Im looking at a 95 protege with 64k miles. It is in good shape with a auto trans. What I wanted to know is when should you replace the timing belt, and what else should I look at on the car(what goes wrong around 65k). Also how reliable are the auto trans on these? Any imformation would be very helpful.

Thanks

cm

 

If the timing belt hasn't been replaced, then it should be anytime soon. 60,000 miles is the recommended interval for changing it.
I don't think that these cars are one of those "100,000 miles between scheduled tune up" types of cars so you may or may not be wise to replace the plugs, wires, cap rotor, fuel filter etc... Are there any service records for it?? If there are then maybe you can see if all of these things have been done recently. If not them it may cost you a fair bit right off the bat if you decide to get it all done right away.
A timing belt was quoted for me, something like $230.
When I did alot of stuff this summer, plugs were about 30$ fuel filter 45$
Wires 60+$ and cap& rotor were around the 60$ mark as well. Mind you these are in Canadian dollars........
I don't know about the automatics having any problems, but if you check here protege faq (thanks to edwinn) there are a few Tech Service bulletins that might have to do with the auto.

 

I would also suggest coolant flush, tranny flush. That is what I am doing when I hit 60K, that and a fuel filter. I already changed spark plugs, and otherwise the car is running fine.

 

Sound advice, I gotta get that done when I get my timing belt changed Also the belts replaced too.

 

pull the dipstick on the tranny, and smell the fluid...
if it smells burnt and is brown.. dont get it
its soon going to crap out

look for uneven tire wear, cause if there is the car could have been in an accident and the frame could be bent.....

its not generally recommended to do this...
but go start the car when its cold, and upon initial start up, give 1 hard rev

the sales man might get mad, but when u do it have someone standing at the tailpipe to see if any blue smoke is coming out

cars this new usually wont burn oil, but if the oil hasnet been changed on time, or the oil lever has been low for prolonged times....
the car wont seal

also pull a plug and check it for abnormal signs....

check the oil to see if it looks milky....
if it is u got an internal coolant leak

and check underneath for signs of oil leakage

 

Thanks for all of the advice. Im going to have my mech check it out before i consider buying it.

Thanks again

CM