I'm shopping for a *new* daily driver. '90-'94 (?) Protoge LX, 323, or Escort GT. I don't know much about these cars other than they are basically the same, mechanically.
What is the best car to get out of the group? I like to autocross so I think a car that fits into STS would be idea. Of course it has to be manual. I know some came with 1.6L and other 1.8L . Were LX and GT's only with 1.8L?
what are their common problems?
why do you guys like them so much?
Do they make as competative STS car as I've been led to believe? Are the suspension mods relatively cheap? I'm open to all sorts of info!

Thanks,
Morgan

 

I have both a 323 and a Pro LX. The 1.8l DOHC is only avaliable in the LX and the Escort GT, it's a great engine, pretty quick. The 323 is kind of a beast, the engine feels like a truck engine, I'm not too impressed with mine. But hell, I still love it

Suspension mods aren't that expensive, and there are a few people on here that autox theirs quite successfully (or have). My LX handles great right now, and it's bone stock. I've never driven a GT, so I can't speculate on them.

I'd say look for a LX. Quick, gets decent gas mileage, handles well, and you can find them cheap. I just bought mine a few months ago with 150k on it, and it still runs like a dream... I haven't heard of any major re-occuring problems with them, so you should be fine. You could make a 323 a hell of an autoxer, but you'd have to do so many mods you'd get stuck in a very competitive class. Although, I'm just guessing, I don't know anything about autox. Hope this helps

 

Yeah the axles to be a little annoying on my DX (SOHC). I've been fortunate that I haven't had any seatbelt problems though!!!

 

I must agree the LX is a great little car. I get very decent performance and the car is bone stock. Bet part is they can be had dirt cheap. Parts are readily avalable in the bone yards for odds and ends. Buying off the shelf will not break you either. So far the only annoyance I have had is a bit of a rough idle. I bot the parts for the tune up but i have pneumonia right now so nothings getting done. The car passed Mass inspection with no problems. Since I have been sick my wife has been using the car and i fear at this rate i wont be able to pry it out of her hands.

Good luck

Mike

 

Get a lx they have alot of options and give u alittle higher revs. its nice to have power windows and a moonroof :-) ..Jon

 

The LX/EGT are great autox cars. The EGT is slightly lighter, but not much of a difference.

You could build an STS LX/EGT for about $1000 that will be pretty competitive locally, spend another $500-1000 for a nationally competitive car. (not including the price of the car itself)

I run STS and my website (link in my sig below) has everything i've done to it. We have about 3 or 4 serious 1st gen autoxers, among them is David Avard, 13 year vet and one of the top STS drivers in the LA region as well as a nationally competitive driver. David, along with Will Kalman (EGT driver) are both featured in this months Grassroots Motorsports magazine.

 

if you can, find a '94 LX. it has true 9:1 compression pistons and a 'header style' factory exhaust manifold. if you can't, no worries - the '90-93 LX is good too.

besides the Escort GT, you could also look for the very rare 94? Escort LX-E. its a 4dr version of the Pro LX as is the more common 91-96 Mercury Tracer LTS. the only thing about these 3 'Detroit choices' is i tend to think they are not quite as reliable as the japanese made Protege. the engine/tranny/suspension yes...but not the rest of the components - instruments, switches, etc...then again i don't know that for sure.

they are fun, reliable cars... after spending 12 years with the LX, its better than ever!

 

the only problem with the EGT is the cluster speed doing crazy and the cd player is not good. other then that is a realy good car.

 

Egts got a cd player? ... what year did they get that ?..Jon

 

don't know which year but my 95 GT and my 96 lx come with a cdplayer.

 

Thats a sweet option. i know my buddies 93 delsol came with a stock cd deck which was a option for $1005 but it still works mint today and the car has 210k ...Jon