling, decent fuel economy, and strong reliability.

 

I have had a few at my car dealership and they are great. I would rock a P5 as a daily any time. Leather Sunroof cars are pretty rare, at least in these parts.

 

+1, and the mazdaspeed proteges are quite nice as well.

 

I drove a 2000 Protege four door before the S. Great car with awesome FWD handling. Fun to drive!

 

GREAT cars Definitely VERY underpowered, but everything else made up for it!

I bought one brand new back in 2003 and had to get rid of it after 6 mos to make room for the S2000. I still regret it

 

heck yes! and get the MP3 ecu for another 10hp and a much flatter torque curve. if you have windy roads you will love that thing.